The Apostles' Creed: 12-Day Plan Sample

And in Jesus Christ, His Only Son, Our Lord

If you attended a function at which Queen Elizabeth was present, she wouldn’t be introduced to you as Liz Windsor. She would be presented as “Her Majesty Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of her other realms and territories queen, head of the commonwealth, defender of the faith.” Each part of the queen’s title explains her true identity. The same can be said of today’s portion of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe … in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.” It presents God’s Son to us in terms that communicate who He is and the authority He commands. 

When God made the birth of Jesus known to His earthly father, Joseph, two names were given: Jesus and Immanuel (see Matt. 1:18-25). The Gospel of Matthew explains that Immanuel means “God with us” (v. 23). The account reveals that Jesus is the incarnate God. The name Jesus, a common name at the time, means “the Lord saves.” When we see the name Jesus, we’re reminded of our Lord as both the Son of God and the historical man who bore that name. Jesus’ earthly name points us to the truth of His full humanity.

Most of the Apostles’ Creed deals with Jesus Christ. True belief in Jesus is at the heart of a relationship with God. The most popular verse in the Bible summarizes the gospel of Jesus, including His identity:  Many Christians recognize the phrase “only begotten son” from the King James translation of this verse. Begotten, to modern ears, sounds like a synonym for created. However, it simple means that Jesus is uniquely God the Son. Jesus is equal in substance and coeternal with the Father. Jesus has always been God, but there was a moment in time when God the Son was “begotten”; He took on flesh and dwelt with us. Even before the incarnation, the second Person of the Trinity was always—and is eternally—the Son of the Father (see Col. 1:15-20). Understanding who Jesus is essential for understand the gospel message. 

The gospel—the good news—is that Jesus took our place, accepting the punishment for our sin and making peace between us and God (see 2 Cor. 5:21). But Jesus does more than pay for our sin. He helps us live each day in the freedom and joy of our salvation. No matter what we’re going through, Immanuel is with us.