The Creed

Credo. I believe. Christians across time, space, geography and denomination are rooted in these truths - this pledge of allegiance to the truest, most permanent, and lasting kingdom and its king. An earlier version of this creed called “The Roman Creed” was used in the church as early as the second century. The earliest recording of the Roman Creed is found in a letter written to the Bishop of Rome. The understanding of the writer of this letter of the Creed is that it was written by the Apostles after Pentecost before leaving Jerusalem to share the Gospel amongst the Nations.  

What we know as the Apostles’ Creed is an expansion of this Roman Creed, the earliest record of which dates to the 8th Century, though other versions that are essentially identical to the Apostles’ Creed are found in the preceding centuries. As is often the case for creeds in the early church, the Apostles’ Creed was written in response to a particular heresy; in this case the heresy of Gnosticism - a teaching denying the divine creation, the incarnation of Christ, the deity of Christ, and salvation alone in Christ. 

Additionally, in the traditional reading of the creed, the word catholic is used. Protestants understand the use of the word catholic to mean universal, not referring to the institution of the Roman Catholic Church. 

Hear now, the Creed in full.

I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
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.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.

Amen.

These creeds are meant for our encouragement & flourishing, our instruction, and our safety. If we allow, other “I believes” will overwhelm this most foundational belief and the unity and love of the church will be threatened. And if we are not unified, according to Jesus, the world will not know that we are His disciples. Who we are reveals what we believe. Said another way, what we believe is what makes us who we are. Maybe today as you hear this creed again in both word and song, you can anchor yourself in this most ancient of declarations, and remember the Good News of the Gospel.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, (Isaiah 44:6; 45:5)

Creator of heaven and earth, (Gen 1:1; John 1:1-3; Acts 14:15)

and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, (Lk 2:11; Jn 3:16; Jn 20;28;) 

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, (Lk. 1:35)

born of the Virgin Mary, (Lk. 1:27)

suffered under Pontius Pilate, (Lk. 23:23-25)

was crucified, died and was buried; (Jn. 19:20; Acts 4:10; 1Cor 15:3-4)

he descended into hell; (1Pet. 3:18; Lk 23:43)

on the third day he rose again from the dead; (1Cor. 15:4; Mt. 28:1,5-10)

he ascended into heaven, (Mk. 16:19; Lk. 24:51; Acts 1:11)

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; (Mk. 16:19; Heb. 1:3)

from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. (2Tim. 4:1; Jn. 5:22)

I believe in the Holy Spirit, (Jn. 15:26; 16:7-8, 13-14; Acts 13:2)

the holy catholic Church, (Gal. 3:26-29)

the communion of saints, (Rev. 19:14; Heb. 10:25)

the forgiveness of sins, (Lk 7:48)

the resurrection of the body, (1Thess. 4:16; John 6:39)

and the life everlasting. (Jn. 10:28; 17:2-3)

Amen. (Rev. 22:21)

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