Meditating on the Apostles’ Creed, Part 2
The Apostles’ Creed begins: “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord…”
The Christian faith does not simply honor Jesus as a teacher, or as an example of a life perfectly obedient to God the Father – although our Lord certainly is both those things. If Jesus were just a teacher, then there could be many teachers, and many paths to follow to God. Have you seen any examples of the “many paths” idea being taken for granted as true?
Notice what the Creed says. “Christ”: it is not part of Jesus’ name. It is a title; it means “Messiah.” Jesus is the culmination of God’s work in salvation history – so whoever He is, He is not just one out of many: He is unique.
What is your reaction to this? Are you glad, or troubled, by the claim to uniqueness? Why?
“…his only Son our Lord”: While in one sense we are all adopted sons and daughters of God, Jesus is uniquely the only-begotten Son of God. Not only that, He is eternally the Son, as part of the eternal Trinity. How do you normally think of Jesus? Consider whether you tend to focus more on the human nature of Jesus, or on the divine nature of Jesus. How would your prayer life change if you consider Jesus in relation to God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, the most holy Trinity?
He is our Lord: and we can be sure of this because of the Cross. Jesus suffered, died, and was buried, and on the third day He rose again. In the Resurrection, God the Father vindicated the claims of Jesus of Nazareth to be the Son of God. In your prayer, consider taking a few moments to imaginatively put yourself in the place of the disciples. Stand at the foot of the cross, wait at the tomb, gather in the upper room, and encounter the Risen Lord.
Where do you struggle? Where do you want to be? Ask the Lord to help you find the place in the Gospels where you need to spend time with Him.
Related posts:
Dr Holly Ordway came to Christ through reason, in the pursuit of truth. "In your hearts honor Christ as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 15).
She writes about her journey from atheism to orthodox Christian faith in her book "Not God's Type: A Rational Academic Finds a Radical Faith" (Moody Publishers).
