After the brief affirmation of the belief in one God, the God of the Jews, the Creed moves into the longest section, outlining the historical events of God the Son, known to us as Jesus of Nazareth. He is the ‘Christ’, the long-promised Saviour who would usher into human history the first stage of the kingdom of God. He is “the only Son of God”, unique in His relationship with God the Father. He is “the Lord”, holding a unique authority in creation, within whom is all the power and glory of God.
This is a considerable disconnect to the Jewish understanding of God, and separates Christian faith from Jewish faith.
The key historical events of Jesus’ earthly life are highlighted, His supernatural conception by the creative will of God through the Holy Spirit, His trial at the hands of the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, His humiliating crucifixion, death and resurrection.
Then we remember that while His death on the cross was physical, His work continued as He ‘descended to the dead’. A common interpretation of this is that Jesus asserted His authority over death and the realm of the dead, so that no place or power would be exempt from His sovereignty – ever or anywhere. His resurrection is proof of this authority, and the power given to Him “to judge the living and the dead” upon His return.
In between His ascension, and return, the Creed affirms that Jesus “is seated at the right hand of the Father”, where He rules the heaven and earth, jealously watches over His beloved bride, the Church, and actively intercedes with the Father on our behalf.
The emphasis of the Creed is that Jesus was a man who lived within human history, and He is so much more, and all will be revealed including His sovereign power and authority. Every power on earth and in heaven is made subject to Him, forever, regardless of what freedom they may believe they hold in this age. There will be a reckoning, and it will be whether each one is reconciled to God the Father through Jesus, or not.
This is a considerable disconnect to the Jewish understanding of God, and separates Christian faith from Jewish faith.
The key historical events of Jesus’ earthly life are highlighted, His supernatural conception by the creative will of God through the Holy Spirit, His trial at the hands of the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, His humiliating crucifixion, death and resurrection.
Then we remember that while His death on the cross was physical, His work continued as He ‘descended to the dead’. A common interpretation of this is that Jesus asserted His authority over death and the realm of the dead, so that no place or power would be exempt from His sovereignty – ever or anywhere. His resurrection is proof of this authority, and the power given to Him “to judge the living and the dead” upon His return.
In between His ascension, and return, the Creed affirms that Jesus “is seated at the right hand of the Father”, where He rules the heaven and earth, jealously watches over His beloved bride, the Church, and actively intercedes with the Father on our behalf.
The emphasis of the Creed is that Jesus was a man who lived within human history, and He is so much more, and all will be revealed including His sovereign power and authority. Every power on earth and in heaven is made subject to Him, forever, regardless of what freedom they may believe they hold in this age. There will be a reckoning, and it will be whether each one is reconciled to God the Father through Jesus, or not.
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