This I Believe
This I Believe
Our Father everlasting
The all creating One
God Almighty
Through Your Holy Spirit
Conceiving Christ the Son
Jesus our Savior
Chorus:
I believe in God our Father
I believe in Christ the Son
I believe in the Holy Spirit
Our God is three in one
I believe in the resurrection
That we will rise again
For I believe in the name of Jesus
Our Judge and our Defender
Suffered and crucified
Forgiveness is in You
Descended into darkness
You rose in glorious life
Forever seated high
(Chorus)
I believe in You
I believe You rose again
I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord
I believe
I believe in You
I believe You rose again
I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord
(Chorus)
I believe in life eternal
I believe in the virgin birth
I believe in the saints' communion
And in Your holy Church
I believe in the resurrection
When Jesus comes again
For I believe, in the name of Jesus
(Chorus)
Over the past few months, we have been singing one of my favourite songs, “This I Believe”, a 2014 release by the Sydney based Hillsong music team. This is one of my favourite songs to sing as a church for several reasons:
1. The lyrics of “This I Believe” are taken directly from the Apostles’ Creed, providing a succinct summary of the foundations of our faith. In singing these lyrics, we are declaring the truths of the gospel that have been laid out in the Creed and recited by our brothers and sisters in Christ since the 2nd Century. While liturgy does not and should not replace the Bible, it has a place in our church life to tie us to those who have gone before us and shared the same hope and joy in following Jesus.
The lyrics do not shy away from some of the complex doctrines of our faith that are often left out of songs; instead and in simple words, they proclaim the truth of what we believe - a triune God, the virgin birth, Jesus’ death and resurrection, and our bodily resurrection in the life to come.
2. The melody is simple, placing the lyrics as the central focus. This in turn allows the congregation to easily reflect on and participate in the proclamation of these truths.
3. “This I Believe” was originally written by the Hillsong music team in response to a tweet from John Dickson, the then head of Sydney’s Center for Public Christianity. Sydney has a huge range of church denominations that reflect a wide range of different beliefs and worship styles. As with churches around the world and throughout history, this has at times caused division and hostility between churches.
In writing this song at the request of someone outside their denomination, the Hillsong team demonstrated that we can and should have unity with those who share in the foundational beliefs laid out in the Apostles’ Creed. I find this a helpful and timely reminder of the unity God calls us to in Romans 5, a unity that is found in Christ and for the glory of God:
“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”
Singing these words, I have found comfort and joy as I reflect on the centuries of Christians before us who have proclaimed the same gospel as we do. I encourage you to reflect on the truths of the Creed that are encapsulated in the lyrics of “This I Believe.” It is my hope that you too will be encouraged by the truths found there and will be eager to glorify God in song when we next sing this together.