Introduction to the Apostle's Creed

This morning we come to a new mini-series in our study of discipleship. Remember, since the beginning of this year, we’ve been considering what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Early in the year, I used biblical terms to help us understand this, and one of those terms was the Greek word didache. In your English Bible, this word is translated as “teaching” or “doctrine”, but as I’ve explained before, doctrine, in Scripture, means more than just a set of facts or beliefs. It is a way of life. It involves a way of obedience, a way of truth, and a way of teaching. We have that way communicated in the Gospels through the life of Jesus. We also have it written down for us in the letters of the Apostles.

Yet, mingled in with the teaching of the Apostles, false doctrines began to creep into the church. Even during the ministries of Peter, Paul, and John, men would sneak into the churches they’d established and teach things that were contrary to the Gospel – what we would call heresy. In his letters, Paul combatted the Judaizers, a group of Jews who claimed that Gentiles must accept Jesus AND follow the Levitical laws to be saved. John would write to combat the false teachings of the Gnostics, who taught that everything material is evil and everything spiritual is good, therefore Jesus could not have been born in the flesh because he was the Son of God. But, even after the death of the Apostles, heresies continued to crop up. Marcion taught that the God of the OT and Jesus were two separate gods who were at war with each other. Arius taught that Jesus wasn’t fully God, but the first created being. Sabellius taught that Jesus was nothing more than a mask that God put on - a different mode that God took.

Against these false teachings, the early church began to develop creeds, or statements of faith, that clearly define right belief. One of the oldest creeds that we know of is what today is called “The Apostle’s Creed”. This creed dates back to the early second century and was originally used as a set of questions asked during baptism (something that I do today). The Apostle’s Creed is organized into three sections relating to the three Persons of the Trinity. It states, in short, simple sentences, what every Christian should believe about God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Because it is so simple, I want to spend the next few months studying this creed as a guide for what every Christian should believe.

Before I do that, I need to address some potential concerns. You see, there are certain Baptist circles that are resistant to creeds and confessions. I think that resistance comes from a good place, as Baptists are fully committed to the supremacy of Scripture. We believe that the Bible alone is the supreme rule for faith and practice. In fact, some Baptists will use the statement, “No creed but Christ, no book but the Bible.” Now, that’s all fine and well and good, but what are we to do with other denominations? I’ve never met a Methodist or Presbyterian or Church of Christ who didn’t believe the Bible. Every denomination believes they are right because they believe they understand the Bible correctly. Beyond that, what are we to say to Christian cults like the Jehovah’s Witness and Mormons? They, too, believe the Bible – albeit an altered version. Even further, what are we to say to Muslims and Jews, who also believe the Bible, though only segments of it? You see, it is not enough just to believe the Bible, but we have to be able to say what we believe the Bible to teach.

While some Baptists have resisted the use of creeds, others have recognized that they are indispensable. Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers, said, “It seems to me that [protests against creeds] are not against creeds, but against truth, for every man who believes anything must have a creed, whether he writes it down or not.” BH Carroll, the founder of Southwestern Baptist Seminary said, “The modern cry: ‘less creed and more liberty’ is a degeneration from the vertebrate to the jellyfish and means less unity and less morality and more heresy.” WA Criswell (the man called “Mr. Baptist” in his lifetime) said, “You say, ‘we don’t have a creed.’ That is funny. It’s ridiculous! It is inane!”

To Criswell’s point, you need to understand that everyone has a creed, whether they know it or not. Everyone, Christian or not, has a set of beliefs to which they unswervingly hold. So, as we begin our study in the Apostle’s Creed, I’d like you to join me in reciting this ancient statement of faith:

“I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord, who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into the grave. On the third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy, universal church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.”

Life as a disciple of Jesus Christ begins with confession. It begins with a statement of belief. As a helpless father pled with Jesus in Mark 9:24, “I believe, help my unbelief.” As Peter would proudly state in Matt. 16:16, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” As Thomas would profess in John 20:28, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus taught, in Matt. 10:32, “Everyone who confesses me before men, him will I confess before my Father who is in heaven.” The willingness to say what you believe to other people is a marker of faith. It is evidence that you trust God. So, in the time we have left, I’d like to consider what the Bible says we are to confess and believe in order to be saved.

First, let’s consider Heb. 11:6. The writer of Hebrews states here that there is one thing that is required to please God – faith. In fact, he states it in the negative: without faith it is impossible to please God. Understand that no amount of good works, if done without faith, will please God. No amount of sacrifice, appeasement, or ritual will please God. Only faith can please God. But, this faith is not just wishful thinking or positive thoughts. The writer goes on to say, “for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists.” Unfortunately, my translation doesn’t really help us understand what this means. The word exists doesn’t really mean “exists”. It’s the Greek word, eimi, which means “I am”. So, the writer is not saying, in order to please God you must just believe that he exists. Rather, this word, “I am”, harkens back to the covenant name for the God of Israel. Remember, in Exodus 4, when Moses meets God in the burning bush. He asks God for his name, and God responds, “I am that I am”. It is not enough to just believe in some positive force of the universe. It is not enough to believe in Karma. It is not enough to believe in “The Big Man upstairs.” It is not enough to believe in Allah or Shivah or any god that you might choose. You must place your faith in the God of Israel – the sovereign God of all creation who is working all things together for our good and his glory.

Second, consider Romans 10:9-10. Here Paul states a simple creed. In order to be saved, he says that one must confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead. There are two actions and two objects that I want you to notice about this creed. First, Paul says that we must “confess with our mouth.” The Greek word for “confess” is homologeo, which means “to say the same.” In other words, Jesus has said that he is the king of kings and Lord of lords, and when we confess, we are saying the same thing he said. We are in full agreement with him. But, Paul adds this all important phrase after the word, “confess” – with your mouth. It is not enough to mumble agreement under your breath, or to write it on a note and stick it under your pillow or place it in a time capsule to be opened after you die, or just to hold it silently in your heart. No, none of those are true confession. Confession is made with the mouth to other people. And, notice the object of that confession. We are to confess that Jesus is Lord. We are subjects who kneel before our king, kiss his hand, and pledge our undying loyalty to his kingdom.

Second, Paul says that we “believe in our heart.” I love that Paul makes this distinction between confession and belief. I think we all know people who say all the right things about Jesus, but who really don’t believe. It is entirely possible to say the words of the Apostle’s Creed with an unbelieving heart. So, confession is not all there is to true, saving faith. You must also believe it in your heart. You must trust that Jesus Christ rose again from the dead and that it means something for you. It means that you will one day rise again, too.

Finally, consider Eph. 4:4-6. Here Paul says that everyone who has trusted in Jesus Christ has been united in one Spirit. The Holy Spirit calls every believer to faith in Christ. It is because of the Holy Spirit that you have faith. It is because of the Holy Spirit that you understand. It is because of the Holy Spirit that we agree in one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. So, everyone who would be a disciple of Christ must be led by the Holy Spirit. We believe that he gives us the power of Christ to withstand the attacks of Satan. We believe that he goes before us as we take the Gospel into this world.

Friend, do you believe? Have you come to understand that the God of Israel is the one true God? Do you trust that Jesus Christ is his only Son and the Lord of Lords who rose again from the dead? Do you sense the Holy Spirit calling you to trust in him? Won’t you confess that faith today and be saved?

Brothers and sisters, we are called to make a good confession before men. This means that we first know what we believe and why we believe it. But, it is not enough just to know. We are also called to proclaim it. May we leave this place and confess our faith before men.