Timeless Truths. Things Worth Believing
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe[b] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20: 24-31
This post and the two Timeless Truths posts that follow highlight portions of the Apostle's Creed.
The Apostle's Creed is the earliest attempt by the church to codify beliefs.
This is an "all or none" statement. It is not a cafeteria of choice you can choose or ignore.
The creed begins with "I believe..." for a reason.
"Doubting Thomas"
In the Scripture that opens this post. you read that all the disciples except Thomas had seen Jesus prior to this occasion AND prior to their belief in the resurrection.
Everyone has moments when they must see to believe. Sometimes what we keep what we want to believe in in behind a locked door. Thomas was at that point regarding the resurrection.
Abraham struggled with what he believed. Noah, Moses, Gideon, Jeremiah, Mary, had moments that challenged their beliefs. You have moments that challenge yourbeliefs.
For the record, the doubter's influence ended up going to the ends of the Earth. There are over millions of Christians in India known as Saint Thomas Christians who trace the origin of their group back to this disciple's influence in Syria.
I believe...
The Creed is a statement of trust.
Everyone trusts something. The Creed lists things Christians trust.
Trust says, "I can depend on these things because they are true."
When Thomas sees Jesus, his trust kicks in.
That's why you need to know what you believe because...
The Apostle's Creed is the earliest attempt by the church to codify beliefs.
- There were several changes until the 7th Century.
- Christians used it extensively at baptisms.
- It tells Christians What and Who defines us.
- It reminds us of history and predecessors.
- It defines true values that shape and form us by showing how the church/Scripture/God combine in the formation of our beliefs.
This is an "all or none" statement. It is not a cafeteria of choice you can choose or ignore.
The creed begins with "I believe..." for a reason.
"Doubting Thomas"
In the Scripture that opens this post. you read that all the disciples except Thomas had seen Jesus prior to this occasion AND prior to their belief in the resurrection.
Everyone has moments when they must see to believe. Sometimes what we keep what we want to believe in in behind a locked door. Thomas was at that point regarding the resurrection.
Abraham struggled with what he believed. Noah, Moses, Gideon, Jeremiah, Mary, had moments that challenged their beliefs. You have moments that challenge your
For the record, the doubter's influence ended up going to the ends of the Earth. There are over millions of Christians in India known as Saint Thomas Christians who trace the origin of their group back to this disciple's influence in Syria.
I believe...
The Creed is a statement of trust.
Everyone trusts something. The Creed lists things Christians trust.
Trust says, "I can depend on these things because they are true."
When Thomas sees Jesus, his trust kicks in.
Real trust happens when life is bad.
That's why you need to know what you believe because...
what you believe changes the way you live!
Thanks to Dr. Scott Peterson for the primary teaching in this blog.
The next Timeless Truth: What Christians Belive about Jesus
The next Timeless Truth: What Christians Belive about Jesus
I'd appreciate your feedback on Blogger!
Comments
Post a Comment