I Believe: What Does "Catholic" Really Mean? (It's Not What You Think!)

The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.

On the third day, He rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and will come again 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.

What you believe about God shapes everything about you.

1) The Holy Catholic Church: God's Universal Family

"Catholic" = universal
"Holy" = set apart

The Church is God's instrument for His work, built by Christ, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it (Matthew 16:18).

Ephesians 4:4-6 "There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

2) The Communion of Saints: Our Eternal Fellowship

"Saints" are all believers: Everyone set apart by God.

We are never alone; we share burdens, joys, and gifts within God's family.

3) The Forgiveness of Sins: The Liberating Gift

- The Reality of Sin: All have fallen short (Romans 3:23); sin separates us from God.

- God's Radical Provision: Forgiveness is a gracious gift through Jesus' death and resurrection, not earned.

Colossians 1:13-14 "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Psalm 103:12 "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

It means …
- we are not alone.
- we are free.
- we have a purpose.

Questions:
Do you truly believe in the power and unity of the universal Church?

Have you fully embraced the radical, liberating forgiveness offered to you through Christ?