Topic(s): Denominationalism, Bible Authority

Bob Prichard

A creed is a brief formal statement of commonly held beliefs, to which a person gives allegiance. The three most prominent creeds are the “Apostles Creed” (not actually from the apostles), developed in the early centuries of the church; the “Nicene Creed,” which was approved by the council of Nicaea in A.D. 325; and the “Athanasian Creed,” which may date to about A.D. 400. Confessions are similar to creeds, except they are usually much longer and were generally written much later. The most prominent of these is the “Westminster Confession of Faith,” which dates to the seventeenth century. Manuals and handbooks are rules of government for the various denominations.

Creeds, confessions, manuals, and handbooks were, for the most part, written with good intentions. Their writers sought to “boil down" the “essentials” (as determined by uninspired men) of the faith, or to provide what were thought to be needed guidelines for the church. The main problem with all of them is that they are man-made, and thus fallible. There is no inspired creed, or handbook, and most all contain error*sometimes a great deal of error. Creeds, confessions, and handbooks are just the opinions of men of what God should have said, but did not say in the Bible. They are subject to frequent change. Some churches revise and update their handbooks every few years. God's will for the church is not so transient!

People bound by creeds and handbooks think of them as supplements to understanding the Bible, but they inevitably become substitutes for the Bible. Over time, more and more reliance is placed upon the creed or handbook, to the detriment of the Bible. When there is conflict between the creed and the Bible, the Bible will always wind up in second place. The Bible, however, claims for itself to be a sufficient guide for life. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Scripture, the written word of God, is profitable, or sufficient, for doctrine, reproof, correction, and for instruction in righteousness. It is sufficient for the man of God to be “perfect [complete], thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” There is just no need for creeds, confessions, and handbooks. Whether they contain more than the Bible, less than the Bible, or are just different from the Bible, none are justified! We just need the Bible!

Ultimately, creeds and handbooks must be divisive, because they shut in their adherents and shut out any who do not accept them. But Jesus prayed for unity for His followers. “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:21). We cannot unite on the basis of creeds and confessions, but the Bible alone!