The same thing with the phrase, one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Some believe that is speaking of the universal, spiritual Body of Christ, but others believe it speaks of THE Catholic Church, which excludes any other believers in Christ that aren't members of the institutional Roman Catholic Church.
The phrase, We acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. Some believe that it speaking of the baptism of the Holy Spirit that happens as a result of confessing with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believing in our heart God raised him from the dead. Yet others say it speaks of the sacrament of water baptism and nobody can be saved until they have themselves water baptized. Some think tiny babies can have this baptism, but others believe faith must come first then the act of water baptism as an outward testimony of the act of receiving Christ as Savior.
But I'm glad you posted this and you may want to draw on your memories of being in the Southern Baptist Church. Is there anything in these creeds that "they" did not teach and preach as well? Did what they believe concur with Holy Scripture? Can you remember anything outlandish that they taught that goes against the tenets of these creeds? When I think back on what I learned as a Roman Catholic, I can honestly say I repeated those words hundreds of times, if not thousands, but I didn't really let them reach my heart and grasp their real meaning until I was shown Scripture in a little Southern Baptist Sunday school room. What matters above all labels, is what we believe about what God has revealed to us. Saying words counts as nothing with him if they don't echo in our hearts as well. I just realized how late it is, so I'm signing off soon. Hope you have a good night.
So it seems that just as there is controversy about the interpretation of Scripture, there is controversy over the interpretation of creeds and catechisms.
Everything then, is subject to interpretation. Adding a couple layers between Scripture and the individual does NOT clarify the interpretation of Scripture. On the contrary, is makes it more difficult as it adds layers of other stuff to interpret as well.
The Pharisees got into all kinds of trouble with that interpreting Scripture stuff. By it they added all kinds of traditions of men to Scripture which Jesus denounced several times over.
Even those in the Catholic Faith believe that Jesus Christ atoned for our sins. However, you are mistaken about the “Catholic” thing. When the Creed was formulated, there WAS one, universal and CATHOLIC faith. Not Roman, not Greek, but simply the CHURCH. Capital C.
Baptism is not an option. It is commanded by the Savior, but Godparents commit the child, and adults commit themselves.
It IS a sacrament. It is a Holy Mystery, and when the child or adult is baptized, the Holy Spirit is conferred.
I cannot condemn many things about Southern Baptist. I received one of the best scriptural educations EVER there.
However, since they reject most things Catholic by nature, they do not recite the Creed. (most dont even know it exists) nor do they have the fullness of the faith. In 1617 when the Baptist Church was founded, they were basically an offshoot of Anababtists.