Tonkawa,
I’ll use this space for the next 3 weeks to dive into something that, whether you’re familiar with it or not, shapes your life in a profound way. That something is the Apostles’ Creed:
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 and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried, he descended to the dead. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic (the church for all times in all places)* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
You can read the previous newspapers to catch up.
This week we’re asking, “Why do we need a creed?”
For my money, one of the first reasons is so we know our place in church history.
For my people, charismatic/Pentecostals, we need to know that Christianity did not begin in 1906 at Azusa Street. We are part of a faith passed down for 2,000 years and longer than that if we take into account the Jewish roots of the Christian faith.
By reciting and practicing an ancient creed, we are reminded time and time again that our faith is an ancient faith that has survived and thrived through times of immense pressure and persecution and times of immense blessing and favor.
The creed helps tie us to what is ancient gives us confidence and courage for what’s to new.
My grandparents gave their army of kids and grands coffee mugs last Christmas with a picture of the old family dairy on it. My grandpa is a Christian, one of the godliest men I’ve ever known. But someday my grandpa will die. Then my dad, who is also a Christian and godly man, will die. After them? Me. And then my kids will just carry on the faith handed down. By reciting the creed, we’re ’m joining in with the great faith of the first century churches and laying the groundwork for the church that will come after us.
Until He Comes,
Josh Reese, Christian Life Church
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