THE CREED

The First Article


I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.


What does this mean?

I believe that God has created me and all that exists. God has given me and still preserves my body and soul with all their powers. God provides me with food and clothing, home and family, daily work, and all I need from day to day. God also walks with me in times of danger and guards me from every evil path. God does out of loving and divine goodness and mercy, though I do not always deserve it. Therefore I am called to continually offer thanks and praise and service to God and God’s creation. This is most certainly true.

The Second Article

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.

What does this mean?

I believe that Jesus Christ—true Son of God from all eternity, and true man, born of the Virgin Mary—is my Lord. At great cost he has saved and redeemed me, a lost and doomed person. Jesus has freed me from the power of sin, death, and the devil—not with the riches of this world, but with his precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death. All this Christ has done that I may have the honor to be called a child of God, live with Christ in the Kingdom here and in the Kingdom to come, and live a life of service and everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. I know that for me and for all humanity Christ is risen from the dead and lives and rules eternally. This is most certainly true.

The Third Article


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?

I believe that I all I have is a gift from God and that I cannot even by my own understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him. But through the grace of God the Holy Spirit has called, and continues to call me through the Gospel, enlighten me with grace gifts, and sanctifies me daily and keeps me in a life of faith. In the same way, the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies all creation and the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it united with Jesus Christ in faith. In this Christian church day after day the Holy Spirit fully forgives my sins and the sins of all. On the last day the Holy Spirit will raise me and all the dead and give us the grace gift of eternal life in Christ. This is most certainly true.