Which is the right creed for the church?
Introduction. This question is very practical. There are scores of different creeds (formal statement of beliefs) that are used to determine beliefs and what is to be taught. These range from the so-called Apostle's Creed (120-250 A.D.) and the Nicene Creed (325, 381 A.D.) to the Lutheran Augsburg Confession (1520, 1530), Anglican's Thirty-Nine Articles (1563), and Presbyterian's Westminister Confession of Faith (1646) all the way to modern times with the Statement of Faith of the United Church of Christ (1959/1977) and various "statements of faith" made by non-denominational/community churches.
Some cite the existence of different religions to prove the Bible cannot be understood or understood alike. However, in reality these different creeds divide and keep religious people from being unified.
Human creeds are condemned. Jesus taught, "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matt. 15: 9). Similarly, Jesus taught purity of heart is evidenced by doctrinal loyalty (vs. 8-9). The simple truth is if a creed says the same thing the Bible says, it is superfluous; if it says less or more, it is expressly condemned (Rev. 22: 18-19). Human creeds are not inspired, do not meet all the needs of men, are not perfect, must be revised, are not the standard of judgment, and hopelessly divide.
One lawful creed. The Spirit was dispatched to guide the apostles into all truth (John 14: 26, 16: 13). Succinctly stated, the word of God is to be man's only creed. God's word is inspired, meets all the needs of man, is perfect, needs no revision, shall be the standard of judgment in the last day, and can unite (2 Tim. 3: 16; Matt. 28: 18; 2 Tim. 3: 16-17; Jude 3; John 12: 48; 1 Cor. 1: 10).
For everyone. God's word is for the young and old, male and female, educated and uneducated, rich and poor (Eccl. 12: 1 ff, Eph. 5: 22 ff, Rom. 1: 16). The word addresses relationships, seeks to eradicate evil, and brings about true happiness and peace (Col. 3, 4; 3: 8; Phili. 4: 6-7; 1 Pet. 3: 10-11). The only way religious people can be one is to lay aside their human creeds and dogmas and accept the "one faith" of the scriptures (1 Cor. 1: 10; Eph. 4: 5).
Some cite the existence of different religions to prove the Bible cannot be understood or understood alike. However, in reality these different creeds divide and keep religious people from being unified.
Human creeds are condemned. Jesus taught, "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matt. 15: 9). Similarly, Jesus taught purity of heart is evidenced by doctrinal loyalty (vs. 8-9). The simple truth is if a creed says the same thing the Bible says, it is superfluous; if it says less or more, it is expressly condemned (Rev. 22: 18-19). Human creeds are not inspired, do not meet all the needs of men, are not perfect, must be revised, are not the standard of judgment, and hopelessly divide.
One lawful creed. The Spirit was dispatched to guide the apostles into all truth (John 14: 26, 16: 13). Succinctly stated, the word of God is to be man's only creed. God's word is inspired, meets all the needs of man, is perfect, needs no revision, shall be the standard of judgment in the last day, and can unite (2 Tim. 3: 16; Matt. 28: 18; 2 Tim. 3: 16-17; Jude 3; John 12: 48; 1 Cor. 1: 10).
For everyone. God's word is for the young and old, male and female, educated and uneducated, rich and poor (Eccl. 12: 1 ff, Eph. 5: 22 ff, Rom. 1: 16). The word addresses relationships, seeks to eradicate evil, and brings about true happiness and peace (Col. 3, 4; 3: 8; Phili. 4: 6-7; 1 Pet. 3: 10-11). The only way religious people can be one is to lay aside their human creeds and dogmas and accept the "one faith" of the scriptures (1 Cor. 1: 10; Eph. 4: 5).