Creeds vs. Bible

[HankD]

Scripture doctrines do not!

what we believe about them sometimes is wrong.

 

[Yeshua1]

what we believe about them sometimes is wrong.

Not in this particular doctrine though!

 

[Garrett20]

While I wouldn't compare you to the JWs, I have to admit they came to mind when reading the OP.

"Hey, let's ignore everything in historic Christianity and just study the Bible. We'll even call ourselves Bible Students!"

And off the rails they went...

I had a Church of Christ Elder on my front porch Saturday morning (what a great way to start a beautiful Saturday).. He was against all creeds, confessions, and even doctrinal statements. He said virtually the same exact thing. I had to remind him that our doctrinal statement is a summary of God-given truth. For example, he denied using the term Trinity since it wasn’t Scriptural. Then we went round and round... eventually, we got to the baptismal regeneration. Thanks for your post, Rob.

 

[Yeshua1]

I had a Church of Christ Elder on my front porch Saturday morning (what a great way to start a beautiful Saturday).. He was against all creeds, confessions, and even doctrinal statements. He said virtually the same exact thing. I had to remind him that our doctrinal statement is a summary of God-given truth. For example, he denied using the term Trinity since it wasn’t Scriptural. Then we went round and round... eventually, we got to the baptismal regeneration. Thanks for your post, Rob.

Most churches have a formal statement of beliefs, so they would been listing their theology, even though "only the Bible"

 

[JonC]

Me too. I would never join any church that did not have a clear, Biblical confession of faith (not necessarily the 1689).
The church where I was saved almost exactly 30 years ago had the claim that it 'just followed the Bible.' It still makes the claim, but the Gospel is no longer preached there. It is desperately sad.

Some churches have even gone so far as to deny the physical return of Christ in glory at the end of the age. A clear confession of faith would have prevented that.

What about a church that defines its views in a "church covenant"? Do you see a difference?

 

[Wesley Briggman]

Bible verse please. Especially the physical.

[Tit 2:13 KJV] 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

appearing
appearing
ap·pear
(ə-pîr′)
intr.v. ap·peared, ap·pear·ing, ap·pears
1.
a. To become visible:

Are you of the opinion that he has already "appeared"? If so, dose anyone have a photo?

 

[Marooncat79]

I had a Church of Christ Elder on my front porch Saturday morning (what a great way to start a beautiful Saturday).. He was against all creeds, confessions, and even doctrinal statements. He said virtually the same exact thing. I had to remind him that our doctrinal statement is a summary of God-given truth. For example, he denied using the term Trinity since it wasn’t Scriptural. Then we went round and round... eventually, we got to the baptismal regeneration. Thanks for your post, Rob.

Them why preach a sermon right?

Creeds and Confessions are only codified statements of Biblical truth yet many fear them unnecessarily

 

[Martin Marprelate]

Of course, the title of the thread ('creeds vs the Bible') is erroneous and tendentious. Creeds and confessions are not opposed to the Bible.
Here is the very first article of the 1689 Baptist confession: 'The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience.' How can that be opposed to the Bible?

 

[Reformed]

Some people reject creeds and confessions because of their content. They do not want to be pinned down as to what they believe. They want the option to move the goal posts if necessary.

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[HankD]

Some people reject creeds and confessions because of their content. They do not want to be pinned down as to what they believe. They want the option to move the goal posts if necessary.

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or some simply because they don't agree.

 

[asterisktom]

[Tit 2:13 KJV] 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

appearing
appearing
ap·pear
(ə-pîr′)
intr.v. ap·peared, ap·pear·ing, ap·pears
1.
a. To become visible:

Are you of the opinion that he has already "appeared"? If so, dose anyone have a photo?

Yes, I do believe He already appeared in AD70. That was the glorious appearing. But the blessed hope is ongoing for all who are in Christ.

 

[asterisktom]

Of course, the title of the thread ('creeds vs the Bible') is erroneous and tendentious. Creeds and confessions are not opposed to the Bible.
Here is the very first article of the 1689 Baptist confession: 'The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience.' How can that be opposed to the Bible?

Oh good grief. Putting words in my mouth. If I had started a thread called NIV vs. KJV any intelligent person would know that I am not positing absolute opposition of one version against another. Use common sense man.

But - since creeds are humanly formulated - there is always the danger that there are elements that are wrong. Are you really arguing that all creeds and confessions, throughout hjstory, are free of error?

 

[asterisktom]

Some people reject creeds and confessions because of their content. They do not want to be pinned down as to what they believe. They want the option to move the goal posts if necessary.

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The Bible pins me down as to what I can and cannot believe. A person who corrects me from the Bible is always appreciated.

You do not know me, Reformed. Dont pretend to know what my motives are.

 

[Aaron]

Well, yes. I think we all do that. But it is not superfluous. There is a general tendency for us - all of us - to drift away from the simplicity of the Word of God. Yes, I do present commentary, but I would always welcome scriptural rebuttal. I don't claim to have all the answers.

The Bible was not given to be taken without commentary or teaching or summary. Preachers and teachers are gifts to the church. I know of no Evangelical that takes any confession or creed to be an authority on par with the Scriptures. Now, you Preterists come awfully close to that. You must deny one fundamental, straightforward scriptural maxim about the Resurrection, and accept your commentary in order for your brand of Preterism to stand.

 

[Reformed]

or some simply because they don't agree.

That is what I meant by "content".

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[Aaron]

Oh good grief. Putting words in my mouth. If I had started a thread called NIV vs. KJV any intelligent person would know that I am not positing absolute opposition of one version against another. Use common sense man.

But - since creeds are humanly formulated - there is always the danger that there are elements that are wrong. Are you really arguing that all creeds and confessions, throughout hjstory, are free of error?

I'm glad you appealed to common sense here, because any intelligent person can see what Paul was saying when He said "the dead in Christ shall rise."

 

[asterisktom]

The Bible was not given to be taken without commentary or teaching or summary. Preachers and teachers are gifts to the church. I know of no Evangelical that takes any confession or creed to be an authority on par with the Scriptures. Now, you Preterists come awfully close to that. You must deny one fundamental, straightforward scriptural maxim about the Resurrection, and accept your commentary in order for your brand of Preterism to stand.

Tell me what "fundamental, straightforward scriptural" verse or passage I am denying.

 

[Reformed]

The Bible pins me down as to what I can and cannot believe. A person who corrects me from the Bible is always appreciated.

You do not know me, Reformed. Dont pretend to know what my motives are.

Narcissistic much? I did not have you in mind. I must have hit an inadvertent nerve.

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[asterisktom]

I'm glad you appealed to common sense here, because any intelligent person can see what Paul was saying when He said "the dead in Christ shall rise."

Do you think I deny what Paul wrote?

 

[asterisktom]

Narcissistic much? I did not have you in mind. I must have hit an inadvertent nerve.

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Strange definition of narcissism. But, if you did not mean me, I apologize.