Lutheran Christians confess the church’s three historic creeds: the Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds. These creeds are called “ecumenical” which means that they are shared by the whole Christian church. The word “creed” comes from the Latin credo, which simply means “I believe.” Here are a few questions and answers pertaining to the creeds:

Why do the creeds speak of the “catholic” faith? The olriginal versions of all three creeds speak of the catholicity of our faith. For example, the Apostles’ Creed says, “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian [catholic] Church.” This is not an exclusive reference to the Roman Catholic Church. Early believers would speak of the catholic faith to describe the doctrines which were believed and confessed universally among Christians. As you confess these creeds, remember that you are confessing your faith together with Christians throughout space and time.

What occasions are associated with the creeds? The Apostles’ Creed was an ancient baptismal creed. It is confessed in the liturgy of Holy Baptism and at Confirmation. Of the three, it is the most succinct statement of the Christian faith. The Nicene Creed was formulated at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325 and modified at the Council of Constantinople in AD 381. This creed goes into more detail on the identity of Jesus Christ. It is traditionally associated with the Lord’s Supper. The Athanasian Creed, the longest of the three, was named in memory of St. Athanasius (AD 296-373), a staunch defender of trinitarian theology. The creed itself originated perhaps a century after his death. Because this creed was not necessarily prepared for corporate use (and because of its length), it is usually reserved for use in worship to Trinity Sunday.

Why do the creeds say that Jesus “descended into hell”? Both the Apostles’ and Athanasian Creeds include this article of faith. This is based on one Scripture passage, 1 Peter 3:18-20, in which Peter states that Jesus suffered and died and was made alive again, “in which He went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey.” This was interpreted by early Christians as Jesus descending into hell to proclaim His resurrection victory over sin, death, and the devil. Lutherans maintain this teaching and recognize Christ’s descent into hell as part of His exaltation following His suffering and death.

Why does the Nicene Creed say so much about Jesus? The Second Article of the Nicene Creed uses the word “begotten” three times to describe the relationship between Jesus and the Father. It’s reinforcing the teaching that there is an eternal Father-Son relationship between them. The Christians at Nicaea especially emphasized the divinity of Jesus. He is “God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God.” Additionally, He is “of one substance with the Father.” In the fourth century, a heresy called Arianism was causing confusion among Christians. Arius taught that Jesus was an exalted man who was created, not eternal. This contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture about the Person of Jesus. The formulators of the Nicene Creed made it clear that Arius’ teachings (and other false teaching along the same lines) are not compatible with the biblical, Christian faith.

If the Holy Trinity is a mystery, why does the Athanasian Creed say so much about Him? While we can’t intellectually grasp everything the Bible teaches, such as how Christ’s body and blood are present in the Lord’s Supper or how God can be three persons in one divine being, that doesn’t mean that we can’t make faithful theological distinctions about such teachings. The Athanasian Creed is responding against various false teachings regarding the Triune God. Some, for example, did away with the doctrine of the Trinity in favor of a oneness view of God. This heresy, called Modalism, still exists in Oneness Pentecostalism. The Athanasian Creed expresses the mystery of the Holy Trinity both by emphasizing the distinction between the three persons and the Unity of the Godhead.

Does the Athanasian Creed teach salvation by works? The closing statements of the Athanasian Creed speak about Christ’s return and the final judgment. Verse 39 states, “And those who have done good will enter into eternal life, and those who have done evil into eternal fire.” While we may balk at the wording, the writers of the Athanasian Creed were echoing statements from Scripture itself, such as Jesus’ words in John 5:28-29. However, reading further along provides more clarity about our salvation. In the next chapter, Jesus is asked, “‘What must we do, to be doing the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.’” (John 6:28-29) A few verses later, Jesus offers more Good News: “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise Him up on the last day” (John 6:40). 

On the last day you and I will be judged not according to the goodness within us. (There is none apart from the Lord’s work.) Instead, we’ll be judged according to the good work that the Holy Spirit has done within us – bringing us to saving faith in the One whom God has sent for us, Jesus Christ (John 6:29), just as the book of Hebrews tells us, “Without faith, it is impossible to please [God]” (Heb. 11:6). Good works continue to flow from saving faith in Jesus, but they are not the basis for our salvation.

Join me in thanking the Lord for these three ecumenical Christian creeds which summarize both our shared Christian faith and our personal faith in God the Holy Trinity. May we continue to confess the creeds boldly and faithfully as countless men and women of God have done before us!

Peace in Christ,

            Pastor Kory Janneke