The Apostles’ Creed

THE FIRST ARTICLE

Catechism pp 99-115

I Believe

Can anyone else sleep, eat, learn for you? Certainly not!

Why do we, as Christians, say “I believe . . .”?

Your faith must be in your heart.

The Unique Dimensions of a Box

HEIGHT

WIDTH

DEPTHThree Distinct Dimensions

Not confused

Unique Identity

Unity of Purpose

Single Space

The Father AlmightyWhy is the order important?

We come to know the indisputable love of a perfect Father . . .

Who uses His power to save rather than destroy.

An Almighty Father would intimidate by His power, making it difficult to recognize His love.

The Maker of Heaven and Earth

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; He puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere Him. For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm. Psalm 33:6-9

The Apostles’

Creed

THE SECOND ARTICLE

Catechism pp 115-143

Person of Jesus

TRUE MANCalled ManHuman Body & SoulHuman Actions

TRUE GODDivine Names

Divine AttributesWorks of God

United in One Person by the

VIRGIN BIRTH

So He Could

Be Under the LawDie in Our Place

Keep the Law PerfectlyRedeem All PeopleOur Savior

The Work of Jesus

Redemption

Reconciliation

Justification

Purchased for God

Made Friends Again with God

Acquitted; Declared Innocent, Holy, Perfect for Jesus’ Sake

1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Titus 2:14

At-one-ment

JUSTIFICATION

God as Judge Demands

Jesus as Defender Pleads

PunishmentBloodDeath

PunishedBled for themDied for them

Arrogant Unbelief . . . . . . . . . . . Death

Humble Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . Life

The Steps of Jesus’ The Steps of Jesus’ Humiliation::

Conceived

BornSuffered

Crucified

Died

Buried

The Steps of Jesus’ Exaltation

Descended into Hell

Resurrection

Ascension

Seated at God’s Right Hand

Coming Again to Judge

Jesus will Return!

The Christian Responds

That I Might Live

Righteousness Innocence BlessednessCovered by His

HolinessHate Sin Do His Will

Cheerfully, Gladly Doing His Will

Imperfectly Now Perfectly in Heaven

The Apostles’ Creed

THE THIRD

ARTICLE

THE THIRD

ARTICLE

Catechism pp 144-168

What is My Natural, Spiritual Condition?

Ephesians 2:1 Dead in trespasses and sins.

1 Peter 2:25 Like sheep going astray. (lost)

Acts 26:17-18 In the dark, needing eyes to be opened. (blind)

Psalm 82:5 Knowing, understanding nothing.

Romans 8:6-7 The sinful mind is hostile to God.

SANCTIFICATIONCALLED

By the Gospel

In the Word In the Sacraments

The Means of GraceThe Means of Grace

Out of the Unbelieving

World

To be Holy by Faith

in Jesus

CHRIST’S REDEMPTIONBecomes Mine

Through

FAITH

Impossible by the Sinful Nature

Possible Only by the Work of the

Holy Spirit Through the GospelDead in Sin Enemy of God

SANCTIFIED TO DO GOOD WORKS

Ephesians 2:10 We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.

Philippians 2:13 It is God who works in you to will and to do His good purpose.

What Makes a Good Work a Good Work?What Makes a Good Work a Good Work?

We can be the Church, under the guidance and blessing of the Holy

Spirit, when we work together, using the gifts God has given us to build up one another in worship

and service to God.

How will you be the Church?How will you be the Church?