45. What is a creed and in what ways was it used?

Fides quae.  It is a stable, fixed statement of faith which intends to accurately convey what truths that person (or group of people) hold to.  Creeds have been used as confessions or statements of faith from those who were under the suspicion of heresy; and statements of faith handed on in the catechumenate and professed before the baptismal rite.