БОЛЬШАЯ ИДЕЯ
Creeds are imperfect summaries of what we believe.
МЫСЛИ
In the early church, simple creeds were developed to summa- rize the main point of the Bible storyline. A person often recited these creeds before baptism to affirm their understanding and intention to follow Jesus. Here are two early ones.
Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory. 1 Tim. 3:16
I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 1 Cor. 15:3–4
Over time, these creeds grew to articulate other aspects of the main message. Some of the most popular creeds are the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed.
The Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 as- cended into heaven, He is seated at the right hand of the Father, and He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten
of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him, all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake, he was crucified un- der Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day, he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascend- ed into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His Kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
While no creed is all-encompassing, we will attempt to under- stand some of the more essential concepts and themes dis- cussed throughout the Bible. Creeds are a written summary of our convictions. As we articulate our beliefs, they affect our behaviour. It is good to review the creed or statement of faith of the church you attend.
ДИСКУССИЯ
- How do you feel about creeds? What is helpful and potentially hurtful about them?
- If you were to develop a creed, what would you say about God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, Heaven & Hell, Angels, Humanity, Sin, and Salvation?