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.
As Christians, we believe in one God. This one God is a mystery because God is three in one. God is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit created the world with the Father and Son. The Holy Spirit visited people in the Old Testament, giving them power to say and do mighty things.
Jesus promised His Spirit would lead us in truth. The Holy Spirit helps us understand the Bible. The Holy Spirit points us to Jesus and helps us believe.
The Holy Spirit gives power to love, serve, and point others to Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus sent to live in the hearts of believers when Jesus returned to heaven.
Acts 1:8
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Jesus promised His Spirit would lead us in truth. The Holy Spirit helps us understand the Bible. The Holy Spirit points us to Jesus and helps us believe.
The Holy Spirit gives power to love, serve, and point others to Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus sent to live in the hearts of believers when Jesus returned to heaven.
Acts 1:8
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The word “catholic” has two meanings. When it is capitalized, it refers to a certain church group called the Roman Catholic Church. The leader of the Roman Catholic Church is the Pope. The Apostles’ Creed uses the other meaning of catholic. When the word catholic is not capitalized, it means universal or worldwide. “The holy catholic church” refers to the whole group of believers from every tribe, nation, and denomination.
Saints means believers. The “communion of saints” does not refer to the taking of the bread and the cup at the Lord’s Supper as we do in Communion. In the Apostles’ Creed, it means coming together.
Matthew 18:20
20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
As Christians, we believe in the forgiveness of sins. Sin is doing wrong God’s eyes. Before Jesus came to earth, God promised one day to make a New Covenant with His people. A covenant is an agreement that usually includes a promise. In the Old Covenant, God promised if the people obeyed Him fully, God would make them His treasured possession. Unfortunately, they kept breaking the Old Covenant. God’s New Covenant with His people promises that whoever believes in His Son, Jesus, will be forgiven.
Acts 10:43
43 He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”
Resurrection means rising from the dead. As Christians, we believe that all who believe in Jesus will be raised from the dead and will have life everlasting with Him. Everlasting life is life forever. Jesus promises everlasting life to all who believe in Him. That means even if our body dies, our souls will live forever close to God.
John 11:25
25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52
51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.
What does this mean?
I believe that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him, but instead the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true faith, just as he calls, gathers, enlightens, and makes holy the whole Christian church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one common, true faith. Daily in this Christian church the Holy Spirit abundantly forgives all sins—mine and those of all believers. On the last day the Holy Spirit will raise me and all the dead and will give to me and all believers in Christ eternal life. This is most certainly true.
Saints means believers. The “communion of saints” does not refer to the taking of the bread and the cup at the Lord’s Supper as we do in Communion. In the Apostles’ Creed, it means coming together.
Matthew 18:20
20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
As Christians, we believe in the forgiveness of sins. Sin is doing wrong God’s eyes. Before Jesus came to earth, God promised one day to make a New Covenant with His people. A covenant is an agreement that usually includes a promise. In the Old Covenant, God promised if the people obeyed Him fully, God would make them His treasured possession. Unfortunately, they kept breaking the Old Covenant. God’s New Covenant with His people promises that whoever believes in His Son, Jesus, will be forgiven.
Acts 10:43
43 He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”
Resurrection means rising from the dead. As Christians, we believe that all who believe in Jesus will be raised from the dead and will have life everlasting with Him. Everlasting life is life forever. Jesus promises everlasting life to all who believe in Him. That means even if our body dies, our souls will live forever close to God.
John 11:25
25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52
51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.
What does this mean?
I believe that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him, but instead the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true faith, just as he calls, gathers, enlightens, and makes holy the whole Christian church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one common, true faith. Daily in this Christian church the Holy Spirit abundantly forgives all sins—mine and those of all believers. On the last day the Holy Spirit will raise me and all the dead and will give to me and all believers in Christ eternal life. This is most certainly true.
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