May 2017

 

The Apostle’s Creed

A couple of weeks ago, we started a new study on Sunday nights. It’s called “The Apostle’s Creed,” and it takes an in-depth look at the theology, development and use of one of the earliest documents in the history of the Christian Church. One review states, “Keeping Christians on the same page, before the invention of the page!”

Because of last week’s weather, we’re only one week into this great study, and I’d like to invite you to join me, every Sunday night at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. To give you a little background, here is a welcome from Matt Chandler, the study’s author:

“It’s easy for our culture of individuality and innovation to shape the way we think about the church. So what should we believe? Should Christians try to be more accepting of a postmodern worldview? With so many questions, opinions, and interpretations among people today, even within the church, what should we all agree on as essential to Christian faith?

Finding its genesis in the apostles’ teachings, the Apostles’ Creed contains essential Christian doctrines and beliefs that summarize the gospel and make up the foundation of our faith. The scriptural truths contained in the creed help us operate from good theology, with the knowledge that our faith is rooted in truth and a rich history that spans past, present, and future. The lines of the creed aren’t mere words. They convey the essence of what we confess and believe as the body of Christ.
 

The creed helps us develop better symmetry as Christians, giving us a more robust understanding of biblical teaching. As Christians, it’s easy to stick with what we already know. Either we don’t grow and remain immature with a minimal, two-dimensional faith, or even if we’re growing, we become out of balance instead of developing a holistic, well-rounded faith.

It also helps us with clarity, making clear who God is. Clarity is a more specific focus on what we believe about God and the world. By and large, American evangelicals seem to be terribly confused about who God is, what He’s up to, what He’s like, and what He’s about. The Christian life isn’t about our preferences or opinions or the latest cultural trends; it’s about God. What you believe about God is the most important thing in your life; it shapes all your attitudes and actions.

The Apostles’ Creed informs our community, whom we belong to, and whom we’re with. As Christians who believe the doctrines summarized in the Apostles’ Creed, we’re part of a people who have been around for thousands of years. We’re part of a people who go back to the beginning of humankind, when God called first people to Himself. Throughout history God’s people, those He has chosen and called to Himself, have thrived and worshiped the one true God. We’re part of that tradition. We’ve been woven into something much bigger than us. The fabric created by God makes us stronger than any of us can ever be on our own. It’s diverse, it’s beautiful, and it’s global.

Lastly, the creed informs the way we counsel ourselves and others. Counsel is essentially the point of application. How do symmetry, clarity, and community lead to a change in your perspective? How do you think and act differently? When you grow in your understanding of the person of God, the work of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit, you’ll think differently. The result should be an ever deepening maturity and a closer walk of obedience with our Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

Hope to see you there!

Bro. Heath

 

 

 

.

 


Leave a Reply

^