Return of Creeds

Return of Creeds

Scripture:

2 Cor. 1:20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

Reflection

• Creeds are good – True or False? My gut feeling is that most people would have to think about that question for a moment, and then after some reflection, I think many people would say false. What would you say?
• A Creed is a set of beliefs which directs, aims or guides someone’s actions. A historical Christian creed was used to instill right beliefs and practices – Orthodoxy + Orthopraxy.
• Creeds were a little foreign to me during my formative years. Our home church did not encourage any historical Christian practices. The emphasis was on the Holy Spirit’s work. Learning to live by the Spirit of God is essential, but developing a secure foundation for faith is also vital. The historical church used a creed to anchor a believer’s faith to the the bedrock of truth so that every believer could truly know and speak their core belief and then personally attach their faith to that core doctrine.  
• The Apostles Creed was the first creed used by early followers of Jesus. It was seen in the writings of Irenaeus of Lyon, [southern France], and most certainly influenced by Polycarp, who was a disciple of John the Apostle. It became the standard of the Western church in the year 150 A.D. Throughout the early growth of the church, it was recited. Wherever the the people of God met, the Apostles creed joined them together and reminded them of what they believed and in what their faith was founded. 
• The Apostles creed was a declaration that informed and directed their faith. The creed gave them a substance; a theology, a creed that bound them together and established them as a community. The creed helped secure and form their faith, giving them a statement around the core tenets of their faith.
• In hindsight, I wish my church had taught more about the creeds when I was young. I think a number of those who drifted away from God and His church may have had an anchor that kept them during their storms. Maybe the early church fathers knew the importance of a creed. 
• In this ever-changing world, as people are working to re-define what it means to follow Christ, this creed brings us back to what is true about God’s Gospel plan for mankind. 

• Apostles Creed
• I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth;
  and in Jesus Christ, His 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 into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead;
  He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
  I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic (world-wide) Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.
  Amen.

David