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The Creed

The creeds are summaries and professions of the Christian faith. We join with other Christians throughout the whole world, past and present, to confess our faith in the persons of the Trinity and their mighty works. http://www.elca.org/co/creeds/creeds.html

The confession of our mouths and the belief in our hearts are paramount to salvation. Our inward convictions find outward expression in the creeds. Salvation comes by faith, which will cause a Christian believer to confess Jesus Christ as Lord in both word and deed. The biblical use of confession encourages Christians to publicly profess Christ and to do so in full agreement with others. Jesus says that those who acknowledge him on earth, he will acknowledge before God in heaven (Revelation 3:5). The Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed grant all Christians the opportunity to publicly proclaim who Christ is according to Scripture.

Congregational members traditionally stand when they confess the Creed to express their readiness to both profess and defend the true Christian faith. The Creed may follow the reading of the Gospel or the explanation and application of God’s Word in the sermon.

The Nicene Creed is a corporate confession of the church and is used in preparation for Holy Communion. The words are a defense of the pure teachings of Scripture on the triune God, with greater emphasis placed on the person and the work of Christ Jesus. This creed was formulated after the Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325) to confirm the church’s position on the doctrine of the Trinity and stresses the twofold nature of Christ, who is both God and man. http://www.elca.org/co/creeds/creedni.html

The Apostles’ Creed is a short, concise confession that is more personal in nature. The words are the epitome of our faith and are spoken in worship when communion is not served. Although the Apostles’ Creed did not assume its present form until about A.D. 750, it is safe to assume that its origins are older than the Nicene Creed. http://www.elca.org/co/creeds/creedap.html

The Athanasian Creed presents the truth of Scripture by emphasizing the wonderful mystery of the triune God and that God and man are a single person in our Lord Jesus Christ. Traditionally recited on Holy Trinity Sunday, the Athanasian Creed is spoken as a testimony to the clear teachings of God’s Word. The creed is named after St. Athanasius, a leading defender of the faith who lived during the fourth century. http://www.elca.org/co/creeds/creedath.html

When we add the ancient heritage of the three creeds to today’s liturgical service, it brings a powerful witness to our unity of faith with the early Christians. We can use the creeds to renew our baptismal covenant before God. The power behind the words continues to serve us today just as it served God’s people in the past.

Our inward convictions find outward expression in the creeds.