Category: Theology

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).

The word gospel means good news. So what is this good news? It is the “free gift of God” of “eternal life” through the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Bridge

A simple illustration of this is think of a bridge. We, by sinning and rebelling against God, have burnt the bridge between God and us. But the good news is that God, through Jesus Christ, has rebuilt the bridge. He now invites us to return to him.

This might be a very simple illustration of the good news. But it is a true illustration. By becoming selfish and self-centered. We have separated ourselves from God. But God has provided a way to overcome that self-centeredness and return to a life of God-centeredness.

Atonement

This is the basic idea of the atonement. It is, through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, the process of making us at-one with God. It is a story of Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. It is a story of The prodigal son returning to his loving father who waits with open arms.

This is the good news. God awaits our return with open arms. The obstacle is not with God, it is with us. God has rebuilt the bridge, but it’s up to us to cross it.

“And I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.”

We “look for the resurrection of the dead” refers to our own resurrection. What that means is not clarified, but we can safely assume it is a spiritual resurrection into a spiritual body.

We “look for… the life of the world to come.” This is probably referring to heaven. It could also be referring to an earthly existence on a new earth. None of this is defined, so interpretations are open.

I would tend to want to leave questions about the future in God’s hands. We can’t even agree about the past, I doubt we will be any clearer in the future. We really do need humility.

“I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.”

There is only “one baptism for the remission of sins.” That is the water baptism “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19).

Remission of sin is the erasing of sin, not just its forgiveness. Here it is clear that salvation and water baptism are linked. But it does not define the link. Was water baptism the altar call of the early church?

Also, not spelled out, was baptism for just adults, or for children as well. Was baptism for the church what circumcision was for Israel?

“And I believe in one, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Ekklesia.”

Let’s begin with the word Ekklesia, which is usually translated as “Church.” I have chosen to not translate the word Ekklesia. This is because “Church” gives the wrong impression. The word Ekklesia refers to the “called out ones” and not their organizations or their buildings.

If I had to translate it I would tender it ” Christian Community.” The Christian Community is one, a united group of all those, past and present, who put their faith in Christ.

The Christian Community is holy, that is, set apart from sin and consecrated to God. Through Christ, we are put in right standing with God. Now we just have to work out our salvation in our hearts, minds, and bodies.

The Christian Community is Catholic in the sense of being universal. It is everywhere and at all times. It is truly universal because it is spiritual.

The Christian Community is Apostolic in the sense of being rooted and grounded in the teachings of the apostles.

“And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life; who proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.”

The Holy Spirit is beyond all doubt the most mysterious member of the Trinity. Here we learn that the Holy Spirit is “the Lord and Giver of life.” That means that the Spirit is in charge of and is the Giver of eternal life.

“Who proceeds from the Father” is the original wording. The Pope added “and the Son.” The Eastern Orthodox say that only an ecumenical council can change what an ecumenical council created.

In the Episcopal Church we say “Who proceeds from the Father and the Son.” In my mind I interpret this to mean, “The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and [is sent by] the Son” (John 16:7).

“Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified” means that the Holy Spirit is God. This is the foundation of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. Each member of the Trinity is fully God, but at the same time, is distinct from one another.

“Who spoke by the prophets” indicates that the Holy Spirit is the source of Divine inspiration. God the Father works by the Son through the Holy Spirit.