In Jesus Christ
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: John 10:22–39
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
From the Confessions: The Apostles Creed
“And in Jesus Christ”
Pulling It Together
The conjunction “and” is important. It is not used for word flow alone; nor is it used as merely an “also,” as if to say: Additionally, we believe in Jesus Christ. It is an intensifier. We believe in God—the Father who is God, and the Son who is God, and the Spirit who is God. We do not believe in the Father alone as God; for his Son and Spirit are God with him. They are God, and they are one.
This is why Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). Those who heard Jesus make this statement knew exactly what he meant. It made them furious enough to try to stone him to death, since he was saying that he was God. When we say that we believe in Jesus Christ, we are first saying we believe him to be God.
“Jesus” means “savior”; “Christ” means “anointed one.” The name Jesus Christ conveys the unity whom he is: anointed savior, or chosen savior. He is the chosen one, the Anointed One of God. Jesus of Nazareth, a man, is the prophesied Messiah (the Greek Christos means Messiah). So, in the creed, we profess that it is God himself who saves us from sin and death, and our confession is that Jesus is this saving Messiah and therefore, God.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for keeping your promise to save me. Amen
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Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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