RCIA The Creed: The Divine Faith We Profess and Believe

Chapter 3

“For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice” (John 18:37).

I want the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth …. 

You owe it to yourself to learn all about Christ’s life and teaching and what the Church believes. The goal is exposure to the entire content of the faith—not just a few things sprinkled willy-nilly. It ultimately boils down to truth, and truth matters!

The Catholic Online School RCIA program is carefully designed to provide you with a systematic, comprehensive education in the divine faith of the Church. The goal is to make you “of the truth” by exposing you to the voice of Christ.

We begin with “The Creed: The Divine Faith We Profess and Believe.”

The Creed—the faith we profess as Christians—is the first of the four main pillars of the faith we’ll be exploring. Here are some of the topics you’ll learn about in this section:

  • The longing for God and why happiness is found in God alone
  • Creation, the human person, reason, and the Church as paths to knowledge of God
  • God’s plan to share his blessed life with you
  • Sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture, and the saving Gospel
  • The gift of faith and living as a Christian
  • The mystery of God, the Holy Trinity, and creation
  • Man and woman, original sin, angels, and the devil
  • God sends his Son, Jesus Christ, into the world
  • The saving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
  • The Holy Spirit
  • The mystery of the Church
  • The Christian faithful of the Church: hierarchy, religious, and laity
  • The communion of the saints and praying to the saints
  • The Virgin Mary, Mother of God
  • Life everlasting: death, judgement, purgatory, heaven, and hell
  • The resurrection of the dead
  • The new heaven and the new earth


From all of us at Catholic Online School: May Christ bless you on your journey of faith.

“The Creed: The Divine Faith We Profess and Believe" is broken up into 8 different chapters. 

In this course, students will work through Chapter 3.

Students will cover - 

  • Course 7 - The Gift of Faith
  • Course 8 - The Mystery of God


Earning a certificate of completion in this online course is not a substitute for completing a parish-based RCIA program. The Sacraments of Initiation can only be conferred by a bishop or priest. This certificate means you have successfully completed a course of study that is intended to supplement your parish RCIA program.

For free. For everyone. Forever.

With God, you can learn anything

Course curriculum

  • 01

    Introduction to RCIA - For Adults - The Creed - Chapter 3 with 'Certificate of Completion'

    • How to get your 'Certificate of Completion'
  • 02

    The Creed - Chapter 3 - Course 7 - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 1 - Faith As Man's Free Response To God

    • INTRODUCTION - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 1 - Faith As Man's Free Response To God

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 1 - Faith As Man's Free Response To God

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 1 - Faith As Man's Free Response To God

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 1 - Faith As Man's Free Response To God

    • VIDEO - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 1 - Faith As Man's Free Response To God

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 1 - Faith As Man's Free Response To God

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 1 - Faith As Man's Free Response To God

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 1 - Faith As Man's Free Response To God

    • QUIZ - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 1 - Faith As Man's Free Response To God

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 1 - Faith As Man's Free Response To God

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 03

    The Creed - Chapter 3 - Course 7 - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 2 - Living Out the Virtue of Faith

    • INTRODUCTION - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 2 - Living Out the Virtue of Faith

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 2 - Living Out the Virtue of Faith

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 2 - Living Out the Virtue of Faith

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 2 - Living Out the Virtue of Faith

    • VIDEO - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 2 - Living Out the Virtue of Faith

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 2 - Living Out the Virtue of Faith

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 2 - Living Out the Virtue of Faith

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 2 - Living Out the Virtue of Faith

    • QUIZ - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 2 - Living Out the Virtue of Faith

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 2 - Living Out the Virtue of Faith

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 04

    The Creed - Chapter 3 - Course 7 - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 3 - Saved by Faith Alone?

    • INTRODUCTION - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 3 - Saved by Faith Alone?

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 3 - Saved by Faith Alone?

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 3 - Saved by Faith Alone?

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 3 - Saved by Faith Alone?

    • VIDEO - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 3 - Saved by Faith Alone?

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 3 - Saved by Faith Alone?

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 3 - Saved by Faith Alone?

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 3 - Saved by Faith Alone?

    • QUIZ - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 3 - Saved by Faith Alone?

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Gift of Faith - Lesson 3 - Saved by Faith Alone?

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 05

    The Creed - Chapter 3 - Course 8 - The Mystery of God - Lesson 1 - I Believe in One God

    • INTRODUCTION - The Mystery of God - Lesson 1 - I Believe in One God

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Mystery of God - Lesson 1 - I Believe in One God

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Mystery of God - Lesson 1 - I Believe in One God

    • VIDEO - The Mystery of God - Lesson 1 - I Believe in One God

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Mystery of God - Lesson 1 - I Believe in One God

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Mystery of God - Lesson 1 - I Believe in One God

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Mystery of God - Lesson 1 - I Believe in One God

    • QUIZ - The Mystery of God - Lesson 1 - I Believe in One God

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Mystery of God - Lesson 1 - I Believe in One God

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 06

    The Creed - Chapter 3 - Course 8 - The Mystery of God - Lesson 2 - The Holy Trinity

    • INTRODUCTION - The Mystery of God - Lesson 2 - The Holy Trinity

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Mystery of God - Lesson 2 - The Holy Trinity

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Mystery of God - Lesson 2 - The Holy Trinity

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Mystery of God - Lesson 2 - The Holy Trinity

    • VIDEO - The Mystery of God - Lesson 2 - The Holy Trinity

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Mystery of God - Lesson 2 - The Holy Trinity

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Mystery of God - Lesson 2 - The Holy Trinity

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Mystery of God - Lesson 2 - The Holy Trinity

    • QUIZ - The Mystery of God - Lesson 2 - The Holy Trinity

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Mystery of God - Lesson 2 - The Holy Trinity

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 07

    The Creed - Chapter 3 - Course 8 - The Mystery of God - Lesson 3 - The Creator and Creation

    • INTRODUCTION - The Mystery of God - Lesson 3 - The Creator and Creation

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Mystery of God - Lesson 3 - The Creator and Creation

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Mystery of God - Lesson 3 - The Creator and Creation

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Mystery of God - Lesson 3 - The Creator and Creation

    • VIDEO - The Mystery of God - Lesson 3 - The Creator and Creation

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Mystery of God - Lesson 3 - The Creator and Creation

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Mystery of God - Lesson 3 - The Creator and Creation

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Mystery of God - Lesson 3 - The Creator and Creation

    • QUIZ - The Mystery of God - Lesson 3 - The Creator and Creation

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Mystery of God - Lesson 3 - The Creator and Creation

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 08

    The Creed - Chapter 3 - Course 8 - The Mystery of God - Lesson 4 - The Genesis Creation Narrative

    • INTRODUCTION - The Mystery of God - Lesson 4 - The Genesis Creation Narrative

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Mystery of God - Lesson 4 - The Genesis Creation Narrative

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Mystery of God - Lesson 4 - The Genesis Creation Narrative

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Mystery of God - Lesson 4 - The Genesis Creation Narrative

    • VIDEO - The Mystery of God - Lesson 4 - The Genesis Creation Narrative

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Mystery of God - Lesson 4 - The Genesis Creation Narrative

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Mystery of God - Lesson 4 - The Genesis Creation Narrative

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Mystery of God - Lesson 4 - The Genesis Creation Narrative

    • QUIZ - The Mystery of God - Lesson 4 - The Genesis Creation Narrative

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Mystery of God - Lesson 4 - The Genesis Creation Narrative

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 09

    The Creed - Chapter 3 - Course 8 - The Mystery of God - Lesson 5 - What Can Catholics Believe about Evolution?

    • INTRODUCTION - The Mystery of God - Lesson 5 - What Can Catholics Believe about Evolution?

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Mystery of God - Lesson 5 - What Can Catholics Believe about Evolution?

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Mystery of God - Lesson 5 - What Can Catholics Believe about Evolution?

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Mystery of God - Lesson 5 - What Can Catholics Believe about Evolution?

    • VIDEO - The Mystery of God - Lesson 5 - What Can Catholics Believe about Evolution?

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Mystery of God - Lesson 5 - What Can Catholics Believe about Evolution?

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Mystery of God - Lesson 5 - What Can Catholics Believe about Evolution?

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Mystery of God - Lesson 5 - What Can Catholics Believe about Evolution?

    • QUIZ - The Mystery of God - Lesson 5 - What Can Catholics Believe about Evolution?

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Mystery of God - Lesson 5 - What Can Catholics Believe about Evolution?

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

Reviews; See what others are saying about this course

edward kyomuhendo

5 star rating

“Deacon Bartels is a wonderful teacher. This course was so informative and I really enjoyed taking it. Thank You!”

“Deacon Bartels is a wonderful teacher. This course was so informative and I really enjoyed taking it. Thank You!”

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Zandile Miriam Shaba

5 star rating

“I had a number of questions about evolution and the book of Genesis narrative. I am now able to see how they may be compatible with specific qualifications about God being the first cause and creator and his divine providence. Excellent course!”

“I had a number of questions about evolution and the book of Genesis narrative. I am now able to see how they may be compatible with specific qualifications about God being the first cause and creator and his divine providence. Excellent course!”

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Crystal Lynne dawn Day chief

5 star rating

“The teacher is easy to understand as well as the materials provided. Love it!”

“The teacher is easy to understand as well as the materials provided. Love it!”

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Carol Zimoski

5 star rating

“Very good. I loved this course.”

“Very good. I loved this course.”

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Patricia Guice

5 star rating

“Very Thorough course, helps me to understand catechism.”

“Very Thorough course, helps me to understand catechism.”

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edward kyomuhendo

5 star rating

“Deacon Bartels is a wonderful teacher. This course was so informative and I really enjoyed taking it. Thank You!”

“Deacon Bartels is a wonderful teacher. This course was so informative and I really enjoyed taking it. Thank You!”

→Read Less

Instructor(s)

Instructor Bio:

Deacon Frederick Bartels is a member of the Catholic clergy who serves the Church in the diocese of Pueblo, CO. He received an MA in Theology and Educational Ministry from Catholic Distance University, where he is currently employed as an adjunct professor of theology. He is founder and editor of Joy In Truth (joyintruth.com), an online magazine dedicated to the New Evangelization. As a Catholic educator, public speaker and evangelist, Deacon Bartels strives to infuse culture with the saving principles of the gospel. He lives in Colorado with his wife, Shelly, and the youngest two of their six children. Professor Bartels is Chairman of the Theology Department.

Deacon Frederick Bartels

Professor of Theology, Department Chair