The "I believe...": A Brief Look at the Science, History, & Key Figures Involved in Forming the Apostles' Creed

By Daniel M Doleys

Spiritual, Insightful, Creative, and Moving

The Apostles' Creed is prayed in Christian services throughout the world. The beauty and elegance of the Apostles' Creed lies in its overwhelming simplicity. It is founded upon Trinitarian theology, which affirms

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: May 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781637692011

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The

I Believe…

A Brief Look at the

Science, History, and Key Figures

Involved in Forming the Apostles’ Creed

Daniel M. Doleys, Ph.D.

The I Believe…: A Brief Look at the Science, History, and Key Figures Involved in Forming the Apostles’ Creed

Trilogy Christian Publishers

A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network

2442 Michelle Drive Tustin, CA 92780

Copyright © 2021 by Daniel M. Doleys, Ph.D.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.TM

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Public domain.

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Trilogy Disclaimer: The views and content expressed in this book are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views and doctrine of Trilogy Christian Publishing or the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Manufactured in the United States of America

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

B-ISBN#: 978-1-63769-200-4

E-ISBN#: 978-1-63769-201-1

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all those Christians around the world who continue to profess and maintain their Christian beliefs even in the face of persecution and death, to the Crosspoint Sunday school class that spurred the idea for this book, and also to the memory of Jim Harper, a faithful class member and inspiring teacher.

Table of

Contents

Preface i

Chapter 1: Introduction: The Nature of Beliefs 5

What is a belief? 6

How are beliefs formed? 9

A Belief vs. Believing In 12

Chapter 2: Nag Hammadi: The Gnostic Gospels 15

Role of Elaine Pagels 15

Uncovering the Gnostic Gospels 16

Content 18

Impact 19

Chapter 3: Gnosticism 23

Fundamentals of Gnosticism 23

Key Aspects 24

Postscript 29

Chapter 4: Saint Thomas 31

Background 31

Thomas in India 33

The Gospel of Thomas 35

Chapter 5: Saint John 39

Background 39

John and Gnosticism 40

John’s Gospel 42

Chapter 6: The Fathers of the Early Christian Church 45

Polycarp 45

Irenaeus 48

Justin Martyr 51

Chapter 7: The Apostles’ Creed 57

The Nicene Creed 58

Contemporary Version 59

Commentary 59

About the Author 63

Endnotes 65

Preface

This book is an attempt to bring to light some of the challenges faced by those responsible for the creation of the Apostles’ Creed. It also hopes to bring to life those most involved and the reality of their dedication. At the heart of it all was the introduction of a new belief system based upon the teachings and life of Jesus. Several long-standing systems of belief, including Judaism, various forms of Gnosticism, and the polytheism of the Greeks had to be overcome. The opposition, obstacles, and oppression must have seemed insurmountable. It is noteworthy that it was the proliferation of heretical teachings and manuscripts, as well as divisions in the early church, that motivated the development of a creed. It could only have been the strength of and commitment to their beliefs in Jesus and Christianity that allowed the framers of the Apostles’ Creed to persevere.

The Apostles’ Creed (an affirmation of faith) is prayed in Christian services throughout the world. It contains the beliefs that form the basis of the Christian faith. The Nicene Creed emerged from the Nicene conclave in c. 325; it was amended in c. 381 to represent the core Christian beliefs. However, in about c. 400, Rufinis wrote a commentary on a pre-Nicene version of the rules of faith, thought to have been written by the Apostles. It is this version which closely approximates the modern-day Apostles’ Creed.

The power of one’s beliefs has been pointed out in the Bible: As a man thinks, so he is (Proverbs 23:7, KJV), and in literature. According to John Milton, author of Paradise Lost (1667), The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell.¹ Chapter 1 provides a brief summary of the science behind beliefs. For some readers, it may seem unnecessary and too academic. However, we have been given the freedom of choice by God. As in all other aspects of His universe, we should come to understand the processes involved so as to