I believe is more than two words. It is a statement that defines who we are as a people or who we are as an individual. I believe cats are cute but snobbish creatures that seek to kill us in our sleep. I believe celery is among the most disgusting tastes. I believe Ronald Reagan was the best president in American history. I believe that 80s music is the greatest.
Each of my “I believe” statements will immediately invoke a reaction from you based on your held beliefs. You may love cats, celery, Jimmy Carter, and 90s music. Neither person is wrong when we discuss these things because these issues are based on our opinions.
How, then, do we approach our absolute beliefs in God? These things are not negotiable for us, but certainly, others do not hold to our faith beliefs. Many beliefs were circulating in the early Christian Church, most of which claimed to be revelations of Christ or from the writings of one of the Apostles. Many were true, but many others were not.
The early church fathers developed creeds, essentially statements of belief, to create continuity in the Christian faith. One of the earliest creeds was called the “Old Roman Creed.” It first appeared in a letter written to Julius, bishop of Rome, in 341 AD. Ambrose first uses the title “Apostles Creed” in a writing dating from 390 AD.
Almost 2,000 years later, the Apostles’ Creed is still held as the fundamental belief for followers of Christ. We may quibble over distinctive doctrines, such as Calvin vs. Arminius, Cessation vs. Continuation, Women in Ministry, etc., but we all hold to these doctrines. Even many who may be qualified as liberal in their scriptural interpretation still hold to these statements. There are, of course, exceptions, such as those who deny the virgin birth. Let’s be honest; those have existed since the time of Christ.
In much of the Christian world, adhering to a set of doctrines is undervalued. As a result, many doctrines are based on experience rather than the Word of God, which must always be the starting and ending point. King Solomon wavered in his doctrinal opinions and the practice thereof. Read 1 Kings 11. Here, Scripture shows us that Solomon lost faith in YHWH because of the many foreign women he married. This was against God’s will from the beginning. See Deuteronomy 7:3-4.
Sound theology, doctrine, or creed is essential to remaining faithful to the truths of the Gospel. They cannot be an afterthought. They must be a central focus in our growth and discipleship. Beyond just knowing these truths, we must learn to apply them to our lives. Solomon allowed the culture of his day to dictate his practice. We must keep ourselves from following his example. Culture is never our guide; God’s Word always is, even when the two conflict.
Satan will do everything he can to get you to water down or reject sound doctrine. To do so is to deny the Savior we follow. After all, His own life and Words form our doctrines. Likely, Satan will not come through your front door but through the cracks in your foundation. When you begin to doubt the authenticity of the Gospel or a tenant of our faith, or maybe falter in your moral standards, Satan is there to drive a greater wedge between you and God.
We may quibble over nuances of meaning and interpretation, but these things remain true now 2,000 years later.
The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day, He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there, He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The Holy Universal Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.
I profess to you, this, I believe!
Through Time 