I Believe in Jesus Christ
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
-Colossians 1:15-20
This week we will dive into The Nicene Creed, written in the 4th Century somewhere in the Middle East.
Theologian: Athanasius
Historical Context: Unifying Constantine’s Empire
Contrasting View: Arians – denying the divinity of Christ
Central Doctrine: The Person of Jesus Christ & the reality of the Holy Spirit
The Emperor Constantine, having made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire, wanted doctrinal agreement within the Church in order to strengthen the power of the Church as a unifying institution within the empire. This creed is the most ecumenical of all the creeds. It was intended by the emperor Constantine to unite the entire Christian Church around a definitive statement regarding the person and saving work of Jesus Christ. Put simply, some teachers in the early centuries were skeptical regarding Jesus’ divinity, others questioned his true humanity. The creed attempted to state beyond contradiction that Jesus was wholly divine in nature (John 1:1), as well as a person who suffered and died as a true man (Luke 22:39-44).
The idea of Jesus being both God and man was not an easy idea for the early church to accept. It still stands as an obstacle to faith for some people. But when we have a personal encounter with the risen Lord Jesus, we are forever changed. May our lives draw others to a personal encounter with Jesus today.
Holy God, we must confess that we are led off your way into paths marked by our distorted passions: greed, lust, and our hunger for power. We confess that once we follow our passions, it is easier to continue down these treacherous paths rather than returning to you once again. Give us the strength to turn back to your Way. Transform us once again by your saving grace that we might pursue your Son our Lord with all our heart, mind and soul, and so be renewed into the fullness of life that you have promised us. We pray this in Jesus name, Amen.
