The Case for Creeds
Written by: Aaron Syvertsen
During this past Sunday’s sermon in 1 Timothy 2, I announced that starting this upcoming weekend we will begin reciting the Apostles Creed in our morning gatherings each week.
This decision has been slow-cooking like a smoked ham on Thanksgiving, as I began first thinking and praying about this back in 2020 during the period of time we weren’t able to gather in person. I began to engage in informal discussions with members and leaders, which led to a more formal discussion amongst the elders in the Summer of 2022, and then I asked the congregation to be praying for us in Fall of 2022 as we considered this decision. In January 2023, we began our sermon series going through 1 Timothy where, week after week, we have seen the vital importance of sound doctrine and unity in first-order, gospel-centered theology in the local church.
Below I share 5 reasons why this conviction has grown over time and the decision has been made, but first….
…what is a creed?
I’m glad you asked. Creeds are confessions that have been written and used throughout church history to summarize the Bible’ teaching, distilling the key truths of Scripture that are of “first importance” into concise statements.
The first place we see creeds in the life of the local church is, well, the Bible itself. Examples of creeds in the Bible include Rom 1:3-5; Philippians 2:6-11, 1 Corinthians 15:3-7, 1 Tim 2:5-6 and 2 Tim 2:8.
1 Corinthians 15:3-7 says:
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
Over the course of time, the church began to write and develop creeds that often came out of church councils where the leaders of the church would meet to discuss, and many times combat, false teaching that was threatening to tear apart the church from within.
The Apostles’ Creed is one the earliest and most foundational documents of the Christian church outside of the Bible, and while the exact date of its writing is unknown, it emerged during the 2nd century and represents a core confession for Christians to this day:
I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
Under Pontius Pilate, He 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 [universal] church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
So, why will we begin reciting this creed together as a church in 2023? Five reasons:
Formation. The creeds are theologically and spiritually formative in that when we affirm and gladly proclaim together the foundational beliefs of the Christian faith, it shapes our understanding and priorities. Creeds put words and depth to the central truths that Christians subscribe to beyond the statement, “I believe in Jesus Christ.” Like any rhythm we establish in our lives, our habits will either form us or deform us in the pursuit of Christlikeness, and corporately affirming the foundational doctrines is a formative one.
Connection. These ancient creeds connect us to believers both past and present around the world. We at Grace Church, as a nondenominational community of faith, ought to be mindful of the natural drift into being an island and having no connection to Christians outside ourselves. By reciting an ancient creed that expresses a common faith on a weekly basis, we affirm the broad and historic kingdom that we are part of.
Prioritization. Every doctrine the Bible puts forth is important in that it is the special revelation of God though His Word, but every doctrine is not equally important. There is a “theological triage” where certain beliefs deserve first-rank attention, and the doctrines put forth in the creeds remind us of the truths we would die for. It also serves as a public witness to any non-believers in the gathering that this creed encompasses the truths of Scripture that we care about most. Our unity is not rooted in preferences and styles, but in truth and grace.
Education. The regular confession of the creeds teaches, just like lyrics to a song, who God is and what He has done in redemptive history. We learn and grow in our knowledge of God through the weekly recital of the creeds. Further, our children (K-5th) and youth (6th-12th grade) will be present in the gathering when we recite, so when they see and hear their parents speaking truth, they begin to pay attention and recall the summation of the faith that increases their theological literacy.
Protection. The enemy is always, in all ways, trying to blind our eyes with false truths, half-truths, and elevating half-truths for the purpose of division and deception. Reciting the creeds will help to guard the faith within the church in an increasingly secularized and pluralistic society.
I don’t know how long we will recite creeds in our gatherings. It may be for a season, or we may make it a permanent fixture. I also am not implying that churches that don’t recite creeds are unhealthy, but we are following the conviction that the Lord has given us to begin. The rest is up to Him. See you Sunday!