The Apostles’ Creed

Creed The word “creed” comes from the Latin “credo” which means “I believe.”

Apostles’ Creed Today 1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.God, the Father

Apostles’ Creed Today –2. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.Jesus Christ –3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.Holy SpiritVirgin Mary –4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.Pontius Pilate

Apostles’ Creed Today –5. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.descended to the deadhe rose again –6. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.ascended into heaven –7. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.come againjudge the living and the dead

Apostils’ Creed today –8. I believe in the Holy Spirit, –9. the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,saints –10. the forgiveness of sins,sins –11. the resurrection of the body,resurrection of the body –12. and life everlasting. –Amen.Amen

“Why do we need creeds when we have the Bible?” Romans 6:17 Paul says, “I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and offenses, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned; avoid them”

False Teachers The word “teaching” can also be translated “doctrine.” Early Christians had doctrine or teaching prior to having a complete New Testament ‘ Even Paul’s letters were interpreted in different ways by some church elders and members.

Old Testament Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes Read identical scripture but interpreted it in different ways

Response to Great Commission Matthew 28:16-20(NIV) 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Baptism What are we saying when we are baptized?

Original Intent 1) evangelize; 2) teach new converts; 3) protect the church from distorted teaching

How did the Creed arise? According to “the great commission” found in Matthew 28:18-20, an important part of being a Christian in the early church was teaching others and baptizing them in the name of the Triune God. A concise summary of the Christian faith would help in both these tasks

Early Creed Baptismal Formula Of Hippolytus of Rome AD 215

Early Creed Apostles’ Creed AD 140 – Ad 390

Baptism Confession As new converts were being baptized, Hippolytus would ask them, “Do you believe in God?” and they would answer “I believe in God, the Father Almighty…” “Do you believe in Jesus Christ?” and they would answer “I believe in Jesus Christ, theSon of God...,”

Origins Although the actual copies of the Apostles’ Creed that we have date from the 300s, it is clear from this example that some version of this statement of faith was being used early in the church.

Origins Tertullian (AD 200) says that the memorized creed or “Rule of Faith” acted as a symbol or password that allowed Christians to recognize each other in a dangerous world.

What does it teach? The Creed’s short length made it easy to memorize. Its sparse wording sets out clear boundaries for the Christian faith while creating space for different interpretations within those boundaries. Every phrase can be supported by multiple references to Scripture. However, the creed only includes those aspects of faith that the early Christians viewed as the bare essentials the aspects that set Christianity apart from other belief systems at the time.

Nicene Creed Adopted in 325 at Nicaea by the first ecumenical council, which also standardized the New Testament. Nicaea ecumenical council

Version of Nicene Creed The Niceno–Constantinopolitan Creed of 381

Nicene Creed I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;

Nicene Creed And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made;

Nicene Creed who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried;

Nicene Creed and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

Nicene Creed And I believe in the Holy Ghost the Lord, and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. AMEN.

What can we conclude? First that the Apostles’ Creed was never meant to be some boring religious ritual! The first believers said it with tears in their eyes as they entered the Christian community or were baptized.

The Power of the Creed —at the moment they said it out loud before others they were giving witness to Jesus. they were saying “Yes” to the maker of heaven and earth and “No” to all the other powers that tried to lay claim on their lives.

When Doctrines Divide Us Second, considering how much Christians argue and disagree with each other, it is nothing short of stunning that Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox churches around the world all embrace the teachings found in the Apostles’ Creed. In the midst of a multicultural, shifting world, here is a solid core that defines Christians (regardless of our labels and our differences)

Do we need it? Finally, the creed remains an excellent teaching tool. Each phrase opens up profound theological vistas that impact how we think and act as Christians.