A series of Sermons on the Christian Creed of 381 AD - the so-called Ecumenical Creed or Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed. This and the "Apostles' Creed" are recited regularly in many churches. Baptists also ascribe to these Creeds although we normally do not recite them every Sunday.

The Christian Creed of 381 is the most widely used creed. It is accepted by all the churches. It provides us with insight as to what is shared by Christians around the world. At the same time it challenges us to recall the content and to give an account of our own faith.

A creed does not replace the authority of the Bible. Just as biblical authority is derived from Christ, so the authority of a creed is derived from the biblical message. A creed is like the markings on a highway that keep you from veering off course, or like a handrail that helps us walk up the steps. A creed wants to guide us and lead us, so that we don't lose our way in our Christian journey. It is like a map which wants to guide us to the place where we want to go.

Baptists affirm creeds and traditions, but we insist that creeds and traditions may be right or wrong. They therefore need to be measured. The Bible is the "canon" ("measure") by which we evaluate creeds and traditions. We shall therefore measure the content of the creed against the authority of Scripture and at the same time try to relate it to our own experience.

A focus on such an ancient and universal creed can be helpful at a time when everything seems to be dissolved and when people's attention seems to be totally captivated by the challenges of the moment. Such a creed reminds us that there are things that last and in the midst of the uncertainties and ambiguities of life we can trust in a God who is willing to supply us with guidance and food for the journey.