The Bible Our Only Creed

What Exactly IS a Creed? Latin Credo – “I believe” Today – “a formal, authoritative statement of the beliefs of a group of people (e.g. church, brotherhood, denomination).” “Evolved” from “I believe” to “We believe” (The Apostles’ Creed, Hiscox Manual for Baptist Churches, The Methodist Discipline, etc.)

Dangers of Creeds/Credalism Creeds Often regarded as equally inspired/ authoritative as the Bible Mark 7:1-8 “traditions of the elders” Mark 7:11-13 “making the word of God of no effect through your tradition”

May Not be False in Content- But Always False in Authority Only God’s Word is “God-breathed” 2 Timothy 3:16,17 IF the majority taught differently than what the Scriptures said, what would YOU DO?

Dangers of Creeds/Credalism Dependency on Men & Their Creeds instead of God & His Word Matthew 15:1-6 “transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition” Luke 11:52 “taken away the key of knowledge” Matthew 15:2 “tradition of the elders” 2 Peter 1:19-21 “no private interpretation” 2 Peter 2:1-3 2 Timothy 2:15

Dangers of Creeds/Credalism Point to “Learned Men” or “Faithful Men” 2 Timothy 2:2 1 John 4:1 Matthew 7:15 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Dangers of Creeds/Credalism Misplacing One’s faith How do we know a doctrine is true unless we test it according to the Scriptures? Colossians 2:8 Why we believe & practice what we do is extremely important to God 1 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 5:8 Psalm 40:4; 119:99-102

Beware of Creedalism! The Bible is the “creed” by which all else must be judged Acts 17:11 Make Faith Your Own by Relying on the Bible as Your Only Creed Genuine Faith Will Come By Your Own Study of God’s Word Romans 10:17 Know What You Believe & Why 2 Peter 3:15

Stand on Your Own Two Feet To Defend Your Beliefs Jude 3,4 “contend earnestly for the faith” 2 Peter 3:14-18 “beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked”

The Standard of Fellowship: The Bible Alone 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 John 12:48

FellowshipWith One Another Based on Being in Fellowship With God 1 John 1:6,7

Our Standard of Fellowship & Our Only Creed! 1 Corinthians 1:10 Ephesians 3:4

May The Bible Be Our Only Creed!