The Apostle's Creed

Jesus Christ, Conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of a virgin ...

As we discuss the statements in the Apostle's Creed, we also distinguish the United Methodist faith from the faiths of other religions, and other Christian denominations. Up to this point we have distinguished the ‘Christian' faith from the ‘non-Christian' faiths of the world; with the testimony about Jesus Christ, we begin to distinguish differences among Christian denominations. Most Catholics and Protestants agree with the Apostle's Creed. The differences between them is more in their application of the faith, and the doctrines (teachings) of the individual churches. People who call themselves "Christian" and may or may not attend a Christian church, may or may not believe in the virgin birth, or the deity of Christ (that Jesus is true God). Yet, it is my opinion that to be a "Christian" is to believe in God the Creator, and in Jesus Christ, man and God the Son, and in the Holy Spirit of God. The word "Christian" means to be a ‘student' or ‘follower' of Christ. Such was the reason and belief of the people of different faiths who wrote the Apostle's Creed many, many years ago.

Scripture:
John 1:14, Incarnation, means God made flesh
Matt.1:20, conception was the work of the Holy Spirit.
John 3:16, 16:27-28, Jesus came from God's essence.
John 14:9, if we've seen Him we've seen God the Father.
other Scripture: Romans1:3-4, 8:3; Col.2:9; Philip.2:6-11;
1John 1:1-4, 5:20;
Jesus had a human body, a soul, and spirit. Jesus was hungry, thirsty, weary, sleepy, sad. He was all God, and all man.

What difference does it make in our lives that we believe Jesus is God, conceived by the Holy Spirit? Each person's beliefs and choices do make a difference, have consequences in life.