Why does anyone, or group, hold to the various doctrines which comprise their faith? Many answer it is taught in their church’s creed. “Creed,” from the Latin “credo,” means “I believe.” It is, ”A statement of religious belief; a confession of faith” (Websters). Everyone who has a set of religious beliefs has a creed, whether it is called a creed, manual, catechism, prayer book or discipline.
Peter says, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). Paul declared the man, or angel, who preached another gospel would be accursed (Galatians 1:6-9). Human creeds are unnecessary. If they add to God’s word, they contain more than God said. If they take away from God’s word, they are less. Both ways teach another gospel, dangerous to the soul supporting them. If one says his church’s creed contains only what God said and all of what God said, then it is the Bible.
Jesus is God’s spokesman for today (Hebrews 1:1-2). Moses and Elijah appeared on the mount of transfiguration, but it was regarding Jesus that God said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear
him” (Matthew 17:1-5). Jesus spoke the words given him by the Father (John 12:44-50). Jesus promised the apostles he would send the Holy Spirit to remind them of his words, delivering only Jesus’ words (John 16:7-14). God confirmed the apostles’ words by the miracles they worked (Hebrews 2:3-4).
The truth found in the word of God will make one free (John 8:32; 17:17). The Lord’s creed is the word of God. Jesus told his apostles the Spirit would guide them into all truth (John 16:13). His task was completed when Jude wrote encouraging Christians to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3 ASV). God gave Peter’s readers “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).
Paul told Timothy the man of God can be perfected by scriptures in every good work (2 Timothy 3:14-17). Paul told the Philippians to “walk by the same rule” (Philippians 3:16). He told the Galatian brethren that it was this rule that created a new creature (Galatians 6:15-16). So, the rule we are to follow is the law of Christ, which produces that new creature (Ephesians 2:13-15; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 8:1-2).
Gary Hampton