For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body. – 1 Cor. 12:13
Many of you were taught the Apostles’ Creed as young people. For those who were
born into a mainline congregation, saying the Creed is like reciting your ABCs. It has a
permanent place in your brain as well as your heart. Others of us, including yours truly,
were raised in “non-creedal” traditions, and our first encounter with these ancient words
was in our adult years. In either case, some of the language can be a bit mysterious and
even confusing at times. Who are the quick and the dead? What is a communion of
saints? Who/what is the Holy Ghost? Then, there is the most frequent question I’ve
gotten after recitation of the Apostles’ Creed: I thought we were Presbyterian. Why did
we just say we believe in the Catholic church?
At the risk of clarifying something that is already clear, the words of this 5th-century
statement have taken on many shades of meaning in our modern age. For Protestants, the
Catholic Church includes all people who have ever placed their faith in God by way of
Jesus Christ. This is why, when some traditions recite the Creed, they replace catholic with
universal, meaning “everywhere and at all times.” It’s a really beautiful thought. The idea
is that we have a worldwide community of siblings who share our basic convictions and
values. We have friends all over the place!
Someone once asked the great Samuel Clemens, “Mr. Twain, do you believe in infant
baptism?” He replied, “Do I believe in it? Heck, I’ve seen it!” This is the way I’ve come to
feel about the catholic/universal Church. When I sit around a table with Roman Catholics,
Lutherans, Baptists, Pentecostals, and others, planning to feed hungry people, this is clear
evidence of our catholicity. When we gather for interdenominational worship on Good
Friday and other holy days, I know the universal Church is alive and kicking. When we
travel to foreign countries and see Haitians and Mexicans and Zambians living for Christ,
we can be certain that the words of the Apostles’ Creed are not empty pieties. We are
part of a fellowship of love that extends far beyond ourselves. We are brothers and
sisters. We are catholic!
Blessings,
Pastor Beau
