The Spoken Word

The Nicene Creed

Maker of heaven and earth

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. Without question, the Almighty is the Maker of heaven and earth (Isa.45:5-13). Everything was spoken into existence under the laws and principles of time, space, and matter (Gen.1:1-2). The heavens and the earth function under natural law in the principles of her existence as one universe (Gen.1:15, 17; 2:1). Therefore, the creation herself is an express demonstration of the power of the Almighty (Ps.33:6-9; Jn.3:16). This is a fundamental reality in the conscience of every human soul of the creation that comes into her existence (Rom.1:18-25; Jn.3:19-21), whether that soul cares to confess it or not (Jn.3:33-36). But that soul chooses to deny it because the conscience is given over to bear the fruit of sin to death (Rom.6:20-21). To confess the existence of the Almighty would mean they have to confess their sin (Rom.1:18-25), but the hardened heart is not ready to do that (Rom.9:17-24). 

Therefore, when we understand that God made the world good (1Tim.4:1-5; Col.2:20-23), it does not mean He made her to be good for her own purpose (2Cor.6:17-7:1). No. The creation was made for the glory of His purpose (Eph.1:3-14). That makes us accountable not only to the Creator but also to know the Creator (Rom.1:21). But the Creator is not known through the creation when she is walking and using herself according to her own purposes (2Cor.4:3-6). She must turn to the Almighty as Father, but she cannot know the Almighty as Father apart from revelation (Jn.1:14, 18; 14:6). This is why the creation is insufficient for that purpose (2Cor.3:4-6), for she will always end in immoral idolatry according to the natural principle of the imagination of the fallen heart (Rom.2:1-16). Therefore, the Almighty is known only as Father through the Son (Jn.14:5-13), by whom He made the world and all things (Col.1:13-18), reconciling her to Himself according to the glorious image of His saving grace (2Cor.5:16-21). 

That which remains unformed in the darkness is created for destruction as a decree prepared for those souls that reject the revelation of the new creation through the Son and the Holy Spirit (Rom.9:20-23; Matt.25:41; Jude 4; 1Pet.2:7-8). The world was sown as a natural seed prepared for corruption (1Cor.15:36-39, 44-50), but that seed is not made good apart from the spiritual seed of incorruption (1Pet.1:23). Therefore, when the natural seed puts on the spiritual incorruption, which is the Word of God in Christ (Matt.13:24, 27, 37-38), then the seed bears fruit to God and is holy (Rom.6:22; 7:4). Therefore, it is a fearful and wonderful thing to be created by the Almighty (Ps.139:14-15). Consequently, it is a great blessing to hear this incorruptible Word (James 1:17-18), for the Word has the power and sufficiency to set us apart as holy seed (Rom.11:16). This is the design and purpose for which God made the heavens and the earth so that He may be glorified in the things He has made (1Cor.10:31). Therefore, the Father searches for worshipers who don’t suppress the knowledge of His existence to serve created things but want to know Him and love the the glory of His will (Jn.4:21-24).  

Therefore, we are not to confuse the spoken word of the Father with the Word of God, which is incorruptible. The spoken word is the natural order of the darkness by the principles of her own nature (Jn.8:44; Matt.6:22-23; Lk.11:33-36; 2Cor.11:13-15). This is why the creed distinguishes visible and invisible things, which is what we will meditate on in the next phrase of the Nicene Creed. But for now, behold the world with the recognition that God is Almighty, and wonder at the truth that He spoke her all into existence with the words of His mouth. How stargazing is that?! But take a breath and consider the severity of God lest You breathe in His wrath (Rom.11:21-23; 2Thess.2:7-12), for the glory that is revealed in the heavens is the awaiting judgment of the wrath of the Almighty (2Pet.3:10-13).  

In their present form creeds are declaratory, that is to say, they are short statements, couched in the first person, asserting belief in a select group of facts and doctrines regarded as vitally important. Declaratory creeds of this sort have for centuries played a prominent role in baptism1

1 J. N. D. Kelly, Early Christian Creeds, Third Edition. (London; New York: Continuum, 2006), 31.