If I had to choose a specific (creed) confession, in order to briefly explain to someone what exactly my faith is, I would end up with the oldest form of the Apostles’ Creed, also called the 12 Articles of Faith. For some general information about this creed and its further development, I would like to refer to this document by James Orr (in English). The origin of this ancient Roman creed can be traced back to the second century AD and was probably already in circulation in the year 140 A.D. and goes as follows:
I believe in God the Almighty Father;
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord;
Who is conceived of the Holy Spirit, born carnally of the virgin Mary;
He was crucified under Pontius Pilate and is buried;
The third day He rose from the dead;
He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father,
From there He will come to judge the living and the dead;
I believe in the Holy Ghost;
The Holy Church;
The forgiveness of sins;
The resurrection of the body;
And an eternal life.
