Rev. Jeffrey T. Howard
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2
Grace and Peace Episode 11
Presbyterian Church of Easton
November 10, 2020
Presbyterian Church of Easton
November 10, 2020
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2
Heidelberg Catechism
22Q. What then must a Christian believe?
22Q. What then must a Christian believe?
A. All that is promised us in the gospel, a summary of which is taught us in the articles of our universal and undisputed Christian faith.
23Q. What are these articles?
A. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord, who 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 to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to 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 catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
A. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord, who 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 to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to 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 catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
We read in the Book of Romans 10:8 "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming.
We don't know exactly what this “word of faith” was in the Roman Church around 60AD. But we do know that within a hundred years they had developed a “rule of faith” which they used to prepare people for baptism. An initiate into Christianity would spend two years being instructed from scripture, the Old Testament. Then, during the season of Lent, the good news of Jesus Christ would be revealed to them through the rule of faith which has come to be known as the Old Roman Symbol. After their instruction, the initiates would be asked three questions. Do you believe in God, the Father, almighty? Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord? Do you believe in the Holy Spirit? If the initiate believed in this God they would be baptized on the Saturday evening before Easter, when the whole church would affirm their belief in this triune God as the initiate passed through the baptismal waters.
There is an old legend about the Apostles' Creed that has hung around the church. In a sixth-century sermon, some pastor said that the Apostles' Creed was written by the Apostles' on the Day of Pentecost. Supposedly, Peter said, “I believe in God the Father Almighty.” To which Andrew replied, “And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord.” James responded, “Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary.” John added, “Was crucified dead and buried.” And Thomas said, “He descended to the dead. On the third day, he rose again.” James reminded them, “He ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father.” To which Philip added, “ And will come again to judge the living and the dead.” Then Bartholomew said, “I believe in the Holy Spirit.” And Matthew added, “The holy catholic church, the communion of saints.” Simon responded to this by saying, “The forgiveness of sins.” Thaddaeus said “The resurrection of the flesh.”
There is an old legend about the Apostles' Creed that has hung around the church. In a sixth-century sermon, some pastor said that the Apostles' Creed was written by the Apostles' on the Day of Pentecost. Supposedly, Peter said, “I believe in God the Father Almighty.” To which Andrew replied, “And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord.” James responded, “Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary.” John added, “Was crucified dead and buried.” And Thomas said, “He descended to the dead. On the third day, he rose again.” James reminded them, “He ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father.” To which Philip added, “ And will come again to judge the living and the dead.” Then Bartholomew said, “I believe in the Holy Spirit.” And Matthew added, “The holy catholic church, the communion of saints.” Simon responded to this by saying, “The forgiveness of sins.” Thaddaeus said “The resurrection of the flesh.”
Let’s pray. Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord, and Holy Spirit, we pray to you asking that you reveal yourself to us. Help us to study the Apostles' Creed to know who you are and what you do. Make this a life-changing process for each of us. Accept our humble prayers. Amen.
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