“Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you… that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” — 1 Corinthians 15:1–4 (BSB)
“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses.” — 1 Timothy 6:12 (BSB)
“And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” — Philippians 2:11 (BSB)
“Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” — 2 Timothy 1:13 (BSB)
Confessing the creeds also reminds us of who we are and what we believe. In a world of moral confusion and doctrinal error, the creeds keep us grounded. They protect the Church from heresy and unify the faithful in “the pattern of sound teaching” (2 Timothy 1:13). In the Anglican liturgy, creeds are not optional additions—they are core parts of worship. As we recite them in community, we align ourselves with God’s truth and reaffirm our participation in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
Bishop Robert Duncan (former Archbishop of the ACNA) once said, “The creeds are battle hymns. They were forged in conflict, proclaimed with conviction, and handed down in love.” Each confession is a defiant, joyful stand for truth in the face of error. They do not simply teach us what to believe; they shape how we believe—with clarity, courage, and confidence in Christ.
The Rev. Dr. Michael Green wrote, “To confess the creed is to stand in a great procession of faith—from the martyrs of the early Church to the believers in our pews today.” It is both a spiritual discipline and a visible sign of fidelity to Christ. When we say “I believe,” we are not only stating facts—we are offering ourselves in allegiance to the Triune God who has revealed Himself in Christ and is working in His Church by the Holy Spirit.
Furthermore, our confession strengthens our own faith. The creeds give structure to belief, forming our hearts and minds over time. As Bishop J.C. Ryle noted, “Right belief is the root of right practice.” When we confess the creeds sincerely and regularly, we are not going through a religious ritual—we are being shaped into faithful, rooted, and joyful Christians.
Cyril saw the creed as both a teaching tool and a spiritual weapon—meant to be confessed and guarded.
St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) preached: “This is your faith—hold it, confess it, and never be ashamed of it.” — Sermon 213.7
Augustine urged believers to cling to the creed as their identity in Christ and their defense against error.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202 AD) wrote: “The Church, having received this faith, guards it carefully, and with one voice proclaims it, teaching and confessing these truths to all nations.” — Against Heresies, 1.10.2
Irenaeus viewed creedal confession as the global, unified voice of the Church.
St. Tertullian (c. 155–220 AD) affirmed: “This rule of faith… is confessed in baptism, maintained in worship, and proclaimed in every age.” — Prescription Against Heretics, 13
Tertullian ties creedal confession to the whole rhythm of Christian life: initiation, worship, and mission.
St. Athanasius (c. 296–373 AD) declared: “This is the faith which we confess. This is the faith of the catholic Church. Whosoever would be saved must hold this faith faithfully and firmly.” — Athanasian Creed
Athanasius highlights the necessity of confessing the creed rightly for salvation and Church unity.
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
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