we believe course notes
Post on 08-Apr-2018
224 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
8/7/2019 We Believe Course Notes
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/we-believe-course-notes 1/20
There is one b
ody and one
Spirit… one Lo
rd, one faith,
one baptism; one G
od and
Father of all, who is o
ver all
and through all and in a
ll.
Ephesians 4:4
-6
We Believe…
I
N
T
E
R
A
T
I
O
N
A
L
C
HU
R
C
H
O
F
PR
A
G
U
E
ST
U
D
Y
C
E
N
T
R
E
8/7/2019 We Believe Course Notes
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/we-believe-course-notes 2/20
8/7/2019 We Believe Course Notes
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/we-believe-course-notes 3/20
8/7/2019 We Believe Course Notes
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/we-believe-course-notes 4/20
8/7/2019 We Believe Course Notes
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/we-believe-course-notes 5/20
One GodWe believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of
all that is, seen and unseen.
Questions
1. What statements about God does thissentence make?
2. Why is each of them important to our
understanding of God and to our faith?
3. What verses might you use to give a biblical basis for these statements?
4. What other things about God might you want to state if you were asked to
describe the God you believe in?
We Believe…
3
This is the rule of our faith, the
foundation of the building, and
what gives support to our
behaviour.
God the Father uncreated , who is
uncontained, invisible, one God,
creator of the universe; this is the
first article of our faith.
Irenaeus (~130-202) quoted inThe Christian Theology Reader,
93
8/7/2019 We Believe Course Notes
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/we-believe-course-notes 6/20
One LordWe believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God,
Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
Questions1. What would you say is the main point of this
statement of belief?
2. What important Christian doctrine does this
bring to our attention?
The TrinityThe word ʻTrinityʼ means ʻa unity of threeʼ and, while it does not occur in the
Bible, sums up the Christian belief that the God who has revealed himself to us is
One God in Three Persons. This is stated in much more detail in one of the other
early Christian creeds, The Athanasian (which you will find at the end of this weekʼs
study notes). Belief in the Trinity is, therefore, a belief in One God (monotheism)
who exists in Three Persons. It is not a belief in three gods (polytheism) or a belief
in a ʻdividedʼ God. It is a belief that all Three Persons of the Trinity share in the
same ʻsubstanceʼ - the Divine Nature - but that they are distinct Persons. “The
divine essence is not divided into three: it is fully present in each of the Persons”1
.The diagram on the next page - which is an attempt to represent one of the central
statements of the Athanasian Creed, may help in understanding this.
One of the problems we face in describing and understanding this doctrine, is
that we do not have the words to do so. This is something which is beyond our
total comprehension. As Leonardo Boff says, “To say that God is Father, Son and
Holy Spirit is revelation; to say that God is “one substance and three Persons” is
theology, a human endeavour to fit the revelation of God within the limits of
reason.2”
We Believe…
4
1 In Understanding Be Men , 54
2 Quoted in The Christian Theology Reader, 121
Christ Jesus, who, being in very
nature God, did not consider
equality with God something to be
grasped, but made himself
nothing, taking the very nature of
a servant, being made in human
likeness. And being found in
appearance as a man, he
humbled himself and became
obedient to death even death on
a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the
highest place and gave him the
name that is above every name,that at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, in heaven and
on earth and under the earth, and
every tongue confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God
the Father.
Philippians 2:5-11
8/7/2019 We Believe Course Notes
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/we-believe-course-notes 7/20
Many i l lustrations
have been used: water
as liquid, ice and steam;
the three leaves of a
s h a m r o c k e t c .
However, we must becareful with any picture
we use that we do not
try to push it too far.
Best to stick with what
we do know and accept
that the intricacies of the
relationships between
Father, Son and Spirit
a r e b e y o n d o u r
understanding.
Biblical BasisThe statement in the
Nicene Creed that we
are looking at today,
though, concentrates on Jesus, so we will leave the general discussion of the
Trinity to concentrate on the biblical basis for our belief that Jesus is fully God. The
question of his humanity is one we will consider next week.
1. Read John 1:1-14a. What does this tell you about Jesus?
b. What do you think John means by using ʻThe Wordʼ as a title?
2. Read Colossians 1:15-20.
a. What is Paulʼs main point here?
b. How does he describe the relationship between the Son and God?
c. In verses 19-20, what does Paul say is the result of Godʼs pleasure in
having “all his fulness dwell in” the Son?
We Believe…
5
IS NOT
I S N O T
IS NOT
GOD
SONFATHER
I S IS
SPIRIT
IS
8/7/2019 We Believe Course Notes
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/we-believe-course-notes 8/20
3. Read Hebrews 1:1-6
a. How does the writer describe the Son?
b. How does he contrast the Son with what has gone before?
4. Why do you think it is important to our faith the Jesus is truly and fully God?
Assignment1. Does Jesus say anything about the Trinity? If so, what?
2. What other verses in the New Testament might you use to show the deity of
Jesus?
3. Are there any clues in the Old Testament which point towards a plurality in the
Godhead? If so, what are they?
We Believe…
6
8/7/2019 We Believe Course Notes
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/we-believe-course-notes 9/20
The Athanasian CreedThat we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity;
Neither confounding the Persons; nor dividing the Essence.
For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy
Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one;
the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal.
Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost.
The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated.
The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited.
The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal.
And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal.
As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and
one infinite.
So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty.
And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty.
So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God.
And yet they are not three Gods; but one God.
So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord.
And yet not three Lords; but one Lord.
For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity; to acknowledge every Person
by himself to be God and Lord; So are we forbidden by the Catholic Religion; to
say, There are three Gods, or three Lords.
The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten.
The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten.
The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor
begotten; but proceeding.
So there is one Father, not three Fathers;
one Son, not three Sons;
one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts.
And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than
another. But the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal.
So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be
worshipped. He therefore that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity.
We Believe…
7
8/7/2019 We Believe Course Notes
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/we-believe-course-notes 10/20
One SaviourFor us and for our salvation he came down
from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit
and the Virgin Mary and was made man.
Questions1. What would you say is the main point of this
statement of belief?
2. Why do you think this is important?
The Person of ChristThe next statement in the Nicene Creed
continues with one of the great mysteries of the
Christian faith: the nature of Christ.
Last week, we saw how Jesus is described as being fully God. This week we
see how he is also fully human. Both of these truths have to be held to have a true
and complete picture of who Jesus is. When writing about the truth of the deity of
Jesus, Bruce Milne says, “Here we arrive at the staggering truth which lies at the
heart of the Christian religion.”3 As with the deity of Christ, there has been much
discussion concerning his humanity and what this actually means. The traditional
understanding says that in the person of Jesus there were two natures, the divine
and the human, which were distinct but inseparable. Both natures preserved what
was true to that nature and the two natures were not in any way mingled together
but are in union. This classic formulation is to be found in the statement from the
council at Chalcedon in 415 which you will find at the end of this weekʼs notes.Various heresies concerning Jesus have arisen down the ages and they usually
find their root in an emphasis, or disregard, of one or other of the two natures. So,
some will say that while Jesus was God, he was not truly human. Others, that
while he was human, he was not truly God (The Jehovahʼs Witnesses fall into this
second category). The biblical position demands that we accept both truths.
We Believe…
8
3 Know The Truth , 128
But when the time had fully come,
God sent his Son, born of a
woman, born under law, to
redeem those under law, that we
might receive the full rights of
sons.
Galatians 4:4-5
Beyond all question, the mystery
of godliness is great:
He appeared in a body,
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.
1 Timothy 3:16
8/7/2019 We Believe Course Notes
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/we-believe-course-notes 11/20
8/7/2019 We Believe Course Notes
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/we-believe-course-notes 12/20
Discussion1. Why do you think the Nicene Creed starts off this section about the incarnation
by talking about salvation?
Assignment1. How would you explain the nature of Jesus to someone who is not a believer?
2. Are there any other aspects of this doctrine which are important in our
understanding of the faith we profess?
3. Read John 10:22-38 and explain what this says about the person of Jesus.
Chalcedon Statement on Christʼs NatureFollowing the holy Fathers we teach with one voice that the Son [of God] and our
Lord Jesus Christ is to be confessed as one and the same [Person], that he is
perfect in Godhead and perfect in manhood, very God and very man, of a
reasonable soul and [human] body consisting, consubstantial with the Father as
touching his Godhead, and consubstantial with us as touching his manhood; made
in all things like unto us, sin only excepted; begotten of his Father before the worlds
according to his Godhead; but in these last days for us men and for our salvation
born [into the world] of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God according to his
manhood. This one and the same Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son [of God]
must be confessed to be in two natures, unconfusedly, immutably, indivisibly,
inseparably [united], and that without the distinction of natures being taken away bysuch union, but rather the peculiar property of each nature being preserved and
being united in one Person and subsistence, not separated or divided into two
persons, but one and the same Son and only-begotten, God the Word, our Lord
Jesus Christ, as the Prophets of old time have spoken concerning him, and as the
Lord Jesus Christ hath taught us, and as the Creed of the Fathers hath delivered to
us.
We Believe…
10
8/7/2019 We Believe Course Notes
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/we-believe-course-notes 13/20
One JudgeFor our sake he was crucified under Pontius
Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance
with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living
and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
Questions1. What are the main historical events that this
section mentions and why are they
important?
2. What main events that are still in the future are mentioned and what do you
understand by them?
Past Realities and Future HopeThis section of the Nicene Creed looks both backwards to what has already
happened and forwards to what will happen. The events mentioned occur both on
earth and in heaven; some we can verify historically, some we rely upon revelation
and faith.
This is not the place to go into the evidence for the death and resurrection of
Jesus but any good book on apologetics will discuss the issue in detail4. As Josh
McDowell says, “After more than 700 hours of studying this subject, I have come to
the conclusion that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is either one of the most wicked,vicious, heartless hoaxes ever foisted on the minds of human beings--or it is the
most remarkable fact of history.”5
As christians, we often seem to stop at the resurrection almost as though we
think that the story ended there. Of course, it doesnʼt; it continues on to the
ascension (what someone has called “the forgotten celebration”) through to Christ ʼs
glorification and on into the future with his return as both King and Judge.
We Believe…
11
4 Even though it was written in 1930, one of the best books on the subject is still Who Moved the Stone? ByF. Morrison.
5 http://www.leaderu.com/everystudent/easter/articles/josh2.html
In my vision at night I looked, and
there before me was one like a
son of man, coming with the
clouds of heaven. He approached
the Ancient of Days and was led
into his presence. He was given
authority, glory and sovereign
power; all peoples, nations and
m e n o f e v e r y l a n g u a g e
worshipped him. His dominion is
an everlasting dominion that will
not pass away, and his kingdom is
one that will never be destroyed.
Daniel 7:13-14
8/7/2019 We Believe Course Notes
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/we-believe-course-notes 14/20
Questions1. Why is the resurrection fundamental to our faith?
a. Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. What do you understand by these verses?
2. Read Acts 1:6-11.
a. What happens in these verses?
b. What are the important things do we learn about Jesus?
3. Read Philippians 2:9-11
a. What do we learn about what has happened to Jesus?
b. What do we learn will happen in the future?
4. Read Acts 17:29-31?a. Who is “the man he has appointed” (:31)?
b. What will this man do?
c. What do you understand by judgment?
5. Read Revelation 20:11-15.
a. What is happening here, and to whom?
6. Read 2 Corinthians 5:6-10. What is happening here?
We Believe…
12
8/7/2019 We Believe Course Notes
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/we-believe-course-notes 15/20
Discussion1. Why do you think believing in the return of Jesus is so important?
Assignment1. What biblical passages are there which speak of the return of Jesus?
2. What effect should the reality of Jesusʼ return have on your life?
We Believe…
13
8/7/2019 We Believe Course Notes
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/we-believe-course-notes 16/20
8/7/2019 We Believe Course Notes
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/we-believe-course-notes 17/20
5. Read Acts 5:3 and Ephesians 4:30.
a. How do these show us that the Holy
Spirit is a person not a force?
6. What titles can you think of that are given to
the Holy Spirit?
7. Read Genesis 2:7 and John3:5-8
a. How are these verses linked?
b. What do they tell you about the role ofthe Spirit?
The Spirit in the Life of the Believer
Discussion
1. Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.
a. What are we told about spiritual gifts?
2. Read Galatians 5:22-26.
a. What does this tell us about how the Spirit works in our lives?
We Believe…
15
The Holy Spirit is the third divine
person of the eternal Godhead,
co-equal, co-eternal and co-
existent with the Father and the
Son. It is His ministry to convict
and convert man as well as to
reveal the Son and the Father to
th e be l i ev er . S i nc e th e
glorification of the Lord Jesus
Christ, the Holy Spirit in all His
glorious operations is working
through all who believe on the
Father through the Son.
The Foundations of Christian
Doctrine, 71
8/7/2019 We Believe Course Notes
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/we-believe-course-notes 18/20
One ChurchWe believe in one holy catholic and apostolic
Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the
forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and
the life of the world to come.
The Final StatementsIn this, our final session, we look at the last
three statements in the Nicene Creed which
cover the church, baptism and the future. The
first statement directly concerns the church,
while the second tackles on the the main
sacraments of the church. The third statementbrings us back to some of our discussion from
week four.
It may, at first sight, seem strange that belief in the church is in the Nicene Creed
- especially if we come from a very ʻlowʼ church background. However, it is clear
from the Bible that the people of God are not just a group of individuals; we are
saved into community, and that community is the Church. As Bruce Milne puts it,
“Scripture then knows nothing of solitary religion. No-one can be reconciled to God
without being reconciled to the people of God among whom his experience of grace
immediately sets him. Thus soteriology (the doctrine of salvation ) is indissolubly
bound up with ecclesiology (the doctrine of the church ).”6
In the New Testament, the church is given a number of titles, the Nicene Creed
doesnʼt look at these but mentions four important general truths we need to hold on
to.
Discussion1. What are the four truths about the church that are mentioned in the first
statement above?
2. What do you understand by each of these words?
a. One
b. Holy
We Believe…
16
6 Know the Truth , 209 -210
If anyone wishes to be saved, let
them come to this house [the
Church], just as they once came
to that of the prostitute [Rahab]. If
anyone of that people wished to
be saved, they could come to that
house, and they could have
salvation as a result. Let them
come to this house where the
blood of Christ is a sign of
redemption.
Origen (~185-~254) quoted in The
Christian Theology Reader, 260
8/7/2019 We Believe Course Notes
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/we-believe-course-notes 19/20
c. Catholic
d. Apostolic
Baptism1. What does the Nicene Creed tell us about
baptism? And what does this mean?
Baptism is one of the two sacraments, or
ordinances, that most Protestant and Reformed
churches accept and practise; the second beingcommunion. A sacrament is, according to the
Church of England catechism, “An outward and
visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.” In
his book, Bruce Milne describes baptism in four ways7:
1. A confession of faith in Christ (Romans 6:3-4; Acts 8:37).
2. An experience of communion with Christ (Colossians 2:12).
3. A consecration to living for Christ (Romans 6:4-22).
4. A promise of consummation through Christ (Romans 6:22).
It is the second of these meanings that the Nicene Creed refers to more than anyof the others.
ConclusionWe have seen that while the Nicene Creed does not tackle every area of belief
associated with the Christian faith, it does remind us of the important fundamentals
of our faith. Our prayer is that this course will have not only equipped you with
knowledge but also encouraged you to a deeper relationship with the God we
serve.
We Believe…
17
7 Know the Truth , 232-233
What shall we say, then? Shall we
go on sinning, so that grace may
increase? By no means! We died
to sin; how can we live in it any
longer? Or don't you know that all
of us who were baptised into
Christ Jesus were baptised into
his death? We were therefore
buried with him through baptism
into death in order that, just as
Christ was raised from the dead
through the glory of the Father, we
too may live a new life.
Romans 6:1-4
8/7/2019 We Believe Course Notes
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/we-believe-course-notes 20/20
Study CentreInternational Church of PragueBox 91, ℅ IBTS, Nad Habrovkou 3
Jenerálka, 164 00 Praha 6studycentreicp@googlemail.com
(420) 296 392 338www icpstudycentre cz
top related