Apostle's Creed, #3

"I believe in God, the Father Almighty,"

When I think of the word “Father,” I have so many images that flood my mind. My own dad, and my memories of him as I grew up. I remember going camping with my family and how Dad led in the fun. I remember Dad playing ball with my brothers and I, hitting the ball to us as we played 500. Reading to us. Dad worked hard and planned for our family’s provisions.

I have memories of him correcting us, as well. Dad was stern, concerned with the kind of people his kids would turn out to be. He wanted us to be good. And when I say ‘good,’ I don’t mean that we weren’t annoying, but he wanted us to have good characters. I remember one incident of Dad’s wrath that illustrates this. When I was young, I had apparently heard someone use the word “nigger,” and not knowing what it meant, I made the mistake of repeating it in Dad’s presence. Well, as the saying goes, Dad went ballistic, and while I didn’t get a wholloping, I got one of the severest talking-to’s I ever got in my life. But his concern to my character stills shines through that incident.

And my Dad modelled God the Father for me. He gives to us the best life we have. We are in the care of a God who loves us as His sons and daughters. Just as I can look back over my life and see that plans that Dad carried out for us, for our good, I can see the same from the hand of God.

Dads, we have an awesome responsibility. What our children will think of God as father will be molded by how they perceive us as fathers.

Apostle's Creed, #2

"I believe in God."

The apostle is not afraid to tell the world that s/he believes in God, and believes God. I know that our world claims to be spiritual, but is it spiritually lost. The apostle who stands and says "I believe God" is proclaiming the lostness of the world and his/her willingness to be at odds with the world.

Years ago, I defined the "I'm OK, You're OK" Social Contract." In this social contract, the world agrees to say that no one's spirituality is wrong, that all beliefs are valid. Furthermore, all signatories to this social contract also agree to come to the aid of anyone who's beliefs are challenged.

Therefore, when a disciple says, "I believe in God," he automatically incurs the wrath of the world. Keith Green said it best in one of his songs: "I pledge my head to heaven for the gospel."

Jesus said that we are to take up our cross and follow Him. Modernized, that would equate to being willing to put your head in the noose daily for Christ. When we say, "I believe in God," we are putting our heads in the noose and pledging our heads to heaven.

Apostle's Creed, 1

"I believe"

One of the oldest confessions of the Christian faith begins with these two simple words, "I believe." So simple, yet these words are a profound confession to the world that I believe that which God has said.

I was not there when God formed the sun, moon, earth and stars, but I believe that He did it.

I was not there when God created man from the dust of the ground, but I believe that He did it.

I was not there when God called to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in their night visions, setting them apart as patriarchs of a chosen people, but I believe that He did it.

I was not there when God sent Moses to deliver his enslaved people, bringing them out of Egypt with miracles and wonders, protecting and providing for them in the wilderness, but I believe that He did it.

I was not there when God appeared to Moses at Mt. Sinai, giving him the 10 Commandments and making covenant with His people, but I believe that He did it.

I was not there when God sent Jesus to be the lamb of God, bearing the sins of the world on the cross of Calvary, but I believe that He did it.

"I believe" are two powerful words that separate us from the world, and put us into another kingdom, the kingdom of God. When we say that we believe, we take our place in the vast train of people who, like Abraham, are "looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." (Heb. 11:10)

The Gaithers wrote a wonderful song, "Let the Church be the Church," which had the constant call, "God has always had a people." It's true, He has. And everyone of these people were "Believers."