Review: Why the Creed?
“This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent” (John 17:3)
- We Believe…In Jesus Christ
a. Son of God
Luke 1:35 The angel Gabriel said, He “will be called Son of God.”
John 14:34 “I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
Mark 1:11 God spoke from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.”
John 14:9 Jesus said, “If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
b. His Miraculous Conception and Birth
Luke 1:31 “Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.” (Gabriel to Mary)
Matthew 1:20 “…Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”
c. His Sinless Life
Hebrews 10:4 “For it is impossible for the blood of goats and bulls to take away sins.”
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:26 “God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be just and justify the one who has faith in Christ.”
Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.”
1 Peter 2:22 “He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
1 John 2:1-2 “I am writing these things to you so that you may not know sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ the righteous one. He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only ours, but also for those of the whole world.”
d. His Power Demonstrated
Acts 2:22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to these words: This Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God with miracles, wonders and signs that God did among you through him, just as you yourselves know.”
Some specific Messianic miracles: healing one blind from birth, cleansing lepers, raising someone from the dead.
Other miracles He performed: casting out demons, healing from other diseases/ailments, opening deaf ears, calming the winds and seas, etc.
There is no situation that is outside His authority!
e. His Suffering and His Death
Luke 24:26 “He also said to them, ‘This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are the witnesses of these things.”
1 Corinthians 15:3-5 “For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…”
Revelation 1:18 “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore…”
Group Discussion Questions
How does it comfort to you to see the Creed in light of scripture? What points do you feel it is especially helpful to have scriptural support for?
How do you think that regularly reviewing and even reciting the Creed may help you or someone else to be strengthened in faith?
Why do you think people are often ok with the concept of God or even say they believe in Him while they don’t feel comfortable with believing in Jesus? What is it about Him that is so divisive?
How does viewing God through the life of Jesus help you understand Him more? What has become more real about God’s character as you have come to know more about Jesus?
How does Jesus’ example of a sinless life encourage you in your walk with Him? How can you use this to encourage someone else, also?
How have you seen God’s power demonstrated in your own life or the life of someone else? How should we as believers live based on the knowledge that the same power lives in us that Jesus demonstrated while He was on earth?
What aspect of the teaching over the past two weeks has helped equip you to know God more or more confidently share your faith?