The Holy Catholic Chruch and the Communion of the Saints
The Apostles Creed • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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As the Creed affirms a belief in the chruch holy and catholic (universal) it postulates a conviction in an ecclesial, covenantal, and eternal community of the people of God.
The Creed dispels any notion of individualistic Christianity.
The Creed places emphasis not on me but we Not I but us.
Most contemporary Christians often fail to grasp the depths of the Creeds affirmation and the importance of the long, unbroken line of communion Christians share as members of Christs chruch.
To understand the riches encapsulated in the doctrine of the church, we must first turn to its foundation described to us in Matthew 16.
The Foundation of the Church: Peters Confession in Matthew 16.
The Foundation of the Church: Peters Confession in Matthew 16.
In each of the Gospels, a paradigmatic shift occurs when Jesus asked His disciples what they thought about His identity.
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
In these verses Peter confessed the identity of Jesus Christ.
Peter identified Jesus as more than a prophet or a mere teacher.
Peter confessed that Jesus is none other than the Son of God and the Messiah, the promised seed of the women, which takes us back all the way to Genesis 3.
Jesus revealed that His church is to be founded upon a confession, on the truth, in power and with authority.
Founded upon a Confession
Founded upon a Confession
Jesus built His chruch on Peters “confession” .
The term used here for “confession” is not like our modern use of the the word to mean to confess to an act or wrong doing.
But here and when we as a “confession” what we are talking about is we are confessing our faith, or proclaiming it to the object of that faith.
Peter confessed that in Christ lay all the hopes of Israel.
In Christ are fulfilled all the expectations for Salvation the world has longed for and eagerly awaited.
Peter proclaimed the divinity of Jesus God Incarnate, Immanuel.
In just a few words Peter affirmed the groundbreaking, earth shattering truth that changed the course of human history.
Jesus responded by saying that on Peter He would build His church.
In essence Jesus proclaimed that His body would be built upon the words as spoken by Peter.
Where Peters confession is found, the church is found.
Where that confession is proclaimed, you will find the communion of the Saints.
Founded on Truth
Founded on Truth
Paul reminded us that the church stands as the pillar of truth in a world twisted by lies and deceit .
15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.
Thus, a true and right confession of Christ becomes a central part of what it means to be the church.
The call to jettison the truths of the gospel tempts God’s people in every corner of the globe.
Matt 16 however will not allow Gods people to separate themselves from Gods truth.
The church proclaims the truth, holds to the truth, and embodies the truth, even unto death.
Without the truth proclaimed in Matthew 16, humanity possesses no hope.
Because of this the people of God stand upon Peters confession of the truth, like a mighty rock that no wave of dissent can overcome.
3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
Founded in Power
Founded in Power