I think there is some evidence for credal statements, or formulae in the N.T.; on the other hand I’m also of the opinion that the age of the creeds was also the age of a state church whose reorganisation of the faith proved, at the least, a mixed blessing. To this day, there are large segments of the church which manage very well without reference to creeds. Just to be able to recite a creed is no guarantee at all of any personal understanding of it, and some of the emphases brought by the ‘apostles’ creed’, for instance, are questionable, if not downright misleading. I’m not convinced that communal identities are formed by creeds, except in a rather bland, parrot fashion sort of way. But I’m sure someone will put me right, and I’m very open to convincing arguments on the subject. I’m sure that, historically, some of the credal arguments were important - for the state church. I’m less sure that holds true today.