A Study of The Apostles' Creed

1. A Study of The Apostles’ Creed

2. The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Holy Catholic Church; the Communion of saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life Everlasting. Amen

3. Background Introduction • “Creed” derived from the Latin “credo” meaning “I believe.” • Used to denote a summary or concise statement of doctrine formulated and accepted by a church. • Not meant to cover the whole field of Christian faith, but to fortify believers against the teaching of heretics. • Designates the principles which and individual or associated body so holds that they become the guides of conduct. • Some Christians reject formal creeds.

4. Background Introduction • Different conclusions often reached by those who profess to ground their beliefs on the same passages of the Word of God. • Almost every heresy that has disturbed the unity of the Church has been advocated by men who appealed to Scripture in confirmation of the doctrines they taught. • Fatal errors when conclusions are drawn from isolated passages and preconceived opinions.

5. Background Introduction • Necessary that Christian Churches set forth in creeds and confessions the doctrines which they believe the Scriptures affirm. • Scripture as the “rule of faith.” • Converts enabled to test their own positions but, more importantly, to put to proof the claims of those who profess to be teachers of Christian doctrine.

6. Background Introduction • Apostles’ Creed is the oldest creed and forms the basis for most other creeds. • Named such, not because it was drawn up by the Apostles, but because it is in accordance with the sum of Apostolic teaching. • General creed of the Christian Church from the middle of the 2nd century (140 A.D.). • Not only used as a test of Christian doctrine, but also used by catechists in training and instructing candidates for admission to the Church.

7. Background Introduction • Apostles’ Creed exists in two forms: Old Roman Form (shorter 140 A.D.) and Received Form (longer 450 A.D.). • Formed the test of “catholicity.” • Resting on this creed the Church could be called “catholic and apostolic.”

8. Origin of the Creed • The legend was that the creed took shape at the dictation of the Twelve Apostles. • This legend is not older then the 5th century. • The real origin of the creed has been traced to baptismal confessions where converts simply stated , “I believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” • New Testament evidence that it soon became enlarged. (Romans 6:17; 1 Timothy 6:12-13; 2 Timothy 2:8 & 4:1)

9. Origin of the Creed • As early as 107 A.D. the Apostolic Father Ignatius (69-155) drafted a widely used creedal statement against the Gnostic sects that denied the physical characteristics of Christ’s person and work: “Be deaf, therefore, whenever anyone speaks to you apart from Jesus Christ, who is of the stock of David, who is of Mary, who was truly born, ate and drank, was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate, was truly crucified and died in the sight of beings of heaven, of earth and the underworld, who was also truly raised from the dead.”

10. Origin of the Creed • About 50 years later, a summary emerged that expanded on that of Ignatius: “I believe in the Father, the Ruler of the Universe, and in Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, in the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, in the Holy Church, and in the Forgiveness of Sins.” • Here we begin to see the form of our present Apostles’ Creed emerging. • Needed because the Apostles were no longer living and the Church was beset with errors.

11. Apostolic Fathers • Clement (32-101) of Rome, was purported to have been Peter’s successor in Rome. He was banished from Rome during the reign of Emperor Trajan and was sent to work in a stone quarry. He was martyred by being tied to an anchor and thrown into the Black Sea. • Ignatius (35-108) of Antioch, who had been appointed as Elder by Peter became a martyr in Rome defending the faith.

12. Apostolic Fathers • Polycarp (69-155) of Smyrna, a disciple of John, was brought to trial and was asked by the proconsul to renounce his beliefs. He responded, “How could I blaspheme my King and Savior?” “Hear my frank confession,” he told the official: “I am a Christian. If you are willing to learn what Christianity is, set a time at which you can hear me.” Refusing his offer, the official offered one last warning, but Polycarp answered, “You threaten me with a fire that burns but for an hour and goes out after a short time, for you do not know the fire of the coming judgment and of eternal punishment for the godless. Why do you wait? Bring on what you will.” When his body failed to be consumed by the poorly-lit flames, the executioner drove a dagger into the saint’s heart.

13. Apostolic Fathers • Irenaeus (130-202) of Lyons was a disciple of Polycarp and an elder in southern France. • He was above all a pastor. • Irenaeus was not particularly interested in philosophical speculation but rather in leading his flock in Christian life and faith. • He saw himself as a shepherd leading his flock just as Christ was the Great Shepherd leading creation to its final goal. • In 180 A.D. he wrote his creed, based on the Apostles Creed, to aid his people in dealing with the Gnostics.

14. Apostolic Fathers • Tertullian (160-225) of Carthage was converted to Christianity in Rome when he was 40 years old. • Trained as a lawyer and all of his writings bears the stamp of a legal mind. • Prolific author and Christian apologist against heresy. • First Christian theologian to write in Latin and may be considered the founder of Western theology. • Most famous for coining the term Trinity (Latin: Trinitus) and giving the first exposition of the formula which appeared in his work “Three Persons, One Substance.”

15. THE APOSTLES' CREED. 1. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: CREEDS OF ST. IRENAEUS (A.D. 180). I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, who made heaven and earth; CREEDS OF TERTULLIAN (A.D. 200). I believe in one God, the Creator of the world, who produced all out of nothing ... 2. And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, And in one Christ Jesus, the Son of God [our Lord], And in the Word His Son [Jesus Christ], 3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, Who was made flesh [of the Virgin]; Who through the Spirit and Power of God the Father descended into the Virgin Mary, was made flesh in her womb, and born of her; 4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried, And in His suffering [under Pontius Pilate]; Was fixed on the cross [under Pontius Pilate]; was dead and buried; 5. He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead, And in His rising from the dead; Rose again the third day; 6. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; And in His ascension in the flesh; Was taken into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God;

16. 7. From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. And in His coming from heaven ... that He may execute just judgment on all. He will come to judge the wicked to eternal fire. 8. I believe in the Holy Ghost; And in the Holy Ghost. And in the Holy Spirit sent by Christ. And that Christ shall come from heaven to raise up all flesh ... and to adjudge the impious and unjust ... to eternal fire, and to give to the just and holy immortality and eternal glory. And that Christ will, after the revival of both body and soul with the restoration of the flesh, receive His holy ones into the enjoyment of life eternal and the promises of heaven. 9. The Holy Catholic Church; the Communion of saints; 10. The Forgiveness of sins; 11. The Resurrection of the body; 12. And the Life Everlasting.

17. Council of Nicea • Persecution turned to toleration after Constantine’s reported conversion in 313 A.D. • Led to the empire’s official adoption of Christianity. • “Christendom” became a confusion of popular myth and biblical claims. • Church faced an onslaught of heresies. • In 325 A.D. the Council of Nicea convened.

18. Council of Nicea • 300 Bishops assembled for this council. • At issue was the Arian heresy, which denied the eternal deity of Jesus Christ and the Trinity. • Once the universal council agreed upon this common confession the Nicene Creed became the basis for instruction for new Christians and was required at their baptism. • Became the first universally accepted official summary of the Christian faith.

19. The Nicene Creed • • • • • I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

20. Apostles’ Creed • 1. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. 2. And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, 3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, 4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried, 5. He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead, 6. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; 7. From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. 8. I believe in the Holy Ghost, 9. The Holy Catholic Church; the Communion of saints; 10. The Forgiveness of sins; 11. The Resurrection of the body, 12. And the Life Everlasting.

21. ”I Believe” • The creed is an expression of personal belief. • In repeating it we profess our own faith in what God has revealed concerning Himself. • Belief here means the assent of the mind and heart to the doctrines expressed in the creed. (Rom 10:10) • Faith differs from knowledge. There are some things that we know to be true and there are others of which we say that we believe them to be true. • We believe because we are assured on sufficient and competent authority that these things are so. (Rom 10:17)

22. ”I Believe” • We know that we live in a material universe, but our knowledge does not extend to the manner in which the universe came into being. That is a matter of belief. (Heb 11:3) • We believe based on the authority of God. (1 John 5:9) • Faith must precede everything else. It is the foundation on which all Christian character is built. (Heb 11:6b) • We must have and experience faith. (Heb 11:6a) • It is important that we have a knowledge of Christian doctrines and are ready to defend them. (1 Peter 3:15)

23. “God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth” • The existence of God is the basis of all religious belief. • If there is no God, there is no moral obligation. • If there is no Almighty Being to whom men owe existence, to whom they must give account, worship is a vain show and systems of religion are meaningless. • Theologians have endeavored to establish by proof the doctrine of Divine existence. (3 arguments for God) • Even the heathen believed in and worshipped many gods. • The doctrine of one living and true God was given to ancient Israel. (Deut 6:4)

24. “God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth” • The doctrine of the Trinity, though not expressly stated in the Apostles’ Creed, is implied in the clauses which refer to each of the Persons who compose it. • There is one God, but in the Godhead there are three Persons, whose names indicate the relation in which each stands to the others. • Each of the Persons is complete and perfect God. • While there are three Persons in the Godhead, the same in substance, equal in power and glory, these three are one. • Hebrew word for God is a plural noun. (Gen 1:1 & 1:26)

25. “God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth” • The first Person in the Godhead is the Father. • The relationship between Father and Son cannot be explained. (Job 11:7, Deut 29:29) • God is our Father, but He was “the Father” before He called man into existence. From all eternity He was Father. • It is the Son’s existence that constitutes Him Father and that existence was in eternity. (John 10:30) • All men are declared to be His offspring, and those who have received the Spirit of adoption cry, “Abba, Father”, and are taught to pray “Our Father.”

26. “God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth” • The term “Almighty,” which occurs twice in the Creed, represents two words, the one denoting absolute dominion, the other infinite power in operation. • When we say that God the Father is Almighty we affirm that His power is unlimited. • Even those things that seem to resist and defy His authority are under His government, even man’s wrath. (Ps 76:10) • He so governs the universe that all things work together, and work together for good to them that love Him. (Rom 8:28)

27. “God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth” • “Maker” is used in the sense of Creator, implying that heaven and earth were called into existence out of nothing by the word of Divine power. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit acted together. (Gen 1:2, Ps 33:6-9; 148:5, John 1:1-3, Heb 1:2;11:3, Col 1:15) • God is not “in” space or time; space and time are dimensions of the created order, and God is not bound by them as we are. • All things created point to God as their origin and source. (Rom 1:20)

28. “And In Jesus Christ His Only Son Our Lord” • The first article of the Apostles’ Creed has numerous supporters. • Jews and Christians are together in affirming their belief in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth. • Not so with the second article which expresses doctrines so hotly disputed that Simeon’s prophecy was fulfilled. (Luke 2: 34-35) • Some disputes included: His nature and relationship to the Father; He was not God; He was only an angel; He was a mere man specially endowed with the Holy Spirit. • The Gnostics were the leaders in these heretical views.

29. “And In Jesus Christ His Only Son Our Lord” • Date back to the time of Simon Magus. (Acts 8:9-25) • Paul’s letter to Timothy indicate others. (2 Tim 2:17; 1:15)

30. “And In Jesus Christ His Only Son Our Lord” • Jesus is the personal name of our Lord. • Proper names among the Hebrews had a deeper meaning and a closer connection with character and condition than elsewhere. • The name of Jesus is God’s disclosure of His infinite love and of His purposes for man’s salvation. He is Jesus the Savior. (Matt 1:21, Is 9:6, Acts 4:12) • It is important therefore to bear in mind that Jesus is a name not only given to Him by God, but a name itself Divine; not only the name by which, as that of a Mediator, we worship God, but the name under which, as that of God Himself, we worship Him. (Phil 2:9-11)

31. “And In Jesus Christ His Only Son Our Lord” • In ancient times there were no such titles as surnames. • Greek history: Plato, Aristotle, Socrates etc. • Jewish history: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Job, Moses were not known by any other names than these. • In later times, titles descriptive of the office or work of individuals were attached to their original names i.e. John the Baptist, Matthew the Publican, and of our Lord Himself, Jesus the Christ. • Christ is not a proper name but an official title. Jesus was the Christ – the Anointed.

32. “And In Jesus Christ His Only Son Our Lord” • The cardinal Apostolic teaching was that the Messiah had come to the world. • To accept Jesus as the Christ was to accept Him as the Savior and Deliverer. (John 1:41;4:29, Matt 16:16-17, Acts 18:28) • It was the acknowledgement by the common people that Jesus was the Messiah that angered the Jewish leaders. (John 9:22) • The name Christ denotes the offices which Jesus executes as our Redeemer. (Prophet, Priest, and King) • The twofold name, Jesus Christ, is rarely found in the Gospels but in the Epistles it is the name used most often.

33. “And In Jesus Christ His Only Son Our Lord” • The Old Testament Scriptures foretold that Christ should be the Son of God. (Psalm 2:7, Is 9:6) • The New Testament Scriptures bears the same testimony. (John 1:1;14, Heb 1:1-3) • When Jesus came the Jews recognized the Messiah as the Son of God. (John 1:49;11:27) • We cannot understand fully the sense in which our Lord is the Son of God but Jesus is His only-begotten Son in a higher, special, and perfect sense.

34. “And In Jesus Christ His Only Son Our Lord” • The name “Lord” is the translation of a Greek word, which signifies ruling or governing. • As Lord, the government is upon His shoulders, His dominion is universal, and His Kingdom everlasting. (Matt 28:18;11:27, John 3:35, Phil 2:9-11) • The Creed sets forth the truth that there is a special sense in which Jesus is the Lord of believers, “our Lord.” • Scripture recognizes that there are two great armies. • When we say “our Lord” we are declaring that we renounce any other masters.

35. ”I Believe” • The creed is an expression of personal belief.