The Rev. Dr. Hugh H. Morgan, Editor, Founder Hugh's News, Inc. I would like to suggest that our IPHC pastors consider from time to time in leading their congregations in repeating in unison the Apostles' Creed. It will capture their hearts.
Pastors are teachers and their congregations should not be ignorant or unaware of this historic creed that millions of Christians have repeated down through the centuries. It is a powerful statement of faith that was often spoken by the growing churches of the early church.
It is good to have such a concise theological statement based on the Word of God that we can say from memory. As an Air Force chaplain we repeated it every week in our Protestant Chapel Services. I am not saying we should do it every week, but it is a powerful way to affirm our faith. Pastors will do well to seek the Lord for the order of worship and allow the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to inform and guide him. He is the leader of worship.
Notice the words "holy catholic church" are not capitalized or in upper case. This statement of faith is not referring to the Roman Catholic Church, but to the church universal of which we are a part.
Now, let us read this statement of faith, The Apostles' out loud:
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; which (Who) was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell [that is, the place of the departed righteous]; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven; and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic [universal] church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and life everlasting. Amen.
You will find the Apostles' Creed in our IPHC Manual. You can access our church beliefs, articles of faith, and much more on the website of Hugh's News, www.hughsnews.com.
Pastors are teachers and their congregations should not be ignorant or unaware of this historic creed that millions of Christians have repeated down through the centuries. It is a powerful statement of faith that was often spoken by the growing churches of the early church.
It is good to have such a concise theological statement based on the Word of God that we can say from memory. As an Air Force chaplain we repeated it every week in our Protestant Chapel Services. I am not saying we should do it every week, but it is a powerful way to affirm our faith. Pastors will do well to seek the Lord for the order of worship and allow the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to inform and guide him. He is the leader of worship.
Notice the words "holy catholic church" are not capitalized or in upper case. This statement of faith is not referring to the Roman Catholic Church, but to the church universal of which we are a part.
Now, let us read this statement of faith, The Apostles' out loud:
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; which (Who) was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell [that is, the place of the departed righteous]; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven; and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic [universal] church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and life everlasting. Amen.
You will find the Apostles' Creed in our IPHC Manual. You can access our church beliefs, articles of faith, and much more on the website of Hugh's News, www.hughsnews.com.