The Persist Creature does not have a -1/-1 counter on it.
You control your commander.
Steps
Activate
Ashnod's Altar by sacrificing the Persist Creature, adding ({C} magic symbol) ({C} magic symbol) .
When the Persist Creature dies, it triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield without a -1/-1 counter on it due to your commander's ability granted to it by