Expositio super symbolum Apostolorum
Alan of Lille (1120–1202)
A commentary on the Apostles' Creed by Alan.
Prologus I: Incipit Alanus super symbolum Apostolorum.
Caput I: Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem, creatorem celi et terre.
Caput II: Et in Ihesum Christum, Filium eius unicum, Dominum nostrum.
Caput III: Qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine.
Caput IV: Passus sub Pontio Pylato, crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus.
Caput V: Descendit ad inferna, tertia die resurrexit a mortuis.
Caput VI: Ascendit ad celos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis.
Caput VII: Inde venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos.
Caput VIII: Credo in Spiritum Sanctum.
Caput IX: Sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam, sanctorum communionem.
Caput X: Remissionem peccatorum.
The remission of sins.
First we ought to believe that sins are remitted in many ways: through baptism, through penance, through the other sacraments of the Church, namely through the oil of confirmation and holy anointing, and others in which sins are remitted. This is said against certain heretics who say that men cannot rise again after a fall, relying on that authority, "If the virgin of Israel has fallen, who shall help her to rise?"1
This is what is said in the Nicene Creed, "I confess one baptism for the remission of sins." It is elegantly said "I confess," because confession of the heart avails nothing without confession of the mouth, according to that saying, "With the heart one believes unto justice, but with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."2 In baptism too, confession of the mouth is specifically required, where also the child to be baptized is asked, "Do you wish to be baptized?" and the godfather answers, "I do." Consequently it says "one." For there were those who said there were as many baptisms as there were baptizers. Against this it says "one," because whoever waters, whoever plants, it is God alone who gives the increase.
"Baptism" is interpreted as "anointing," because in baptism the body is touched outwardly in such a way that the spirit is washed inwardly, according to those two verses: every fault is washed in this sacred washing; the water washes outwardly, the spirit inwardly.
For the remission of sins.
For we are bound to believe this, that in baptism sins are remitted. And by what is said of the one sacrament, understanding is given of the rest, namely the sacrament of confirmation, of holy anointing, and the others by which sins are remitted. This article was composed by Simon the Canaanite, brother of James the Less and of Jude.