“For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns to his own vomit,’ and, ‘a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.'” (2 Peter 2:20-22)
Apostles' Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
When visitors attend our worship services, sometimes they notice something quite different from what they’re used to. One likely difference is that we incorporate in our liturgy Christian creeds, such as the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, or the Athanasian Creed. In present-day Christendom, these creeds are not widely used. One possible reason for their absence is that there are many churches which do not subscribe to everything found in these creeds.
These creeds were formulated in the early church because of false teachings that had crept into the church. Such false teachings included the denial of fundamental Biblical doctrines such as God’s creation, the authority of scripture, the teachings of the Triune God, and the divine person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. To combat the destructive nature of such false teachings, these creeds became widely used, lest Christians lose their soul’s salvation.
The apostle Paul warned about such dangers coming after his departure (Acts 20:29-30). And with the apostle Peter’s writings, we learn of it already taking place. False teachers came from without and from within, trying to lead Christians astray.
Peter tells of the horrendous tragedy for those who had once tasted the sweet Gospel of salvation rejecting it and remaining in unbelief. The ghastly part of this falling away is that such apostates would suffer a more fearful punishment in hell. Jesus reveals the degrees of eternal punishment when He said, “And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:47-48) This being the case, we can understand why Peter writes in verses 20 and 21 above, “the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.”
Peter depicts the filthy, stinking mess that such apostates are involved in when they reject the Gospel and once again become entangled in the ways of the world. He does so by citing these two proverbs “‘A dog returns to his own vomit,’ and, ‘a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.'” (verse 22)
The spiritually harmful dangers found in Peter’s day continue to the present. How very important it is for us not to become complacent about the truths of God we possess, but ever guard against falling prey to false teachings. Paul warns us in 1 Corinthians, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (10:12)
How thankful we can be about being in a fellowship that still regularly uses the Christian creeds in our worship services! They remind us of the precious teachings we possess and cherish, to the eternal salvation of our souls.
is retired from the pastoral ministry. He lives in Sunnyvale, California.