A series of Sermons on the Christian Creed of 381 AD – the so-called Ecumenical Creed or Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed. This and the “Apostles’ Creed” are recited regularly in many churches. Baptists also ascribe to these Creeds although we normally do not recite them every Sunday.

The Christian Creed of 381 is the most widely used creed. It is accepted by all the churches. It provides us with insight as to what is shared by Christians around the world. At the same time it challenges us to recall the content and to give an account of our own faith.

A creed does not replace the authority of the Bible. Just as biblical authority is derived from Christ, so the authority of a creed is derived from the biblical message. A creed is like the markings on a highway that keep you from veering off course, or like a handrail that helps us walk up the steps. A creed wants to guide us and lead us, so that we don’t lose our way in our Christian journey. It is like a map which wants to guide us to the place where we want to go.

Baptists affirm creeds and traditions, but we insist that creeds and traditions may be right or wrong. They therefore need to be measured. The Bible is the “canon” (“measure”) by which we evaluate creeds and traditions. We shall therefore measure the content of the creed against the authority of Scripture and at the same time try to relate it to our own experience.

A focus on such an ancient and universal creed can be helpful at a time when everything seems to be dissolved and when people’s attention seems to be totally captivated by the challenges of the moment. Such a creed reminds us that there are things that last and in the midst of the uncertainties and ambiguities of life we can trust in a God who is willing to supply us with guidance and food for the journey.

The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed

We believe in one God, The Father, the almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father; through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Sermons

01. Faith and Understanding 02. The power of Love 03. God – the deep mystery of the World 04. Jesus Christ – the Parable of God 05. Jesus Christ and the value of Creation 06. Jesus Christ – our Salvation 07. God became human – let us do likewise 08. …He loved them to the end 09. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ 10. The Universal Lordship of Christ 11. Jesus Christ as Victor 12. The Holy Spirit – the Giver of Life 13. The Church – echoing God 14. “Baptism – the celebration of freedom” 15. Body and Soul 16. The Church as Community of Hope

Thorvald Lorenzen