Risen Roots: A look at the Apostle's Creed
Risen Roots: Unearthing our Core Beliefs • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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What do we really believe, anyway?
What do we really believe, anyway?
Many of us may struggle to describe or communicate exactly what we believe— and why. Even among us this morning, many of you might feel this way— even those of you who may have considered yourself a Christian person— a believer for a long period of time— may not feel completely comfortable or confident talking at any sort of deep level about your faith. That’s not good.
2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
During this Lent season this year, I and some others feel led by God to revisit the core beliefs of our faith. We will follow this introductory message on the Apostle’s Creed with a weekly installment highlighting one of what are a group of foundational beliefs called the “Five Solas” or the “Five “alones” “ of our faith. (Solas is a latin word meaning “only” or “alone”)
Do you have a map for your journey?
Old student’s map of the Holy Lands— very helpful resource— it’s old school, but I’m sure it’s still helpful and correct!
In a world filled with diverse beliefs and countless paths, our foundational statements of faith stand as our spiritual GPS, guiding us through the landscapes of theology and helping us navigate decisions and life events. Just like a traveler consulting a map, we remember these foundational roots of faith- not merely as a ritual but as a declaration, a reaffirmation of our shared destination, and a compass pointing us toward the heart of our faith.
As we dive into the Creed today, let's not see it as a list of doctrines but as a captivating narrative, a storyline that begins with the Almighty Creator, weaves through the epic saga of redemption, and unfolds into the glorious hope of eternity. Let's explore the Apostle's Creed as the road map to the profound roots that have anchored the Christian faith for centuries.
So, buckle up, fellow pilgrims, as we embark on a journey of discovery, tracing the contours of our beliefs, and finding new depths in the timeless truths encapsulated in the Apostle's Creed.
There are two primary sources of influence our protestant, evangelical, Anabaptist faith.
Evangelical is just a term based in a root Greek word for “Good News”. The gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, are frequently referred to as “the Evangelists”. Those who reports and wrote about the Good News of Jesus. An Evangelist, is a person we sometimes think of up in front of a crowd preaching or teaching— It’s quite more than that— you and I are evangelicals if our faith is centered on the good news of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and Resurrection.
One of these I want to discuss today— the CREEDS— and then the other is these group of 5 foundational statements called the “Five Solas”.
Since there are six weeks leading up to our Resurrection Sunday— There is a nice flow to this.
It will actually look like this:
Week 1: Introduction, Apostle’s Creed
Week 2: by Scripture alone
Week 3: by Christ alone
Week 4: by Faith alone
Week 5: by Grace alone (including our baptism Sunday!)
Week 6: by God’s Glory alone (on Resurrection Sunday!)
[slide to demonstrate the Five Solas]
Sola Gratia- I’m saved by Grace alone.
Sola Fide- Through Faith alone.
Solus Christus- In the person of Christ alone.
Sola Scriptura- According to Scripture alone.
Soli Deo Gloria- To the Glory of God alone.
We will examine the Apostle’s Creed today— but I want to link each of these messages to an event or teaching from the last days of Jesus’ life on earth. Watch for this each week.
One way that our beliefs are summarized is through Creeds or Confessions.
Creeds are these unifying statements that were created early on after the church was being formed. The creeds were often disputed and discussed— sometimes over years of meetings and councils before a “final draft” was settled upon. Questions and disputes about what was true often happen— we need to deal with these issues, and take the time to work it out. A great example of this is in trying to understand and define what we believe about God: After much discussion and reading scripture, debating and praying together with others, the Creeds help us agree and declare that we can indeed understand God as one God — in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This distinction is really important so that we don’t somehow believe in Three Gods— denying the idea of the “Trinity”—
This goes even a step further, as we understand Jesus as one person, but with two natures— God and Human. He’s not like half and half— he’s all God and all Man— at the same time— in addition he doesn’t switch between one and the other— Evangelicals have inherited this perspective and doctrine through the observance of the Creeds. We can trace our heritage back to the creation and remembrance of several creeds. The Creeds are statements of belief that bind us together in unity.
They were a summary of declarative statements that would differentiate what groups of people believed— they “declared” the creed by reciting it and revisiting the concepts regularly. We are going to exercise this today near the end of our service.
The Apostle’s Creed is a historical, concise summary of our Christian beliefs.
The Apostle’s Creed is a historical, concise summary of our Christian beliefs.
It’s accepted, largely in the Western Church— as a foundational statement of Christian faith, has ancient origins rooted in the early Christian communities. It emerged during the first few centuries of the Common Era as a concise summary of essential Christian beliefs. While traditionally attributed to the apostles, its development was likely a gradual process, with various Christian communities contributing to its formulation. The creed served as a response to theological challenges and controversies, particularly those related to the nature of God, the Trinity, and the identity of Jesus Christ.
By the 4th century, the Apostle's Creed had gained widespread acceptance, becoming a unifying statement of faith across different Christian traditions. It played a crucial role in catechesis, baptismal ceremonies, and liturgical practices. The creed articulated core doctrines such as the belief in God as Father Almighty, the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the universal church, and the resurrection of the dead. Its simplicity and clarity made it accessible to believers of varying theological backgrounds. Over time, the Apostle's Creed became a symbol of Christian unity, transcending denominational differences and continuing to be recited in worship services today.
There are many creeds as you can imagine, but these all are aiming at answering several profound questions like:
“Who is God?”
“Who was Jesus?”
“Who is the Church?”
“What is salvation?”
The reason that the Apostle’s creed matters, is because it provides us with one of the earliest, simplest, but most profound set of Summary statements to answer these questions. Some may rightly say— hey, I’ve got the bible, I don’t need some other set of writings— Sure— and that was actually proposed by many of the earliest Anabaptists— they were somewhat cautious with anything that wasn’t scripture. But, even they soon discovered they needed some sort of summary or set of doctrines to identify and agree upon within their fellowships. Some of you may have heard or studied the “Schleitheim Confession” of 1527. We’re coming up on the 500th anniversary of this powerful document finalized by a group of the earliest Anabaptist, including Micheal Sattler in a rustic barn in Schleitheim Switzerland— the first of it’s kind in the Anabaptist movement.
There is a central set of foundational beliefs— and knowing and growing in our application of these beliefs will change our lives. That’s what I want us to do this Lent season 2024. Let’s dig into the ground and unearth these treasures, these roots of our faith, and get to know them even better.
Apostle’s Creed:
Apostle’s Creed:
Apostle’s Creed:
“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 catholic Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.”
"I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth."
"I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth."
Genesis 1:1, Psalm 33:6.
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
"I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord."
"I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord."
Matthew 16:16
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
"Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary."
"Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary."
Luke 1:35
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
"Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried."
"Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried."
Matthew 27:26, Luke 23:46.
26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
"He descended into hell; on the third day, He rose again from the dead."
"He descended into hell; on the third day, He rose again from the dead."
I Peter 3:18-19, Matthew 28:6
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—
6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
"He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty."
"He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty."
Acts 1:9, Hebrews 10:12.
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,
"From there, He will come to judge the living and the dead."
"From there, He will come to judge the living and the dead."
Matthew 25:31-32
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
"I believe in the Holy Spirit."
"I believe in the Holy Spirit."
John 14:26, Acts 1:8
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
"The holy catholic Church, the communion of saints."
"The holy catholic Church, the communion of saints."
Ephesians 2:19-20, Hebrews 12:22-23
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
"The forgiveness of sins."
"The forgiveness of sins."
I John 1:9, Colossians 1:13-14
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
"The resurrection of the body and the life everlasting."
"The resurrection of the body and the life everlasting."
I Corinthians 15:51-52, John 3:16
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 - "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed."
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Let’s all stand and recite this Creed together— if you are a Christian, a follower of Jesus— you join together with us in speaking these words from your heart:
“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 sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
From there he shall come to judge the quick 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.”
There are three powerful lessons Jesus taught during His last days. The Ten Virgins, The Talents, and the Sheep and Goats— these are all powerful metaphors— parables that speak about waiting, being prepared, and ready for Jesus to return. This was a crucial time for Him— he was about to be murdered— but He not only was resurrected, but he ascended and will come again.
In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus tells the story of ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five were wise, taking extra oil for their lamps, while five were foolish and did not bring extra oil. The bridegroom was delayed, and all ten virgins fell asleep. When the cry came that the bridegroom was coming, the wise virgins were prepared and had enough oil for their lamps, but the foolish ones did not. As a result, the foolish virgins had to go buy more oil and missed the arrival of the bridegroom. The oil in this parable can represent many things— but its generally about being prepared.
Our responsibility is to be ready. To have the oil in our lamps. To me, this is the knowledge and ability to articulate our beliefs and our faith.
Horatius Bonar (1808–1889) was a Scottish Presbyterian minister and hymnwriter who played a significant role in the evangelical and revival movements of the 19th century. He was born on December 19, 1808, in Edinburgh, Scotland, into a family with a rich Christian heritage.
He wrote these timeless words, that are captured in the hymn “I heard the voice of Jesus say”— That’s number 231 in our Red hymnal:
Verse 3:
I heard the voice of Jesus say: ‘I am this dark world’s light’. Look unto me, thy morn shall rise, and all thy day be bright.
I looked to Jesus and I found in Him my star, my sun, and in that light of life I’ll walk, till traveling days are done.
Be what you seem! Live your creed!
Horatius Bonar