The Apostles' Creed

Article I Article II Article III
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son our Lord,
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the
right hand of the Father.
He will come again 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.
What does this mean?
[Robert E. Smith translation, 1994] I believe that I cannot come to my Lord Jesus Christ by my own intelligence or power. But the Holy Spirit called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with her gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true faith, just as she calls, gathers together, enlightens and makes holy the whole Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus in the one, true faith. In this Church, she generously forgives each day every sin committed by me and by every believer. On the last day, she will raise me and all the dead from the grave. She will give eternal life to me and to all who believe in Christ. Yes, this is true!

On Becoming Holy (Sanctification) Sin! Your sin, my sin. The sin of all believers. The sin of the world. For this the Spirit dwells in the Church. Generously forgives each day every sin… If we pondered nothing more than that each and every day, how much more vibrant and at peace would our lives be! For to be forgiven means that we have seen the need of it. And we if need it, really and truly, then the compulsion to judge others fades in the light of this glory: my sins are forgiven. Mine. And the sins of every believer.

In the face of that, let there be silence. Awed, humbled silence.

Prayer

Father, by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, forgive our sins as we freely forgive the sins of others. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Commentary by Pastor David G. Mullen
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