“I believe in God…” That’s a bold statement in these secularising days. It’s the opening line of a Christian declaration of faith known as the Apostles Creed. But just what is a creed, and why is the Apostles Creed important for us today?
We’ve just celebrated the triumph of Easter, as through his death and resurrection Jesus defeats death and breaks the power of sin. His followers were delighted and surprised in equal measure. In the weeks, months and years following his resurrection and his return to his Father, Jesus’ followers proclaimed this good news, and the church grew and spread across the world. Along with this, they also thought more deeply about who Jesus is, about his relationship with God, about the experience of the Holy Spirit, and about the church. Gradually the church began to summarise its core beliefs in documents that became known as creeds. One of the best known of these is called the Apostle Creed, and over the next few Sundays in our morning worship we’re going to have a look at it. For those who are already followers of Jesus it will be a helpful way of strengthening and deepening our faith. For those who are not yet sure of their faith or who simply want to find out a bit more about what Christians believe, we hope this will be a help to you as well. Everybody is welcome to join us on Sunday mornings at 11.00 am.
Here’s the full text of the Apostles Creed – I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and 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.