A revolutionary act

To recite the Creed is a counter-cultural, revolutionary act.

To some it may appear mundane, merely reciting some old words in a church along with others in the congregation. But what we are doing if we join in this public profession of faith is taking a stand against all that is evil in this world.

The history of the Creed

The Apostles’ Creed has been a part of Christian worship since the early church. It probably started life as a declaration of faith designed for those being baptised as new believers.

It sums up, in just over 100 easily memorised words, some essential Christian teachings. It tells us about the God we believe in — Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It recounts the past, present and future of the story of our salvation. And it briefly highlights the blessings we enjoy as believers, giving us a trustworthy summary of the faith as it has been passed down to us through the centuries from the very earliest witnesses.

It was not, as far as we know, actually written by the apostles, Jesus’ inner circle of 12 disciples. But as it captures some crucial points from the Gospels and the earliest preaching of the good news, it came to be called the Apostles’ Creed. In essence though, it is the Christian’s Creed, having been used to catechise generations of believers. For that reason, the Creed has been included in Anglican services since the first Book of Common Prayer in English, in the 16th century. Before that it was recited all over Europe in Latin; the first word is Credo, which means ‘I believe’, which is why it became known in English as the Creed.

The Thirtynine Articles, the Church of England’s official confession of faith, says that ‘The Three Creeds, Nicene Creed, Athanasius’s Creed, and that which is commonly called the Apostles’ Creed, ought thoroughly to be received and believed: for they may be proved by most certain warrants of holy Scripture.’

We could write our own summaries of Scripture or our own catechism courses. But there’s something special about joining in with these particular revolutionary words.

Taking a stand

In many places, Christians literally stand to say these words every Sunday. Because it is not just a pithy summary of biblical doctrine on certain key points, and a reassuring reminder of the story of our redemption; it is also a statement of personal commitment: here I stand. Yes, me too. I believe.

It may get me into trouble – but I believe. It may attract unwanted attention – but I believe. My generation and many around me do not – but I believe.

My faith is not a private hobby or a game of personal ‘let’s pretend’ – but I say out loud, I believe. I don’t believe in ‘me’ or the flimsy gods and human idols of this world – I believe in this God. I didn’t just make it up myself – but I believe this Creed.

Personal, public profession

It is important to be able to say the Creed for ourselves, with feeling and understanding, from our hearts as well as our heads. It would be possible to simply say it by rote because our parents or our friends at church do so, but it is meant to be a joyful statement of something deep in our own souls. Just because they are words said by millions of Christians through the centuries does not mean they cannot be my words too.

Many people reject or ignore the past because they think everything must be so much better in our day and age. So it is no small thing to express solidarity with Christians throughout the generations, and across the world, by declaring that we believe these universal, timeless truths from God’s word.

Joining the revolution

By adding our voices to theirs, we join the revolution. We take a stand against the godless culture around us, and the ungodliness within us, which is in rebellion against King Jesus. It’s a stick in the eye of the devil, who would prefer that we didn’t know or say the Creed with conviction. Yes, learning or saying the Creed is one of the most radical things you could ever do.