Worship on Sunday at 10:30

What is Significant About the Apostle’s Creed?

Faith Family,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I give thanks to our gracious God for putting you all in our lives. Your faithfulness and your enthusiasm fill my heart with joy and helps complete my hope in Christ. Every day I look forward to serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ alongside each of you and growing in our discipleship journey together.

One of the staples of Methodist Tradition and Worship are the Creeds. We recognize two major Creeds: The Nicene Creed and the Apostle’s Creed. Many are more familiar with the Apostle’s Creed; but both have its place in Methodist history.

According to AI, “the purpose of a creed is to provide a concise, unifying statement of a group's core beliefs, serving to teach and protect doctrine, distinguish believers from non-believers, and foster a sense of shared identity and community. By summarizing essential truths, creeds are used for educating future generations and as a means of unity and fellowship among believers, both within a single tradition and across different denominations.” 

All the above is true. Additionally, the establishment of Creeds was to reveal heresies within the church. If you didn’t believe or live out the truth in the creeds, you were not Christian.

Both the Nicene and Apostle’s Creed are Trinitarian in nature, meaning it elevates God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, God is the one and only Creator. He is the author of life.
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. 

Christ is the only Son of God, and was not created but conceived. This part of the Creed affirms our belief in the Virgin Birth; the death on the Cross; and the Resurrection. It also states that we believe Christ descended into Hell. It was there Christ defeated death. Why did he descend? He was carrying our sins which separates us from God. However, God’s grace and love for all humanity gave Christ victory and ascended into heaven.

I believe in the Holy Spirit: Christ’s ascension gave us the advocate, the counselor – the Spirit of God who guides us into Holiness and Perfect love.

the holy catholic Church: We believe in the Universal church, God’s church, the entire faith community. The word “catholic” with a small “c” means universal.

the communion of saints: We believe the oneness and the gathering of all saints. The Apostle Paul refers to believers as saints. Therefore we are included in the Communion.

the forgiveness of sins: God forgave our sins through our confession and profession of faith. God continues to forgive us when we fall short. That is why it is important to confess daily.

the resurrection of the body and life everlasting:  We are affirming our belief in not only Jesus’ resurrection, but our resurrection as well that leads to live everlasting. Our salvation is given to us at our profession of Christ as Lord through God’s grace. It is a salvation that isn’t only about heaven (everlasting life) but also being made back into the Garden of Eden image – the Holy Image of God in our lives. We are challenged to live out that salvation with obedience, faith, love and good works.
 

Amen: The word “Amen” means we are in agreement. When we say, “Amen” we are saying “I believe and I agree.”

I hope this short explanation of the Apostle’s Creed has been helpful. Remember when we stand together on Sunday Mornings and recite the Apostle’s Creed, we are affirming our faith with one another and standing in agreement of the truth is shares.

Have a blessed week.

Shalom, 

Pastor Frank