Confession

READ: EZEKIEL 36:26; JOHN 6:60-69; 1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-11

The question is asked,
“What do you believe?”
I open my mouth to recite the familiar words:
“I believe in God, the Father almighty.”

But do I believe?
Can I claim this testimony?
I close my mouth and wonder,
Can I honestly profess these ancient words?

Then I remember
The peace during the storms,
The answers to big and seemingly small prayers—
My stubborn stone heart becomes humble flesh.

And I do believe.
Even though it’s not clear and easy,
I join my voice with the chorus of the redeemed.
Affirming with feeble but fresh faith the words of my confession. • Mary Rozendal

• Have you had times when you wondered whether or not you really believe what you say you believe? What or who has helped you sort out your questions? What questions do you still have?

• What are some of the central truths of our faith in the gospel—or good news—of Jesus Christ? (For more about this good news, see our "Know Jesus" page.)

• The speaker in today’s poem is reciting the Apostles’ Creed. To learn more about this creed, keep reading!

Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 (CSB)

WHAT IS THE APOSTLES' CREED?

People have always had questions about what it means to be a Christian. Historically, one way the church has sought to navigate questions like this is by gathering together—through prayer, discussion, and study of Scripture—to create official positions on difficult but important questions. One of the earliest examles of this was the Apostles' Creed, which is printed below.

Over the centuries, through study of Scripture and prayer, Christians have agreed with the basic content of this historical creed, and it is still recited regularly in many Christian churches today. It is recited to connect Christians—around the world and throughout history—to the gospel that unites them.

While this creed is not Scripture, it is a helpful summary of the basic truths of the Bible, vetted by people through the ages who loved Jesus and His Word.

I believe in God the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was cricified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church*,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

*Historically, the term “catholic” means “universal.” This line basically means “the whole church around the world and throughout history.”

A NOTE: Since the creed was written in Latin, the above text is a translation, produced by the English Language Liturgical Consultation (ELLC) in 1998.