A Nine Part Study

The Apostles’ Creed

Introduction

 
 

The Apostles’ Creed is an ancient summary of the Christian faith which may have developed as a baptismal statement for those entering the church. Unlike the longer and later Nicene Creed, the Apostles’ Creed did not arise out of a formal Church Council. Rather, it appears to have grown out of the soil of the early church. As far as we know, it wasn’t written by the apostles, but it certainly accords with apostolic truth from the Bible. It doesn’t contain everything we believe as Christians, but we cannot claim to be wholehearted disciples of Christ if we don’t believe each line here. 

In every age of the church, Christians must stand for the truth and against error. As one commentator observed, the Creed operates like “guard rails for our teaching and instruction”. So, it’s the aim of these studies to provide a clear framework within which we can explore and apply God’s word. Each line of the Creed references a huge doctrinal subject, so these studies will only touch on one or two aspects from specific passages.

 
 

How To

 
 

In this series, groups are encouraged to state the Creed aloud together, either at the start or conclusion of the meeting. When we do this, we join a long line of believers dating back to the earliest centuries of the church—men and women who lived out these beliefs and stood firm for these truths, often in the face of terrible opposition. 

None of the truths stated here are abstract concepts or merely comforting ideas. Belief in these statements requires action. As we unpack the Creed, keep considering how this shapes your life and the life of your home, growth group and our church as a whole.

 

Read

 

The Apostles’ Creed

 

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe 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, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
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 the saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. 

Amen.

Study One

 
 

Study Two

 
 

Study Three

 
 

Study Four

 
 

Study Five

 
 

Study Six

 
 

Study Seven

 
 

Study Eight

 
 

Study Nine