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Contents1. Christian Creeds for Beginners............................................................................................2

2. Why You Need the Creed.....................................................................................................4

3. I Believe...............................................................................................................................6

4. Believing in the Father.........................................................................................................7

5. Believing in the Son—Divine and Human..........................................................................9

6. Believing in the Son—Messiah and Lord..........................................................................11

7. Believing in the Virgin Birth..............................................................................................12

8. Believing in the Cross—The Offence of the Cross...........................................................13

9. Believing in the Cross—The Victory of the Cross............................................................14

10. Believing That Jesus Lives................................................................................................16

11. Believing That Jesus Reigns..............................................................................................18

12. Believing in the Spirit........................................................................................................19

13. Belonging to the Church....................................................................................................20

14. Believing in Salvation, Waiting for God’s New World......................................................21

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Chapter One

Christian Creeds for BeginnersThe creeds of the Early Christian Church form one of the most important shared features for Christians of all ages and expressions. While the Bible contains the revelation of God’s work in the world, the creeds contain the reflections and summaries of that revelation with the intent of both unifying Christians and preventing erroneous ways of articulating the Christian faith. In this way the creeds do not so much add to the existing revelation of the Scriptures, but distill the scriptural narrative and remove impurities for the edification of all Christians.

This chapter introduces the reasons why creeds have been important in the church and demonstrates that their use derives from the earliest history of Israel. This is evinced particularly in Israel’s Shema (Deut 6:4-5) and the later creeds expressing Jesus’ identity (e.g., Jesus’ summaries of Jesus’ death and resurrection in 1 Thess 4:14; 2 Cor 5:15; Rom 4:25; Phil 2:5-11). The chapter then includes a brief overview of the heretical challenges that were the catalyst for creedal formation in the 2nd-5th centuries, including details of the major creeds that came out of the ecumenical councils.

Key Terms

creed Summarizing statement comprised of the foundational beliefs of a community (WCOTB, 22).

Christ-hymn Texts from the New Testament, such as Philippians 2:5-11, that formulate a profession of Jesus’ identity in a poetic structure (WCOTB, 20).

Docetism The belief that Jesus only appeared as a human, but remained purely divine (WCOTB, 23).

Arius An early theologian whose views of Jesus were deemed heretical by the council of Nicaea (AD 325) (WCOTB, 25).

GnosticismThe belief that there is a secret knowledge, possession of which guarantees salvation. Within Gnostic belief Jesus is the one who saves humanity from physical entrapment—spiritual existence is seen as the “saved” state of being (WCOTB, 23).

Marcion

Theologian who taught that Jesus’ teachings showed that the God of the Old Testament was not really God. Marcion therefore rejected the Old Testament along with much of the New Testament that overlapped too much with Old Testament forms of belief (WCOTB, 24).

ecumenical An expression for the unity of belief among churches. This extends primarily to foundational statements of belief, such as those found in the creeds (WCOTB, 24-25).

early Christian councils

These ecumenical councils met to solidify the beliefs of Christians that most fully aligned with the teachings of the Old Testament, Jesus, and the apostles (WCOTB, 24-26).

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Discussion and Reflection Questions

What are other creeds, religious or not, that you are aware of? How do they relate to the creeds evident in the Bible?

Why is a creed helpful alongside the Bible?

What are the primary passages in the Bible where we find creedal statements?

How do creeds function in the Bible?

How do biblical creeds change from the OT to the NT?

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Chapter Two

Why You Need the Creed

Expanding on the themes of chapter one, this chapter helpfully covers the development of the canon and its relationship to the creed. Explored are the mutually reinforcing bodies of tradition that are subsequently used to determine what is and what is not foundational for Christianity. As the record of God’s leading of Israel, the Hebrew Scriptures form the first body of tradition. Second is the teaching of Jesus; including his death and resurrection as fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel. Next are the apostolic teachings, which become recognized as authoritative and inspired on the same level as the Hebrew Scriptures. The summarized theology of those traditions becomes encapsulated as statements strung together in the rough outline of God’s total work. This is another way of describing the creeds of Christianity: summaries of God’s faithfulness that are a demonstration of his character as God. The canon fits into this progression by formalizing the authoritative traditions of Christianity in the face of contrary teachings. The creeds and canon therefore complement each other as the continuing guides for the composition of true Christian belief.

Key Terms

canon Authoritative measure used for comparison and determining divergence (WCOTB, 34-36).

ApocryphaThe Apocrypha is a group of writings that were included in the Septuagint and are still included in the canon of certain Christian groups (e.g., Roman Catholicism). Notable texts are 1-2 Maccabees, Tobit, Wisdom of Solomon (WCOTB, 31-32).

Septuagint The translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek (WCOTB, 31-32).

Targum An Aramaic paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures (WCOTB, 31).

Scripture “A sacred writing with religious authority” (WCOTB, 33).

rule of faith This term refers to the authority of the Christian Scriptures to be the standard by which all teaching of the church is to be judged (WCOTB, 32).


What are the complementary components for the development of the Christian canon and creeds?

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What is the difference between Scripture and canon?

What are the five factors that pushed early Christians to solidify the canon?

In your context, how have the Christian creeds or canon been helpful?

What are the dangers of not having a canon or creed?

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Chapter Three

I Believe

Faith is inherent to all humans. Faith is not always directed to God, obviously, but all humans have a need outside of themselves. Most evident in the care necessary to meet the needs of a newborn baby, the needs of humanity for others is inescapable. This chapter touches on the variety of ways that faith can be described. As a noun: the faith exhibited in the apostles that is referred to as an example. As an act: the faith of a person in Jesus. Faith as a mystery: the elements of faith entail trust that events promised will be fulfilled. The creeds summarize several significant actions and attributes of God that are evidence of his faithfulness. This then provides the basis for continued faith in God’s promise to save those who take Jesus’ teachings seriously, that is, have put faith in Jesus that he is God and has reconciled humanity to himself through overcoming sin (and death).

Key Terms

faith (fact) The “facts” of Christian faith can be very succinctly stated as “God, Jesus, and salvation” (WCOTB, 44-45).

faith (trust)The active response toward God’s work in Christ to redeem (i.e., God’s faithfulness to his promises). While this includes a mental assent to facts it is also the posture of the soul and an expectation of God’s continued action (WCOTB, 46-48).

faith (obedience)

An active faith is expressed by following the example of its object: Jesus. This means taking his teaching seriously to pursue loving God and loving others, which entails specific elements of holiness, self-sacrifice, and worship (WCOTB, 49-50).

mystery

Faith entails components that are promised but not yet visible or completed. The major role of the Christian Scriptures is the record of God’s past faithfulness as a way to demonstrate the faithfulness of God, who will again be faithful in saving those who believe in Jesus (WCOTB, 54-55).


What are common objects that are commonly trusted in?

How do different expressions of faith manifest in the face of crisis?

What elements of God’s past faithfulness are repeated in the Apostles’ Creed?

How are faith and faithfulness related?

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Chapter Four

Believing in the Father

God as Father is a crucial element in the confession of the Apostles’ Creed. It undergirds and begins the confession of the Trinity, a doctrine which alone has the power to fully comprehend the heart of the gospel. Only a sacrifice as great as God himself (Jesus), could accomplish salvation for creation. The gospel is then found to encapsulate all of the persons of the Trinity in expressing their Triune love, involvement in creation, and work to redeem it. In addition to the Trinity, this chapter covers the kind of love implicit in God’s fatherly expression, explains the importance of God as Father despite the real trauma many have suffered because of their fathers, and the almighty power of God in being able to not only create but sustain and save his creation.

Key Terms

TrinityThere is one God with three distinct persons. The Father is God, the Son is God, the Spirit is God. The Father is not the Son or the Spirit, the Son is not the Father or the Spirit, the Spirit is not the Father or Son (WCOTB, 57-60).

modalism The belief that God is one and manifest in three different modes, but is never more than one (WCOTB, 58).

monarchianism The belief that the Father is superior to the Son and Spirit within the Trinity (WCOTB, 58-59).

tritheism The belief that there are three gods (WCOTB, 58).

analogicalThe articulation of an object through comparison and approximation—with the recognition that these descriptions will not be exhaustive in relation to their object (e.g., God) (WCOTB, 63).

ex nihilo “out of nothing”; used to describe God’s creative activity (WCOTB, 68-69).

pantheism The belief that everything is god (WCOTB, 70).

panentheism The belief that God is in everything (but everything is not God) (WCOTB, 70).

deism The belief that God created but is no longer involved (WCOTB, 70).

Gnosticism The belief that physical reality is bad, so the God (of the Old Testament) who created is bad (WCOTB, 70).


How is the doctrine of the Trinity central to the gospel?

What are the primary distortions of the Trinity?

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What challenges exist in expressing God as Father?

Why is it important that God created ex nihilo?

How do intra-Trinitarian relationships help us understand God’s work of reconciliation?

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Chapter Five

Believing in the Son—Divine and Human

The entire narrative of God’s interaction with creation and then Israel are a record of the promise of God to redeem his people. This culminates in Jesus, God himself, who dies to reconcile creation to God. The significance of the incarnation present itself as we look at distortions of Jesus’ identity. If Jesus is not fully man then he is unable to truly redeem humanity. If Jesus is not fully God, then he cannot accomplish reconciliation with God. However, as fully God and fully man, Jesus uniquely reconciles the divine with the human in dying and rising to new life.

Key Terms

atheism The belief in no god(s) (WCOTB, 73-74).

Christology The study of Christ, often used as a cue-word for the summary of beliefs about Jesus (WCOTB, 77).

incarnation The act of God to become human in Jesus (WCOTB, 77).

ousiaThe Greek word meaning “being” used in the definition of Jesus’ relationship to the Father (e.g., homoousios = of the same being vs. homoiousios = of similar being) (WCOTB, 78).

ApollinarianismBelief associated with Apollinaris which asserts that the man Jesus was indwelt and overtaken by the divine Logos. This is a belief contrary to Jesus being fully God and fully man (WCOTB, 82).

Monophysitism The belief that Jesus’ divine and human natures blended to create one mixed nature (WCOTB, 82).

Nestorianism The beliefs of Nestorius who taught that Jesus had two natures that were separated from each other, but contained in one body (WCOTB, 82).

hypostatic union The eventual orthodox assertion that Jesus is fully God and fully man, united but with no mixture of the two into one (WCOTB, 82).


How would you respond to someone claiming to be an atheist?

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What are some passages from the Old Testament that expect a messiah?

What are the theological consequences of rejecting Jesus as fully God? Fully man?

What is the difference in meaning for the Greek prefixes of homo- and homoi-?

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Chapter 6

Believing in the Son—Messiah and Lord

This chapter highlights the importance of understanding Jesus’ life, teaching, and miracles as the foundation for properly understanding his death and resurrection. Because Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel, learning about Jesus’ proclamation about the coming kingdom of God outlines specifically the ways in which Jesus is the King and Lord. Included in this connection between Jesus and the Old Testament are passages where his sacrificial death is explained as a necessary quality of his rule. Finally, Jesus’ rightful rule over everything and everyone is not likely to be accepted by the culture around us. This was true of Christians in the first century and we should expect the same kinds of persecutions today.

Key Terms

Christ The title appended to Jesus’ name—a transliteration in English from the Greek Christos which is translated from the Hebrew mashiach, meaning “anointed one” (WCOTB, 86).

Kyrios The transliteration of the Greek word for “Lord.” Used in the Old Testament to translate Yahweh, and in the New Testament as a title for Jesus (WCOTB, 90-95).

marana tha

The Aramaic expression meaning “come Lord,” used by early Christians in hope for Jesus’ return (WCOTB, 91).


What are the key Old Testament passages that refer to a coming Messiah?

What are the key Old Testament passages that refer to the sacrificial actions of the Messiah?

What are some of the changes to the Torah that Jesus clarified in his teaching?

In what ways do Jesus’ lordship come into conflict with the rulers of governments?

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Chapter Seven

Believing in the Virgin Birth

The birth of Jesus begins with his conception in Mary’s womb. Defending belief in the virginal conception is a statement that also positively recognizes the role of the Holy Spirit in working mysteriously without Joseph’s involvement.

Key Terms

virginal conception

This is the proper term for what “virgin birth” refers to. The virgin birth only happens because Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and therefore not through a combination of Mary and Joseph (WCOTB, 100).

Valentinus

An early Christian theologian who said that Jesus passed through Mary as water passes through a pipe—thereby arguing for Jesus’ sinlessness at his birth (i.e., he did not take on the sinfulness of Mary’s humanity). This view was subsequently rejected (WCOTB, 101).

mamzer The Aramaic term for “illegitimate,” an accusation leveled against Jesus by later sceptics due to the unusual circumstances of his birth (WCOTB, 102).


Why is the virgin birth significant among doctrines of Christianity?

What are other places in Jesus’ ministry where the Spirit is a primary participant?

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Chapter Eight

Believing in the Cross—The Offence of the Cross

The cross is not an attractive means of demonstrating success, power, or authority. Nonetheless, this is the means by which God demonstrates his commitment to humanity. By sending Jesus to die a humiliating death, God accomplished life for all who believe. The importance of the cross is evinced not only in Jesus’ teachings but also in the persistence of the cross as a symbol of Christianity (e.g., the staurogram).

Key Terms

crucifixion A form of death penalty favored by the Romans for utterly humiliating a person, usually an enemy of the Empire, through excruciating pain (WCOTB, 112-113).

staurogramThe early Christian symbol used by Christians to identify themselves. It was comprised of the letter tau and rho which, when superimposed, form a cross (WCOTB, 119).

Pontius Pilate The Roman official responsible for Jesus’ trial and ultimate execution (WCOTB, 120-122).

Mark 10:45 The passage in which Jesus tells his disciples that he will die on their behalf (WCOTB, 124).

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

The passage containing the Servant Song, quoted by Jesus to describe the nature of his sacrificial death (WCOTB, 123-124).


Why is it significant that Pontius Pilate is included in the creed?

Which Old Testament passages are especially important for understanding Jesus’ sacrificial death?

Did the Jews expect their Messiah to die?

Why is Jesus’ death foolishness to Greeks?

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Chapter Nine

Believing in the Cross—The Victory of the Cross

The atonement of Jesus entails the “accomplishment” of several components of humanity’s redemption. The specific features are usually placed in contrast to each other, but this chapter describes several theories of atonement, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. Then an alternative to a single theory is offered, with the important caveat that the impact of Jesus’ death is so immense that it is inappropriate to elevate certain features too highly above others. The atonement also has consequences for how Christians live on a daily basis. In the same way that to accomplishments of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are pervasive in their redemption of humanity, so also does it pervade the Christian’s living on the basis of that faith.

Key Terms

atonement The act of God to redeem humanity for himself by sending Jesus to die on the cross (WCOTB, 128-130).

recapitulation The theory of atonement in which Jesus “re-lives” the temptations of Adam and Israel, succeeding where they failed (WCOTB, 131).

ransom The theory of atonement in which Jesus paid the price for humanity to be released from Satan (WCOTB, 131-132).

victory The theory of atonement in which Jesus’ death is a triumph over evil and the devil (WCOTB, 131-132).

moral influence The theory of atonement in which Jesus’ death changes our inward disposition, enabling us to love others (WCOTB, 131-132).

exemplar The theory of atonement in which Jesus’ death provides an example of love for believers to emulate (WCOTB, 131-132).

satisfaction The theory of atonement in which Jesus’ death satisfies the debt of God’s honor that our sins affronted (WCOTB, 131-132).

penal substitution The theory of atonement in which Jesus died as humanity’s representative and substitute and takes away the penalty meant for us (WCOTB, 131-132).

governmentalThe theory of atonement in which Jesus’ death shows God’s displeasure with sin and Jesus’ death pays the debt caused by our transgression of God’s justice.(WCOTB, 131-132).

cruciformity The life of discipleship that is comprised of dying to oneself in the manner of Jesus and living to please God and serve others (WCOTB, 135-139).

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What is the definition of atonement?

Why is there debate about how the atonement of Jesus should be understood?

Which theory of atonement is most similar to how you currently think about Jesus’ death? How has it changed after reading about the strengths and weaknesses of other theories?

What is the defense of using “the victory theory” instead of one single atonement theory?

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Chapter Ten

Believing That Jesus Lives

As with many ancient traditions a certain amount of careful reading and explanation is necessary to properly understand the meaning intended. This is especially true with the phrase in the Apostles’ Creed “he descended into hell.” A change in translation and interpretation over time means that we must clarify that Jesus did not go to what most people think of as hell. Rather, this chapter argues that Jesus descended to the temporary holding place for the dead called hades/sheol. This can only be understood by paying close attention to the Greek and Hebrew terms used in their respective context in the Bible.

The climax of Jesus’ complete identification with humans, by enduring the fullest extent of death, is his glorious resurrection. Without resurrection, Jesus’ death does not sufficiently conquer the effects of sin. This chapter therefore focuses on the various results of the resurrection in the life of the Christian.

Key Terms

Hades The Greek translation of the Hebrew word sheol which means the waiting place of the dead (WCOTB, 144).

Sheol The Hebrew word for “the waiting place of the dead” (WCOTB, 144).

hell The place of final judgment. Not to be confused with Sheol/Hades (WCOTB, 144).

“eucatastrophe”The word created by J. R. R. Tolkien which expresses the good (eu) result of a seeming defeat (catastrophe). Tolkien uses this term to refer to the resurrection, which can only come after death (WCOTB, 154).

resurrectionRaising from death to new life, but not to the previous form of “life.” The life after the resurrection is a completely changed and eternal life (1 Cor 15) (WCOTB, 155-157).


What is the difference between hell and sheol/hades?

Why is it significant that Jesus “descended” into death?

What are the dangers of elevating the death of Jesus above his resurrection?

What are the implications of Jesus’ resurrection for the Christian?

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How does Jesus’ resurrection change how Christians live in the present?

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Chapter Eleven

Believing That Jesus Reigns

This chapter focuses on the importance of Jesus’ ascension for the continuing work of the God in the world. Specifically, the ascension demonstrates Jesus’ authority, initiates the sending of the Spirit, and provides a heavenly mediator for humans before God. In addition to these ramifications of Jesus’ ascension, his presence with God comes with the promise that he will return to judge. This is not simply an assertion about Jesus’ continuing authority, but indicates the role that Jesus will play in restoring creation to the way it was meant to be.

Key Terms

ascension The movement of Jesus, in his resurrected bodily state, to the presence of God; from whence he will come to judge and create the world anew (WCOTB, 162).

sessionThe adjective describing Jesus’ present span of time in which he is in a position of authority at the right hand of the Father (and from which he has sent the Spirit for the continuing mission of God) (WCOTB, 166).


What does the ascension add to our understanding about Jesus?

What is the connection between Jesus’ ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit?

Which gospel author includes the most elaborate explanations about Jesus’ ascension?

How does the worship of Jesus as God help us better understand the Gospels and the early disciples’ remembrance of Jesus?

What is the primary metaphor for Jesus’ future return?

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Chapter Twelve

Believing in the Spirit

It is not an exaggeration to say that the Holy Spirit is more frequently a source of division than of unity. Nonetheless the Spirit is God and must be understood as a member of the Trinity for proper worship to happen. This chapter focuses on the biblical portrayal of the Spirit and the way the Spirit contributes to God’s work in the world. The work of the Spirit must also extend beyond being an object of belief to include the spiritual experiences of all believers as participants in the mission of God.

Key Terms

personhood A person is a being that is “self-aware, capable of cognition, has the capacity to relate to other beings, and possesses recognizable traits of character” (WCOTB, 186).


What are common misconceptions about the Holy Spirit?

List the ways that the Spirit is a person.

Describe the relationship of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

How is the Holy Spirit uniquely active in the life of Christians?

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Chapter Thirteen

Belonging to the Church

This chapter focuses on the importance of the church—both with regard to its external distinctives as well as its function internally. Because God is one, and salvation is through Christ alone, the church is necessarily connected with an unbreakable bond. Despite the fact that denominations abound, there are four recognized features of the church: oneness through faith in Jesus, holiness as God’s people set apart to make God known, catholicity by being a worldwide movement, and apostolicity through connection with the authoritative witness of the apostles. These four distinctives are then seen to enable life-giving fellowship in local congregations, and also require unity due to the antagonism of the world toward Christianity.

Key Terms

catholic Technically meaning “universal,” this term refers to the church as a global movement—not limited to one nation or group (WCOTB, 199-200).

apostolic

Referring to the authority of the church being based on the witness of Jesus’ twelve chosen disciples. Their testimony to who Jesus was and is was passed on from generation to generation—both personally and in their writings that have been preserved (i.e., the New Testament) (WCOTB, 200-201).

Church The “visible gathering of the faithful for the representation of Christ’s presence to the world” (WCOTB, 194).


What are the four marks of the church?

Why are denominational distinctions secondary to the universal nature of the church?

What is the primary purpose of the church gathering together?

What sets the church apart from other groups or organizations?

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Chapter Fourteen

Believing in Salvation, Waiting for God’s New Creation

The story of salvation is not something that is relegated to the past or consumed with the present or future. Rather, the past, present, and future are all essential elements in God’s work of reconciling humanity to himself. In the past God has worked to elect a people to be his witnesses; climaxing in Jesus’ incarnation, death, and resurrection. In the present, the Spirit applies the work of Jesus to all who believe. And in the future, God will complete what was begun in Jesus and continued for all who believe. This story of salvation is dependent on the “forgiveness of sins” and results in resurrection. However, this chapter also points out that “heaven” is not the location of a Christian’s eternal existence. Instead, God will recreate the heavens and the earth to be the eternal dwelling place of himself with his people.

Key Terms

heaven “The cosmological world above and beyond the earth … the abode of God” (WCOTB, 213).

hellThe “place for creatures who have rejected God’s revelation of himself both in nature and in the gospel, who refuse to bow the knee to the one true Lord, and who would rather live in darkness than in the light that exposes them as wicked” (WCOTB, 217).


Why are the elements of salvation, resurrection, and eternal life clustered at the end of the Apostles’ Creed?

What are the three tenses of salvation?

What significant events happen during the “future” tense of salvation?

What are the three elements of salvation in relation to sin?

Describe the holistic nature of salvation.

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