25. RCIA The Creed

The 12 Articles of Faith or Apostles Creed

A creed is a statement of belief, Credo means I believe. A great many saints have written their own, but there are two that are commonly used in communal worship, these are the Apostles Creed, and the Nicene Creed.

The purpose of a creed is to provide a basic, succinct statement of the faith.

Throughout the middle ages it was generally believed that the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, composed the Apostles creed between them, each contributing one of the twelve points or articles. This idea can be traced back to a sermon attributed to St Ambrose c400AD.

The Nicene creed was produced by the Council of Nicea (325AD), which was called to combat the heresy of Arius, who argued that Jesus wasn't divine. The council wanted to make it very clear that Jesus Christ is 'consubstantial' or 'one in being' with the Father sharing the same divine nature.

NB: This was the council where the Bishop (later known as St Nicholas), was so outraged by Arius' heresy that in the middle of the council of Bishops, punched him in the face.

1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, maker of Heaven & Earth.

You are affirming your belief that God exists, and that He is the Creator.

2.And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord.

You believe that Jesus is the Divine Son of God. The word Lord implies in this sense his Divinity. Both the Greek Kyrios, and the Hebrew Adonai, which mean Lord, are only ever used in reference to God, so we profess that Jesus is Divine.

3. Conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit.

You believe that Jesus was also human, he had a real human mother, but was equally Divine, he had no human Father. He was conceived supernaturally by the power of the Holy Spirit in Mary's womb. This is quite complicated theology but in essence Jesus was both fully human and fully divine at the same time.

4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

The human nature of Jesus felt pain exactly as we would, and he could suffer death just as he did on Good Friday. Pontius Pilate is mentioned not to vilify him, but to place the crucifixion firmly in human history. The Roman Governor of Judea appointed by Caesar puts it in an historical context and reminds us that we cannot blame the Jews for the whole story. Both Jew and Gentile shared the blame. If you ever hear anti Semitism based on the crucifixion of Christ it is inaccurate, unjust, and wrong.

5. He descended into Hell, on the third day He rose again.

This is not the Hell of the damned. Until after the resurrection there could be no judgement. In Jewish understanding it meant the place of the dead. Jesus opened the gates both to Hell and to Heaven. This line affirms that he was fully dead for three days, rose from the dead by his divine power. He was not a resurrected corpse like Lazarus was, instead he was in possession of a glorified body.

6. He ascended into Heaven & is seated at the right hand of the Father.

This reminds us that when the human and divine natures of Jesus were united, they could never be separated. After the resurrection Jesus didn't dump his earthly body as if he no longer needed it. Catholicism teaches that Jesus human body will exist for ever, for he ascended into Heaven body and soul.

7. From thence He will judge the living and the dead.

We believe that Christ will come again at the end of the world to be its judge. We believe that on any individuals death they experience a judgement and go to Heaven, Hell, or purgatory, but this will be a general judgement on the world.

8. I believe in the Holy Spirit

This reminds us that God is Trinity and exists equally in 3 persons. The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Each one a distinct person but in complete unity being one God.

9. I believe in the Holy Catholic Church.

We believe in more than an institution, but instead in an essential dimension and aspect of the spiritual life. In Matthew 16, Jesus uses the word, saying "I will build my church". The church is Catholic because it is all embracing. It is not an enclave within a godless world, but rather a movement initiated by God himself in order to communicate salvation to all the nations. It is holy because it is infused by the Holy Spirit.

10. The forgiveness of sin

Christ came to save the world from sin, therefore belief in sin is essential to Christianity. Sin is anything which puts our will or pleasure before God's loving plan for our good. We believe that original sin (our fallen human nature inherited from Adam) is forgiven and washed away through Baptism, and our committed sins are forgiven through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

11. I believe in the resurrection of the body

Catholics believe that a human being is body, mind, and soul, and death is merely the separation of the soul until the second coming of Christ when St Paul tells us we shall receive a glorified body. The just go body and soul to Heaven, and the damned go body and soul to Hell.

12. I believe in life everlasting.

As Christ died, so too must we mortals, as He rose from the dead so will we. At the moment of death private judgement occurs, Christ judges the soul, if it is free from sin & holy it will go directly to Heaven. Which is what we believe of those declared to be saints. If it dies with unremorse for mortal sin it is damned for eternity. If your soul isn't bad enough to warrant Hell, but not yet holy enough to enter Heaven you will go to purgatory which isn't a final destination but a place of purification where you will be made fit for heaven.

The church has always taught that your soul will desire its rightful place in eternity.

Amen

The root meaning of amen is 'faithfulness and reliability' essentially meaning 'it is true'. Thus the last word circles around and creates a unity with the first I believe.

Conclusion

The faith was first expressed in the Apostles Creed, then more clearly in the Nicene Creed. What is important to understand is that this is how the faith was preserved, guarded, and handed on to the next generation. During times of the first persecution (before 33AD) the creed was not written down but passed on orally. In our age too we should endeavour to learn the creed by heart, know and understand the faith we profess in it, and be able to pass that faith on to the generation.