Apostles’ Creed
The Apostles’ Creed
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
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.
* Means Universal Christian church
Apostle’s Creed
Our Biblical worldview permeates every facet of life. Our knowledge and belief in God influence our emotional and behavioral responses to life’s circumstances.
At the heart lies our family Biblical theology, functioning as a guiding compass that directs us according to the truths of Scripture. Through its lens, we discern truth from falsehood, evaluate our attitudes, actions, and convictions, and establish a firm foundation for moral living. Scripture itself admonishes us to “watch your life and doctrine closely”. (1 Tim 4:6).
Heritage Builders categorizes these foundational "compass" truths into Core Beliefs, Core Values, and Christian Worldviews, to help equip families to withstand the onslaught of deceptive ideologies in today's world.
John MacArthur, a pastor and prominent figure in Christian leadership, underscores the indispensable role of the Bible in our daily lives. He contends that Scripture transcends mere historical or moral significance, embodying the living Word of God that imparts wisdom and godliness- truth.
What are the Chrisitan Foundational Truths? With the Bible as our source of truth, MacArthur also extolls the Apostle's Creed as a succinct encapsulation of our essential Christian beliefs.
Many of the phrases and concepts in the Apostles' Creed can be traced back to the New Testament. While the Creed itself is not directly found in Scripture, its content reflects 12 foundational Christian beliefs found throughout the Bible, especially in the teachings of Jesus and the writings of the apostles.
Recognizing the value of such a foundational document, Heritage Builders advocates for families to commit the Apostle's Creed to memory. By internalizing and memorizing its truths, families are always armed with a reliable compass to navigate the turbulent seas of a post-Christian culture, enabling them to discern truth from falsehood and stand unwavering in their convictions.
Heritage Builders will guide you through the 12 timeless truths of the Apostle's Creed, helping you understand why these truth claims are crucial to teach your children and to provide your family with a moral compass.
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Heritage Builders recommends the Apostle’s Creed as the foundation for our Christian compass, guiding us to true north with its 12 essential truth claims. Albert Mohler president of Southern Baptist theological seminary wrote: all Christians believe more than is contained in the apostle’s creed, but none can believe less.
The Apostle’s Creed begins with Truth #1: I believe in God, the Father Almighty.
I believe: Christianity is belief in a positional truth: that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and the Savior of saints. Beyond belief in Christ, belief also stands for everything Jesus taught his disciples. Therefore, there is no Christianity without belief, without teaching, without repentance and without obedience to Christ. But where do we turn to know how to believe and what to believe? To the Bible, the very word of God.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Rom 10:9
In God the Father: He is the first person of the Trinity. "Father" implies that He is not a distant, unknowable deity, but a God with whom we can have a personal relationship. God has revealed Himself as the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. Jesus taught in the Lord's prayer: "Our Father.." Luke 11:2
The Father Almighty: God is described in Psalm 147:5 as powerful, all-knowing, and rules over creation. "Almighty" is a term meant to represent all God's attributes of omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, self-existence, and immutability. Only the God who possesses the fullness of perfection and infinite majesty can truly be almighty and sovereign over creation, encompassing holiness, righteousness, justice, glory, and majesty.
Our personal relationship with our God, who is sovereign, should be taught as a source of comfort and truth to our children: we know that nothing happens without His knowledge and permission. He even uses all things – good and bad – in our lives for our eternal good through His wisdom, love, power, and sovereignty. He is always with us protecting, loving and guiding us. God presides over all things in our lives.
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Truth #2: The Creator of Heaven and Earth
This statement reflects our belief that all things were created by an orderly, wise God, giving life purpose and meaning. It is important to teach our children that all humans bear God's image and likeness, so all life is to be respected, and creation is to be valued.
Christians believe that everything traces its existence and reality to the sovereign act of God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
The complexity and design of the world around us leads us to conclude that there must be a Designer or Creator. Empirical evidence found in life, chemistry, astrobiology, and especially physics suggests purpose, design, order, and meaning.
God did not "fashion" creation from something that already existed. He created the universe from nothing, and He did so by speaking so. Simply put, He spoke His creation into existence.
"Then God said, . . . " is repeated multiple times.
We don't know HOW He did it.
We just know THAT He did it!
From the very start, Genesis 1:1 establishes some central and essential truths about God. First, God is eternal, existing before creation. Second, God is infinite, not bound by the heavens and the earth. Third, God is omnipotent, speaking creation into existence. Finally, God is independent, not relying on anything in creation.
"In the beginning, God." If we truly grasp this opening phrase of Scripture, the rest of your family theological convictions will fall into place.
The Bible tells us that the created world points to the God who was its infinite source of origin: "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies proclaim the work of His hands" (Psalm 19:1).
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Truth #3: And in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord
We are identified as Christians by one primary mark: the belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, our Savior and our Lord. This belief is central to our faith. Without Him, we would still be condemned to death because of our sins.
"Who do you say that I am?" Matt 16:15 How we answer this question defines us. On the day of judgment, we will meet Christ either as our Savior or as our Judge. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah, the One who fulfills all the promises in Scripture and so much more. We confess that we are sinful, weak, defenseless, and helpless. We need a Savior. We need Christ, the Lord.
Peter's response: "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God," Matt 16:16
Jesus asked, "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?" Luke 6:46 We cannot accept Christ as Savior but not as Lord. If He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all. "If you love me, you will obey me," He said. John 14:15
Christian doctrine of salvation is defined as "the deliverance, by the grace of God, from eternal punishment for sin that is granted to those who accept by faith God’s conditions of repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus.”
Salvation is available in Jesus alone (John 14:6; Acts 4:12) and depends on God alone for provision and assurance.
Heritage Builders encourages addressing each child's understanding individually. Our responsibility, as parents, is to pray for them and help them understand the gospel message without pushing. The Holy Spirit will draw their hearts toward Him, granting the gift of faith that enables them to believe, in His time.
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Truth #4: Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary
This is belief in the existence and work of the Holy Spirit. This unique combination—conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary—reflects the foundational belief of our faith: that Christ was both fully man and fully God. The virgin birth makes possible the unity of the divine and the human.
It also points to the miracle by which Jesus is conceived without sin. Jesus received His human nature from Mary, but He received His divine nature through God the Holy Spirit.
As a result, He was able to live a flawless, sinless life, giving Him the ability to die as a sacrificial offering, covering our sins once and for all.
The birth also accentuates the miraculous nature of God's redemption. Indeed, the virgin conception of Jesus can be explained only by the sovereign act of God; this child is a gift from Him. Humanity needed a perfect human savior, but humanity could never produce such a one.
The fact that Jesus is born of the Virgin Mary shows that the work of incarnation and reconciliation involves a definite intervening act on the part of God Himself. The one who was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin's womb is also brought to life by the Holy Spirit in the hearts of Christians.
Through the miracle of the gospel, which starts at the virgin birth, God brings forth new life from a truly sinful people.
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Truth #5: Suffered under Pontius pilot, was crucified, died, and was buried
God's plan of salvation was accomplished through the work Christ did. Jesus Christ died for our sins, and He died the painful suffering death which each of us deserves. This facet of the Christian faith is crucial because it is only through the death of Christ that we are offered forgiveness of sins.
The Suffered under Pontius Pilate phrase establishes the historical context of Jesus' suffering. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, presided over Jesus' trial, linking the events of Jesus' passion to a specific time and place in history. This historical anchoring affirms the reality of Jesus' suffering and His participation in human history
These next 3 words crucified, died, and buried tell the story of the cross in its power and in its brutal force- but all of this is in perfect fulfillment of the plan of God. "I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do." John 17:4
A crucifixion was a brutal and humiliating form of execution reserved for the worst criminals. Jesus' willingness to endure such a death highlights the gravity of human sin and the extent of God's love.
Jesus truly died, experiencing the fullness of human mortality. His death was a necessary part of God's redemptive plan, as it paid the penalty for sin and satisfied the demands of divine justice.
Jesus' burial confirms His death and prepares the way for His resurrection. Being buried fulfilled prophecies and demonstrated that Jesus' death was not an illusion or a temporary state. It also serves as a testament to His humanity—He was truly dead and placed in a tomb.
The reality of the cross of Christ provides a vivid illustration of the weight of Christ's atoning work. In the tomb the son of God lay dead. The tomb however should not be for Jesus Christ but for His people. The tomb represents the extent of God's love and the cost of our sin! Christians look to Jesus on the cross as a victor, not a victim. He came for this purpose, and he fulfilled this redeeming purpose completely.
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Truth #6: He descended into Hell
John MacArthur, Pastor of Grace to You ministry, identifies "hell" (translated from the Greek word "Hades") in the context of the Creed historically refers to the realm of the dead, not necessarily the place of eternal punishment.
For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, 1 Peter 3:18–19
It is indicating that Christ purposefully went to an actual place of those who are waiting final judgment to proclaim His victory to the enemy by announcing His triumph over sin, death, hell, demons, and Satan before He arose on the third day.
The doctrine of atonement refers to the fact that Christ paid for our sins. When Jesus was nailed to the cross and died, He bore the penalty for sin that humans deserved. This view stresses that God's wrath against sin was fully poured out on Jesus, satisfying divine justice. Contrary to some beliefs, Jesus did not have to burn in hell to pay for our sin.
Instead, Jesus allowed the guilt of humanity to be laid on Himself. He died, was buried, entered the realm of the dead, and came back to life by His own power. The facts of salvation include the reality that Jesus has the power to forgive, restore, and set people free from sin. Since He paid the ransom for sin, sinners can be reconciled and brought back into fellowship/relationship with God.
Atonement means that Jesus paid for our sins; redemption means that we're delivered through payment of a price. Those of us whose sins have been paid are redeemed and set free from penalty of sin.
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Truth #7: The third day He rose again from the dead.
Jesus said the resurrection would prove that he was the Savior. Because we believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, death has no hold over us as believers. He paid the penance for our sins, as a result, we can live in victory even over death.
Albert Mohler, from Southern Baptist Seminary, puts it this way: This is the greatest good news in all of human history. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is not just a historic truth, it is not just a miracle of all miracles, it is the very promise of salvation to all who believe and repent of their sins.
All of history turns on the great hinge of the incarnation of the Son of God, and the redeeming work of Christ rests on the fact that on the third day He arose from the dead.
How do we know? The fact that Jesus' grave is unoccupied is in a convincing detail. An Angel pointed this out early Sunday morning, the first Easter, and several women went to check on the body of Jesus which had been buried three days before.
Mark 16:6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him."
In Cor 15:3-8 the apostle Paul essentially says you want evidence for the resurrection of Jesus? Here's your evidence.
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time...1 Cor 15:3-8
If you wanted to deny Christ resurrection, you also have to ask what accounts for the transformed lives of Jesus disciples. Immediately after having reported seeing Jesus alive, these previously heartbroken, cowardly disciples turned into passionate messengers of the gospel, and nothing they experienced - persecution, prison, death threats and death itself, got them to change their story, to deny they had seen Jesus.
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Truth #8: He ascended into heaven
Without Jesus’ ascension, the gospel would lack present power. When Jesus sat down at the right hand of God, He inaugurated a new age of hope based on His successful and completed ministry.
Luke 24:50-51 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. While He blessed them, He parted from then and was carried up into heaven.
After His death and resurrection, Christ ascended back into heaven and will one day return. The belief that Christ returned to heaven 40 days after His resurrection is core to our faith. Had He remained on earth, we would not have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Because Christ ascended into heaven, we are each given the Holy Spirit, enabling us to accomplish Christ’s work on earth as believers.
Albert Mohler, in his book The Apostle's' Creed, identified that Christ’s ascension reveals key pillars essential to Christian theology: The ascension grounds His exaltation, exalting Jesus above all creation. More than a spatial progression, it enshrines the glory, supremacy, and exaltation of Jesus Christ. The ascension establishes the giving of the Holy Spirit. The ascension secured a place for Christians in heaven for all eternity.
The ascension also marked the beginning of His new work as High Priest and Mediator of the New Covenant. He now prays for us interceding on our behalf as High Priest to the Heavenly Father. This is why Christians pray in the name of Jesus. We approach God the Father with confidence through Jesus our intercessor.
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Truth #9: and Jesus sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty, whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
This truth illustrates the sovereignty of God through His power, presence, purposes, plans, protection, and provision. The Bible presents Jesus as having ultimate authority over history; “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." (Matthew 28:18).
Christians recognize Jesus as the one with authority over our lives. Reflecting on God's sovereignty and understanding that He will one day judge our lives leads us to acknowledge our need for Christ's forgiveness. Without Christ, we would be condemned based on our own merit, but because He stands in for us, we are forgiven.
Albert Mohler’s book The Apostles' Creed describes it this way: In His first coming, Christ came in humility as Savior and Redeemer. However, when He returns from His position at the right hand of God, it will be vastly different.
As the crucified, resurrected, and ascended Lord, He will come as the one to whom every knee shall bow, and every tongue will confess as Lord. The one who was unjustly judged by humanity will now come to execute righteous judgment upon everyone. John 5:22 states that "the Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son."
"Perfect justice highlights dual destinies: the sinful offender will receive exactly what is due, while the offended Son of God will receive His glory. Judgment affirms the wrath of God, and if we shy away from speaking about God's wrath, we cannot speak truthfully about His love.
God's wrath is the appropriate, natural response of the Holy One to all rebellion against His perfect righteousness. Heaven and hell will bear witness to God's perfect judgment.
Believers who would otherwise be judged guilty and sent to hell will be judged innocent, not because they are innocent, but because they are covered by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Truth #10: I believe in the Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the divine Trinity. It is the Holy Spirit who leads people to faith in Jesus and the one who gives them the ability to lead a Christian life. The spirit dwells inside every true Christian, given to us as a gift when Christ ascended into heaven.
To know the one true God is to Know Him as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The affirmation of the Trinity is a hallmark of true Christianity. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26
In John MacArthur"s writings he identifies several key roles of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing His active presence in the life of believers and the church. Here are the primary roles:
Regeneration: The Holy Spirit is responsible for the spiritual rebirth of believers, making them new creations in Christ. This process, known as regeneration, is essential for salvation.
Indwelling: The Holy Spirit permanently indwells believers, signifying that they belong to God. This indwelling presence ensures that Christians are never alone and have God's constant guidance and support.
Sanctification: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in sanctification, the process of becoming more like Christ. He helps believers grow in holiness and spiritual maturity, transforming their character to reflect Christ's image.
Empowerment for Service: The Holy Spirit empowers believers for service and ministry. He bestows spiritual gifts that enable Christians to serve the church and advance God's kingdom effectively.
Guidance and Teaching: The Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth, helping them understand and apply God's Word. He illuminates the Scriptures and provides wisdom for making decisions in accordance with God's will.
Conviction of Sin: The Holy Spirit convicts individuals of sin, righteousness, and judgment. This conviction leads to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
Comforter and Helper: As the Comforter, the Holy Spirit provides comfort, encouragement, and strength to believers, especially during times of trials and difficulties. (Including in prayer: the Holy Spirit intercedes for believers, helping them to pray according to God's will. The Holy Spirit aids in prayer by giving believers the words to say when they don't know how to pray themselves. Additionally, the Holy Spirit helps to align the believer's heart with God's purposes and strengthens their faith)
Seal and Guarantee: The Holy Spirit acts as a seal and guarantee of the believer's salvation, assuring them of their secure position in Christ and their inheritance in heaven.
These roles underscore the Holy Spirit's vital function in the believer's life, from initial salvation to ongoing spiritual growth and service.
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Truth #11: the holy catholic church, the communion of Saints,
We believe that the church is the body of Christ here on earth, a place for fellowship, and where believers can carry out Christ work through the power of the Holy Spirit. Too often, people think that church is a building somewhere down the street. But in the true bible sense the church includes born again people all around the world, in whom the lord dwells.
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matt 16:18
When the early Christians used the term "catholic," they were not referring to any specific church, denomination, rite, or communion. The word "catholic" means universal, signifying the entire body of true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. The "Catholic Church" with a capital "C" is a denomination. Without a capital letter, the catholic church is the church universal, made up of all believers everywhere, the saints.
This concept emphasizes that the universal nature of the church is found wherever the gospel is faithfully proclaimed and adhered to. The term underscores the belief in Christianity as a whole, rather than fragmented sects, highlighting a unified gospel.
The term "communion" denotes fellowship, sharing, and interconnectedness. In Christianity, it signifies the spiritual unity among all believers, transcending time and space. "Saints" refers to all who have professed faith in Jesus Christ.
The communion of saints includes believers from the past, present, and future, all sharing salvation in Jesus Christ. This communion also signifies shared forgiveness, freedom from the law of sin and death, and transition from spiritual death to eternal life (Romans 5:10, 8:2).
Christians are encouraged to recognize their new identity as members of God's eternal family, united in faith. This bond creates a community that transcends time, secured by Jesus Christ's blood. The Holy catholic church represents this communion of saints, rejecting individualism or "go it alone" Christianity.
Truth #12: the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and everlasting life.
Turning to Albert Mohler, he puts this final truth in perspective. First we must understand the reality of our sin. This means the sinfulness of the entire human race, and it also means the horrible reality of our own individual sin.
When we confess that we believe in the forgiveness of sin, we are affirming an entire theology from creation, to the fall into sin, to God's work of redemption, to Christ eternal Kingdom. The entire Christian faith rests on these words: “the forgiveness of sin.”
But, this summary statement of the Christian faith points to the end for which each believer in Jesus Christ eagerly awaits. It declares the truth of what we believe as Christians about the end of time: the resurrection of our bodies and the life everlasting.
Recapturing the Bible's instruction on the resurrection and the life to come becomes an absolute necessity, so that the glories of these promises to come might enrich our present yearning and deepen our longing for that day when we will no longer walk by faith but by sight. Run on sentence?
Where one stands with God is the most vital of all issues, but the good news is that you may settle this today. You may have wondered, how does a person become a Christian? How can I be certain that my sin is forgiven? How may I experience consistent spiritual growth?
Christians are those who have experienced new life through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Believers have confidence and assurance that they will spend eternity with Christ in heaven.
Heritage Builders invites you to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, our personal Savior. Go to the Billy Graham Association web site and take the next steps at: https://peacewithgod.net/
When you do – tell somebody, find a Bible teaching church, and send Heritage Builders an email letting us know you took that most important step in your life that has eternal consequences.