Winfield Bevins - Creed: Connect to the Basic Essentials of Historic Christian Faith

In an attempt to be edgy and culturally savvy, many in the church today have forgotten the ancient creeds that shaped the thinking of Christians for centuries. Winfield Bevins has provided us with a useful tool for rediscovering our historic foundations as Christians. I look forward to using this road map to guide new believers young and old on a journey of a lifetime.

SCOTT THOMAS, president, Acts 29 Network; author of Theological Clarity and Application and Gospel Coach

I pastor a church that has tons of new believers. I always struggle to find theologically rich but life-practical resources to suggest to them. Winfield Bevins has done it! I highly recommend this book to those who want to know and grow in their faith.

DARRIN PATRICK, pastor, The Journey, St. Louis, Missouri; author; church planter

Creed is a well-written book with the goal of helping Christians connect to the historic, orthodox faith. It accomplished that goal in a superb fashion. You will be edified and encouraged by this work on the Apostles Creed, the Ten Commandments, and the Lords Prayer. You will rejoice in the faith once delivered to the saints that is embodied in these classics of Christianity.

Dr. DANIEL AKIN, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina

We live in a culture marked by increasing biblical illiteracy in and out of the church. Winfield Bevins has taken timeless truth and shown how it can be used in disciple-making in a fresh and significant manner. I commend this book to you as a fantastic tool for church leaders to assist in the most basic of Christs commands, His commission to make disciples.

ALVIN L. REID, professor of evangelism and student ministry, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

As I read through Creed, I continued to say to myself, We need to use this book in our church. Winfield Bevins has put together an eminently helpful guide to the basics of Christian faith. But theres more: Creed soaks each teaching in vintage Christianity through the use of historic vignettes and an accessible use of creeds. This approach connects twenty-first-century disciples to their vintage faith. Use it, especially for new disciples!

JONATHAN DODSON, lead pastor, Austin City Life

Winfield says there is nothing new in his book. Good! That is exactly the point he wants us to get. What he correctly calls the historic tools of discipleship have been with us and stood the test of time for good reasons. Of course they can just become words and ceremony, but if we follow Winfields guidance and let them go deep into our souls as individuals and churches, they form the foundation on which to build a healthy spiritual life. This is a welcome refresher course from a pastor whose passion is the discipleship of Gods people.

STEPHEN SMALLMAN, instructor, CityNet Ministries of Philadelphia; author of The Walk-Steps for New andRenewed Followers of Jesus

Winfield Bevins has written a book that helps readers of any level find out more about who God is, what He cares about, and the plans He has in store for His people. The connection between discovering the roots of Christianity and living a Christian life today makes this a great tool for helping people move from seeing God as a rule maker to seeing him as the Great Storyteller.

MIKE ANDERSON, director, The Resurgence

In a time of spiritual homelessness, Creed opens the door to the historic Christian faith. If youre tired of your own designer religion and open to something new but also old, tested, and enduring, Creed is the book for you.

RAY ORTLUND, lead pastor, Immanuel Church, Nashville

NavPress is the publishing ministry of The Navigators, an international Christian organization and leader in personal spiritual development. NavPress is committed to helping people grow spiritually and enjoy lives of meaning and hope through personal and group resources that are biblically rooted, culturally relevant, and highly practical.

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2011 by Winfield Bevins

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ISBN-13: 978-1-61747-147-6

Cover design by studiogearbox
Cover image by Jupiter Images

Some of the anecdotal illustrations in this book are true to life and are included with the permission of the persons involved. All other illustrations are composites of real situations, and any resemblance to people living or dead is coincidental.

Unless otherwise identified, all Scripture quotations in this publication are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Other versions used include: the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV), copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan, all rights reserved worldwide; the New King James Version (NKJV). Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved; the New American Standard Bible (NASB), copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Bevins, Winfield H.

Creed : connect to the basic essentials of the historic Christian faith / Winfield

Bevins.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references (p. ).

ISBN 978-1-61747-147-6 1.

Apostles Creed. 2. Ten commandments. 3. Lords Prayer. I. Title.

BT993.3.B48 2011
230 dc22

2011009273

Printed in the United States of America

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 / 16 15 14 13 12 11

BOOKS ARE NEVER written in isolation. They are often the direct result of the encouragement and assistance of others. This book would not have been possible without the combined effort of many different people who have helped along the way. I am grateful for all who have had a part in making this book what it has become.

First, I am grateful to my family for their encouragement, support, and flexibility throughout this process. My wife, Kay, and daughters, Elizabeth and Anna Belle, have sacrificed precious time with their husband/father to make this writing project possible.

I am grateful to my spiritual family at Church of the Outer Banks. This project could not have been possible without their love and support. This book started among you and in many ways was written for you. In particular, I would like to thank Lynn and Sam for all of their assistance over the past several years.

I would like to thank Mike Miller, Barry Sneed, and the rest of the staff at NavPress for being so helpful throughout the entire writing process. I would especially like to thank Mike Linder, who graciously guided me through the editorial process and made it a joy to write this book.

I would like to thank Liz Heaney for all of her editorial advice and for helping me make this a more accessible and readable book, which is not as easy as it sounds.