The Apostles' Creed
 

Below is what is commonly known as The Apostles' Creed.
In slightly differing forms it is considered a confession of faith in many churches.
Although it is called The Apostles' Creed it is not found in this form in the writings of any of the first century apostles. Some say it can be traced back to the early second century.

Does anyone here have any problem with what it says?
Is this basically Christianity 101?

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Maker of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;

He descended into hell.

The third day He arose again from the dead;

He ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost;
the holy catholic church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting.

Amen.

Re: The Apostles' Creed
 

I think it's great. In a church plant I helped recently we used this creed often in service.

Re: The Apostles' Creed
 

I think they recite this at Christ Church in Nashville sometimes; not sure how often. I don't like the term "catholic church" even though I know what it means in this context. It just gives the wrong impression to people who would be coming in from outside. I think maybe Christ Church changed that to "Christian church", but I'm not sure. Mr. Steinway could tell us!

Some would say it's too trinitarian sounding, I'm sure. We try to be careful to avoid those things that could be misconstrued as too tri-theistic.

Re: The Apostles' Creed
 

Want to explain, "communion of saints?"

Re: The Apostles' Creed
 

Do you think it's in reference to the departed ones?

I would simply view this as the breaking of bread, or perhaps Holy Communion.

Re: The Apostles' Creed
 

probably means different things to different people.

From what I understand, the RCC believes that the Church is made up of all those who have passed on in Christ and all those who are alive in Christ. I've heard the two groups called the church militant (those alive) and the church triumphant (those who have made it to heaven).

Some believe that just as we can ask one another (in the church militant) down here to pray for us or pray with us, we can also ask those in the church triumphant to pray for us or to join their prayers with ours.

"communion of the saints" could also mean that all the saints are in one living body and share together the Holy Spirit.

Re: The Apostles' Creed
 

I see no issue with the creed other than most will associate it with Trinitarianism.

Re: The Apostles' Creed
 

Christ descended into Hell?

Re: The Apostles' Creed
 

Acts 2:25-27

25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Re: The Apostles' Creed
 

This is from an article titled "Where Are the Dead?" which appeared in the December 2008 issue of the Pentecostal Herald. It was written by David Norris.


The New Testament records significant events associated with the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. The psalmist prophesied that before Jesus ascended into heaven, He would first descend triumphantly to sheol --hades in the New Testament-- and ascend, taking with Him a whole host of those who had been “captive” (Psalm 68:18; Ephesians 4:8-10). Thus, when the victory of the cross was accomplished, Jesus descended to the abode of the dead and boldly proclaimed (“preached”) His total victory over Satan (1 Peter 3:19). In demonstration of His conquest, He made an open show of the devil, mocking and humiliating him. (See Colossians 2;15). Jesus then claimed for Himself the keys of death and hell. (See Revelation 1:18). Finally, Jesus ascended to paradise, but He did not do so alone. Jesus took with Him those who in the Old Testament had lived in covenant relationship with God.

Twenty times in the Old Testament it refers to descending to sheol or as sheol being “down.” in the New Testament, when writers described paradise the referred to it as up. (See 2 Corinthians 12:4). Whereas the Old Testament was oblique in its pronouncements o life after death, Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would that day be with Him in paradise. (See Luke 23:43.) Indeed, the New Testament celebrates that those who die will immediately be ushered into the presence of the Lord. Paul professed, “to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Re: The Apostles' Creed
 

If so they are living there as mortals.

14: That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16: Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Here Paul says ONLY JESUS has immortality.

Re: The Apostles' Creed
 

Sam, I must ask; do you really think anyone is in heaven today, December 22, 2008?
Do you thank that paradise is heaven?
Will check back later, going to work.

Re: The Apostles' Creed
 

Is paradise heaven?
2 Corinthians 12:2 and 4 indicates to me that Paul used the terms "paradise" and "third heaven" interchangeably. I honestly don't know where that is located physically. We have an atmospheric heaven and a stellar heaven and a third heaven(paradise). I'm not sure where the "third heaven" is in relationship to the other 2 heavens.

Anyone in heaven today?
I know there are differences of opinion on this. It seems to me that both Paul and Peter expected death to be an exodus from their physical body and an entrance into a place or realm where God is. This is how I understand 2 Peter 1:13-15 where Peter refers to his death as a departure/exodus and putting off a tabernacle/tent. Paul uses the same imagery of putting off a tent/tabernacle in 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 and in Philippians 1:21-24 speaks of being with the Lord when he leaves his body.

So, in my opinion:
paradise and the third heaven are synonomous
and
folks are somewhere in the presence of the Lord after leaving their bodies. That somewhere is called "heaven/paradise" in Christian tradition.

Re: The Apostles' Creed
 

As a funeral director I hear a lot of ministers say, don't worry Sis/Bro ??? is in the presence of the Lord today or don't cry, mom/dad is walking hand in hand with the Lord on that street of gold in heaven.
As a minister I think it is misleading to families to put their loved ones in heaven or hell.

With out going back to soul sleep, my understanding of death is when one dies their spirit (or as some may say breath of life) goes back to the Lord.
Where that is I'm not sure. I do agree it is where ever God is. God is ominpresent.
I'm not sold on the fact that there are souls (people) in heaven as of yet. Just because someone dies does not mean they are sent to hell or heaven at their time of death. Judgement has not taken place yet.
I know a few oneness ministers that think otherwise and I respect that.
John 14:1-3
Jesus said "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
Some will say this is at a persons death. Maybe, maybe not. It could also be when the Lord returns to take his bride home.
You did bring up a good thought about the heavens.