Definitions matter. When having a conversation, our mutual understanding hinges upon having the same definition for the words we use. Otherwise, the interaction creates more misunderstanding and division than unity or comprehension. If two people discuss love, for instance, and its importance, then they require a shared definition of love to have any hope of real communication.
Religions have distinct belief systems. Some people may argue that all regions are basically the same, yet this proves false when you look at their respective claims. Some overlap in morality or value might exist—murder is wrong, for example—but the source of the morality and aim can be vastly different.
What about Christianity? A variety of interpretations and beliefs exist, but a person can’t believe anything they want and be defined as a Christian. There are a few non-negotiable beliefs at the core of Christianity. To believe differently creates a separate religion.
The Church of the first two centuries dealt with this as more bishops, leaders, and theologians wrote about God and what it meant to be a Christian, often seriously contradicting each other. They wanted to allow a certain amount of freedom yet maintain a core aspect of the faith. Therefore, these early leaders developed the Apostle’s Creed.
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1. The Apostles Creed
While its exact origins are uncertain, the creed likely developed over time to articulate the essential Christian beliefs and distinguish them from other religious teachings. The early church placed importance upon apostolic doctrine, the teaching from Jesus’ primary disciples since Christ gave them that very task (Matthew 28:18-20). Therefore, they named this creed after the apostles.
The earliest known version dates to the 4th century AD, although it likely existed in some form before then. Originally written in Latin, the creed has been translated into numerous languages. It reads as follows:
“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; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; He will come again 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 the life everlasting. Amen.”
Three sections of the creed each focus on different aspects of Christian belief. The first section affirms belief in God the Father Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth, emphasizing God’s divine sovereignty and providence. The second section declares the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and his role in redemption and salvation. It includes the belief in the Gospel narrative—Jesus’ virgin birth, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, and heavenly ascension. Additionally, the creed includes Jesus’ role in judging the living and the dead. The third section details the Holy Spirit and the Christian church. The creed attests to the Holy Spirit as the giver of life and the source of renewal and empowerment for the family of God, his people, and the Church. Finally, it includes the belief in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and eternal life.
The Apostles’ Creed continues to be regarded as a foundational statement of Christian belief and a symbol of unity among believers across denominational and cultural lines.
2. The Person of Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ is central to all Christian beliefs. Christianity begins with faith in the person of Christ, a living being who loves and gives his life for all who would believe. For this reason, the early church spent great care defining Christ's attributes. To believe in a different person divides from Christianity, which is why the Apostles’ Creed starts with Jesus.
Jesus Christ came to earth to reconcile humanity with God and to offer forgiveness and redemption for sin. Through his sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus atoned for the sins of humanity, providing a way for people to be reconciled to God and to experience eternal life (Romans 5:8), reconciling believers with God the Father. Without Jesus, Christians have no hope.
Jesus Christ entered the story of humanity as both fully human and fully divine. Christ was the incarnation of God, the Word made flesh (John 1:14). Furthermore, the person of Christ is central to Christian belief because of his unique identity as both fully human and fully divine. According to Christian doctrine, Jesus Christ is the incarnation of God, the Word made flesh (John 1:14). As the second person of the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit, three persons in one God), he took on human form to dwell among humanity.
In addition to his death and resurrection, Jesus came to be an example and speak the truth. Therefore, his words and life serve to teach believers how to live lives of faith, love, and service to others (John 13:15). Without Jesus, Christians would lack a figure to emulate and a clear vision of how to live out supernatural faith in the world.
Understanding the centrality of Jesus as a living and active person, Christianity requires a relationship with God, not simply religious traditions or obligations. Through the Spirit, believers communicate with God and follow him on a day-to-day, moment-by-moment basis.
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3. The Authority of the Bible
At the heart of Christianity lies the conviction that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God, containing God’s revelation of himself, his will, and his purposes for humanity.
Christians believe the Bible is divinely inspired and, therefore, an authoritative guide for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Since the Bible has been inspired by the Holy Spirit, Scripture provides a coherent and unified worldview over several centuries and authors. The Bible presents a comprehensive narrative of God’s redemptive plan for humanity, from creation to redemption to restoration. The authority of Scripture enables Christians to interpret the world and their own lives within the framework of this biblical narrative, understanding their purpose and identity in light of God's overarching plan for the world.
Scripture fosters spiritual growth and maturity (1 Peter 2:2-3) as believers allow it to shape beliefs, values, and character. Since the Bible expresses the truth of God and his redemptive plan, Scripture fosters unity and community among believers (Ephesians 4:4-6).
4. Integration of Faith and Life
Belief in an intimate relationship with God brings transformational change. The Bible details how inner change leads to different, life-giving outward behavior.
Scripture emphasizes how genuine faith provides the foundation of transformed living that pleases God (Hebrews 11:6). Christians demonstrate faith through obedience to God and alignment with his will. James 2:26 declares, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” Genuine faith manifests in actions that reflect God’s character and values, essentially Christ living through followers from the inner Holy Spirit. As believers obey God’s commands and walk in his ways, God transforms them from the inside out, leading to a righteous and integrated life.
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live according to God’s will, which is contrary to the ideas of the world. Moreover, the Bible emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in the process of spiritual transformation. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) God works salvation in and through people who believe, and Holy Spirit renews minds, transforms hearts, and conforms them to the image of Christ.
The lives of believers reveal a transformed life characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These qualities, known as the fruit of the Spirit, display a life surrendered to God and transformed by his grace. As believers abide in Christ and allow his Spirit to work in their lives, they bear fruit consistent with their newfound identity in Christ.
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5. Life After Death
Why is salvation important? The Apostles’ Creed mentions Jesus’ role as the judge of the living and the dead, referring to a future moment where God determines eternal destiny, heaven or hell. Salvation through Christ provides eternal life in heaven, living forever with God in his Kingdom.
Jesus promises a heavenly home to his disciples the night before his death. “
Firstly, the Bible affirms the reality of life after death and the existence of both heaven and hell. Jesus Himself spoke about life after death, stating in John 14:2-3, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3)
Revelation 20:12-13 teaches about the future resurrection of the dead and the final judgment where “the dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books...each person was judged according to what they had done.” God bases the judgment upon one’s deeds and response to God’s offer of Jesus Christ. Those who have repented unto following Christ will be welcomed into eternal life, while those who have rejected him will face eternal separation from God, or what people call hell.
Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation from sin, which leads to physical and spiritual death (John 14:6). Jesus himself said in the famous John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” These passages highlight the centrality of faith in Christ as the pathway to salvation and deliverance from death. Through faith in Christ, believers find reconciliation with God, forgiveness of sins, and the gift of eternal life.
In eternal life and as sons and daughters of God, Jesus' followers inherit the Kingdom of God and rule with the Father forever. In Matthew 25:34, Jesus promises, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” Believers enjoy this secure hope of inheritance and fellowship with God in his presence.
Originally published Wednesday, 24 April 2024.