Sermon for 27 September

First in a series on The Apostle’s Creed:

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 Pilot, was crucified dead and buried. He descended into hell, then on the third day he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. He sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from where He will come to judge the living 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 life everlasting. Amen

We frequently use the Apostle’s Creed as an affirmation of faith during our worship service, but it is much more than that. Legend says it was written by the 12 original Apostles, each contributing a section and was used as an oath for newly converted Christians when the Apostles answered the Great Commission and spread the word of Christ throughout the known world. The oldest surviving document dates to the beginning of the Roman Church around 390 AD. It is a concise statement of Christian doctrine and is still used for baptisms and other times when it is necessary to examine basic Christian beliefs.

Our church used to have a men’s prayer group that met every Wednesday morning. There were six of us who shared our souls and became brothers in every sense of the word. We began each meeting by sharing our weekly walk with God. Sometimes we didn’t get any farther. Other times we would address difficult theological questions. At that time, there was a Bishop back east who publicly disavowed the virgin birth. He claimed it was a myth that never happened. That led us to the question of minimum requirements to be a Christian. Can you call yourself a Christian if you don’t believe in the virgin birth? We spent about four weeks debating the absolute minimum that anyone had to believe to be a Christian. After four weeks, we were finished. Then one of us, I think it was Steve, noticed that our document was a restatement of the Apostle’s Creed. I have looked at the Creed in a different light since. The bishop who rejected the virgin birth, rejected a basic tenet of Christianity.

Given there is nothing more fundamental than the Apostles Creed, I have decided to devote my next few messages to its detailed examination. You can find a copy in the back of your hymnal.

Notice that the first word in the most fundamental tenet in our religion is “I”. It doesn’t say “we believe”. It doesn’t say Christians believe. It says “I” believe. We have a personal relationship with our creator. That relationship can be anything “I” want it to be. I can decide to be an agnostic or atheist if I want. I can disavow the very concept of any higher power. I can decide to be a sometimes Christian, someone who gives very little though to God or faith except on special occasions. I was raised by sometimes Christians. My family only went to church on Christmas and Easter, but expected the church to be there for weddings, funerals, etc. I am not criticizing; I am only saying my faith walk can be anything “I” want it to be. My faith walk is also my responsibility. I cannot blame my family, or my friends for my relationship, or lack thereof. God can offer but “I” and only “I” can accept. No one else can do it for you.

The second word in the Creed is “believe”. The dictionary gives three definitions of “believe”. One definition is, “To hold an opinion, to think or suppose.” I believe it will rain tomorrow. I believe my wife is out shopping. I believe I’ll have a sandwich for lunch. Little if any proof is required to believe in the manner because the circumstances are generally inconsequential. “Would you like fries with that?” “I believe so.” This, of course falls short of the “believe” when we are discussing a relationship with God.

Another definition offered by Webster is “To accept as true”. Columbus came to believe the world was round, because he saw the tops of ship’s sails in the distance after the ship itself had gone below the horizon. He observed the evidence. I believe my boats leaks, because I have water in the bottom with no rain. I observe the evidence, and I came to a logical conclusion. We deal in this kind of belief routinely. Scientists tell me wearing face masks will help stop the spreading COVID19. It is logical, and accepted by most reasonable people I know, so I “believe” it to be true. To believe without logic or evidence is not included in this definition.

To believe as is meant is the Apostle’s Creed is to accept as true without evidence or logic. Another way to define it is “Faith that something is true”. I believe in those things listed in the Creed because I have faith they are true. I know in my heart they are true. I know in my soul they are true. I do not, will not, and can not doubt. I believe.

I think this is a good place to stop for this week. We have covered who and how we need to believe to be included in the Body of Christ. Next time, I will begin to go down the list of the “things” we need to believe to call ourselves Christians.

Our Heavenly Father, each of us has their own relationship with you. Guide us Lord to believe as we are meant to believe in the Apostle’s Creed. Guide us in our walk of faith even as we ask you to protect us from this pandemic and this fire season. We ask your blessing on our families, our church, and our community. Amen.