I looked up several ancient creeds to answer this question, and I have to come back with “Which ancient creeds are you asking about?” I can affirm the Apostles’ Crred and Nicene Creed without reservation. Others, however, I’m not sure I even fully understand (particularly when they are trying to nail down one specific formulation of the Trinity).

I am not in favor of using creeds to identify who is “in” and who is “out.” (I am suspicious about what from Scripture is selected for this role, and what is left out; we already have the Bible for such purposes). However, I think creeds are great tools for expressing faith.

Here is my statement of faith:

I believe in one God who created everything; in the deity and lordship of Jesus Christ, head of the church; and in the deity of the Holy Spirit who is actively at work in the world.

I believe in the divine inspiration and authority of the Bible.

I believe that each person was made to have a relationship with God, but our sin has destroyed that relationship. Through Jesus Christ God has offered a way to restore this relationship.

Jesus’ apostles taught those seeking this renewed relationship to trust in Jesus Christ, repent of sin, and be immersed into Christ.

I believe in the unity of all Christians, who are the church established by Christ in the New Testament, that the world may believe.