The First Creed

My thought was to write today’s blog on the topic of why I am a Classical Pentecostal. However, as I studied for this coming Sunday’s message. I ran across an intriguing statement by the commentator William Barclay—his comment ties in so well with my blogs over the past few weeks. If you have not read them, I wrote about the multiple heresies that arose in the early church and the creeds that developed in response to them. Creeds are a statement of belief to counter heresy. I will let you look back to find those.

Today, I want to write about the very first creed and why it is the most essential creed ever written. It is not the Nicene or the Apostles’ Creed. It predates both. It is tucked into Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

In Chapter Two of that book, Paul explores the topic of Christ’s supremacy and His willingness to step out of heaven to live, walk, minister, die, and then be raised to life again, all among humanity. Every Christian creed honors Jesus, but most go on to proclaim other truths that we hold dear. All of which are important, yet there is a foundational truth on which every other creed is formed. I will take that further and state that this creed is the foundation of all Christian faith.

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD

This concise yet direct statement is found in Chapter 2, verse 11. Barclay writes:

              Philippians 2:11 is one of the most important verses in the New Testament. In it, we read that the aim of God, the dream of God, the purpose of God, is a day when every tongue will confess Jesus Christ is Lord. These four words were the first creed that the Christian Church ever had. To be a Christian was to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.   

Our very faith is built on this single statement. Though I am not writing on the topic of being a Classical Pentecostal, let me assure you that this is part of that stance. So often, churches of all stripes deviate from this core foundational truth.  Our time, energy, and money are invested in secondary things. Good things, but secondary.

This statement serves as the foundation for all our actions, attitudes, and beliefs. If Jesus is Lord, then… I’ll give you a minute to fill in that blank.

Here are a few of mine:

              I give to missions because…

              I dedicate my kids to God because…

              I share my faith because…

              I tithe because…

              I volunteer at my church because…

I love because…JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

The statements can go on and on, but the answer remains the same. Paul simplified our lives as believers into a single, simple creed that we can easily remember. The very essence of salvation is found in these words.

When I was five years old, I knelt at the altar in First Assembly of God, Tipton, MO. I prayed a prayer asking for forgiveness and asking Jesus into my heart. In so doing, I lived the testimony of these words. I declared then at my public baptism, Jesus Christ is Lord of my life.

In Paul’s day, as in our own, people try to find a shortcut to heaven or hold to a belief that any road will get us there. Paul raises his mighty pen and says, “NO.” Only Jesus Christ is Lord.

Creeds are an exceptional part of Christian faith, doctrine, and history. They are wonderful to read and to quote. Perhaps it is fitting that I end this series, for now, with the first creed. Maybe this is what God is calling us all back to. I do not need all the extras that come into the church; what I need is a new revelation and understanding of Christ’s Lordship of my life.

I am reminded of the story behind the song “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.” It is said that this occurred in North India, where a group of Baptist missionaries and local believers came under intense persecution from the local tribal leaders. These families were commanded to recant their faith. If they did not, their wives and kids would die. They stood and said, “I have decided to follow Jesus.” Their families were martyred.

They were commanded again to recant their faith, or their coworkers would die. They stood and said, “Though none go with me, still I will follow.” Their coworkers were martyred.

Finally, only the leader remained. Again, he was commanded to recant his faith. He stood and said, “The cross before me, the world behind me.” He, too, was martyred.

Why would someone be willing to give their life and the lives of those they love? For one reason only, JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

You can read the complete account of this story here: https://renewaljournal.com/2017/11/29/the-true-story-behind-the-song-i-have-decided-to-follow-jesus/