Friday, February 23, 2024

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We believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He went down to the dead; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; wherefrom He shall come to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Apostolic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Introduction
I realize that many so-called Christians today are able to recite creeds containing biblically orthodox truth, even though they do not know the Lord personally.  I myself used to be one of those people.  For that reason, we evangelicals tend to diminish the value of sound doctrine and emphasize the relational aspects of the Christian walk.  And I'll be the first one to say that you can know all the right things about the Lord, but if you don't know the Lord Himself, you've missed the most important part. 

However, I don't necessarily think we should throw out the baby with the bath water either.  Creed is simply a derivative of the Latin word "credo", meaning “I believe”.  The early apostles and Church Fathers thought it was essential for every Christian to believe the basic tenets of the faith and be able to clearly state these eternal truths as well.  If it was important to them, then it's important to me as well.  As we raise our children in the nurture and the admonition of the Lord, these are the foundational truths we have already begun to teach our children. 

Our beliefs must be based solely on the Word of God, not on traditions or the Church Fathers.  However, where the Church Fathers and tradition agree with the Word of God, they confirm our beliefs.  In each of the following sections, you will find the Scriptures upon which our beliefs are based.  And where the Church Fathers agree with the Scriptures, I have included quotes from them as well.

With the increase of false doctrine sweeping the world today, may the Lord help us to heed the inspired words of the apostle Paul to young Timothy: “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.  Watch your life and doctrine closely.  Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Tim. 4:15,16).

Doctrines Taught in the Creed
The following links will take you to posts that explain each of the corresponding parts of the creed, based on Scripture and what the Church Fathers believed. The Church Fathers include those men who immediately followed the original apostles and often had direct contact with them, as well as others who lived during the early centuries after them.

We Believe in God, the Father Almighty

Creator of Heaven and Earth

Creator of Heaven and Earth: Angels

Creator of Heaven and Earth: Man

And in Jesus Christ, His Only Son, Our Lord

Who was Conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of the Virgin Mary

Suffered Under Pontius Pilate, was Crucified, Died and was Buried

He Went Down to the Dead, the Third Day He Rose Again from the Dead

He Ascended into Heaven; Sits at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty Wherefrom He Shall Come to Judge the Living and the Dead.

We Believe in the Holy Spirit

The Holy Apostolic Church

The Communion of Saints

The Forgiveness of Sins

The Resurrection of the Body

And Life Everlasting. Amen. 

Attention DTS Students:  DTS Students must click on each of the links above and read each of the posts at those links. 

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, unless otherwise noted. The Church Fathers writings are in the public domain and may be freely used and distributed.

Author's Note: You may also access my complete blog directory at Writing for the Master.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"
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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

4 comments:

  1. BrotherLen please tell me a prayer on how to lead someome to salvation. A prayer of repentence and cnfession to become bornagain. May God Almighty Bless You for that. Amen

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    1. Sister Rose, I used to use the following:

      HEAVENLY FATHER,
      I have sinned against you.
      I want forgiveness for all my sins.
      I believe that Jesus died on the cross for me and rose again.
      Father, I give you my life to do with as you wish. I want Jesus Christ to come into my life and into my heart. This I ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

      However, since there is no such prayer found in Scripture, I am now more inclined to guide someone through the process you see at this link:
      http://enterthekog.blogspot.hu/2012/11/do-you-want-to-know-jesus.html.

      Plenty of people have said a prayer and then never became a disciple. I want to help people reach heaven, not just get their "fire insurance."
      Shalom!

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  2. This is the most important article I have read on, "The Apostles Creed." It gave me a lot to think about and this is my conclusion:-
    The Apostles Creed is a statement of the foundation of our faith of what we believe. I found that in Romans 1: 16, declares that the gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to "everyone who believes," And in Romans 10:9-10, adds the concept of believing "in your heart," which means to believe from the depth of your being. So salvation depends on what we believe. The Apostles Creed also states the truth of God's word. I found in John:8:32, Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him. "If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples, then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." And Romans 6: 7-11, says, "For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him."
    With belief comes faith. As it says in Hebrews 11:1-3. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it, the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
    Hebrews 11:6. says. But without faith it is impossible to please God. For he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a re warder of them that diligently seek him.
    So I do believe the Apostles Creed is vitally important for:-
    1) To help the church distinguish truth from errors.
    2) To provide a basis for refuting heresy.
    3) To provide a basis for Christian fellowship.
    4) To ensure consistent teaching among all the churches.
    As in 2 Timothy 3:16. says "The word of God is true in all its parts and entirely trustworthy. The Apostles Creed gives us the foundation
    of our faith and it is imperative that we believe the full gospel and live it daily, so we can be with our Lord for eternity.
    Thank and Praise the Lord.
    Thank you.
    From Sister Catherine Atherton.

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    Replies
    1. Sear sis Catherine, that was an excellent comment summarizing what you learned. I agree. God bless you.

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