Believe and Speak--Introduction

 

I am excited to begin our study of the Nicene Creed! 

Our working definition of creed is an "authoritative, formulated statement of the chief articles of Christian belief".  Many churches use this creed as a confession of faith, often recited as a congregation.  Creeds help to articulate an understanding of scripture, and to bring unity of core truths.  They are designed to help us distinguish between "my truth" and "THE truth."   It's the doctrine of the Bible in a nutshell.   

Next, let's talk about what it is NOT.  While the Gospel is clearly displayed in it, the creed itself has no power to save you.  Learning, memorizing, and/or reciting it is not a magic incantation that brings you into a relationship with Christ.  It is a profession of a belief system you already hold.  But learning, memorizing, and reciting it can develop a deeper knowledge and love for the Good News of Christ Jesus.  

I chose to learn about the Nicene creed because of one little verse.  Our group (Much Needed G.I.R.L. Time) studied 1 and 2 Peter in May of 2020. In these letters, the apostle Peter is writing to Christians, who are living as exiles 200 miles or more from Jerusalem.  It was against the law to be a follower of Christ in the Roman empire.   In 312AD-- over 300 years after Christ's death, and approximately 260 years after Peter wrote this book, the Roman emperor Constantine assembled a council of 300 bishops of the early church in Nicaea.  Constantine was the first Roman emperor to convert to and "legalize" Christianity.  And Nicaea was the capitol of Bithynia, one of the districts mentioned in 1 Peter 1:1.  It moves me deeply that this group of exiles took what they learned from Peter and held on to it with everything in them.  They resisted the enemy and stood firm in the faith. (1 Peter 5:9) Because they believed and spoke the truth of God's Word to those around them, there was still a faithful group generations later.  A group willing to meet, discuss and formulate a profession of faith, a pledge to the Only One worthy of our allegiance, that we still use today.  

And finally, I named the study "Believe and Speak" based on a few verses in 2 Corinthians.  We could learn until our brains couldn't hold it all, but if we do nothing with it, it's knowledge without wisdom.  I know today has been a lot of reading so I'm just going to share a few verses from 2 Corinthians 4 (please read the whole chapter on your own so you can get the context!) 

"We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways.  We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God." vs 2  "For what we proclaim is not ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." vs. 5-6 

"Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, 'I believed, and so I spoke,' we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into His presence.  For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God." vs 13-15

My prayer for this study is that we will become proficient in the doctrine of God, so that we will be able to give a reason for the hope that is in us. (1 Peter 3:15) Our goal is the Gospel of Christ-- first in our minds, first in our hearts, and first out of our mouths.  I pray we will Believe and Speak.  The future generations are counting on us.