Apostle's Creed, Is it still relevant?
The Apostle's Creed is one of those creeds that we continue to recite within many congregations. Yet it is filled with old language and ideas that we do not typically think of anymore. The early church developed this creed as a statement in which each person wanting to be Baptize would agree with before their Baptism. This was a creed that would unite all the Christians with all the same understanding of what the three parts of the Trinity related to humanity.
The first part helped people understand God as Creator.
Why is this important?
The Holy Spirit is not often understood within the world or our relationship with God. Yet here is a brief summary of some of the sways in which the Holy Spirit is involved within our life. The Holy Spirit is the one who gathers us together to hear God's Word, for us to understand it and to live it out. It is the Holy Spirit that causes us to feel part of a group gathered in God's name and that we experience the forgiveness of our sins. That sense that God is with us and that things will be alright for God will care and provide for us. It is the work of the Holy Spirit that will raise us from the dead and bring us to the life everlasting in which we shall be in the presence of God, our creator, sustainer, redeemer and source of all things within our lives.
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As a person learns more about this creed and lives it out. The relationship that the person has with God becomes more understood, lived out and the promise that is given to you will also be fulfilled. This creed is not simply words on a page or screen but becomes an understanding of a relationship that a person has with God in every aspect of your life.
The first part helped people understand God as Creator.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Why is this important?
That God created all things within the world, things that are seen and unseen. Things that we encounter and things that we hope for. God is the creator and sustainer of all things.
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The second part helped people understand what Jesus has done and the important aspects of his life.
That God created all things within the world, things that are seen and unseen. Things that we encounter and things that we hope for. God is the creator and sustainer of all things.
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The second part helped people understand what Jesus has done and the important aspects of his life.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. (or: He descended to the dead.) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Why is this important?
This part of the article notes that Jesus is fully God by being conceived by the Holy Spirit and that Jesus is fully human by being born of Mary. This is important to understand because it shows the connection that Jesus has with God while at the same time being able to fully understand the human suffering, complexities and distance from God that people sometimes feel within the world. This section of the creed does not note any of the miracles that Jesus performed within his life time or the teachings that were taught because those were done by others who were prophets, people who brought forth the Word of God to people. For Jesus was more than just a prophet, he was actually God, living and dwelling among us to deliver the gift of salvation. In order to do this, Jesus had to face the very suffering and death that was our punishment for the sins in which we have committed against God and one another. Jesus had to face them and then overcome them. Overcoming sin, death and the power of the devil, Jesus brings us back to our relationship with God. By returning to God, our relationship with God continues renewed. Though Jesus is no longer among us, he promises to return to us at our judgement.
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The third part helped people understand the role of the Holy Spirit.
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.Why is this important?
This part of the article notes that Jesus is fully God by being conceived by the Holy Spirit and that Jesus is fully human by being born of Mary. This is important to understand because it shows the connection that Jesus has with God while at the same time being able to fully understand the human suffering, complexities and distance from God that people sometimes feel within the world. This section of the creed does not note any of the miracles that Jesus performed within his life time or the teachings that were taught because those were done by others who were prophets, people who brought forth the Word of God to people. For Jesus was more than just a prophet, he was actually God, living and dwelling among us to deliver the gift of salvation. In order to do this, Jesus had to face the very suffering and death that was our punishment for the sins in which we have committed against God and one another. Jesus had to face them and then overcome them. Overcoming sin, death and the power of the devil, Jesus brings us back to our relationship with God. By returning to God, our relationship with God continues renewed. Though Jesus is no longer among us, he promises to return to us at our judgement.
_____________________________________________
The third part helped people understand the role of the Holy Spirit.
Why is this important?
The Holy Spirit is not often understood within the world or our relationship with God. Yet here is a brief summary of some of the sways in which the Holy Spirit is involved within our life. The Holy Spirit is the one who gathers us together to hear God's Word, for us to understand it and to live it out. It is the Holy Spirit that causes us to feel part of a group gathered in God's name and that we experience the forgiveness of our sins. That sense that God is with us and that things will be alright for God will care and provide for us. It is the work of the Holy Spirit that will raise us from the dead and bring us to the life everlasting in which we shall be in the presence of God, our creator, sustainer, redeemer and source of all things within our lives.
__________________________________________________
As a person learns more about this creed and lives it out. The relationship that the person has with God becomes more understood, lived out and the promise that is given to you will also be fulfilled. This creed is not simply words on a page or screen but becomes an understanding of a relationship that a person has with God in every aspect of your life.
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