I believe in the Holy Spirit
The Apostles Creed does not say a lot about the Holy Spirit, but the Apostles Creed is just a starting point.

The Holy Spirit is God, and it is able to indwell or live in us.  It empowers us to serve God.  Like the Apostles Creed, the Holy Spirit unites believers as part of the universal Christian church.  And like the Apostles Creed, the Holy Spirit serves to guide us in our daily life as we take the next step in our faith journey.

Apostles' Creed 3 - I believe in the Holy Spirit from Redemption Church on Vimeo.
 

We’re going to start today with a little congregational participation.
Clear your mind… and finish this sentence:  I believe_________.
“…love is the answer.”♪
“…the children are our future…”♫
“…in miracles.” ♪
“…I can fly!”♫

Welcome
This is our 3rd week discussing the Apostles Creed.  If you missed either of the previous sermons I encourage you to go back and watch them on our website.

A creed is a formal statement of beliefs.  It is a set of beliefs or aims that guide someone's actions.

The Apostles Creed doesn’t tell us what we believe.  You cannot be issued a set of beliefs.

The Apostles Creed summarizes some common Christian beliefs.  The Creed can help remind us of some of the core beliefs of Christianity.  If you hold these beliefs then reciting the Creed allows us to affirm the beliefs we share with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

But it is important that we understand what the Creed is saying.  If you have questions feel free to contact us.  You can use our anonymous text line 214-856-0550
As we read through the Creed together, if there is a part that you don’t understand or you are not sure you agree with, feel free to not read that part.  Let’s read through the Apostles Creed together:

“I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,  the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.”

*All embracing, Universal

I’m very excited to have the opportunity to talk to you about the Apostles Creed today because it has been a part of my faith life since I was very young.

As Chris mentioned in the first week of this series, the members of this church come from a wide variety of denominational backgrounds.  Some of us may have grown up in or mainly attended churches that rarely or never recited the Apostles Creed.  Before this sermon series, I don’t think we read through it in service here at Redemption Church.

I come from a Presbyterian background.  I was raised in a church that reads the Apostles Creed every Sunday.  I had the Apostles Creed memorized before I fully understood everything it says.  I’m glad we’re finally discussing the Creed here so I can finally understand what I’ve been saying all these years.
*Tell Story*

No.  But I am glad we are discussing the Creed because it points to God, it points to Jesus, and it highlights some important beliefs at the foundation of our Christian faith.

The Apostles Creed isn’t found in the Bible.  So it may not have the authority of the Word of God, but it points to some of the truths at the heart of the Bible.

If you are unfamiliar with the Apostles Creed I can understand if you’re apprehensive about it.
I am familiar with the Creed.  I grew up with it.  And so I think it is worth discussion.