Bible Studies

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Question: What is a creed? What’s the Apostle’s Creed and why is it important?

A creed is a statement of belief—usually a statement of faith that describes the beliefs shared by a religious community and is often recited as part of a religious service. (Wikipedia) The word creed comes from the Latin, credo, which means belief.

During the early centuries of the Christian church there was a great deal of controversy concerning Jesus, His life and purpose. Christianity was at a crossroads. Some of the fundamental questions included the reality of the Holy Trinity, the deity of Jesus, the humanity of Jesus and the truth of the resurrection.

In order to settle these controversies as well as to establish canon (the accepted content of the Christian Bible), the Emperor Constantine assembled a group of Christian leaders in the early 4th century. Two major outcomes of these assemblies were the determination of which Books would be included in the Christian Bible and a statement that summarized basic Christian beliefs.

One result of these assemblies or councils is known as the Nicene Creed. The Nicene Creed is a brief statement that summarized the fundamental beliefs (truths) of the Christian faith. It summarized the foundations of orthodox Christianity, stating what Christianity is and, by exclusion, what it is not.

An earlier version of a Christian creed is known as the Apostle’s Creed. It is more widely used in the Western Christian Church today than the Nicene Creed. Over the years, various denominations have made modifications to the Apostle’s Creed to match the fundamental theological differences among the denominations. Some Christian denominations do not use or adhere to either of these Creeds.

It is important to note that, as well studied and important as both of these Creeds are, they are still man’s interpretation and understanding of God (the Trinity) and His plan for us. Even this statement of belief requires individual study and guidance by the Holy Spirit to bring individual meaning and purpose.

This is the Creed as it appears in the Church of England’s Book of Common Prayer (1662):

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 Catholick Church;

The Communion of Saints;

The Forgiveness of sins;

The Resurrection of the body,

And the Life everlasting.

Amen.

Since this Creed is so fundamental to orthodox Christianity, I strongly suggest that disciples of Jesus read and analyze it carefully, line by line. For example, what does “The resurrection of the body” really mean and how does that fit with your current understanding of when we “go to heaven?”

I also suggest that you compare this statement of the Apostle’s Creed with what is used in your own church community, if it used at all. If there is a Creed, how is it the same or different from the one above? Why do differences, if any, exist? If your congregation does not follow a Creed, why not? Is there a basic statement of belief?

You will find this to be a very challenging assignment that just may change some of your most basic ideas and understanding of Christianity. It certainly has for me.

This is part of a blog series responding to questions that come up in Bible study courses I am either facilitating or taking. To see all of the blogs in this series, please see: Questions from Bible Study.

Thank you for visiting!

God bless!

Shalom, Art
Alive in The Word

Addendum:

Both the Jews and Muslims also have fundamental statements of belief which are sometimes called creeds:

Jews, The Shema: “”Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One”

Islam, The Shahada: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.”

Both of these statements emphasize the monotheistic nature of god which is fundamental to these religions.

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