Have you ever read the backgrounds of why our ecumenical creeds were written? History has a way of repeating itself when it comes to errors about the God of the Bible. Since the early days of the church, we have simply been recycling, rebranding, and repeating the same old errors. I would like to share a little background for each of the three ecumenical creeds in Christian churches today.
The Apostles’ Creed is a brief statement of gospel truths taught by the apostles. It was not put together by theologians, but out of the needs of the Christian church. Christians used it to tell others what they believed and also to confess their faith with one another as they met for worship.
The Nicene Creed was written around A.D. 325 in defense of the true Christian faith. The Council at Nicea developed it, expanding on the deity of Christ, in order to safeguard the apostles’ teaching.
“The Athanasian Creed” is named after St. Athanasius, a staunch defender of the Christian faith in the fourth century. It was prepared to assist the Church in combating two errors that undermined Bible teaching. One error denied that God’s Son and the Holy Spirit are of one being or Godhead with the Father. The other error denied that Jesus Christ is true God and true man in one person. The Athanasian Creed continues to serve the Christian Church as a standard of the truth. It declares that whoever rejects the doctrine of the Trinity and the doctrine of Christ is without the saving faith.
A few months ago a female "pastor" of a "Lutheran" "church" in Edina, Minnesota had her congregation stand up and "confess our faith today in the words of the 'Sparkle Creed'". It was total heresy and the fact that she was not immediately defrocked from the ministry says a lot about the synod she is associated with. The word "synod" comes from two Greek words: "with" and "road". When we talk about walking together in this life on the road that leads to our heavenly home, we are using words that make up the concept of a synod. Romans 16:17 says, "I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them." You cannot be in a synod with those who teach contrary to clear Bible teachings. You are not walking on the same road.
I urge you to watch the Sparkle Creed on YouTube and look at the robe the "pastor" is wearing. Look at the candles and the altar and other things that give the appearance this is a Christian church. Then listen to the "creed".
2 Corinthians 11:14 tells us that the devil himself can sparkle as an angel of light. However, once the father of lies starts opening his mouth or doing his actions it becomes crystal clear he is not from God. Think of how the Bereans were praised for their love of God's Word, "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true"(Acts 17:11). Jesus says in John 8:31, "If you hold to my Word you are really my disciples." Be a bold enough Christian to demand that your spiritual leader is a Gospel(Jesus' perfect life, innocent death and glorious resurection) motivated leader who believes the Bible is inerrant, infallible, and all suffiicient. I pray you all recite one of the creeds weekly in your church, and now maybe even a little louder and prouder!!
We say with the hymnist:
"God's Word is our great heritage
and shall be ours forever;
to spread its light from age to age
shall be our chief endeavor.
Through life it guides our way,
in death it is our stay.
Lord, grant, while worlds endure,
we keep its teachings pure
throughout all generations."
