The Study Of The Creed Of The Church
John 14:6 (KJV)
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The word "creed" comes from a Latin word, "Credi." It means, "a belief, authoritative formula of religious belief; any formula or confession of religious faith; a summary of principles or opinions professed or adhered to." When one thinks of a creed, he usually thinks of "the Apostles' Creed".
Apostles' Creed
1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:
5. The third day he rose again from the dead:
6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:
9. I believe in the holy universal church: the communion of saints:
10. The forgiveness of sins:
11. The resurrection of the body:
12. And the life everlasting. Amen.
What is the creed of the Lord's church?
• We have no savior but Christ!
• We have no creed but the Bible!
Our opinions and ideas in religion are worthless. We have no private interpretation of the Bible. All we have is the Bible. We have obeyed its teachings. We point others to it. Our plea is for one and all to read and study it (John 5:39; 2 Timothy 2:15). We ask people everywhere to do what it teaches.
We have no additional book or books that we follow. There is not a man living that can write a book of rules and regulations that would equal the Bible. The Lord has not given anyone the right to write such a book. The Holy Spirit has not inspired anyone to write such a book.
The Bible is the Word of God and the Word of God only. It has come from God. It has been inspired of God. It can show us how to be saved. It is the Word of God that will judge us in the last day (John 12:48). For this reason, and many others, we accept it as our only guide in religious matters. We encourage others to do the same.
We go to the Bible to learn the truth, since it is the truth (John 8:32; John 17:17). You can't find the truth unless you go to the source of the truth. To believe the truth, you must hear the truth (Romans 10:17). It is no wonder that the majority of the people are deceived in religious matters. It is no wonder there is so much division and confusion in the religious world. Man has gone to man for help instead of to the Lord. Man has turned to the teachings of men instead of the writings of the Bible. Surely then, man must return to the Bible if he is to be saved.
We must encourage man to go to the Bible to learn the truth about what one must do to be saved. There are many ways to be saved, according to the teachings of men. When one goes to God's Book, he finds that it is simply stated: one must hear the truth, believe it, repent of his sins, confess Christ, and be baptized for the remission of sins (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38). What difference does it make what man says? The Lord is the one that saves. We must hear and obey Him to be saved.
We should encourage man to go to the Bible to learn how to worship God. Contrary to what man says, there are not many ways to worship. The Bible teaches there is just one way. The Lord said so in His Word (John 4:24).
We would urge one and all to go to the Bible for the truth about all things. Man leaves the impression that the Bible cannot be understood, nor can all understand it alike. This is not true. The Devil would have man to stay away from the Bible in order that he might be lost. But to be saved, man must come to it, believe it, and let it be his one and only guide in religious matters. Only then can he be saved and only then will he be right.
What is our creed? Jesus Christ and His Word! Beside Him there is no other! We believe that Christ is the Son of God. His Word is final. We accept it. We follow it alone. We urge all others to do the same. The creeds of man can lead you to but one place - HELL! Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). What is your creed?
Special thanks to IBTM for these wonderful studies.
