The Nicaean Creed

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The Nicaean Creed    We believe in one God the
Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
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The Nicaean Creed    We believe in one Lord,
Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally
begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from
Light, true God from true God, begotten, not
made, of one Being with the Father through him
all things were made.
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The Nicaean Creed    For us and for our
salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate
of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became
truly human.
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The Nicaean Creed    For our sake he was
crucified under Pontius Pilate he suffered death
and was buried. On the third day he rose again in
accordance with the Scriptures he ascended into
heaven and is seated at the right hand of the
Father. He will come again in glory to judge the
living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no
end.
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The Nicaean Creed    We believe in the Holy
Spirit, the Lord, and the giver of life, who
proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with
the Father and the Son is worshiped and
glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
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The Nicaean Creed    We believe in the one holy
catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge
one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We
look for the resurrection of the dead, and the
life of the world to come. Amen.
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Acts 237-47
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When the people heard this, they were cut to the
heart and said to Peter and the other apostles,
"Brothers, what shall we do?"
Acts 237-47
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Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one
of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the
forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive
the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for
you and your children and for all who are far
offfor all whom the Lord our God will call."
Acts 237-47
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With many other words he warned them and he
pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this
corrupt generation." Those who accepted his
message were baptized, and about three thousand
were added to their number that day.
Acts 237-47
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They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching
and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread
and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and
many wonders and miraculous signs were done by
the apostles. All the believers were together and
had everything in common.
Acts 237-47
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Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to
anyone as he had need. Every day they continued
to meet together in the temple courts.
Acts 237-47
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They broke bread in their homes and ate together
with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and
enjoying the favor of all the people. And the
Lord added to their number daily those who were
being saved.
Acts 237-47
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We live in a Jesus haunted, Biblically illiterate
society.
Ben Witherington III Asbury Seminary
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Week 1 The Code or The Christ? Which is
TRUTH? Week 2 Browns Book or the Bible?
Who tells the TRUTH? Week 3 Power or
Purpose? Why does the Church exist?
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Video "Me Church"
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The fundamental irony of Christianity! The
Bible, as we know it today, was collated by the
pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great. (p231)
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Constantine held a famous ecumenical gathering
known as the Council of Nicaea. At this
gathering, many aspects of Christianity were
debated and voted upon the date of Easter, the
role of the bishops, the administration of the
sacraments, and of course, the divinity of
Jesus. (p. 233)
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Jesus establishment as the Son of God was
officially proposed and voted on by the Council
of Nicaea. Christs divinity was critical to
the further unification of the Roman empire and
to the new Vatican power base. It was all about
power. (p. 233)
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The modern Bible was composed and edited by men
who possessed a political agenda. (p234)
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Almost everything our fathers taught us about
Christ is false. (p. 235)
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This is Saint Peter. The rock upon which Jesus
built his church. The same, except for one
catch. According to these unaltered gospels, it
was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with
which to establish the Christian Church. It was
Mary Magdalene. (p. 248)
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The threat Mary Magdalene posed to the men of
the early church was potentially ruinous. The
Church, in order to defend itself against
Magdalenes power, perpetrated her image as a
whore. (p. 254)
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History has always been written by the winners.
The winner writes the history books books
which glorify their own cause and disparage the
conquered foe. (p. 256)
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The greatest story ever told is, in fact, the
greatest story ever sold. (p. 267)
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Why does the Church exist?
Acts 237-47
Power? Money? Politics? Ego?
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Why does the Church exist?
Acts 237-47
Church
A gathering, assembly, congregation, people or
COMMUNITY called out for a specific purpose.
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Why does the Church exist?
Acts 237-47
Jesus prophecy of Church implies
A Spirit-filled community with a Heavenly purpose.
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Why does the Church exist?
Acts 237-47

• Producing Community (37-41, 47)
• Preparing Community (42)
• Praying Community (42-43)
• Participating Community (44-46)
• Praising Community (47)

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Small Group Exercise

• Read Acts 237-47
• What is the purpose (s) of the church
  (illustrated) in this passage?
• How do the activities of the Naz match the
  Biblical purpose (s) of the church?
• What role are individual Christians to play in
  helping the church accomplish its mission?
• Are you an active participant in the mission of
  the local church? Why or why not?
• Do you need to make any changes in your level of
  ministry related activity within the local
  church? When will you do this?