In our ongoing study of Bible Authority, we have stressed that the Bible sets forth the standard for our lives as individual Christians and as a local church. We appeal to the word of God as our authority for what we believe, teach, and practice. We do not appeal to anything else.
The churches of men have creeds. A creed is brief statement of the essential points of religious belief as approved and accepted by a church. These churches may call their creed books “manuals,” “disciplines,” “confessions,” or “catechisms.” Their members may not even be aware that such books exist, but they place themselves in subjection to these creeds when they become members of these churches. In one denomination, their pastors must pledge themselves to the creed book to become ordained.
It is not sinful to set forth one’s belief in written form. However, it is another thing to formulate a series doctrines and rules which will govern a denomination. The Bible teaches that such works are unnecessary. “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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Paul taught that all Scripture is given “by the inspiration of God.” This means that every word from Genesis to Revelation has come from the mind of God, not from man. The Bible is far superior to any writing that man could ever produce.
Notice the intended purpose for Scripture: “that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” If Scripture makes the man of God complete and thoroughly equipped to do every good work, then what need is there for creed books? Some have defended the existence of their creed books and manuals in that they are a profession of the truth of Scripture. Why not let Scripture speak for itself? Is man going to word it any better than God has already worded it? Some use their creed books and manuals as a means of establishing the rules and procedures within their denomination. Do we really think that man can improve upon God’s plan and design? Can’t we trust that God-inspired Scripture is able to do the work that God intended it to accomplish (Is. 55:8-11)? What good work is it in which man is to engage that is not already addressed in Scripture? What did God leave out of the Bible that a man or a church needs to be complete and thoroughly equipped?
If a creed book says less than the Bible, it says too little. If a creed book says more than the Bible, it says too much. If a creed book says the same thing as the Bible, it is unnecessary. There is no reason for creed books to exist, other than to remove people from God’s original plan and further confuse and divide believers.
Several years ago, a young Christian asked me, “What is the difference between a denomination’s creed book and the tracts in our tract rack?” We have numerous tracts in the foyer of our church building. A tract is written material designed to be easily distributed and easily read. These tracts set forth the Bible’s teaching on various subjects, often challenging and correcting false doctrine, and always directing the reader to what the Bible says on the subject. No tract is understood by us to be the final word on our beliefs, teachings, or practices. They are teaching tools, not standards of doctrine and practice for our organization. This can’t be said of creed books.
We need to be careful that we do not develop creeds in our own thinking. While we have books and other resources that aid us in understanding the Bible, these sources must never take the place of the Bible.
I remember one place where I preached as a young man some of the older members brought three books to Bible class: their Bible, the workbook, and their copy of Johnson’s Notes. They were going to make sure this young preacher was teaching the truth. If I didn’t line up with Johnson’s notes, I was questioned.
Today, I have several books in paper and digital format that I use when I study for sermons, Bible classes, and writing articles. I will sometimes quote from these sources, but I am careful to always teach and preach from the Bible. When I study with someone to help them become a Christian, I don’t get out my copy of “Why I Am a Member of the Church of Christ,” “The Gospel Plan of Salvation,” or “Muscle and Shovel,” and show them what these men have written. I ask them to open their Bible and we read what God has said on the subject.
Commentaries, Bible dictionaries, workbooks, tracts, magazines, bulletins, blogs, videos, etc., are all helpful resources, but they are not our standard for authority. Our faith must come from the word of God (Rom. 10:17), not from the words of men. We will be judged by the words of Christ (John 12:48), not the words men have written about Christ.
Solomon observed that “of making many books there is no end” (Eccl. 12:12). This is true of all books, including creed books. However, the making of such books will come to an end one day. All the creeds of men will be destroyed. The only words that will survive the destruction of this world are the words of our Savior. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matt. 24:35).
A soul-saving faith is one based on the words of Christ, not the doctrines of men. Upon what source are you securing your soul’s salvation?