COMMONWEALTH

Each week, Christians around the world affirm their faith together by reciting the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Athanasian Creed, or other statements drawn from Scripture and tradition. Some may view these recitations as merely a mindless ritual—a way to fill time with religious words.

But that is not what is happening when we affirm our faith together.

A community that recites creeds joins its voice with Christians across all times and places. When we speak the creeds, we join those who lived 1,500 years ago, and those who will live 1,500 years from now (unless Christ returns sooner). We join our voices with Christians in our own denomination and with those in different traditions. We join our voices with people in our country and across the globe, with brothers and sisters of every race, ethnicity, and social background. To confess a creed is to confess unity with all believers in Christ.

The creeds also remind us of God’s saving work, His nature, and His character. They root us in a faith that is larger than our individual understanding. They remind us of the past—not to dwell there, but so that our future may be filled with faithfulness, obedience, and trust in God.

The creeds do not allow us to forget the past; rather, they anchor us in the foundation of our faith, Jesus Christ. Through them, we are called to be one in His name and to love one another.

Prayer:
Mighty God, You have made Your presence known among Your people in Jesus Christ. You have called us into a community that stretches across time and eternity. We are not the creators of faith, only recipients of Your gift and grace. Strengthen us each day with reminders of Your love, and help us to be one despite our differences. Teach us to worship You with intention, fully engaged, and to be guided and taught by Your Holy Spirit. Amen.