As a Christian, I get asked sometimes, by unbelievers, what I believe and WHY I believe it! I think sometimes, some of them want a simple one or two sentence answer. I can't give them that. I could go ON AND ON about what I believe and why.
Usually I stumble around trying to find the "right" words and end up saying something along the lines of "I believe God created everything. I believe He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die for my sins so that I may have eternal life with Him. I believe all this because it comes from God's Word, The Bible. I believe the Bible because I have FAITH! Faith that my God is coming for me one day because I chose to accept His son as my savior."
But see, just saying those words isn't enough for me. I want to go on and on about what all God has done for me, people around me... seriously could go ON AND ON!
My mom sent me something in the mail this week that I knew immediately I wanted to share with you! It really simplified it for me and I plan to make copies and keep them in my purse. And if I am asked I plan to just hand them one. It breaks down EXACTLY what I believe. Of course there's much more to my faith but this really is the core of my heart and my faith and what I believe to be true.
It is called the Nicene Creed. I encourage you to click on the link if you want more information about where it came from, etc. Now, I attend a Baptist Church but I am a first and foremost a Christian. Believer of Jesus Christ. This creed makes my heart beat faster. Makes my eyes tear up. Makes me draw closer to God. It is powerful and it is true!
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.
We 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,
one in Being with the Father. Through Him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
By the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of 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.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father
(and the Son) Who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.
Who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy universal 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. Amen.