EP. 12: Belief Anchored in Creed

“On the twelfth day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me

Twelve drummers drumming…”

Have you ever thought, why Twelve Days? Why Twelve Drummers Drumming? Each line signifies a deeper meaning to a Christian story. For the last day, we are presented with Twelve Drummers Drumming as the 12 points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed. 

An Apostle is defined as an important evangelist during the earlier times. Its creed summarizes the church’s teachings categorized into three parts—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. 

God the Father

“I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.” This foundational statement affirms the existence of one true God, the source of all creation, possessing power and authority.

God the Son

“I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.” acknowledges Jesus as the unique Son of God, both fully divine and fully human, the central figure of the Christian faith. 

“He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.” accentuates the miraculous nature of Jesus' birth, focusing on divine intervention.

“He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.” Fourthly, the Apostle’s creed also features His suffering under Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judaea. Jesus was crucified, died, and buried. This acknowledges the historical reality of Jesus' suffering and death, a pivotal event in Christian theology.

“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.” This declares the resurrection of Jesus as a historical fact, signifying his triumph over death and the promise of eternal life for believers.

“He will come again to judge the living and the dead.” This proclaims the future return of Christ to judge the living and the deceased, a central tenet of Christian eschatology.

God the Holy Spirit

“I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen” Lastly, this section explains the central doctrines related to the holy spirit and the ultimate destiny of the believers. 

The Apostle’s Creed, with its twelve points of doctrine, serves as a cornerstone of Christian faith, encapsulating the essence of what believers hold to be true. But what does it mean to believe in these teachings? Belief, at its core, is an act of trust, a confident acceptance of something as true. For Christians, this belief finds its anchor in these foundational doctrines. It’s not merely an intellectual exercise; it’s an emotional and spiritual force that shapes our reality. When we believe in something greater than ourselves, we find meaning and purpose in life. Belief itself is a symbol of hope, even in the face of adversity. So, believe. Believe in God, believe in others, and believe in the possibility of a better tomorrow.