Christian Beliefs Part Two Apostle ’ s Creed Salvation, Grace, Church, Sacraments, Other Faiths, Last Things

Salvation The Apostle ’ s Creed “ I believe in the forgiveness of sins ” (Isaiah 59:1-15, Matt. 18:23-35, 2 Cor, 5:18-21) Salvation – God ’ s grace & humanity ’ s response (gift) Old Testament – Exodus, deliverance from bondage in Egypt. New Testament – total liberation, ultimate deliverance (Rom. 1:16) A sharp break with the past, a new life (Rom. 6) One is saved from one ’ s sins (Mt. 1:21) from condemnation (John 3:17) from death (Lk. 6:9) and the wrath of God (Rom 5:9) Salvation = peace with God, from condemnation to favor with God. Justification (initial salvation) new birth Sanctification (continued salvation) growth, Xn maturity Glorification (completed salvation) finished product.

Grace Grace – God ’ s choice of persons and people ’ s is not determined by one ’ s merit or goodness, but by God ’ s love and will. OT – God chose Israel (Is. 41:9) NT – Ephesians 2:1-10 – our salvation comes not from our goodness but God ’ s generosity. Martin Luther (Romans 5) Justification by faith. God accepts sinners and bestows upon them righteousness and grace. “ At one and the same time, a righteous person and a sinner. ” “ We do not need to be good in order to be accepted by God, rather it is by being accepted by God that we can be good. ”

Church Apostle ’ s Creed I believe in the holy catholic church ”. (1 Corinthians 12:4-31) Unity of the church (individual – visible, universal – invisible) Universality of the church (catholic=universal). Worldwide, complete gospel, available to one & all, universal remedy & cure. Holiness of the church (moral sense – right living rooted in the holiness of Christ) (missional sense – set apart to God and from the world). Apostolicity of the church – continuity in message – preaching, teaching, pastoral care,etc. & ministry (deacons, elders or pastors, and bishops from the apostles to the present

The Church (continued) (Acts 4:32-37, Romans 12:3-11, Eph. 4:11-16, Hebrews 11 & 12 Sacrament = a sign of the grace of God & a form of invisible grace. Catholic church – seven sacraments “ sacraments of initiation – (baptism, confirmation, eucharist) “ sacraments of healing – (reconciliation or penance and anointing of the sick) “ sacraments of vocation – (marriage and ordination) Protestant churches - baptism and eucharist (holy communion or Lord ’ s supper. Baptism – infant (covenantal) believers (commitment) Lord ’ s supper – observance of the meaning of Jesus ’ sacrificial death.

The Last Things (Resurrection, Heaven, Eternal Life) “ the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. ” (John 11:21-27, 1 Corinthians 15, Revelation 21 & 22) Heaven – dwelling place of God (not geographical nor spatial, but relational, Jesus – John 14 Heaven – state of dwelling with God Vision of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21 & 22) ‘ restoration of creation, a reversal of the effects of sin Resurrection promises a radical change, though it will also provide a continuity, a transformation and renewal of the present age.