Below is an abridged version of one of the devotions from Into the World. Please visit the other pages under “Sample Devotion” for interesting facts about evolution, Noah’s Flood, and more, all of which are explored further in Into the World: 62 Devotions to Edify & Inspire.
"All Creeds"
Every Sunday the congregation stands and recites the Creed. Sometimes the Apostles’, sometimes the Nicene, rarely the Athanasian, but the Creed is always a part of the service. As you confess what you believe with the rest of the congregation, you can hear everyone else saying the words along with you. You can distinguish the voices of those close-by, maybe your parents, grandparents, siblings, and cousins, but you also hear the words being said by the entire congregation, many voices combining into one, confessing one belief. On top of this, there are other congregations giving witness to their faith using the same words. These very words have been translated into multiple languages and used in many countries and over hundreds of years, so there aren’t only individuals confessing the way to salvation, but also one voice, the voice of billions upon billions, calling others to hear what we believe about God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit.
When we say the Creed we’re telling people that we believe God made everything, and that He still looks after His creation because of His Love. We confess to believing that, through Jesus’s sacrifice of Himself on the cross and His miraculous resurrection, we have eternal life. And we’re asserting that we believe the Holy Spirit gives us the one true faith, and keeps us in this faith until we’re welcomed into eternal life.
Every Sunday we remind ourselves of all of this. In front of the entire congregation, and with the entire congregation, as well as with countless others, we affirm that we believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. That we believe in the Holy Spirit, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
It doesn’t matter what language or dialect we’re speaking, or even the century in which we’re speaking it. Faith saves. “Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel . . . which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-2a).
Holy Spirit, we thank You for giving to us this faith, and the fellowship of other believers. We pray You to keep us steadfastly in this saving faith until death, when we’ll come to see our Lord Jesus Christ face to face. Amen.