Explanation of the Creed – 9
Explanation of the Creed – 9
The Creed speaks about each of the three Persons of the Holy Trinity. Then it speaks about the Church, which conveys this faith to the people and establishes them in it. It mentions that it is one, holy, and then catholic:
That is, it gathers everyone. All local churches are not separate islands in the wide ocean of the world, but all together form one Church that unites them — uniting Jews and Gentiles, all races and peoples.
This catholic Church appeared clearly in the ecumenical councils, which included bishops from every diocese in the whole world. In these councils, the catholic Church spoke one teaching for all.
Apostolic:
That is, it was founded by the Apostles and is built upon their teaching.
Our fathers, the Apostles, received from the Lord Jesus Himself and discipled all nations, not with their own words, but with the words of Christ, who said to them: “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20).
The foundation of the Church upon the teaching and preaching of the Apostles is a biblical teaching supported by the Apostle’s saying: “Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20).
The Apostles’ reception from Christ and their delivery to the people is evident from what Saint Paul the Apostle said: “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you…” (1 Corinthians 11:23).
Thus, the teaching of the Apostles is divine teaching, which they delivered to the generations.
Saint Paul, for example, received from the Lord and from the Apostles, and he delivered to Timothy, saying to him: “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).
This apostolic transmission was called Tradition, or Apostolic Tradition.
The apostolic nature of the Church indicates her antiquity and her genuine sources. It shows that the priesthood within her is continuous from Christ to the Apostles, to the early Fathers, and to this day — the same holy breath and the laying on of hands. This gives believers confidence and assurance.
Newly formed churches are supposed to take their legitimacy from an ancient Apostolic Church and not be man-made.
Even the Apostle Paul himself, though called directly by Christ, both he and Barnabas were sent by the Holy Spirit to the Apostles: “Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away” (Acts 13:2–3).
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