Confession of Faith
Below is an essential Creed of Christianity. Across the board, if anyone calls themselves a Christian this Creed is an essential part of what they believe.
"Christians, what do you believe . . .
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker 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 Pilot, was crucified, dead, and buried;
He descended into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated on 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 church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
"Christians, what do you believe . . .
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker 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 Pilot, was crucified, dead, and buried;
He descended into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated on 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 church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
posted by T.B. Vick | 9:40 AM
4 Comments:
I've thought about this very subject too. It seems to me that the Nicene Creed would be preferable, at least in the sense in which you're using it here--all Christians everywhere believe.... The Nicene Creed, as opposed to this Apostle's Creed explicitly eliminates certain groups like Mormons and JW's from naming themselves as Christians, due most especially to the pressing nature of the extended portions referring to Christ. I think there would be ways in which a Mormon or JW could say, not too unreasonably, that they agree with the content of the Apostle's Creed. The Nicene Creed, on the other hand, I think would necessarily exclude them. Although, I know the line of the Nicene Creed (about acknowledging one baptism for the forgiveness of sin) is said by Protestants with much reservation. So perhaps that is why one would appeal to the Apostle's Creed as that which unifies all Christians everywhere.
What do you think?
Well, you beat me to the punch, I was going to post the Nicene Creed next . . . so be looking for it.
I also think the Nicene Creed is an essential Creed of all Christendom.
I love the Apostle's Creed, although the line "descended into hell" is a poor translation of what Scripture has to say. Sheol or the grave is more like it. The word "hell" in the creed suggests to some that Christ did not complete the job of atonement on the cross -- which He did.
Rev-ed, you are correct . . . "He descended into the grave" is what that means.
Post a Comment
<< Home