Dear Reader: More than six years ago, Inspiration by E-Mail
presented a series on phrases from the Apostle's Creed. With this week we begin to repeat that series.
BELIEVE THE CREED
"I believe in God the Father Almighty."
Every person you have ever met, every person who will ever walk this earth, is a theologian. Of course, only a few people ever make formal theological studies their career. But whenever a person thinks about God, or even doesn't think about God, they show they are a theologian. "Theology" just means "the science or study of God." So everyone is a theologian - but not every one is a good theologian. Can you explain what you believe about God to someone else? Does it make sense, and is it consistent with the Bible?
One of the ways basic theology has been defined, taught, and
defended through the centuries is through creeds. A creed is simply a statement of faith. The most ancient and honored creed among
Christians is called "The Apostle's Creed." Despite some old
legends, the Apostles didn't write it, but it does wonderfully express
the essence of what the Apostles believed, taught, and died for in
the New Testament.
The first line of the Apostle's Creed is simple enough: "I believe in
God the Father Almighty." Can you say it, and believe it? Most
Americans believe God exists, but far fewer actually think and live
as though God exists. You may not be a theological atheist, but you
might be a practical atheist.
But it isn't enough to just say we believe in "God." Those three
words - G, and O, and D, might mean something very different to
different people. That's why the creed is more specific, declaring
belief not only in God, but in "God the Father Almighty."
The Bible tells us that God can be described as a Father, and God
the Father is the first revealed person of the Trinity. God has a
fatherly care and concern for us. For many, there is great power
and healing in understanding what a wonderful and loving Father
God is. Even if you weren't as blessed as I was to have a great
father, you know instinctively how a loving father should care for his
children. If you don't know it by experience, you know by instinct
what a great father should be. That is how God is towards you and
how He cares for you.
"Father" describes God, but it doesn't completely describe Him. He
is more than a Father. He is the "Father Almighty." God has all
power and ability. Nothing can stop His determined will. I like the
literal meaning of the word translated "Almighty" in the New
Testament: "The One who has His hand on everything." That
describes the God we serve - He has His hand on everything.
For those in the midst of tragedy, that sometimes seems cruel. If
God has His hand on everything, how could He perform - or at
least allow - a particular tragedy? There is no single answer to this
question; but one answer is what we learn in Romans 8:28: And we
know that all things work together for good to those who love God,
to those who are the called according to His purpose. Taken in
isolation, any one event may be unexplainable. Yet God promised
to work all things together for good, not each thing in isolation. It is
all part of the tapestry of His plan that He weaves with His almighty
hand.
Will you let this encourage you today? Knowing that a loving Father
has His hand on everything in your life? It can't encourage you if
you don't believe it. In your heart, agree with the creed: "I believe in
God the Father Almighty."
By David Guzik
PS - For those who are interested, here's the text of the entire
Apostle's Creed:
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by
the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius
Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hades;
the third day, He rose again from the dead; He ascended into
heave, and sitteth on the right hand of God, the Father Almighty;
from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the
communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of
the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
For Bible Study resources by David Guzik, go to:
www.enduringword.com/library_commentaries.html
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David Guzik is the director of Calvary Chapel Bible College Germany, near Siegen, Germany. David took this position in January of 2003, after serving for 14 years as the founding and Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel of Simi Valley. He has been in pastoral ministry since 1982. Learn more about David and his ministry at his website “The Enduring Word,” located at: http://www.enduringword.com where you will find excellent bible study commentaries and much more.