E LIFE EVERLASTING

* * * * *

APPENDIX

FOOTNOTES

SOME BOOKS ON THE APOSTLES' CREED OR BEARING UPON ARTICLES THEREOF

* * * * *

EDITORIAL NOTE

Dr. Dodds' _Exposition of the Apostles' Creed_ will supply a real
need. It contains a careful, well-informed, and well-balanced statement
of the doctrines of the Church which are expressed or indicated in the
Creed, and it will be helpful to many as arranging the passages of
Scripture on which these doctrines rest. Though historical references
could have been easily made, the Editors agree with the author in
thinking that to insert them in the discussion of doctrines would have
probably perplexed the readers for whom the book is designed.

_February_ 1896.

* * * * *

PREFATORY NOTE

The title and purpose of this Handbook limit its subject matter to an
exposition of the doctrines which have place in the summary of belief
termed the Apostles' Creed. It is not meant to cover the whole field of
Christian doctrine.

A history of the Creed has not been attempted. There is much that is
interesting in its origin and growth. It did not come into existence all
at once, but was built up from time to time by the insertion of clauses
formulated by Councils or by leading representatives of the Christian
Church. The space available is not sufficient to include a history.

The Handbook being not controversial but expository, references to the
heretics and heresies that gave occasion for the articles which have
place in the Creed are few and brief.

JAMES DODDS.

* * * * *

THE APOSTLES' CREED

INTRODUCTION

While the disciples had Jesus with them, there was no occasion for a
formal summary of the doctrines which His followers were called to
accept and to maintain. He was present to resolve all doubts and settle
all difficulties, so that when their faith was assailed or their
teaching impugned they could refer to Him. Then, as now, faith had Him
for its object,--with this difference, that He was visibly at hand to
counsel and to direct, while now He is passed into the heavens and
guides His people into all truth, not by personal instruction but by
His invisible though ever present Spirit.

Another reason why Jesus gave His disciples no creed may be found in the
fact that His work was not finished until He