RCIA The Creed: The Divine Faith We Profess and Believe

Chapter 4

“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 4.

Students will cover - 

  • Course 9 - The Angels
  • Course 10 - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time


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 - RCIA - For Adults - The Creed - Chapter 4 with 'Certificate of Completion'

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

    The Creed - Chapter 4 - Course 9 - The Angels - Lesson 1 - The Creation of Angels and Their Nature

    • INTRODUCTION - The Angels - Lesson 1 - The Creation of Angels and Their Nature

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Angels - Lesson 1 - The Creation of Angels and Their Nature

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Angels - Lesson 1 - The Creation of Angels and Their Nature

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Angels - Lesson 1 - The Creation of Angels and Their Nature

    • VIDEO - The Angels - Lesson 1 - The Creation of Angels and Their Nature

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Angels - Lesson 1 - The Creation of Angels and Their Nature

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Angels - Lesson 1 - The Creation of Angels and Their Nature

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Angels - Lesson 1 - The Creation of Angels and Their Nature

    • QUIZ - The Angels - Lesson 1 - The Creation of Angels and Their Nature

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Angels - Lesson 1 - The Creation of Angels and Their Nature

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 03

    The Creed - Chapter 4 - Course 9 - The Angels - Lesson 2 - The Fallen Angels

    • INTRODUCTION - The Angels - Lesson 2 - The Fallen Angels

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Angels - Lesson 2 - The Fallen Angels

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Angels - Lesson 2 - The Fallen Angels

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Angels - Lesson 2 - The Fallen Angels

    • VIDEO - The Angels - Lesson 2 - The Fallen Angels

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Angels - Lesson 2 - The Fallen Angels

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Angels - Lesson 2 - The Fallen Angels

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Angels - Lesson 2 - The Fallen Angels

    • QUIZ - The Angels - Lesson 2 - The Fallen Angels

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Angels - Lesson 2 - The Fallen Angels

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 04

    The Creed - Chapter 4 - Course 10 - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 1 - Created in God’s Image and Likeness

    • INTRODUCTION - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 1 - Created in God’s Image and Likeness

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 1 - Created in God’s Image and Likeness

    • OPENING PRAYER - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 1 - Created in God’s Image and Likeness

    • SCRIPTURE READING - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 1 - Created in God’s Image and Likeness

    • VIDEO - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 1 - Created in God’s Image and Likeness

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 1 - Created in God’s Image and Likeness

    • CLOSING PRAYER - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 1 - Created in God’s Image and Likeness

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 1 - Created in God’s Image and Likeness

    • QUIZ - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 1 - Created in God’s Image and Likeness

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 1 - Created in God’s Image and Likeness

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 05

    The Creed - Chapter 4 - Course 10 - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 2 - The Fall and Original Sin

    • INTRODUCTION - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 2 - The Fall and Original Sin

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 2 - The Fall and Original Sin

    • OPENING PRAYER - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 2 - The Fall and Original Sin

    • SCRIPTURE READING - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 2 - The Fall and Original Sin

    • VIDEO - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 2 - The Fall and Original Sin

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 2 - The Fall and Original Sin

    • CLOSING PRAYER - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 2 - The Fall and Original Sin

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 2 - The Fall and Original Sin

    • QUIZ - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 2 - The Fall and Original Sin

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 2 - The Fall and Original Sin

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 06

    The Creed - Chapter 4 - Course 10 - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 3 - The Effects of Original Sin

    • INTRODUCTION - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 3 - The Effects of Original Sin

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 3 - The Effects of Original Sin

    • OPENING PRAYER - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 3 - The Effects of Original Sin

    • SCRIPTURE READING - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 3 - The Effects of Original Sin

    • VIDEO - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 3 - The Effects of Original Sin

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 3 - The Effects of Original Sin

    • CLOSING PRAYER - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 3 - The Effects of Original Sin

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 3 - The Effects of Original Sin

    • QUIZ - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 3 - The Effects of Original Sin

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 3 - The Effects of Original Sin

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 07

    The Creed - Chapter 4 - Course 10 - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 4 - The Mystery of Evil

    • INTRODUCTION - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 4 - The Mystery of Evil

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 4 - The Mystery of Evil

    • OPENING PRAYER - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 4 - The Mystery of Evil

    • SCRIPTURE READING - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 4 - The Mystery of Evil

    • VIDEO - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 4 - The Mystery of Evil

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 4 - The Mystery of Evil

    • CLOSING PRAYER - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 4 - The Mystery of Evil

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 4 - The Mystery of Evil

    • QUIZ - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 4 - The Mystery of Evil

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 4 - The Mystery of Evil

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 08

    The Creed - Chapter 4 - Course 10 - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 5 - The Need for a Redeemer

    • INTRODUCTION - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 5 - The Need for a Redeemer

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 5 - The Need for a Redeemer

    • OPENING PRAYER - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 5 - The Need for a Redeemer

    • SCRIPTURE READING - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 5 - The Need for a Redeemer

    • VIDEO - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 5 - The Need for a Redeemer

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 5 - The Need for a Redeemer

    • CLOSING PRAYER - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 5 - The Need for a Redeemer

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 5 - The Need for a Redeemer

    • QUIZ - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 5 - The Need for a Redeemer

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - Man and Woman at the Dawn of Time - Lesson 5 - The Need for a Redeemer

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

Reviews; See what others are saying RCIARCCIA

Zandile Miriam Shaba

5 star rating

“I didn't realize how infinite sin is. There was no way that man could pay the debt without Jesus' help. Excellent course.”

“I didn't realize how infinite sin is. There was no way that man could pay the debt without Jesus' help. Excellent course.”

→Read Less

Todd Landtiser

5 star rating

“Very helpful, it put meaning to our sins and where we go from here. This course open my eyes ”

“Very helpful, it put meaning to our sins and where we go from here. This course open my eyes ”

→Read Less

Crystal Lynne dawn Day chief

5 star rating

“I really enjoyed the teaching, and learned so much. ”

“I really enjoyed the teaching, and learned so much. ”

→Read Less

Rose Briones

5 star rating

“This is an excellent way to learn about RCIA courses.”

“This is an excellent way to learn about RCIA courses.”

→Read Less

Carol Zimoski

5 star rating

“Very good, the course taught me so much about my faith”

“Very good, the course taught me so much about my faith”

→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