Apostles’ Creed defines core Christian beliefs

The world is full of various beliefs about God, Jesus, the Bible, church and life after death. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself exactly what it is that you believe?

That question is why early church leaders wrote the Apostles’ Creed. There were so many false teachings and misleading beliefs that church leaders felt something had to be done. The Apostles’ Creed became the Christian belief system in a nutshell.

The creed states: “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe 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 to the dead. On the third day he rose again; He ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy universal church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.”

The opening sentence declares belief in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. It establishes that God is not merely “a god” or a regional deity, but the creator of everything.

Calling God “Father” also prepares believers for the introduction of Jesus Christ, His only Son. The virgin birth is essential because it proclaims Jesus’ sinlessness and breaks the sinful bloodline of Adam.

If Jesus had not been sinless, His crucifixion would have no meaning. Mentioning Pontius Pilate provides historical context to the crucifixion.

The resurrection is central to Christianity because Jesus claimed He would rise from the dead. The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:16-17: “If the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless and you are still in your sins.”

The creed also reminds believers that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead. In John 5, Jesus said, “The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son.”

The final portion of the creed declares belief in the Holy Spirit, the universal church, communion among believers, forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and everlasting life.

Christians should recite the Apostles’ Creed often, both in church and at home, because it proclaims the foundation of salvation.

Ken Staley is pastor of Faith Church of Pleasant Grove, which meets at 9:30 a.m., and Harrisville Methodist Church, which meets at 11 a.m. Both are Global Methodist congregations. He can be reached at PastorKenStaley@gmail.com.