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The Apostles Creed
Background Introduction
Creed derived from the Latin credo meaning I
believe.
Used to denote a summary or concise statement of
doctrine formulated and accepted by a church.
Not meant to cover the whole field of Christian faith,
but to fortify believers against the teaching of heretics.
Designates the principles which and individual or
associated body so holds that they become the guides
of conduct.
Some Christians reject formal creeds.
Background Introduction
Different conclusions often reached by those who
profess to ground their beliefs on the same
passages of the Word of God.
Almost every heresy that has disturbed the unity of
the Church has been advocated by men who
appealed to Scripture in confirmation of the
doctrines they taught.
Fatal errors when conclusions are drawn from
isolated passages and preconceived opinions.
Background Introduction
Necessary that Christian Churches set forth
in creeds and confessions the doctrines
which they believe the Scriptures affirm.
Scripture as the rule of faith.
Converts enabled to test their own positions
but, more importantly, to put to proof the
claims of those who profess to be teachers
of Christian doctrine.
Background Introduction
Apostles Creed is the oldest creed and forms the basis for most
other creeds.
Named such, not because it was drawn up by the Apostles, but
because it is in accordance with the sum of Apostolic teaching.
General creed of the Christian Church from the middle of the
2nd century (140 A.D.).
Not only used as a test of Christian doctrine, but also used by
catechists in training and instructing candidates for admission
to the Church.
Background Introduction
Apostles Creed exists in two forms: Old
Roman Form (shorter 140 A.D.) and
Received Form (longer 450 A.D.).
Formed the test of catholicity.
Resting on this creed the Church could be
called catholic and apostolic.
Apostolic Fathers
Clement (32-101) of Rome, was purported to have
been Peters successor in Rome. He was banished
from Rome during the reign of Emperor Trajan
and was sent to work in a stone quarry. He was
martyred by being tied to an anchor and thrown
into the Black Sea.
Ignatius (35-108) of Antioch, who had been
appointed as Elder by Peter became a martyr in
Rome defending the faith.
Apostolic Fathers
Apostolic Fathers
Irenaeus (130-202) of Lyons was a disciple of Polycarp and
an elder in southern France.
He was above all a pastor.
Irenaeus was not particularly interested in philosophical
speculation but rather in leading his flock in Christian life
and faith.
He saw himself as a shepherd leading his flock just as Christ
was the Great Shepherd leading creation to its final goal.
In 180 A.D. he wrote his creed, based on the Apostles Creed,
to aid his people in dealing with the Gnostics.
Apostolic Fathers
Tertullian (160-225) of Carthage was converted to
Christianity in Rome when he was 40 years old.
Trained as a lawyer and all of his writings bears the stamp
of a legal mind.
Prolific author and Christian apologist against heresy.
First Christian theologian to write in Latin and may be
considered the founder of Western theology.
Most famous for coining the term Trinity (Latin: Trinitus)
and giving the first exposition of the formula which
appeared in his work Three Persons, One Substance.
CREEDS OF ST.
IRENAEUS (A.D. 180).
I believe in one God, the
Father Almighty, who made
heaven and earth;
CREEDS OF
TERTULLIAN (A.D. 200).
I believe in one God, the
Creator of the world, who
produced all out of
nothing ...
6. He ascended into
heaven, and sitteth on the
right hand of God the
Father Almighty;
7. From thence He
shall come to judge
the quick and the
dead.
He will come to
judge
the wicked to
eternal
fire.
8. I believe in the
Holy Ghost;
9. The Holy
Catholic Church;
the Communion of
saints;
10. The Forgiveness
of sins;
11. The
Resurrection of the
body; 12. And the
Life Everlasting.
Council of Nicea
Persecution turned to toleration after Constantines
reported conversion in 313 A.D.
Led to the empires official adoption of
Christianity.
Christendom became a confusion of popular
myth and biblical claims.
Church faced an onslaught of heresies.
In 325 A.D. the Council of Nicea convened.
Council of Nicea
300 Bishops assembled for this council.
At issue was the Arian heresy, which denied the
eternal deity of Jesus Christ and the Trinity.
Once the universal council agreed upon this
common confession the Nicene Creed became the
basis for instruction for new Christians and was
required at their baptism.
Became the first universally accepted official
summary of the Christian faith.
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of
all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the
Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God;
begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all
things were made.
Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was
incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was
crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the
third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into
heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with
glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds
from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is
worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one
baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Apostles Creed
1. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven
and earth. 2. And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, 3.
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin
Mary, 4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead,
and buried, 5. He descended into hell; the third day He rose
again from the dead, 6. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth
on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; 7. From
thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. 8. I
believe in the Holy Ghost, 9. The Holy Catholic Church;
the Communion of saints; 10. The Forgiveness of sins; 11.
The Resurrection of the body, 12. And the Life Everlasting.
I Believe
The creed is an expression of personal belief.
In repeating it we profess our own faith in what God has
revealed concerning Himself.
Belief here means the assent of the mind and heart to the
doctrines expressed in the creed. (Rom 10:10)
Faith differs from knowledge. There are some things that
we know to be true and there are others of which we say
that we believe them to be true.
We believe because we are assured on sufficient and
competent authority that these things are so. (Rom 10:17)
I Believe
We know that we live in a material universe, but our
knowledge does not extend to the manner in which the
universe came into being. That is a matter of belief. (Heb
11:3)
We believe based on the authority of God. (1 John 5:9)
Faith must precede everything else. It is the foundation on
which all Christian character is built. (Heb 11:6b)
We must have and experience faith. (Heb 11:6a)
It is important that we have a knowledge of Christian
doctrines and are ready to defend them. (1 Peter 3:15)
I Believe
The creed is an expression of personal belief.
I Believe
The creed is an expression of personal belief.
I Believe
The creed is an expression of personal belief.
I Believe
The creed is an expression of personal belief.