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.

In Article 10 of the Apostles’ Creed, the Christian confesses, “[I believe in] the forgiveness of sins.” Though short, it is an article with extraordinary content. Much is said in few words. It appears as if this confession was taken directly from Psalm 130. In this Psalm, the question is asked, “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” (Psalm 130:3). The answer is, none. For we “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “There is none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10). All the world is guilty before God. However, then a confession of faith follows: “But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared” (Psalm 130:4). What a blessed confession this is! Here a statement is made regarding God that is of vital importance for each of us, namely, that there is forgiveness with God. God forgives! He forgives sin and iniquity. Psalm 130 declares, “With thee, there is forgiveness.” The Psalm speaks of forgiveness as being as consistent with God’s character as light belongs to the sun. It says, “forgiveness is with thee”—it belongs to God.

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