“I believe that God has created me and all that exists…” “I believe that Jesus Christ-true God, Son of the Father from eternity, and true man, born of the Virgin Mary-is my Lord…” “I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort, believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel…this is most certainly true.” (Luther’s explanation of the Apostles’ Creed)

One of the most grueling assignments during seminary was to take each part of one of the creeds, pick it apart, and explain in ONE page my theological and personal understanding of it. YEESH! Grueling, but more helpful and transformative than I could ever imagine. A creed is defined as a statement of beliefs. The Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds are our Christian statements of belief. Belief in the Triune God, the communion of saints, forgiveness of sins, and the holy catholic (little “c”) church are the main points we profess each week. Now, there are times when we might speed through them and not even really think about the words we are saying. That happens, and that’s probably okay sometimes. But as we move into this next week, I’d like to challenge you to think about each article of our Apostles’ Creed, specifically. How have you thought about the things the creeds profess throughout your life? How have those thoughts changed? But, most pointedly I suppose, how might you allow these pieces of our Christian history and statements of faith sink into your life and being a little more deeply during this season of Lent? These words aren’t just rote—they’re our confession. They’re a part of who we are as the body of Christ. And they do have the power to bring us into a deeper understanding and relationship with God and change us in ways we may have never thought of. Let’s explore that together a little more deeply this next week! Here’s a clip of a neat take on the Apostles’ and Nicene Creed, with the word of the Apostles’ Creed below: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and 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