The Apostles’ Creed says, “I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate . . . . ” Notice how the creed goes straight from Jesus’ birth to his suffering? In between there’s only a comma, but as David Augsburger pointed out at our recent Mennonite Church BC LEAD session, “It’s only a comma, but Ooooooooooooooooooooooooh what a comma,” as Walter Brueggemann has said.
In light of this, David’s home church, Peace Mennonite Fellowship in Claremont, California, has adapted the Apostles’ Creed to include Jesus’ life and ministry. Thank you, David, for sharing your liturgy with us.
The Apostles Creed with the Anabaptist Comma*
Disciples: I believe in God ,
The Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
God’s only Son,
our Lord, who was
Conceived by the Holy Spirit,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
One disciple: [Welcomed by shepherds,
Greeted by Magi,
Pursued by Herod,
Sheltered in Egypt,
Taught by Joseph,
Baptized by John,
Tempted by Satan,
Followed by disciples,
Heard by multitudes,
Understood by simple,
Despised by clergy,
Praised by lepers,
Hosted by outcasts,
Seen by the blind,
Touched by the ill,
Obeyed by psychotics,
Rejected by siblings,
Rebuked by Martha,
Embraced by Mary,
Anointed by a prostitute,
Cheered by crowds,
Loved by John,
Hated by the Powers,
Abandoned by all,
Grieved in Gethsemane
Betrayed by disciple,
Denied by Peter,
Arrested by Herod,]
Disciples: Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried;
On the third day he rose again;
He ascended into heaven,
He is seated on the right hand of the Father,
He 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.
*The Anabaptist Comma includes the essential recognition that we are saved by Jesus’ life as well as by his death. This is “only a comma, but Ooooooooooooooooooooooooh what a comma,” as Walter Brueggemann has said. This creed is from the liturgy of Peace Mennonite Fellowship, Claremont, CA.
Lovely!