THE DOCTRINE OF THE APOSTLES CREED Throughout history the Apostles' Creed has had a profound influence upon the Chris

THE DOCTRINE OF THE APOSTLES CREED

Throughout history the Apostles' Creed has had a profound influence upon the Christian Church. It has been of great value in both uniting the church and combating error. Yet many Christians fail to see why this creed is so important. On the surface it seems like little more than a brief list of certain historical events recorded in the Bible. However, the events listed have a deep spiritual significance. Because of this spiritual significance they are basic to the doctrine set forth in God's Word. And because they are basic to the doctrine of God's Word they are of key importance in understanding the Old Testament. All of the basic doctrines of the Bible are clearly set forth in the Old Testament. These doctrines are not hidden. However, because they relate directly to the historical events concerning Christ's incarnation, death, burial and resurrection, they cannot be understood without knowledge of those historical events.

CREATION AND THE FALL

The Apostles' Creed begins by affirming faith in "God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth." The historical event here dealt with is the creation, as described in the book of Genesis. Part of the Genesis narrative deals with the fall of man, and the historical record of creation and the fall is basic to the law of God set forth in the Old Testament. The law of God reveals the sinfulness of man and thus the effects of the fall and our need of a savior.

CHRIST’S VIRGIN BIRTH

The Apostles' Creed next affirms faith in both the deity and virgin birth of Christ. These two doctrines go hand in hand. The deity of Christ is clearly revealed in those Old Testament prophesies which deal with the virgin birth. For example: When Isaiah writes, "Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel", the name Immanuel (which means "God with us") is a clear reference to the deity of Christ (Isaiah 7:14). When Isaiah writes, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given" and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." We are plainly told that the child spoken of is "The Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6). The prophet Jeremiah tells us that this child will be of the line of David and that He shall be called, "Jehovah our righteousness." This passage affirms not only the deity of Christ, but also the fact that He is the sinless source of all true righteousness, the savior (Jeremiah 23:5,6). Micah makes specific reference to the place of Jesus birth when he says, "But thou Bethlehem Ephratah, through thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel: whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2) In the word "everlasting" we have another reference to Christ's deity. Only God is "from everlasting."

CHRIST'S DEATH ON THE CROSS

The Apostles' Creed next affirms the fact that Christ,” Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried." These words emphasize the fact that Christ was true man, as well as true God, that He was able to feel pain, to suffer, and even to die. Concerning this suffering on the part of Christ Isaiah writes." Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed:" (Isaiah 53:4,5). Notice that these words tell us the spiritual significance of Christ's suffering and death. We are plainly told that Christ suffered "for our iniquities", that His chastisement brought us "peace." These words are of great comfort. However, without a basic knowledge of Christ's suffering and death on the cross these words of Isaiah would seem just as meaningless to us as they did to the Ethiopian eunuch mentioned in Acts 8:26-35. In Psalm 22 David describes the suffering which Christ endured on the cross. He writes, "I am poured out like water and all of my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou has brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands my feet." (Psalm 22:14-16) The reference to feet and hands being pierced is an unmistakable reference to crucifixion. The remarkable thing is that crucifixion was unknown to Jews living at the time of David. Such a prophesy could only come by divine inspiration. (see Zechariah 12:10 and 13:6) Looking back to Isaiah 53 we notice that the "righteous servant" being spoken of in verse eleven is to "justify" people by bearing, "their iniquities" (Isaiah 53:11). Now to justify someone is to absolve them of guilt, so this prophesy is telling us that because Christ bore our iniquities we are absolved of guilt in the eyes of God. This passage in turn explains all of the Old Testament references to the savior or redeemer. Christ redeemed and saved us by bearing our iniquities. (see Isaiah 43:11,14, Isaiah 44:6, Isaiah 45:15, Isaiah 54:5,8, etc.)

CHRIST'S RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD

The Apostles' Creed next affirms the fact that Christ, "rose again from the dead;" the third day. The fact that Christ rose again is proof that He did indeed triumph over sin, death and the power of the devil. This triumph is recorded in such Old Testament passages as, Psalm 16:10, Psalm 30:3 and Psalm 41:10. In fact when it comes to the reference to Christ's resurrection found in Psalm 41:10, the verse preceding it is a clear reference to Christ' betrayal by Judas. The verse following it points out that because God raised Him up we can know that the enemy did not triumph over Him. (Psalm 41:11)

CHRIST'S ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN

The Apostles' Creed next affirms the fact that Christ, "ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;". Because Christ ascended unto heaven we have an advocate with the Father. As our advocate Christ has sent us another comforter, even the Spirit of Truth, and we can be certain that at the appointed time Christ will return again. Psalm 68:18 tells us of Christ's victorious ascension. Psalm 110:1, tells us that having ascended Christ is now seated at the right hand of the Father. And Isaiah 53:12 tells us that having borne our sin Christ intercedes on our behalf.

CHRIST'S RETURN

Finally the Apostles' Creed affirms the fact that at the appointed time Christ will return "to judge the living and the dead." Psalm 110:5 tells us that the very Lord which sitteth at the right hand of the Father (compare verse 1 with verse 5) will, "strike through kings in the day of His wrath." Yet there will be great joy because when Christ returns He will," judge the earth with righteousness... and the people with equity." (Psalm 98:9) Because salvation is God's Word not our work (Psalm 39:39) He will deliver all who trust in Him (Psalm 39:40).

CONCLUSION

At the time of the Apostles the Christian church did not yet have the New Testament. When the Bereans searched the Scriptures daily they searched the Old Testament for the New Testament had not yet been written (Acts 27:10,11). Yet because they were aware of the historical events summarized in the Apostles' Creed they found the doctrine of the apostles clearly set forth in the Old Testament.