The Apostles' Creed - Lesson 11A: The holy, catholic church, The communion of saints

The Apostles' Creed

Lesson 11A: The holy, catholic church, The communion of saints

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,

And on the third day he rose again;

He ascended into heaven,

Where he is now seated at the right hand of God, the Father, Almighty,

Whence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

The holy, catholic church,

The communion of saints,

The forgiveness of sins,

The resurrection of the body,

And the life everlasting.

Amen.

Ephesians 4:4-6 [4] There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling; [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.

CHURCH

2. The collective body of Christians, or of those who profess to believe in Christ, and acknowledge him to be the Savior of mankind. In this sense, the church is sometimes called the Catholic or Universal Church.

"church." Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. 2015. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/church (20 January 2015).

CATHOLIC

2. universal in extent; involving all; of interest to all.

3. pertaining to the whole Christian body or church.

"catholic." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 20 Jan. 2015. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/catholic>.

The Main Points for This Lesson:

The purpose of this series of lessons is, using the Apostles' Creed, to teach the essential teachings of the Christian faith and what it means to believe them. To state it simply, the goal is to teach what we believe and what it means to believe it.

The Apostles' Creed has three main sections. The third section begins with the Holy Spirit. In this lesson we will learn about the second part of this third section: “...The holy, catholic church; The communion of saints.” To keep this simpler and shorter, this lesson will be split into two lessons, the first considering the church as holy and catholic, the second lesson that the church is the communion of saints.

The meaning of “church.” In the New Testament, many English translations use the word “church” to translate the Greek word “ekklesia.” Some translations use the English word “assembly” to translate this word. This word is not used to refer to a building, but always to a group of people.

The church is holy. The church is holy for (at least) two primary reasons.

First, the church is set apart (holy) from all other groups in the world because God has set the church apart. He has done this by purchasing the church by the blood of Jesus. He also makes the church holy, or set apart from all other groups of people, by dwelling in the midst of his chosen people.

Second, the church is holy because the people that make up the church live holy lives. Christians are not people who have joined a club, or that meet at a particular building at certain times, but Christians are people who have left the kingdom of the world with its sinful ways to live for God and his kingdom with its righteous ways and laws. The church is holy because it is made of people who have chosen to live holy lives with and for the one holy God.

The church is catholic. The church is catholic, or universal, for (at least) two reasons.

First, God has made it plain that the church is not limited to one location, language or nationality. Christ, with his blood, purchased for God people “out of every tribe, language, people, and nation” (Revelation 5:9).

Second, God is one and has so made the church to be one. By its very nature it cannot be less than universal. The apostle Paul spoke of the church as one in his letter to the Ephesians (4:4-6). One body – Christ as the head has only one body; One Spirit – God has given one Holy Spirit to his people, to gain the same spirit of holiness in their lives; One hope – We all hope to attain to the resurrection unto life eternal with God; One Lord – We hear and obey one and the same king of kings and lord of lords, Jesus Christ, the Son of God; One faith – The living faith, which faith alone counts with God, by which men humbly and faithfully hear and obey the Lord to the end; One baptism – Dying to sin and self and living for him who died and rose again, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, this is the one baptism spoken of by Jesus and his holy apostles; One God and Father of all – There is no other.

What does it mean to believe this? Those who believe this will value the people of God above buildings and forms. They will treat the church as holy, with honor, fear and trembling, considering that it is not a light thing to be part of the church of God (Acts 5:11,13). Those who believe this will love one another, and not limit that love to a location, language, nationality, etc. They be diligent to understand and preserve the unity of the spirit, and be careful lest they trade the unity of the spirit for the unity of form, leadership, methods, or music, etc.

Suggestions:

Open each lesson with prayer for the teacher and the students and this class time.

Remind the children that we are using the Apostles' Creed to teach the essential teachings of the Christian faith, that is, what we believe and what it means to believe it. Read through the Apostles' Creed with the children.

For the purpose of these lessons, we have broken the creed into twelve parts. Let the children know that today we will talk about the ninth part: ...The holy, catholic church; The communion of saints. In this lesson, we will talk about the first half of the ninth part.

Ask the children what they think the word church means. What is the church? After they give their answers, help them to understand that in the Bible, the church is not the building, but the people of God.

Read the story of Rahab in Joshua 2:1-24; 6:1-25. As you read the story to the children, you can ask them questions: Joshua 2 - What did Rahab do different from the rest of the people of Jericho? (helped God's people); What did she do for the spies? What did she ask the spies to do for her? What did the spies tell her to do to be delivered from destruction? (tie the thread, stay in her house, not tell others about the spies). Joshua 6 - How was Rahab's house different from every other house in Jericho? (Rahab’s house was holy, in that it was set apart from every other house.) Did she do what the spies said? Was she delivered from the destruction of Jericho? This story can help the children understand how the church is holy. Just as the spies gave the scarlet thread to set the house apart, so Christ shed his blood to set the church apart. Just as the people in the house had by faith sided with God and his people instead of siding with the walls of Jericho and its people, so those in the church have chosen to follow God and his ways and no longer follow the world and its ways. Make the clear connection for them between Rahab's house being holy and the church being holy.

Tell the story of Acts 10:1-48. It is a long story, and likely too long to read the whole chapter. Provide a shortened version of the story for the children. The important points to convey through the story is that at one time the church was mainly Jewish people. They were not sure if other people who were not Jewish could be part of God's holy church. God sent Peter to a Gentile named Cornelius, a man who feared God and worked righteousness. As Cornelius and those with him heard Peter's message, the Holy Spirit came upon them just as it came upon the Jewish disciples at Pentecost. So God plainly showed that people from every nation could be part of God's holy church.

Close the lesson with prayer related to the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.

Stories:

Joshua 2:1-24; 6:1-25

This is the story of Rahab in Jericho. In Rahab's house we see an illustration of the church being holy. The spies gave her a scarlet cord to set her house apart from the other houses. Our Lord shed his blood to purchase the church, to set it apart from all else in the world. Those gathered in the house of Rahab put their faith in God, siding with God and his people rather than trusting in the strength of the world and the walls of Jericho and siding with wicked men. In short, those in Rahab's house has turned from the world to be on God's side. Those that make up the church are those who have turned from sin and living for themselves and have chosen to live for God by faith in Jesus Christ.

Acts 10:1-48

This is the story of the apostle Peter and Cornelius. This is one step God took to clearly teach his children that the church is not limited to one people or nation, but the church is in fact catholic or universal. It is open to all who fear God and work righteousness (Acts 10:35).

More Stories and Examples:

Joshua 22:1-34

The two and a half tribes have completed their service and are allowed to return to their homes East of the Jordan river. Before crossing the river, they build an alter, not for offering sacrifices, but for a witness and reminder. They are afraid that in the future the people West of the Jordan river would come to see the river as the cut off line, that no one East of the Jordan has a portion in the Lord.

2 Chronicles 11:1-4 [1] When Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, one hundred eighty thousand chosen men, who were warriors, to fight against Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam. [2] But Yahweh’s word came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, [3] “Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, [4] ‘Thus says Yahweh, “You shall not go up, nor fight against your brothers! Return every man to his house; for this thing is of me.”’” So they listened to Yahweh’s words, and returned from going against Jeroboam.

The division of Israel came about because of sin. Yet God did not allow men to fight to unite the kingdom under one earthly king again. They remained as two earthly kingdoms until both were taken away into captivity. While they were divided physically, the two nations could have kept the unity of the spirit had they been diligent to humbly obey and serve the Lord God alone.

2 Chronicles 11:13-17

During the reign of Rehoboam, those of the children of Israel who set their hearts to seek the Lord came to the house of God to worship.

2 Chronicles 15:8-14

During the reign of Asa, men from both the Southern and Northern kingdom were of one heart in seeking and serving the Lord.

2 Chronicles 30:1,4-12

During the reign of Hezekiah, men walking in humility kept the unity of the spirit regardless of their earthly dwelling as they worshiped the one true God during the Passover.

Acts 5:9-14 [9] But Peter asked her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” [10] She fell down immediately at his feet, and died. The young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband. [11] Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things. [12] By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. [13] None of the rest dared to join them, however the people honored them. [14] More believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.

Through this act of Peter, both those within the church and those not part of the church saw plainly that the church is holy. God is in the midst of the church. It is not a light thing to be part of this dwelling place of such a holy God. This great fear on all who heard, this sense of the holiness of God and his house, was not a hindrance but a help to the building of God's kingdom, to the salvation of souls, for we read that more believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. May God grant us such an understanding in our days.

Other Verses:

Matthew 16:15-18 [15] He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” [16] Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [17] Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. [18] I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

HOLY

Psalm 89:5 The heavens will praise your wonders, Yahweh; your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.

Psalm 93:5 Your statutes stand firm. Holiness adorns your house, Yahweh, forever more.

Matthew 12:30 “He who is not with me is against me, and he who doesn’t gather with me, scatters.

Acts 5:5,10-14 [5] Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on all who heard these things. [10] She fell down immediately at his feet, and died. The young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband. [11] Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things. [12] By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. [13] None of the rest dared to join them, however the people honored them. [14] More believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.

God and his church was shown to be holy, and so the people within the church and without it were in great fear. Those outside the church came to see that the decision to join themselves to God and his household (the church) is a weighty matter. It is not a light thing, and should not be a light thing to us today.

Acts 20:28 Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 [16] Don’t you know that you are a temple of God, and that God’s Spirit lives in you? [17] If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, which you are.

Ephesians 5:25-32 [25] Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it; [26] that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, [27] that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without defect. [28] Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. [29] For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly; [30] because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones. [31] “For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh.” [32] This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly.

Revelation 5:9-10 [9] They sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood, out of every tribe, language, people, and nation, [10] and made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign on earth.”

CATHOLIC

Isaiah 49:5-6 [5] Now says Yahweh who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, and that Israel be gathered to him (for I am honorable in the eyes of Yahweh, and my God has become my strength); [6] yes, he says, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give you for a light to the nations, that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth.”

1 Corinthians 1:2 to the assembly of God which is at Corinth; those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours:

Ephesians 4:1-7 [1] I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, [2] with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love; [3] being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [4] There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling; [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all. [7] But to each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Colossians 3:9-14 [9] Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, [10] and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator, [11] where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. [12] Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; [13] bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. [14] Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

Revelation 5:9-10 [9] They sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood, out of every tribe, language, people, and nation, [10] and made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign on earth.”

Revelation 7:9-10 [9] After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. [10] They cried with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation be to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”