Although the last verse of this passage is considered to be a portion of a hymn prayed by the people in the communities around Ephesus, I think of it as a creed, a simple statement of beliefs. It lets us know that they believed that Jesus was God, coming in the flesh, who was justified, or vindicated as another translation has it, by the Holy Spirit, seen by the angels, which could mean actual angels in heaven, or that he was seen by the disciples and others considered to be holy, preached by those disciples to reach out to a world that believed in the message of the Good News and was received by the Father into heaven where he would reign. Of course, I could be wrong about the actual meaning of the hymn, but it really doesn’t make any difference. It makes me think about creeds, or statements of belief. I know there are a few formal ones such as the Apostles’ Creed, or Baptismal Creed, and the Nicene Creed which expands a little on the first. But have you ever thought of what you would include in your statement of beliefs? How about a little challenge? Why not take a few minutes and write your own. Feel free to use either one of the formal creeds or none and put down on paper your statement. No one has to see it. It is your own. But it may actually help you to understand what you truly believe.





Prayer: We believe in one God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit and we are so grateful that we know you and your promises to us and to all your children because of your great love for us. We are humbled by the sacrifice your Son, Jesus made for us that one day we might share eternity with you. Amen.