BELIEVE
I Believe in the Holy Spirit, the Church, Forgiveness, Resurrection, and Life Everlasting
I believe in the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit gives life.
I believe in the holy Christian Church.
The Spirit makes us a people.
I believe in the forgiveness of sins.
We live by grace, and grace teaches us to forgive.
I believe in the resurrection of the body.
Death does not have the final word.
I believe in the life everlasting.
God is making all things new.
Acts 2
The Believers Form a Community
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.
44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Chief Protagonist:
The Holy Spirit
Four Things:
The Apostles' Teaching
→ Live the Story
Know the story. Be formed by it.
Fellowship
→ Life Together
Share the life. Don't follow Jesus alone.
Sharing Meals
→ Love First
Make room. Receive one another. Practice grace.
Prayer
→ All Three
Receive God's life and love so that we can live it together.
In the End...
I don't just believe the Spirit exists,
I believe the Spirit is active in and among the members of the Body of Christ (the church)...
offering forgiveness, restoration and redemption,
transforming hearts and creating unity amidst diversity,
reconciliation among those separated and at odds,
communion in the strife,
peace in the conflict,
hope in the face of hatred.
The Spirit is the source of courage and strength we need to love our neighbors and ourselves.
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day He rose again from the dead...
WHOOOOOOO!!!
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Questions to Consider:
- Where do you see the Spirit at work?
- Who are you sharing life with?
- Who do you need to forgive or ask for forgiveness?
- How can you participate more fully in the Church?
- How does resurrection hope change the way you live?
