Understanding Faith and Creeds: Faith in Theology, Lesson 1
By John Frame and Steve Childers
The Apostles’ Creed is a brief summary of the essential biblical doctrines of the Christian faith believed by most professing Christians throughout history, including those among the Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant traditions.
The creed was not written by Jesus’ apostles, but it represents their apostolic faith rooted in the teachings of Jesus. Our ultimate goal in studying the Apostles’ Creed, and any creed or confession of faith, is to help us better understand the teachings of the Bible.
In the first and second centuries, rules of faith varied from church to church. But soon the churches created collective summaries that took the form of creeds they all believed to be the essential doctrines of biblical truth. By the second century, the basic form of the Apostles’ Creed can be found in widely dispersed Christian communities.
In this lesson, you will discover how creeds can help you deepen your faith.
Lesson Goals
In this lesson, you'll be equipped to:
Recognize how creeds were used throughout church history
Understand the benefits of creeds for followers of Jesus
Discover the value of creeds to help us understand the Bible
Acknowledge the danger of valuing creeds above the Bible
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of creeds as summaries
Recognize the foundational beliefs in the Apostles’ Creed
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