“…and the life everlasting.”

More than 85% of Americans believe in some sort of afterlife. Of course, beyond that there is little agreement, especially as it concerns the nature of that afterlife. Here the Creed comes to an end and does so by affirming the hope of life beyond this life and the victory over the grave. Life is central to the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was Jesus himself who was bold enough to say, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (Jn. 14:6). Peter recognized that Jesus’ words were not religious platitudes or inspirational sayings. Rather, he affirmed to Christ, “You have the words of eternal life” (Jn. 6:68). Jesus’ ministry is a life giving ministry. “…the Son gives life to whom he will” (Jn. 5:21). John introduces him succinctly, saying, “In him was life” (Jn. 1:4). The best known verse of the Bible, John 3:16, offers “eternal life” to all who believe (cf. Jn. 3:15).

In speaking thusly Jesus wasn’t articulating something new, however. Instead his message and mission were the fulfillment of something rather old. That is to say, when he spoke like this he got people’s attention. This is what they were waiting for. After all, the promise of the Old Testament was the resurrection of life (cf. Ezek. 37). Likewise Daniel looked forward to that great day when he said;

“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt”.Dan. 12:2

This life after this life is found only in Christ precisely because he is the possessor of life. Jesus’ indictment of the Pharisees is telling. “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life” (Jn. 5:39-40). He is the possessor of life because the creator and sustainer of life, God, has given him the authority to grant life. What’s more, in Jesus’ resurrection he overcame death and was made alive. As such he became a “life-giving spirit” (1 Cor. 15:45), imparting spiritual life to all who are in him. Because he lives we know that we too shall live.

This is a fitting way to end the Creed. Above all, the Creed is terse and to the point. There are many questions that it leaves unanswered and there are many questions that we continue to wrestle through. Nevertheless, we stand firm here, knowing the things that can be known, confessing the truths that are axiomatic and have been affirmed by Christ’s church throughout the centuries. May this Creed be an anchor, one which holds us firmly against the tides of life; one upon which we cling and hold until the end, awaiting the life everlasting.