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”!