Credits: I Believe: The Faith We Confess (00:51)

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Credits: I Believe: The Faith We Confess

Apostles' Creed (02:43)

The Apostles' Creed is recited; it is the church's earliest creed. It gathers together and clarifies the faith's fundamental claims. It was written after the time of the Apostles, but nevertheless maintains Apostolic authority.

Need for the Creed (02:18)

The need for a publicly acceptable statement of the faith became clear. It was believed to reflect the major themes of Scripture. The person of Jesus Christ is the center of the creed.

Defense Against Heresy (01:33)

People interpreted the Bible in different ways, creating the need for an authoritative interpretation. Gnostic and other gospels were not Canonized because they did not conform to the Creed.

Baptismal Creed (01:59)

The Creed probably arose as a confession at Baptism, where Christians were asked to state what they believed. It was the basis for instruction for new believers.

The Meaning of Belief (02:17)

The Creed opens, "I believe..." Today belief is used to express varying degrees of conviction. For Christian it is a strong factual assertion, and a trustful staking of life on convictions, an existential appropriation of the faith's truths.

Reason, Faith and Trust (03:15)

Faith is personal and beyond reason, requiring our trust, analogous to grabbing a rope. Belief results from trying to explain an experience. Christians could trust God because of what they believed about Him.

Beliefs About God (02:30)

The Creed summarizes Christian ideas about who God is. The Bible holds that God revealed Himself through the Word, that there is one God, distinct from Creation.

Basis for Trinity (01:55)

The Apostles' Creed does not mention the Trinity but reflects the idea. Paul mentions the Father, Jesus and the Spirit as God without referring to the Trinity.

Historical Events Shaping God (02:01)

The Trinity reflects the belief that the Father sent the Son, who gave us His spirit. The Christians believed historical events involving Jesus shaped the meaning of God.

Reconciling Monotheism With Jesus (02:43)

The Old Testament Creator God contrasted with limited gods. To maintain monotheism, Christians said Jesus is identical with the Father and yet distinguished from Him. Some say Christ's divinity first took hold when Christians worshipped Him.

Holy Spirit (01:44)

After Jesus ascends, God is still with us as the Holy Spirit of Jesus, while Jesus remains a human being, our Lord. There is one God, experienced as three Persons.

Nature of Trinity (01:21)

The Holy Spirit is active from the beginning of Creation, but is revealed at the Pentecost as Person and God, not just a force. Son and Spirit take us to the Father and submit to Him, but are not less than Him.

Dealing With Trinity (02:23)

The Trinity cannot be explained logically. The central task of Christian worship and theology is to celebrate the Threeness and Oneness of God.

Hymn (00:59)

We hear hymn to the Father and Creator

God the Father (02:37)

"Father" indicates a person, not just a force, runs the universe. He is the Father of Jesus, but also of the human race- "our Father," in the Lord's prayer. Others are our brothers and sisters.

Uniqueness of Jesus as Son (02:08)

If the Father is our Father, how is Jesus unique? We become sons by participating in grace, while Jesus is God by nature? It is dangerous to believe we are potentially like Jesus.

Adopted Sons and Daughters (01:59)

Unlike Jesus, we have human parents and are sinful. We are adopted through grace, and can become Christ-like with help from the Spirit.

Nearness and Benevolence (02:35)

The word "Father" expresses His relationship to Jesus and to us, reminding us God created and cares for us. Some theology, by contrast, has sought to make God more remote.

Old Testament and God the Father (02:00)

Abraham and the nation of Israel knew God as a Father. "Our Father" in the Lord's Prayer refers back to Exodus, illustrating that God is again active according to His long-term plan.

Providing For Us (03:26)

As Father, God provides for us if we do not rebel against Him. He will not always give us what we want, however. Being our Father means God loves us. Closing hymn.

Credits: I Believe: The Faith We Confess (00:42)

Credits: I Believe: The Faith We Confess