Apostles' Creed

Welcome to this series of lectures on the Apostles’ Creed. The word “creed” does not sound very attractive today. Dogma, doctrine, creeds, confessions, and catechisms are not popular in this age of moral relativism. Yet, the first Christians deemed dogma important, for we read of the church after Pentecost: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42). When you hear the name “Apostles’ Creed,” you might ask, What is the Apostles’ Creed? You might even ask, What is a creed? The name “Apostles’ Creed” reminds us of the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. What an encouragement would it be for the church today if the apostles were still among us! But they have died long ago. However, we do have the Apostles’ Creed, a confession based upon the doctrine and the teachings of the apostles. We encourage you to watch or listen to these 13 lectures, and prayerfully look for these sacred statements of faith to become your daily confession in your Christian walk.

The fourth Article of the Apostles’ Creed confesses the following concerning our Lord Jesus Christ: “[he] suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell.” The Creed states, in the first place, that Jesus suffered. All the suffering in this world confronts us with profound questions. Throughout the ages, the question has been asked how there could be so much suffering in a world that is governed by a God of infinite omnipotence and perfect goodness. As the omnipotent One, he should be able to keep us from being subjected to disasters, illnesses, suffering, and death. Should God, in his goodness, not be unwilling that his creatures should suffer as much as they do?

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Rev. Cornelis Harinck has been a pastor of the Reformed Congregations in the Netherlands since 1962.