I've created a short Creed for us to learn and say together on Sundays during our new series on 2 Timothy at Risen Church.
What are creeds?
Creeds and confessions are important as the historic documents, composed and adopted by churches to give authoritative expression to their theological beliefs.
Carl Trueman
In particular, the word creed comes from the Latin credo, meaning ‘I believe’. The Apostles Creed, starts with exactly these words. When a church says a creed they are confessing their belief, understanding and assent in the great truths they hold together. A creed states these truths in a concise summary form. When a church hold and says these truths they also express and recognise that they are part of the one spiritual church of Jesus (the universal church).
The Creeds also act as road guards on true belief. Like the guards on a mountainous drive, if you break through them you will probably plunge to your spiritual death through heresy. There is a high likelyhood you are trusting in another gospel; one that does not save.
Finally, creeds help keep the Church grounded historically. It helps a local church understand themselves as part of Jesus’ church that started after Pentecost and continues to this day.
The most famous of our Christian creeds are the Nicean Creed, followed by the Apostles Creed. These creeds came to the church through a long process of theological and biblical insight, reflection and in the case of Nicea fierce arguments. Which makes what I’ve just written sound a bit dangerous. I can see the heading now, ‘Church falls into tragic heresy through local church pastor’s new creed.’
However, the wording of this new creed isn’t new at all. It’s as old as the New Testament. The words are straight from 2 Timothy. In chapter 2v11-13, Paul shares a trustworthy with Timothy to encourage him but also for him to teach. You'll see it has a creedal pattern. This section what gave me the idea. The other section of our 2 Timothy creed is straight from 1 in verses 9-10, with v10 followed by v9 and some very minor modifications. I've used the CSB version of the Bible. Check it out below.
2 Timothy Creed
Our Saviour Christ Jesus has abolished death
and has brought to life and immortality to light
through the gospel.
He has saved us and called us to a holy calling,
not according to our words,
but according to his own purpose and grace,
which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
if we endure,
we will also reign with him;
if we deny him,
he will also deny us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself.
Amen