What is Creed:
Creed comes from the Latin Credo “I Believe”
the first word of the Apostles Creed.
It is an agreed official summary of religious belief.
Creeds are a brief formula that make it possible
for believers to make a common profession.
Judaism:
In Judaism it is called statement of Faith.
“Shema Israeli”
This statement of Faith is recited twice a day.
First in the morning and last thing at night.
Islam:
In Islam it’s called declaration of Faith. “Shahada”
The Shahada or declaration of faith,
is the central doctrine of Islam.
What is our Creed:
A formula to recall the Good News
of the Apostolic Preaching.
In the time of Jesus and the Apostles there were very few people who could read and write.
The message of Jesus and the experience of the Resurrection was passed on verbally to Jesus’s followers.
There were some who did not know Jesus or the Apostles and were teaching a confused message to the people.
The leaders of the Church came together at what is called a council.
They agreed an official summary for all the believers to help them remember the message.
This summary was called ‘The Apostles Creed.
How is it used:
A way to inform and instruct converts to Christianity.
The Church gives great importance
to definite sentences in the Creed.
These words achieved painstakingly over the years.
This was to protect the message of Christ
been misunderstood or falsified.
How is it used:
Used to educate those who had been Baptized as babies.
In the Early Church, you were only Baptized
as an adult after a long preparation.
Part of this preparation was too able to recite and understand the Creed. Later, the Church gave Baptism to the children of its members.
With the understanding that the parents with the help of guarantors, God parents,
would pass on the instructions of Faith.
Until the Candidate was old enough to speak for them self.
How is it used:
For the unity of the Church.
The Creed is very important when the Church’s Faith
has to be translated into different cultures
while preserving its essentials.
Because a common Faith
is the foundation for Church unity.
