Episode 1: I Believe in God | We Believe: A Study of the Apostles Creed
A Journey Through the Apostles' Creed: The Power of "I Believe in God"
Welcome to the first post in our new series where we dive deep into each word of the Apostles' Creed! This will be an exciting and enriching journey, and we can’t wait to share it with you. Whether you're a lifelong believer or new to the faith, the Apostles' Creed has been a cornerstone of Christian belief for centuries. It’s a statement that connects us to Christians across the world and throughout history. Today, we’re starting with just four words: “I believe in God.”
The Importance of "I Believe"
“I believe in God”—what a simple yet profound confession. When we recite these words, we’re not just participating in an ancient liturgy. We’re declaring something personal, something that speaks directly to our hearts. It’s a singular statement: I believe. While the Church as a whole confesses belief in God, it starts with the individual. We’re each invited to make that confession for ourselves, to say, “I believe.”
As we look deeper, we realize that this belief isn’t something we simply conjure up on our own. It’s evidence that God has already been at work in us, preparing our hearts. The Bible, from the Old Testament through the New, makes it clear that God takes the first step in our journey of faith. The prophets, like Ezekiel and Jeremiah, spoke of a time when God would pour His Spirit into His people, giving them new hearts. Fast forward to the New Testament, and Jesus speaks with Nicodemus about the necessity of being born again of the Spirit (John 3). And even later, Paul reminds the church that no one can confess “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3).
This is a powerful reminder that our ability to say, “I believe,” is itself a testimony to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. We are never alone in our faith journey—God is continually drawing us closer to Himself.
The Trinity: One God, Three Persons
As we move forward, we encounter the deep mystery of the Trinity. The Apostles' Creed declares that we believe in God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is not just a theological point to be debated in academic circles. It’s foundational to our understanding of who God is and how He relates to us. God is one, yet He exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
This concept can be difficult to grasp, but it’s vital. Throughout history, the Church has fought to preserve the truth of the Trinity against heresies like modalism, which wrongly taught that God was just one person who changed forms. No, the Bible teaches that while God is one in essence, He is also three distinct persons who are co-equal and co-eternal.
Jesus’ baptism is a perfect example of the Trinity in action. In Matthew 3:16-17, we see Jesus in the water, the Holy Spirit descending like a dove, and the Father’s voice proclaiming, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Three persons, yet one God.
Understanding the Trinity is not just for academic purposes. It shapes how we approach God in our daily lives. We can pray to the Father, thank the Son for His sacrifice, and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance—all while affirming that these three persons are united in one essence.
A Faith Passed Down Through Generations
We’re reminded that this declaration of faith has been passed down through the ages. This is no mere tradition—it’s the result of centuries of struggle, debate, and theological precision. The early Church had to fight hard to preserve the truth of who God is, sometimes even facing violence and division over these beliefs. Yet, through it all, the Church has given us this concise, powerful summary of the Christian faith.
When we recite the Apostles' Creed, we’re participating in something much bigger than ourselves. We’re joining with believers throughout history who have confessed the same truth. And though this creed is ancient, it’s as relevant today as it was in the second century when it was first formulated.
So, let’s not gloss over these words. "I believe in God" may seem simple, but it’s packed with meaning. It’s a declaration that God has worked in our hearts, that we understand the mystery of the Trinity, and that we are part of a global and historic body of believers. Let’s hold on to these truths and let them shape our understanding of God and our lives in Him.
The Father: Initiator of Creation and Salvation
It’s important to recognize the central role of God the Father in the Bible. Scripture makes it clear that the Father is the one who initiates. In the letter to Titus, Paul writes, “Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior” (Titus 1:4), identifying God as Father and revealing His role in our salvation.
The Father’s work of salvation didn’t start when Jesus came to Earth. As Ephesians 1:4-5 reminds us, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ…” Even before creation, the Father had a plan. His will was set in motion long before we ever existed, and He’s been at work in the world to fulfill that plan, ultimately sending His Son, Jesus, to accomplish it.
The Son: Accomplishing the Father's Will
While the Father initiates salvation, it is Jesus, the Son, who accomplishes it. We see this clearly in the Gospel of John, where Jesus says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The Father’s plan for salvation was completed through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
In Colossians 2:9, we are told, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” Jesus is fully God, and fully human, embodying the fullness of the Father’s divine will. It’s hard for many to wrap their minds around the concept of Jesus as both God and man, but this mystery is key to the Christian faith. His divinity makes His sacrifice on the cross sufficient to atone for our sins, while His humanity connects with us in our experience, offering us a way to be reconciled with the Father.
The Holy Spirit: Regenerating and Empowering Believers
The Holy Spirit’s role in salvation is equally crucial. It is the Spirit who applies the work of Jesus to our lives. In John 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus that “no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5). The Spirit brings new life to our dead hearts, regenerating us so that we can respond to God’s call and be transformed into the image of Christ.
The Holy Spirit also empowers us to live out our faith. As 1 Corinthians 12:3 reminds us, “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” The Spirit works in us to both convict us of sin and draw us closer to God. This ongoing transformation is evidence of the Spirit’s presence in our lives, working out the Father’s plan through the Son’s completed work.
Living Out the Trinity: A Personal Transformation
The beauty of the Trinity is not just in the abstract doctrine, but in the way it changes our lives. Through the Father’s initiation, the Son’s redemption, and the Spirit’s application, we are brought into a new relationship with God. One powerful example of this transformation comes from a story in our church community. A woman who came to our Alpha program skeptically, unsure if Christianity was for her, found herself drawn in. Over time, the Holy Spirit worked in her heart, and she eventually declared, “I am a Christian.” Her life has since been transformed: her children have come to Christ, and her marriage is on the brink of healing.
This is the kind of work God does through His Spirit, applying the power of Jesus’ sacrifice to real lives, bringing them from death to life.
Conclusion: A Creed That Connects Us to the God We Believe In
When we recite the Apostles' Creed, we are not simply repeating words from history. We are acknowledging the God who created us, redeemed us, and now empowers us to live for Him. The Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is a mystery, but it’s a mystery that changes everything. As we continue this journey through the Apostles' Creed, we’ll explore how these foundational beliefs shape our understanding of God and our everyday lives. Join us as we continue to unpack these truths and grow in our faith together.
