an incomplete creed

This is the Apostle's Creed, which dates back to the 4th century, and which has become foundational for Christianity worldwide. 

I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on 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 life everlasting.

Amen.

I've recited this creed countless times. Vast numbers of congregations recite it together every week in their own language. 

This is the creed, the "essentials," the end-all-be-all, the basic all-you-need-to-know to be a Christian. Supposedly. 

Until this week, doing research on the influence of the Apostle Paul, I never noticed what was missing. 

Jesus. 

Yes, he's mentioned, but what does it say about him? That he was born of a virgin, that he suffered and was crucified, and that he died and rose from the dead. 

What about his life? 

What about his teachings? 

What about everything he stood for, taught about, and ultimately died for? 

I am coming to believe that we have completely missed who Jesus was and what Jesus actually wanted. And I don't know if anything showcases that so completely than the very creed of Christianity failing to mention what he did. 

Jesus wasn't about belief. Paul was. Jesus wasn't making a new religion. Paul was. 

I'm just at the beginning of dissecting a whole new level of historical origins of Christianity, but I am shocked. And after the shock, I am determined. Determined to make known what has been so unknown for so long.