Today we begin a series on The Apostles Creed. There are so many things that seem to be shaking now: governments, economies, inflation, global tensions, wars. Throughout this series we will look at words that have withstood the test of time.

The goal of this study is not just to be something we recite but to be a living confession for us.

Origins of the Creed
1. The Apostles Creed is based on Scripture and early Christian writings. It tells the essential parts of the Christian story. Source material, early creeds in scripture are from I Corinthians 15, Phil 2:5-11, and Colossians 1:15-20. It was written in the 100-200's.
2. A Baptismal Confession - As the church grew and was dispersed, there was a need to identify how we train and disciple new believes. The Creed became a standard way to to that.
3. The Creed addresses theological issues. Each church battled with false teaching. The creed addressed theological issues that arose from local regions.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
What does that mean? God created everything that exists, visible or invisible. God is all powerful to create everything. By using the word Father, God was considered the head of the household, head and king of his people. God is above gender.

What does I Believe mean? It is more than cognitive recognition, it is more than knowing there is a God. We see the meaning of believe in the life of Jacob in Genesis 28. He knows about God. God comes to him in a dream and says that he will lead him, provide and protect him. He says back to God that if he is with him in all the ways he said, then he will become His God. Jacob moves from knowing God exists to trusting in him. Belief in God moves to personal faith in God for Jacob. He is willing to extend trust.

Application:
Is your belief in God just cognitive or a personal trust? Ask for God to change you today and during this study so that your faith would become rooted in the person of Jesus Christ.

Traditional Version
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker 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, dead, and buried;*
the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick 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.