Sermon Central
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From Confession To Immersion: The Creed That Formed Christians
Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 22, 2026 (message contributor)
During the first centuries, when the church endured persecution, the Apostles’ Creed was taking shape. Early Christians used the Nicene Creed as a teaching tool for evangelism and discipleship.
Before baptism, candidates learned Christian practices, heard the grand story of Scripture, memorized the creed, and were taught the meaning of each line. Only after being discipled into the story summarized in the creed were they baptized.
Standing in the water, the candidate was asked, “Do you believe in God the Father Almighty?”
She would respond, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.”
As a reward for answering correctly, she was immersed.
As she came up sputtering, she was asked, “Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord?”
She recited the second part of the creed—and experienced another near drowning.
Rising again from the watery grave, she was asked a third question: “Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?”
After reciting the third part of the creed, she was immersed once more.
The creed was embedded in baptism. It declared one’s identity while dying and rising with Christ in baptism (Romans 6:1–3). In a time of persecution, this was wise preparation. Someday a Roman officer might demand, “Who are you?”
Christians were trained to answer boldly, “I believe in God the Father Almighty.”
That confession might cost them their lives. Yet they were not afraid. These martyrs understood that a baptism in blood was a sharing in the death of Christ. And as the creed had taught them, their story would not end in death, but in resurrection life.
Rylaarsdam, David. “The Need for Creeds.” Calvin Seminary Forum 37 (Winter 2026): 6–7.
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