Explanation of the Apostles' Creed
ERRORS RELATING TO THE FIRST ARTICLE
ERRORS RELATING TO THE SECOND ARTICLE
"And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord."
It is not only necessary for Christians to believe in one God who is the Creator of heaven and earth and of all things; but also they must believe that God is the Father and that Christ is the true Son of God. This, as St. Peter says, is not mere fable, but is certain and proved by the word of God on the Mount of Transfiguration. "For we have not by following artificial fables made known to you the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ; but we were eyewitnesses of His greatness. For He received from God the Father honor and glory, this voice coming down to Him from the excellent glory: 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye Him.' And this voice, we heard brought from heaven, when we were with Him in the holy mount." Christ Jesus Himself in many places called God His Father, and Himself the Son of God. Both the Apostles and the Fathers placed in the articles of faith that Christ is the Son of God by saying: "And (I believe) in Jesus Christ, His (i.e., God's) only Son."