Probably the least talked about and least popular characteristic of God, His wrath. It's important to understand His wrath, though, in order to better understand His mercy.

Definitions range of "resentful displeasure" to "deep, intense anger and indignation." Based on a passage in Romans 2 I'm likely to go towards the "deep, intense anger" side. "...For a day of anger is coming, when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness." (Romans 2:5-8) One may wonder how this can come from a God whose name also is "Love" (I John 4:8).

This particular creed was written roughly 50 years after some of the New Testament books and is basically a list of what many reformers believed and still do. This creed is not holy, like Scripture, but it supported, line for line, by the Word of God. It's significance seemed greater centuries ago when gnosticism and persecution were very present. Still, I believe there to be a benefit to knowing the Apostles' Creed; it is a basic understanding of what those who claim the Bible as the Word of God believe. I remember reciting the creed nearly every Sunday when I was growing up. Unfortunately, I memorized it but gave it no credence. Today I have a new appreciation for the significance of this creed. It provides me with the bullet points of my faith.