easily
committed to memory.

* * * * *

ARTICLE 1

_1. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth_

SECTION 1.--I BELIEVE

The Creed is the expression of personal belief. Whether spoken in
private or in a public assembly, it is the confession of the faith held
by each individual for himself. Each of us has a separate life, and each
of us must personally accept God's message and express his own belief.
Religion must influence men as units before it can benefit them in
masses. Faith that saves is a gift of God which every one must receive
for himself. The faith of one is of no avail for another, therefore the
Creed begins with the affirmation "_I_ believe." In repeating it we
profess our own faith in what God has revealed concerning Himself.

"I _believe_."--The Apostles' Creed is a declaration of things
which are most surely believed among us, and its several parts or
articles are founded upon the contents of Scripture, which is our one
rule of faith. It does not begin with the words _I think_ or _I
know_, but with the statement "I believe." "Belief" is used in
various senses, but here it means the assent of the mind and heart to
the doctrines expressed in the Creed. When we repeat the form we declare
that we accept and adopt all the statements which it covers. "With the
heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession
is made."[009]

Faith differs from knowledge. There are some things which we know to be
true, and there are others of which we say we believe them to be true.
There are certain truths which are termed axiomatic. When the terms in
which they are expressed are understood, the truth they convey is at
once admitted. We know that two and two make four, we know that two
straight lines cannot enclose a space; but we do not know in the same
sense those things which the Creed affirms. It deals with statements
that, for the most part, have never been, and cannot be, tested by
sense, and that cannot be demonstrated by such proof as will compel us
to accept them. We believe them, not because it is impossible to
withhold our assent, nor only because nature, history, and conscience
confirm them, but on the ground of testimony. "Faith cometh by hearing,
and hearing by the Word of God."[010] We believe because we are assured
on sufficient and competent authority that these things are so. We know
that we live in a material univer