The Apostles’ Creed, Article I
“I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth”
Part II: Believing in Christ • Questions 36-47
Question 36: Who is God?
God is one divine Being eternally existing in three divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is the Holy Trinity.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4–7; Psalm 86:8–10; Isaiah 44:6–8; Matthew 3:16–17; 28:19; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14
Question 37: What does Holy Scripture tell us about the character of God?
God is both loving and holy. God mercifully redeems fallen creation, while righteously opposing all sin and evil. The Lord Jesus Christ is the fullest revelation of God’s holy love.
Scripture: Exodus 34:6–7; Psalm 145; John 1:14–18; 14:9–10; Romans 5:6–11; Hebrews 1:1–3
“The Father Almighty”
Question 38: Who is God the Father?
God the Father is the first Person of the Holy Trinity, from whom the Son is eternally begotten and the Holy Spirit eternally proceeds.
Scripture: Psalm 104; John 1:1, 14; 15:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10–16; 1 Peter 1:10–12; Nicene Creed
Question 39: Why do you call the first of the three divine Persons “Father”?
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only divine Son of the Father. He called God “Father” and taught his disciples to do the same. God gives believers his Holy Spirit and adopts us as his children, enabling us to call him “Father.”
Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:4–9; Psalm 2; Matthew 6:6–9; John 5:17–23; Galatians 4:1–7
Question 40: What do you mean when you call God “Father”?
When I call God “Father,” I declare that I was created for relationship with him, that I trust in God as my Protector and Provider, and that I put my hope in God as his child and heir in Christ.
Scripture: Genesis 1:26–27; Psalms 68:4–6; 103:13–14; Matthew 6:25–34; Romans 8:17–21
Question 41: Why do you call God the Father “Almighty”?
I call the Father “Almighty” because he has power over everything and accomplishes everything he wills. Together with his Son and Holy Spirit, the Father is all-knowing and ever present in every place.
Scripture: Psalm 139:1–16; Isaiah 40:12–26; Daniel 4:34b–37; Luke 1:34–37; Revelation 4:8b–11
“Creator of Heaven and Earth”
Question 42: Why do you call God the Father “Creator”?
I call God the Father “Creator” because he made all things. He creates and sustains all things through his Word, and gives life to all creatures through his Spirit.
Scripture: Genesis 1:1–2:3, 7; Psalm 104:24–30; John 1:1–3; Acts 17:24–28; Colossians 1:16–18
Question 43: How does recognizing God as Creator inform your understanding of his creation?
I acknowledge that God created for his own glory everything that exists. He created human beings, male and female, in his image and appointed us stewards of creation. God’s creation is thus a gift to enjoy as we work and care for it.
Scripture: Genesis 1:27–28; 2:15; Psalm 8:5–8; Luke 19:11–27; 1 Corinthians 4:1–2
Question 44: What does it mean that God created both heaven and earth?
It means that all things, whether visible or invisible, physical or spiritual, were brought into being out of nothing by the Word of the eternal God.
Scripture: Genesis 1:1–8; Psalm 33:6–8; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16
Question 45: Was the world that God created good?
Yes. God created all things and called them “very good” (Genesis 1:31). However, through sin, evil and death have come into the world and corrupted it.
Scripture: Genesis 3:1–8; Psalm 14:1–3; Matthew 15:18–20a; Romans 1:18–32; 1 Timothy 4:4–5
Question 46: If God created the world good, why do we sin?
Adam and Eve rebelled against God, thus bringing upon all humanity pain, toil, alienation from God and each other, and death. I have inherited this fallen and corrupted human nature; consequently, I too sin and fall short of God’s glory.
Scripture: Genesis 3:16–4:26; Psalm 51:3–5; Romans 3:23; 5:12; 7:14–25
Question 47: What are the consequences of sin?
Because of sin, those apart from Christ are spiritually dead, separated from God, under his righteous condemnation, and without hope.
Scripture: Genesis 3:16–19; Psalm 90:3–12; Isaiah 53:6; John 3:36; Romans 6:20–23; Galatians 5:19–21; Ephesians 2:1–3
A Prayer for the Father’s Love
Gracious Father, I come to you through the saving work of your Son Jesus Christ upon the Cross. Thank you for adopting me as your child through the Holy Spirit. Grant me the grace to know the fullness of your fatherly love, that I may delight in the promises of your eternal Kingdom, both now and in the age to come. Amen.
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