Apostle's Creed Class- Week 6 "He Suffered under Pilate and was Crucified, Died, and was Buried"

APOSTLES CREED STUDY #6

September 14, 2025

I believe in God the Father Almighty,

Maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

and born of the virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended into hell.

The third day he rose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

KEY THEMES:

1.INITIAL THOUGHTS

a. b. c. Look at this section through the lens of apologetics.

Unbeliever’s Q: “How could a loving God send anyone to hell?”

When we recognize our sin, the real question is: “How can a just,

righteous, and holy God let sinful people into heaven?”

d. The Person of Jesus Christ… His title, authority, divinity, and

humanity. We have examined his “resume” as Savior.

e. He also experienced real suffering (passion). This section of the

Creed focuses on what we call “Christ’s ministry of humiliation.”

f. WSC 27: Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist? “Christ’s

g. humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low

condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this

life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being

buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.”

For a full account of Jesus Christ’s humiliation, read: Matthew 272.SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE

a. A jarring change of tone! From glory to suffering.

b. What about His years of teaching? The Creed’s focus is on the

ATONING work of Jesus Christ, not all his life.

c. This section of the Creed answers the question: “Why was Jesus

conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary?” To

suffer and die in our place! (The Passion of Christ)

d. Why is Pilate mentioned?

i. This is real history! (not a saga or parable or illustration)

ii. Pilate was the “Persona Publica” – Public Office. John 19:5

3.CRUCIFIED

a. Crucifixion was the most agonizing and humiliating form of

execution. It was for outcasts and the worst of criminals.

b. Physical and spiritual suffering… “My God, My God, why have

you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46)

c.Deuteronomy 21:23, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.”

d. The Covenantal fulfillment of Christ’s crucifixion. Isaiah 53.

4.DIED

a. Death is required for atonement. Christ couldn’t just shed blood

to atone for humanity's sins. He had to die.

b. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death…” Jesus paid it all.

c. d. Hebrews 2:14-15 – Jesus defeats Satan’s curse of death.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 – Jesus’ death satisfied the sins of all.

e. Christ understands death, which is our final and greatest comfort.

5.BURIED

a. Burial confirms the reality of Jesus’ death. He had a resurrection,

not a resuscitation.

b. His exaltation begins earlier with Jesus’ words, “It is finished.”

c.Joseph of Arimathea: Jesus’ body is treated with great care,

wrapped in spices and linens. Isaiah 53:9

d. Christ’s resurrection and ascension don’t make sense without

each of these elements laid out for us in the Apostles’ Creed.

6.FINAL THOUGHT

a. b. What the Sufferings of Christ mean for you and me

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded – Bernard of Clai