The Mystic Way

“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.

“And He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.”

Jesus will return to the earth “to judge the living and the dead.” No other information is given about this event. End time ideas are left open.

I was at once asked if I am pre-tribulation or post-tribulation, I said I believe in the pan theory. It’ll all pan out because God is in charge of it. No need to speculate, just make sure you’re right with God.

“Whose kingdom shall have no end” means that there will not be another rebellion. Once Jesus returns, evil will come to a permanent end.

“And on the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father.”

This taken directly from the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:4, “he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures.”

The must important event was the resurrection. It indicated the Jesus was successful. He redeemed humanity and bet the devil. There is some debated about whether his resurrection was a physical one or a spiritual one. The Creed does not answer this.

He “ascended into heaven” means that Jesus was no longer bodily with us. He could still appear, as he did with Paul, but not like before. Jesus is in heaven

And Jesus now “sits at the right hand of the Father.” This means that he is the right-hand man for God. He is administrating the Kingdom of God on earth.

“And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried.”

The Creed is clear that Jesus was crucified, suffered, died, and buried. But by buried they mean put in sepulcher. For burial was not like modern day burial where we put them in a hole in the ground.

When Jesus died is laid out by the phrase “under Pontius Pilate.” This seems very important.

It might be good to mention that the Creed gives us no theory of the atonement, and so none required. They all agreed that Jesus died for our sins, but what that meant was open.