“I BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY….” - THE APOSTLES’ CREED -

BY JOSEPH TAN

At our Sunday worship, we recite the Apostles’ Creed as our statement of faith. Do you wonder why we do that? Do you know why the early fathers thought it necessary to express so precisely a theological statement of biblical – especially New Testament - teaching?

In the early church, this creed was necessary to help and correct the faulty views of Christ’s nature and proclaim truth that unites believers. There were at least four reasons and they are still valid today. (1) To present the truth of the Gospel; (2) To review an accurate truth; (3) To ensure a consistent teaching of the truth; (4) To be suitable for church to use as statement of faith.

How is the Apostles’ Creed relevant in our lives today?

The Apostles’ Creed begins with “I believe in God the Father Almighty,”

The words “I believe” support the biblical truth that our faith in God is personal. This expresses our personal statement of faith and beliefs. Reciting the Apostles’ Creed does not make us a member of the church, but it is our commitment and a truth that we believe. When we say, “I believe in God the Father Almighty” - this refers to our personal relationship with God and our reception into His fellowship.

“I believe in God the Father Almighty” - does not give an approval to our belief in God but it is an affirmation of our belief in God the Father. So, what does it mean when you say, “I believe in God the Father Almighty”?

Perhaps the lesson from “The Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:11-32) will help us to understand the father and son relationship.

The son came to his senses and returned to his father whom he had forsaken and we also see that the father never stopped waiting for his son and was willing to take him in when he returned home. The father ran to meet his son as he returned. Like the father, God welcomes sinners home. God is our Heavenly Father who welcome us back to Himself.

The concept of God the Father did not begin in the New Testament but was already taught in the Old Testament. God taught David to call Him his Father, God says, “He shall cry to me, you are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.” (Psalm 89:26). God said to David “Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest…He shall build a house for My name. He shall be My son, and I will be his father, and I will establish his roya1l throne in Israel forever.” (1 Chronicles 22:9-10).

God is the creator of all people, but He is the Father to all who believe in Him!  Paul says, “For we are indeed his offspring.” (Acts 17:28), “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,” (Ephesians 4:14-15).

The word “Almighty” gives an understanding of the difference between the earthly fathers and our Heavenly Father. The Almighty means having absolute power over all things!  Our God is omnipotent. In many ways; He has the absolute power over all things. He is “able to save to the uttermost” (Hebrews 7:25). He is “able to make all grace abound to you.” (2 Corinthians 9:8), He is “is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think,” (Ephesians 3:20). God is almighty, the powerful God over all things!

Today, God still invites people to become His sons and daughters through faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12). Paul says, “for in Christ Jesus you are all sons (and daughters) of God, through faith” (Galatians 3:26).

Have you responded to God’s invitation?

If not, God is not your Father.  But, He wants to be your Heavenly Father…so come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ!