The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 20

 

[Jesus said] “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.” (Mark 13:24-27 ESV).

 

The details about Jesus’ second coming are mysterious, and there are differing interpretations of some of the Bible’s statements about end times and the return of Christ. But in teaching about Christ’s return, the Apostles’ Creed simply states this bold biblical truth: “He will come to judge the living and the dead.” Someday Jesus will return from heaven. He didn’t say when this will be, but he did say that he will return “with great ­power and glory” for all to see. Jesus’ coming again will be a day of great joy for all his followers, who have been redeemed through his sacrifice on the cross. For them the whole curse of death and hell has been removed (cf. Romans 8).

 

But Jesus’ return will also be a day of great trembling because, as the Bible warns, he will judge once and for all the people who have rejected him. Though believers in Christ may not agree on all the details of his return, we certainly can agree on this fundamental of the faith. It is both an acknowledgement of our hope and a call to service.  

 

I want to be very clear. The call is not a prerequisite upon which our fate is determined (cf. Ephesians 2:8-10); however, it is a strong call for us to follow him faithfully, dying daily to ourselves so that we can walk in step with his Spirit, using our gifts for God’s glory and bearing fruit in his name (cf. John 15:1-17; Galatians 5:22-26). This involves showing God’s love to everyone and sharing his desire that everyone believe in him. It is not a call of what we must do; it is a call of what we get to do!

 

The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 19

 

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:16-23 ESV).

 

After declaring that Jesus ascended to heaven, we say, with the Apostles’ Creed, that he is now “seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.” How do you picture Jesus seated in heaven? Do you imagine him lounging in an easy chair, resting from his hard labors on earth? Not a chance. In heaven Jesus sits on a splendid throne at the Father’s right hand, the very highest place of honor. Sitting there is a sure demonstration that he is one with God the Father and deserving the same honor and respect. God the Father has placed all that exists under Jesus Christ’s power and authority.

 

Moreover, as the apostle Paul writes in our reading today, God appointed Jesus as “the head over everything for the church, which is his body.” In heaven, as on earth, Jesus continues his ministry. As the head of the church, made up of his followers throughout the world, and through the work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus blesses each member with gifts to be used in humble service. And with his divine power and authority, Jesus protects his church from the many forces seeking to destroy it.

 

Just as Jesus isn’t resting in heaven, so too we can be earnestly and diligently continuing his work on earth. The same power Jesus exhibited in His earthly ministry is ours in this day as well.

 

The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 18

And he [Jesus] led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God. (Luke 24:50-53 ESV).

 

In the next declaration of the Apostles’ Creed we say that Jesus “ascended to heaven.” This happened forty days after his resurrection (cf. Acts 1:1-11). But this does not mean Jesus abandoned his disciples or us. In fact, it means Jesus went to heaven for us. While the Bible isn’t very clear about where heaven is or what it looks like, it plainly teaches that heaven means being in the presence of God. In God’s presence, Jesus serves as our advocate, continuously interceding with God the Father for our every need (cf. Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2). Jesus’ presence with God also assures us that one day we will be with him in God’s presence as well (cf. John 14:1-3). And from heaven Jesus sends his Holy Spirit as a guarantee and a reminder that he is always with us (cf. Matthew 28:20).

 

Saying goodbye can be hard. In fact, grieving loss is one of the hardest things we must do in life. Jesus’ disciples surely felt grief and sorrow as they watched him being taken up to heaven. Knowing that Jesus is in heaven for them and for us now gives us tremendous comfort and strength as we wait for his promised return. In the meantime, as he lives in our hearts through his Spirit, Jesus calls us to share his love with a world full of sorrow and grief.

 

Often theology becomes a tedious study of centuries old platitudes and opinions. However, that is not what we see in this great declaration. Formed in the crucible of experience and struggle of the early Church, we see how these declarations all coalesce into an unshakeable hope as we face the trials and challenges of our journey through life. They are not mere declarations of “to-do-lists”; they are not commandments and behavioral standards. They are the framework of faith that produces hope. Jesus ascended to heaven. In so doing, He becomes our advocate. In so doing, He becomes our proof of eternal life. In so doing, He validates every promise of God in the Scripture. In so doing, He gives us the end of it all to our benefit. He ascends and so shall we!

  

The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 17

 

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:12-23 ESV).

 

Next in our series through the Apostles’ Creed is the statement that Jesus rose “on the third day.” Some people might argue that the number of days he lay in the grave would confirm that he had died. Others point out that this fulfills a prophecy about Jesus’ death (cf. Matthew 16:21; 1 Corinthians 15:4). But the mention of “the third day” isn’t the main point. The main point is that at a specific moment in time Jesus rose again from the dead. This may be the cornerstone of Christianities’ belief in who Jesus is and what He did.  

 

The Apostle Paul understood this truth clearly. Our reading affirms this. Jesus’ resurrection not only stands at the center of the Apostles’ Creed; it stands firmly at the center of the Bible’s teaching. Indeed, Christ’s resurrection is the foundation on which our Christian faith rests. If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, all who hope in him should be the most pitied of all people. For if Jesus didn’t rise, we are all still shackled by the chains of sin and doomed to death forever.

 

But by his resurrection, Jesus has conquered death, washed away our sins, and covered us with his own righteousness. By his resurrection, Jesus has made us his own and raised us to a new life of walking with him. By his resurrection, Jesus also assures us that one day we too will be raised from the dead.

 

Alleluia! He is risen indeed!

 

The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 16

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked wand with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7-8 ESV).

 

We come to the next declaration in our study of the Apostles’ Creed: “… descended into hell.” First, we must acknowledge the truth of the existence of a place called “hell.” The Bible teaches about a place called “hell” that is reserved for God’s enemies. The New Testament mentions hell 162 times, and Jesus himself mentions it over 70 times. However, to say that this phrase is even remotely accepted throughout Christianity is at best complicated. Remember the Apostles’ Creed (Nicene Creed) has been in existence for over seventeen centuries. That complicates matter more rather than simplifying our understanding.

 

Many well regarded theologians have found themselves on different sides of this issue. In general people have found it puzzling and incongruent that the Apostles’ Creed says Jesus “descended to hell.” Appearing in some versions of the creed from the fourth century, this phrase may be based partly on some statements by the apostle Peter, who wrote that Jesus “went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits” (cf. 1 Peter 3:19-20; 4:6). Some people have taken this to mean that after he died, Jesus descended to hell to free ancient sinners. Others have said that “descended to hell” refers to the depths of Christ’s anguished suffering throughout his life, crucifixion, death, and burial for our sake.

 

Our question remains: What does this mean for us today? What we must accept, regardless of whatever the full meaning is, should not distract from the bedrock teachings about Jesus and the Christian faith. At the very least, the phrase captures in a condensed way Isaiah’s prophecy of the suffering servant in our reading today that Jesus suffered and died for us. This teaching assures us in our own moments of fear and temptation that Jesus, through his sacrifice for us, suffered in a way that we, by grace, will never have to suffer death or hell since we are no longer the enemies of God. We are reconciled through His death. That’s the good news of this statement!

  

The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 15

 

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. (John 19:28-32 ESV).

 

As we would expect after the statement about Jesus’ being crucified, the Apostles’ Creed says that Jesus “died, and was buried.” Jesus’ was dead, then prepared for burial and placed in a “new” tomb. Again we come to this statement of belief that seems unbelievably unnecessary. Why do we need to declare the obvious? There are two reasons: first, Jesus really did die thus adding to the incredible miracle of resurrection; second, it provides for us a strong foundation for hope and strength in the face of our own certain death.

 

As evidenced by the old adage that “nothing is certain except death and taxes,” no one really doubts the truth of our mortality. Certainly when we are younger we tend to be less concerned with that mortality. Death seems like a far away possibility rather than a sure and unavoidable appointment. We are all mortal, so eventually we will all die. We don’t like to talk about death. But every time a dear family member or a friend dies, we are forced to remember our own eventual, inevitable death. It is no wonder that the Apostle Paul writes in one of his early letters that death is our common “enemy” (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:26).

 

No words can completely assuage the fear and dread we have of death. But we can take comfort in the fact that Jesus himself died. The Scripture teaches He was like us in every way (cf. Hebrews 2:17; 4:15). He ate breakfast, enjoyed beautiful days, got tired and needed sleep. He also died and was buried.

 

We can also take comfort in knowing that our Savior, who died for us and also rose again, is with us as we grieve the loss of loved ones and face our own, inevitable death.

 

The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 14

 

For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:10-14 ESV).

 

The cross of Jesus is often featured in jewelry, sculpture, posters, logos, and other kinds of art. In fact, there as many designs as there are creative artists to fashion them. This symbol has become so common that we hardly ever think of its horror. In ancient times, though, crucifixion, or being hung on a pole, was a terrifying sentence of death for murderers, idol worshipers, sorcerers, and other convicted criminals. The guilty died a slow, agonizing death in public, and they were considered cursed by God (cf. Deuteronomy 21:23). So, we must ask why does the Apostles’ Creed emphasize that Jesus died in this manner? It is because the Bible teaches that Jesus’ death on the cross means he took on the curse of God for our sake. Jesus shouldered that burden for us.

 

In our reading today the apostle Paul explains that people who try to live by the law (as given in the Old Testament) and fail to keep it are guilty. And of course no one except Jesus could keep the law perfectly. As Paul notes in Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We are all guilty before God, and we all deserve God’s judgment. But the good news is that “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” through his death on a cross.

 

Once we begin to understand this, we then can understand the great love and immeasurable grace and mercy of God. The next time you see a cross, wherever it may be, pause and think about the magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

 

The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 13

 

But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will. (Luke 23:18-25 ESV).

 

Why does the Apostles’ Creed note that Jesus suffered “under Pontius Pilate”? It almost seems superfluous. However, the importance of this belief is found in how it points to the historical fact that Jesus was condemned to suffer and die by the governing authority of that day. Pilate represented the Roman government, and his judgment made Jesus’ sentencing and suffering an official event in history, even though Jesus was totally innocent and without sin. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, is a pitiful figure in history. Though he was conflicted about sentencing Jesus to death, Pilate gave in to the mob calling for Jesus to be crucified. In so doing he became a part of the fulfillment of the prophecy of Jesus’ death. The Jewish religious authorities had the power to stone Jesus to death; however, only Rome could crucify him. That was the essential fulfillment of the prophecy.

 

We all need a Savior because we are guilty of sin and deserving of punishment. And in his mysterious wisdom, God used the government of Rome, flawed as it was, in the process of bringing salvation for our sake. By suffering “under Pontius Pilate,” Jesus took on himself the condemnation we deserve. And through his suffering Jesus has extended God’s grace to us, covering us with his own righteousness and granting us peace and the blessings of fellowship with God forever. Isaiah wrote:

 

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our grief and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:3-5 ESV).

 

Through his weak and wrongful judgment, Pilate served Jesus a hideous sentence. But God, through his power and wisdom, used Jesus’ suffering to redeem us.

The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 12

 

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” (Luke 1:26-35 ESV).

 

Maybe, like me, you enjoy mystery novels. Many people like mysteries because they are like puzzles that need to be solved. The story of Jesus’ birth is one of the most mysterious events in human history, and some parts of the puzzle remain unknown. With the Apostles’ Creed, we confess that Jesus “was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.” This statement summarizes a profound truth about Jesus, our Savior. The Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully human. Jesus, the creator of the universe, was born in the same way each of us was born, from our mother’s womb. But the seed planted in Mary’s womb was not from Joseph, who was pledged to be her husband. The seed in Mary was planted by God the Holy Spirit.

 

Why did Jesus need to be fully God and fully human? The answer is that only a Savior who was both fully God and fully human could heal the breach opened by our rebellion in our sin against God. The how of the virgin birth remains a mystery. Through the ages some people have rejected it as impossible. Human logic will never solve the puzzle of how the Son of God became fully human. Yet the deeply satisfying truth of this story remains: Jesus, fully God and fully human, solved the problem of our separation from God. There is no doubt why the early apostles and leaders of the Church came to believe how this was such an essential piece in our beliefs. Without it we really have little hope in our own eternal future. However, we do know it to be true even though we cannot fully understand the great miracle of Jesus’ birth.

 

The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 11

 

For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:10-13 ESV).

 

When I was in seminary, one of the most difficult courses was “Preaching 101.” It was demanding and completely new to me. Even though I had done many things in high school and college that honed my skills in public speaking, this was different. Debate, speech, and theater did not really teach the effect of the perfectly placed pause. It wasn’t until I reached seminary that I learned that technique. It developed into a series of phrases that some of my protégés also developed through my mentoring. When a truth was particularly vital for the audience I would simply say: “Stop… listen… don’t miss this.” And, then I’d wait in the silence for a moment. That allowed the weight of the words to settle in. In a sense, that’s what happens after we say, with the Apostles’ Creed, “I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.”

 

The word for “lord” in the New Testament comes from the Greek word kyrios. In the Mediterranean world, someone with power and authority over others was called a “lord” or “master.” In the New Testament, Jesus is addressed or referred to as “Lord” more than 700 times.

 

Jesus is addressed as “Lord” in two ways. First, he is called “Lord” in the same way as he is often called “Rabbi” or “Teacher” when someone asks him a question or requests healing. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, however, calling him “Lord” takes on much greater meaning. It signifies that Jesus is God himself. It signifies that God the Father has given Jesus all authority over heaven and earth. And, ultimately, it looks ahead to the day when “every tongue [will] acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11).

 

We rightly pause when we call Jesus “our Lord.” We confess both his true identity and our just response. Then in awe and gratitude we marvel at the grace that secures our relationship in Him. So… stop, listen… don’t miss this… Jesus is Lord!

 

The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 10

 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. (John 1:14-18 ESV).

 

The next phrase in our study of the Apostles’ Creed is: “his only Son, our Lord”. It carries with it the greatest mystery and leap of faith of all. With this phrase we affirm the monotheism of our faith and the belief in the Trinity. It is difficult for us today to imagine that being such an important declaration. After all, have you ever really questioned either of those beliefs? Can you imagine having an argument about whether Jesus Christ is God? Today, Christians everywhere accept the fact that Jesus, God’s Son, is fully God. But in the early church, Christians argued vehemently about whether Jesus could be God if he was God’s only Son. This does still exist today though very subtly. We call it “modalism.” Modalism is the belief that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three different modes of God. It is a denial of the Trinity of God as declared in Scripture.

 

When we call someone a son, we naturally conclude that the father came first and the son came second. So when we refer to Jesus in the Apostles’ Creed as God’s “only Son,” are we somehow putting him in second place? No. Since the fourth century the church has officially upheld what the Holy Spirit inspired John to write in our reading today: “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known” (v. 18).

 

Of course this is one of the great mysteries of the Scripture. We can’t fully comprehend the mysterious relationship of God the Father and his only Son. But by faith we believe that Jesus is God’s Son, fully God and fully man. By faith we believe, with John, that through God’s only Son all of creation was made (cf. John 1:1-3). By faith we also believe that only God’s own Son, through his death, could bring us into a new life filled with everlasting peace and joy. Through Him we have all of God, all of the time, in every way. That gives me hope and strength in every circumstance of life.

 

The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 9

[Jesus said] “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:18-21 ESV).

 

I use a great deal of olive oil in my cooking (yes, I cook). I am very particular about this ingredient as well. And, while some might say there is no difference between the olive oils manufactured from different regions, I have a more sensitive palette than that. I like the oil manufactured from Italy or Sicily. And, I also like it to be filtered as “Extra Virgin Olive Oil.” That tells me that those qualities about the olives haven’t been unduly processed out of the oil. While taste is one of the qualities I look for, I also appreciate the “oiliness” of each type. I’m sure you know what I’m referring to. No doubt you’ve spilled olive oil or some other kind of oil and know how it can be messy to work with and hard to clean up. That experience may color your understanding of the reference to Jesus being “anointed.” However, it is important enough to be a part of the Apostles’ Creed.

 

In the Old Testament, people who were anointed with oil were set apart for special service to God for his people. When the Israelites anointed someone, they took olive oil and blended it with expensive spices (cf. Exodus 30:22-25). Then they rubbed, smeared, or poured the concoction on the head of the person being appointed. Priests and prophets were anointed with this oil. Kings were anointed with it too.

 

The most important anointing in the Bible doesn’t involve oil, however. When Jesus returned to his hometown synagogue, he opened God’s Word and declared that he had been anointed with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God himself anointed Jesus to proclaim the good news of salvation. As we confess with the Apostles’ Creed, God anointed his Son, the long-expected Messiah, “the Anointed One,” the Christ, to be our Prophet, Priest, and King. With his word, he guides us. With his sacrifice, he redeems us. And as our King, he guides and protects us. Jesus was anointed for us. The meaning here is deep and meaningful. God chose His Son to be for us the Savior who paid the price we could never pay and die the death we deserved. This is the “amazing” grace we have received!

  

The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 8

 

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband  Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:18-21 ESV).

 

The next phrase of the Apostles’ Creed is: “I believe in Jesus Christ”. There is so much to be learned from this simple statement of belief. And, of course, that’s the real challenge. If we are to understand the source of our hope and the foundation of grace in our life, then we must also do more than merely recite memorized words and phrases about our beliefs; we must also comprehend what we mean when we declare them. It would not have been unusual for the first-born son of a Jewish family to have named that child after the father. Yet, in view of the circumstances and the uncertainty of Joseph, this was not an option. God sent an angel to tell him of the miraculous conception of his betrothed and to give him the name that would suit the child’s destiny and purpose. It was to be “Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins” (v. 21). When Mary was about to give birth, she and Joseph didn’t have a choice. Through an angel, God commanded them to name the child Jesus.

 

The name Jesus is Greek for the Hebrew name Joshua, whom God chose to lead Israel into the Promised Land (cf. Joshua 1). The Hebrew name Joshua means “God is deliverance,” and that was a fitting name for the man who led Israel out of their wandering in the wilderness and into the land God had promised them. And in God’s great story, the life of Joshua points toward an even greater figure.

 

When we recite the Apostles’ Creed and declare “I believe in Jesus,” we affirm that God’s Son, Jesus, is our salvation. God’s own Son rescues us from the dark pit of our sin into the light and spacious peace of knowing and resting in God. So many things promise deliverance in this life. Yet the Bible states clearly that there is only one way to know God and that is through his Son, Jesus (cf. John 14:6). Do you believe in him? Do you trust in him? His name means “Savior,” or “the Lord saves,” revealing that Jesus is God’s deliverance.

 

The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 7

 

“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:26-33 ESV).

 

We return to the declaration of the Nicene Creed that God is “creator of heaven and earth today. It is one of those truths that we often take for granted. We believe God is creator, but we rarely take the time to really let that thought permeate our daily lives. If you are like most folks rarely do you simply stand outside on a dark, clear night, look up at the stars, and feel small in the vastness of the universe. Yet, in the face of so many of the challenging circumstances of life we often feel small and vulnerable. It is in those moments our knowledge of the greatness of God that we can take comfort in knowing that our Father in heaven created the sun, the moon, and stars, as well as all of the earth. That includes each of us.

 

I love the way Jesus explains it in our reading today. Closely linked to God’s creating power are his sustaining and governing powers over the entire cosmos he has made. Nothing in creation is insignificant in God’s hands, not because he’s a “control freak” but because God cares for all he has made. He intimately knows when just one sparrow “falls to the ground;” He even knows the number of hairs on our heads (v. 30). Think of it. A sparrow is thought of now and then as nothing more than a nuisance, yet God cares for each one so much that He watches over each one’s life. And, the hairs on our head are all “numbered.” I don’t number them. I rarely even think much about my hair than when it needs to be washed or combed. Occasionally, Mary will tell me when it gets too long and needs to be cut. But, even then as it falls to the barber’s scissors, I think nothing of it. God does.

 

This means that knowing God has the whole world and every one of us in his hands, we can live with great confidence no matter where life’s paths take us. In times of health and prosperity, we can give thanks for God’s many blessings and in turn share those blessings with others. And when we encounter difficulties and hardships, we can also give thanks. For in times like that, we grow in trust and in patience as we lean on our Father, who cares for us and will always provide for us. That belief, that creed, develops a sense of hope and trust in all that I experience because God has got it!

 

The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 6

 

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it  came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. (Psalm 33:6-9 ESV).

 

Though I am not a carpenter by trade, I love to work with wood. He enjoyed taking a piece of wood and transforming it into something useful and pleasing. I’ve done different kinds of construction through the years. There were times when I worked on large projects like the church and parsonage in Kipnuk, Alaska (see picture); and, at other times I have been found in my shop building a piece of furniture or turning a bowl on the lathe. Regardless it is a wonderful experience to make something from “nothing.”

 

As creatures made in the image of God, we all have an inborn desire to make things useful and lovely. In this we imitate God, who created the heavens and the earth. Our reading, taken from Psalm 33, recalls God’s almighty power in creating everything around us: the sky, the sun, the stars, the mountains, the oceans. God not only created all that we see; he also created good things we can’t see like air, gravity, and sound, as well as love, goodness, and justice. God did this, as the psalm says, through the power of his spoken word.

 

When we say, with the Apostle’s Creed, that God is the “creator of heaven and earth,” we are declaring that the same God who made the mountains, forests, and oceans made each one of us too. What’s more, we are declaring that this God hasn’t stepped back from what he has made; no, he still delights in sustaining it. We can take great comfort in knowing that the all-powerful creator and sustainer, God Almighty, is the one that we also call our heavenly Father. God cares for us; he knows what we need; and he will never let us slip from his tender care.

 

Test yourself. When you think of anything around you, trees, flowers, mountains, seas, rivers, clouds, sunsets or sunrises, ask yourself why they are the way they are. Often we will find ourselves going to God as the answer last. The truth is that God is the first answer. They are the way they are because God made them that way. That great truth brings us great comfort in knowing He has done it and will continue to make it for our good.

 

The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 5

 

[Jesus said] “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:7-11 ESV).

 

I can remember when I was little I looked at my dad and thought he was so much bigger than I was. That belief was often proven in the way he protected and cared for me. Of course as I aged and grew I recognized that there were imperfections and limitations. However, I never lost that unshakable confidence that whatever might happen, he would always be able to take care of it. Later, when I was married and had my own sons I suppose that same strength was seen in me from them. It wasn’t until they became adults that I discovered they were not blind to my frailty and weaknesses. Thunder though I might from the pulpit, they saw “dad” with all of his struggles. That became especially clear when I became sick and no longer could physically do the things I might have done previously.

 

However, this “Father Almighty” we confess in the Apostles’ Creed is no ordinary father. He is El Shaddai. In the Old Testament, the people of Israel called God their “Father.” They also used many other titles and descriptions to identify God. For example, they called God their “rock,” their “fortress,” and their “shield.” In many passages he is also called “God Almighty” (El-Shaddai) in recognition of his awesome power and dependability. In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes his relationship with God as his Father, and he teaches us to trust God as our Father in heaven.

 

With the Apostles’ Creed, we rightly call God our “Father almighty.” Unlike our earthly fathers, our heavenly Father is perfect and unlimited in his power. Our earthly fathers may sometimes make promises they can’t keep. Our heavenly Father not only makes promises but also keeps them all because of his almighty power and enduring love and faithfulness.

 

God also hears and answers our prayers. Knowing what’s best for us, our Father will always provide what we need. That’s a truth worth knowing and believing!

 

The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 4

 

I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. (Galatians 4:1-7 ESV).

 

As we continue with the first declaration, notice it clearly defines God as “Father Almighty.” Sometimes people say, “We are all God’s children.” And, it’s true that God made us all. That’s why we call God our Father. However, there is a very important distinction to this belief in God as “our Father almighty.” Remember that it is Jesus who is the second person of the Trinity. He is God’s “one and only Son” (cf. John 1:14; 3:16). This underscores Jesus’ unique relationship with God the Father. But through Jesus, and by belief in God’s power to save us through him, we too are God’s children (cf. John 1:12-13).

 

As the apostle Paul explains in our reading today, “God sent his Son”—that is, Jesus—to save us because we were cut off from God. We were separated from God because of our sin. But now, through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we can be adopted as God’s children. And we can enjoy all the rights and privileges of belonging to God the Father as his heirs” (v. 7).

 

Confessing “I believe in God the Father” should flood our hearts with praise and thanksgiving as we remember this. God, in his great mercy, has forgiven all our sins and made us his children. This should also give us great comfort. Surely God, who did not spare his only Son, will spare nothing to watch over and keep us, his children. And, as both the child and heir of God Almighty, there is none more powerful than we are. No wonder should arise in us as we tell the devil to flee from us. He is terrified of our Father! There is nothing impossible for Him; there is nothing too great or complex for His restorative work of grace; there is no failure or sin so horrible that we can be separated from His love and mercy. We are God’s child and heir to all of creation. Whatever you face today, whatever darkness confronts you, you are His child and He is your Father!

 

The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 3

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:1-6 ESV).

 

The first declaration of the Apostles’ Creed is so important, though it seems so simple. It says: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Surely that isn’t really necessary to declare; isn’t that such a basic assumption that no one in the Christian Church would deny that… right? Well, as we can so easily see from both history and contemporary culture, it isn’t something to be merely “assumed.” We must begin with the words “I believe in God…” The key question then becomes, what do we mean by this?

 

First, remember this is more than mere intellectual assent. Sometimes we use the words “I believe” to say that we agree with certain facts. For example, we might say, “I believe that the earth is round.” But belief goes deeper than agreeing with facts. With the words, “I believe in God,” we are saying much more than that we agree with facts about God. Sure, we are accepting the basic biblical truths about God’s existence. But when we say, “I believe in God,” our hearts are involved as well. Our belief means trusting in God, committing ourselves to God and his teaching for our lives, and following and obeying God in what he says and where he leads. With the opening words of the Apostles’ Creed, we affirm that we believe and trust in God himself.

 

Many believers throughout the centuries have memorized the Apostles’ Creed, often by saying it again and again in worship services. Sadly, though, our minds can wander when we repeat the creed that way. So it’s important to think about the words we are saying. The next time you say the creed, be sure to say it as an expression of the truth and as a commitment to following God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit with all of your heart! By the way, the God we trust is not “merely” anything… He is everything! He is “Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth”!

  

The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 2

 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. (Jude 2-4, 17-21 ESV).

 

After yesterday’s devotional I felt as if a bit more foundation needed to be laid for this series to really be encouraging and meaningful. I have often heard people disparage creeds and catechisms. In fact, I heard some people object to creeds in the church, saying, “I believe in God, but I only accept the truth of the Bible.” That statement alone accurately proves the unfortunate ignorance of some believers who have not been appropriately disciple. Though the Apostle’s Creed isn’t printed in the Bible, it faithfully summarizes the Bible’s teaching. It is an incredible tool for remembering the basics of our faith. It is also a wonderful weapon against the chaos and confusion of today’s most common heresies.

 

Jude’s short letter reveals the need for a summary of the truth. In his day there was an urgent need to defend the truth about Jesus Christ. In some ways like us today, people in the first century faced a swirling clash of ideas and claims about truth and religion, and it was easy to be misled by false teachings. Jude, an early church leader who was also a brother of Jesus, saw that false teaching threatened to mislead the church. He urged believers to hold on to the truth entrusted to them.

 

God the Holy Spirit, using the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ apostles, forged the truth that we find in the New Testament. Then, from the days of the early church through the next few centuries, leaders and teachers summarized the main points of that truth as they taught new believers who were preparing for baptism. And by around the fourth century, a general statement emerged that has become known as the Apostles’ Creed. Our grasp of God’s truth can still be threatened today. When we understand and say the Apostles’ Creed, we are reciting God’s eternal truth to help us stand firm in our faith in Christ, and we do so with believers down through the centuries and around the world. It is, after all, the truth that sets us free! Tomorrow we begin with the first declaration

The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 1

 

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV).

 

Our reading today is written by the Apostle Paul somewhere near A.D. 70. It contains what most theologians believe to be the first “creed” of the Christian Church (cf. bold italics). Additionally most believe this creed can be found in writings and papyri as early as A.D. 30-35. It is more correctly known as “the Apostles’ Creed.” However, for many Christians over the centuries, the “Apostles’ Creed” is a reference to the Nicene Creed. The latter of these two has been the clear, concise answer replacing the more simplistic creed of our text. Whether we are new to the faith or have been Christians as long as we can remember, these words beautifully summarize the rich truths we hold so dear.

 

The Nicene Creed, also called the Nicaeno-Constantinopolitan Creed, is a statement of the orthodox faith of the early Christian church in opposition to certain heresies, especially Arianism. These heresies, which disturbed the church during the fourth century, concerned the doctrine of the trinity and of the person of Christ. In its present form this creed goes back partially to the Council of Nicea (A.D. 325) with additions by the Council of Constantinople (A.D. 381). It was accepted in its present form at the Council of Chalcedon in A.D.451. For the next few days we will look at the Bible’s teaching through the Nicene Creed. This brief statement of faith covers the main themes of the Bible’s teaching, all of which point to God’s gift of forgiveness and new life forever through Jesus Christ. In case you are not familiar with it, I have reproduced it as follows:

 

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to 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.

 

The temptation to see this creed as a Roman Catholic prayer should be resisted. It is a statement of essential beliefs for the believer in Jesus Christ. As we will see in the coming days, it contains Scripturally affirmed truths that we would do well to understand and hold to in our beliefs. Spend a bit of time today meditating on the creed. Allow the Holy Spirit to use it to increase your understanding of this great grace God has given to us.