The Apostles' Creed - Pt. 25

 

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 7:9-12 ESV).

 

The Christian faith is deeply personal. At the same time, it is also deeply communal. When we say, with the Apostles’ Creed, “I believe in …the holy catholic church,” we are declaring that the church, the body of Christ, includes all who belong to the people of God throughout history. Let’s be clear, though, that this statement does not single out or promote a particular church within the body of all who believe in Christ. The word “catholic” here means “universal,” indicating that the church of Christ includes all of God’s people from all times in history. The breathtaking vision in Revelation captures the scope of Christ’s church gathered “from every nation, tribe, people and language.”

 

While this is difficult for some to verbalize, much less believe, it is the indication of Scripture. Through the centuries we have seen many prerequisites for inclusion in the “catholic” church. Some have used the litmus test of baptism or other actions; while others have various beliefs that have become the mainstay of inclusion in their membership. Please do not misunderstand. It is acceptable to choose to include others in your local community of faith based on these things; however, it is not acceptable to exclude others from the entire family of God based on them. There is only one prerequisite to being born again… that is the work of grace through Jesus. He is the only means to adoption into the family of God (cf. Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

And, this has been the case since the early centuries of the church, the teaching of statements like the Apostles’ Creed has played a central role in uniting Christians around the true faith anchored in Scripture and inspired by the triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I hope this truth and witness of the universal church comforts, encourages, and challenges you to love and serve the God whom countless believers have served through the ages.