The Apostolic Creed: Why Should We Teach It?

            It is a disturbing trend that children in many American churches today are more likely to be called upon to recite the Pledge of Allegiance than the Apostolic Creed (or Apostles’ Creed).

            I believe such a creed is very apropos to learn today, though children’s ministers and pastors may choose to make slight modifications to the creed or to further explain certain parts of the creed to improve their understanding.

I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:

            Children learn here two truths about God the Father—He is Almighty God and the Creator of Everything.

And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:

            “Holy Ghost” may be more accurately rendered “Holy Spirit”, here.

Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:

            Here, churches may prefer to directly quote from Ephesians 4:9: “He descended to the lower regions, namely, the Earth.”

The third day he rose again from the dead:

            Emphasize this. Too often, children are told Jesus died for their sins—but His resurrection is not always emphasized (and in some cases, it is not even taught to children!)

He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:

From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:

            “Thence” means “from there” or “from that place”. You may choose to explain that Jesus will come down from heaven once more.

            “The quick and the dead” is an idiom meaning “the living and the dead”.

I believe in the Holy Ghost:

            Again, “Holy Spirit” can be used.

I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints:

            Some protestant churches may balk at “catholic’; the word here does not refer to the Roman Catholic Church, but to the universal church—all Christ-followers in all denominations.

The forgiveness of sins:

The resurrection of the body:

And the life everlasting. Amen.

            If our children come out of our children’s ministry articulating, understanding and believing the information in this creed, they will have a more solid faith than previous generations who did not.

            The time to disciple children into becoming a more biblically and theologically rooted generation is now. Let’s make the most of every opportunity the Lord gives us.