Over the years, in different countries, I've visited some incredibly varied churches.

Some have met in school gymnasiums, others in vaulted Gothic splendor.

Some have sung ancient hymns, others preferred more modern songs, but one element has cropped up, more or less consistently.

At some point in the service, you hear what is known

as the Apostles' Creed. It's been used in more churches across more denominations and traditions

than any other creed. You can also hear its influence in multiple Reformation-era catechisms,

such as Martin Luther's Small Catechism and the Heidelberg catechism.

The Apostles' Creed is so called, not because it was written by the Apostles, but because it contains

a summary of apostolic teaching. Some scholars believe it dates from the second century. It's certainly

no later than the fourth century, and it sums up the Christian

faith with wonderful clarity and economy. It begins like this. I believe in God the Father

Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost.

The first thing you notice from that opening is how Trinitarian it is, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

And then you begin to see that the focus of the Apostles' Creed is on the headline facts of Jesus' earthly life,

atoning death, and his glorious resurrection and ascension. It continues like this.

Born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried.

He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven. But the creed isn't just about what Jesus has done in the past.

It also considers the present situation of Jesus and looks ahead to what Jesus will do in the future. The present is there in this next line.

He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

John Calvin explains what sitting at the right hand of the Father means. It means that Christ was

invested with lordship over heaven and

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