Our February Prayer: The Apostles Creed

Our February prayer is called The Apostles’ Creed, and is said during Mass. It is basically a statement of what Catholic Christians believe. There are versions used by other Christian denominations too. This prayer has been said since the fourth century and though not actually written by the twelve apostles, every line of it was taught by the apostles and earliest disciples of Jesus…

1. God is not only our powerful Creator but is also our caring Father…

The first article gives us confidence in the power of God because all creatures are dependent on him for existence. It also gives us confidence in the love of God: no creature can separate us from our faithful Father.

2. Jesus Christ is our Lord…

The second article reminds us that we are not our own but belong to Jesus who has made us his own. “My Lord and my God!” Christ’s reign saves us from evil. We are not our own and belong to Jesus.

3. Jesus was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit through Mary…

This third article is important because Jesus’ innocence from conception to the end of his life is what covers all of our sins. Since lived his whole life, from conception to death, without sin, and is able to redeem us.

4. Jesus suffered, was crucified by the Romans in the first century, and died…

In this fourth article, we remember that Jesus lived the perfect life and died in order to save us. In addition, we are reminded that the Christian faith is a historic faith; Jesus lived and died at the same time that Pontius Pilate was a Roman Governor in Israel. This is not myth or fairytale, Christianity is a faith founded on facts.

5. Jesus rose from the dead…

This fifth article teaches us that by his resurrection Jesus overcame death. His resurrection from the dead is a pledge to us that we too will be raised from the dead as he was.

6. Jesus ascended into heaven and is exalted…

In this sixth article, we remember that Jesus is our Advocate in Heaven, pleading on our behalf. When He ascended, Jesus also poured out his Spirit upon us.

7. Jesus will return in judgment…

This seventh article is an especially great comfort to those who are suffering and who face persecution. We affirm that Jesus will come to make right every wrong. All of His people will then have everlasting joy and life.

8. The Holy Spirit is a person of the Holy Trinity…

The eighth article reminds us that the Holy Spirit is part of the Holy Trinity along with God the Son and God the Father. We can take comfort from the fact that the Holy Spirit unites us to Jesus Christ in Heaven.

9. The church is universal…

This ninth article reminds us that since the beginning of time, God has always gathered, defended, and preserved for himself his church. It spans across all ages and it is in this church that all Christians belong.

10. There is a fellowship of Christians across all times and places…

The tenth article relates to the communion of saints. We belong to Jesus Christ as well as one another. Since we belong to one another, we should be kind, tolerant, welcoming and willing to share with those in need.

11. Our sins are truly and really forgiven in Christ…

The eleventh article reminds us that because of what Jesus has done for us in his life, death, resurrection, and ascension, God forgives those who love Him and will no longer remember their sins.

12. Our bodies will be resurrected. Heaven is real…

The twelfth article reminds about our own bodily resurrection. We tend to think of the spiritual life as exclusively soul-related, but it also includes the body. Heaven is real, and we will be with God.

I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
He descended into hell;
on the third day He rose again from the dead;

He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;

From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.

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