RCIA The Creed: The Divine Faith We Profess and Believe

Chapter 5

“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 5.

Students will cover - 

  • Course 11 - God Sends His Son into the World
  • Course 12 - The Paschal Mystery of Christ
  • Course 13 - The Holy Spirit

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 5 with 'Certificate of Completion'

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

    The Creed - Chapter 5 - Course 11 - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 1 - The Incarnation Event

    • INTRODUCTION - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 1 - The Incarnation Event

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 1 - The Incarnation Event

    • OPENING PRAYER - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 1 - The Incarnation Event

    • SCRIPTURE READING - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 1 - The Incarnation Event

    • VIDEO - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 1 - The Incarnation Event

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 1 - The Incarnation Event

    • CLOSING PRAYER - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 1 - The Incarnation Event

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 1 - The Incarnation Event

    • QUIZ - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 1 - The Incarnation Event

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 1 - The Incarnation Event

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 03

    The Creed - Chapter 5 - Course 11 - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 2 - Who is Jesus?

    • INTRODUCTION - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 2 - Who is Jesus?

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 2 - Who is Jesus?

    • OPENING PRAYER - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 2 - Who is Jesus?

    • SCRIPTURE READING - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 2 - Who is Jesus?

    • VIDEO - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 2 - Who is Jesus?

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 2 - Who is Jesus?

    • CLOSING PRAYER - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 2 - Who is Jesus?

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 2 - Who is Jesus?

    • QUIZ - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 2 - Who is Jesus?

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 2 - Who is Jesus?

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 04

    The Creed - Chapter 5 - Course 11 - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 3 - Jesus in the Gospels

    • INTRODUCTION - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 3 - Jesus in the Gospels

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 3 - Jesus in the Gospels

    • OPENING PRAYER - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 3 - Jesus in the Gospels

    • SCRIPTURE READING - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 3 - Jesus in the Gospels

    • VIDEO - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 3 - Jesus in the Gospels

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 3 - Jesus in the Gospels

    • CLOSING PRAYER - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 3 - Jesus in the Gospels

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 3 - Jesus in the Gospels

    • QUIZ - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 3 - Jesus in the Gospels

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 3 - Jesus in the Gospels

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 05

    The Creed - Chapter 5 - Course 11 - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 4 - True God and True Man

    • INTRODUCTION - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 4 - True God and True Man

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 4 - True God and True Man

    • OPENING PRAYER - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 4 - True God and True Man

    • SCRIPTURE READING - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 4 - True God and True Man

    • VIDEO - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 4 - True God and True Man

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 4 - True God and True Man

    • CLOSING PRAYER - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 4 - True God and True Man

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 4 - True God and True Man

    • QUIZ - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 4 - True God and True Man

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 4 - True God and True Man

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 06

    The Creed - Chapter 5 - Course 11 - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 5 - Jesus: The One and Unique Savior and Redeemer

    • INTRODUCTION - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 5 - Jesus: The One and Unique Savior and Redeemer

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 5 - Jesus: The One and Unique Savior and Redeemer

    • OPENING PRAYER - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 5 - Jesus: The One and Unique Savior and Redeemer

    • SCRIPTURE READING - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 5 - Jesus: The One and Unique Savior and Redeemer

    • VIDEO - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 5 - Jesus: The One and Unique Savior and Redeemer

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 5 - Jesus: The One and Unique Savior and Redeemer

    • CLOSING PRAYER - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 5 - Jesus: The One and Unique Savior and Redeemer

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 5 - Jesus: The One and Unique Savior and Redeemer

    • QUIZ - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 5 - Jesus: The One and Unique Savior and Redeemer

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - God Sends His Son into the World - Lesson 5 - Jesus: The One and Unique Savior and Redeemer

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 07

    The Creed - Chapter 5 - Course 12 - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 1 - Reflecting on the Crucifixion of Christ

    • INTRODUCTION - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 1 - Reflecting on the Crucifixion of Christ

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 1 - Reflecting on the Crucifixion of Christ

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 1 - Reflecting on the Crucifixion of Christ

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 1 - Reflecting on the Crucifixion of Christ

    • VIDEO - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 1 - Reflecting on the Crucifixion of Christ

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 1 - Reflecting on the Crucifixion of Christ

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 1 - Reflecting on the Crucifixion of Christ

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 1 - Reflecting on the Crucifixion of Christ

    • QUIZ - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 1 - Reflecting on the Crucifixion of Christ

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 1 - Reflecting on the Crucifixion of Christ

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 08

    The Creed - Chapter 5 - Course 12 - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 2 - The Saving death of Christ and the Mystery of Redemption

    • INTRODUCTION - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 2 - The Saving death of Christ and the Mystery of Redemption

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 2 - The Saving death of Christ and the Mystery of Redemption

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 2 - The Saving death of Christ and the Mystery of Redemption

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 2 - The Saving death of Christ and the Mystery of Redemption

    • VIDEO - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 2 - The Saving death of Christ and the Mystery of Redemption

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 2 - The Saving death of Christ and the Mystery of Redemption

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 2 - The Saving death of Christ and the Mystery of Redemption

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 2 - The Saving death of Christ and the Mystery of Redemption

    • QUIZ - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 2 - The Saving death of Christ and the Mystery of Redemption

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 2 - The Saving death of Christ and the Mystery of Redemption

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 09

    The Creed - Chapter 5 - Course 12 - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 3 - Christ Descended into Hell

    • INTRODUCTION - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 3 - Christ Descended into Hell

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 3 - Christ Descended into Hell

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 3 - Christ Descended into Hell

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 3 - Christ Descended into Hell

    • VIDEO - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 3 - Christ Descended into Hell

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 3 - Christ Descended into Hell

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 3 - Christ Descended into Hell

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 3 - Christ Descended into Hell

    • QUIZ - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 3 - Christ Descended into Hell

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 3 - Christ Descended into Hell

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 10

    The Creed - Chapter 5 - Course 12 - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 4 - The Resurrection and Ascension of Christ

    • INTRODUCTION - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 4 - The Resurrection and Ascension of Christ

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 4 - The Resurrection and Ascension of Christ

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 4 - The Resurrection and Ascension of Christ

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 4 - The Resurrection and Ascension of Christ

    • VIDEO - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 4 - The Resurrection and Ascension of Christ

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 4 - The Resurrection and Ascension of Christ

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 4 - The Resurrection and Ascension of Christ

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 4 - The Resurrection and Ascension of Christ

    • QUIZ - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 4 - The Resurrection and Ascension of Christ

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Paschal Mystery of Christ - Lesson 4 - The Resurrection and Ascension of Christ

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 11

    The Creed - Chapter 5 - Course 13 - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 1 - Christ Reveals and Sends the Holy Spirit

    • INTRODUCTION - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 1 - Christ Reveals and Sends the Holy Spirit

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 1 - Christ Reveals and Sends the Holy Spirit

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 1 - Christ Reveals and Sends the Holy Spirit

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 1 - Christ Reveals and Sends the Holy Spirit

    • VIDEO - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 1 - Christ Reveals and Sends the Holy Spirit

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 1 - Christ Reveals and Sends the Holy Spirit

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 1 - Christ Reveals and Sends the Holy Spirit

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 1 - Christ Reveals and Sends the Holy Spirit

    • QUIZ - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 1 - Christ Reveals and Sends the Holy Spirit

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 1 - Christ Reveals and Sends the Holy Spirit

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers
  • 12

    The Creed - Chapter 5 - Course 13 - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 2 - The Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit

    • INTRODUCTION - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 2 - The Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit

    • LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 2 - The Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit

    • OPENING PRAYER - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 2 - The Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit

    • SCRIPTURE READING - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 2 - The Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit

    • VIDEO - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 2 - The Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit

    • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 2 - The Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit

    • CLOSING PRAYER - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 2 - The Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit

    • CATECHISM TEXT, RESOURCES, AND GLOSSARY - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 2 - The Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit

    • QUIZ - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 2 - The Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit

    • ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE READINGS - The Holy Spirit - Lesson 2 - The Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

Reviews; See what others are saying about this course

Tara Chevdar

5 star rating

“Learned a lot about my faith. Very well produced.”

“Learned a lot about my faith. Very well produced.”

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Crystal Lynne dawn Day chief

5 star rating

“As said before I really enjoy the quizzes. I use them before reading the materials as a way to test my own personal relationship with GOD the father. 5 Stars!”

“As said before I really enjoy the quizzes. I use them before reading the materials as a way to test my own personal relationship with GOD the father. 5 Stars!”

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Carol Zimoski

5 star rating

“Very good, ”

“Very good, ”

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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