THE THREE ARTICLES OF THE CREED.
THE FIRST ARTICLE.
CONCERNING CREATION.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
That is,
I believe that God has made me and all other creatures; that He has given me body and soul, eyes, ears, and all other members, my reason, and all my senses.
I also believe that He preserves all He has made, and that He daily provides me with all I need, giving me clothing and food, home and family, and every good thing.
I further believe that He protects me from all danger, and keeps me from all evil; not because I have deserved it, but because He is a loving and merciful Father.
For all these blessings it is my duty to serve Him thankfully and obediently all the days of my life.
All this is certainly true.
THE SECOND ARTICLE.
CONCERNING REDEMPTION.
I believe in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from whence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
That is,
I believe that Jesus Christ is true God, begotten of the Father from eternity; I also believe that He is true man, born of the Virgin Mary; that He is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned sinner; who has freed me from sin, from death, and from the power of Satan, not with gold or silver but with His holy and precious blood and His innocent death.
All this He has done that I might be His own, and that I might serve Him in righteousness, innocence, and happiness, and live and reign with Him in His kingdom forever, even as He arose from the dead, lives and reigns through all eternity.
All this is certainly true.
THE THIRD ARTICLE.
CONCERNING SANCTIFICATION.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Christian church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and life everlasting. Amen.
That is,
I believe that I cannot through my own strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Him. This is the work of the Holy Spirit alone, who has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith;
Even as he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and preserves it in fellowship with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.
In this Christian church He daily forgives me and all believers all our sins, and He will raise up me and all the dead on the last day, and will give me and all believers everlasting life.
All this is certainly true.