creeds

[mizzdy]

Hi,

It has been brought to my attention more than a few times that to be a full christian and to be in the body of Christ one must adhere to at least one of the 'creed'. I cannot find any biblical reasoning for this. It almost seems like joining a club. I firmly believe that reciting a creed doesn't have anything to do with my salvation but there are many who have told me different. Not here by the way. My faith and trust are firmly in God and that Christ lived, was crucified and rose from the dead, He is my saviour and king isn't this enough? Sometimes it seems to me that many 'religions' make things so hard, so many rules etc. Am I way off? Thanks

[Guest man]

Sometimes it seems to me that many 'religions' make things so hard, so many rules etc. Am I way off? Thanks

You're right on the money.

Most of christianity today is nothing more than Scribes and Pharisees.

[Marnie]

Hi,

It has been brought to my attention more than a few times that to be a full christian and to be in the body of Christ one must adhere to at least one of the 'creed'. I cannot find any biblical reasoning for this. It almost seems like joining a club. I firmly believe that reciting a creed doesn't have anything to do with my salvation but there are many who have told me different. Not here by the way. My faith and trust are firmly in God and that Christ lived, was crucified and rose from the dead, He is my saviour and king isn't this enough? Sometimes it seems to me that many 'religions' make things so hard, so many rules etc. Am I way off? Thanks

Actually, creedal statements go all the way back to the NT church. "Jesus is Lord" was probably the very first creedal statement recited by the early believers. The reason creeds, like the Apostle's Creed, for example, came into being was because in the early centuries of Christianity the average church member didn't read and certainly didn't have a Bible (there were no printing presses), so creeds became a way succinctly witness and share the faith. Like everything else, if a creed is recited mindlessly, it means nothing.

So, don't be too hard on creeds; they can be very good and useful, provided they are founded on the Word of G-d. But, man has a way of making things more complicated than they ought to be, you are right about that.

[stan4257]

The reason creeds, like the Apostle's Creed, for example, came into being was because in the early centuries of Christianity the average church member didn't read and certainly didn't have a Bible (there were no printing presses), so creeds became a way succinctly witness and share the faith.

Hadn't thought about that reason. Makes a lot of sense. Thank you.

But it no longer applies in this time when nearly all are able to read and reason for themselves with easy access to a bible.

Or so I think at the moment unless some other reason comes along.

[Smalcald]

Hi,

It has been brought to my attention more than a few times that to be a full christian and to be in the body of Christ one must adhere to at least one of the 'creed'. I cannot find any biblical reasoning for this. It almost seems like joining a club. I firmly believe that reciting a creed doesn't have anything to do with my salvation but there are many who have told me different. Not here by the way. My faith and trust are firmly in God and that Christ lived, was crucified and rose from the dead, He is my saviour and king isn't this enough? Sometimes it seems to me that many 'religions' make things so hard, so many rules etc. Am I way off? Thanks

There is no magic formula in reciting the Christian Creeds. All that they are is a summary of what biblical Christians believe in a nutshell. They have been very very useful in fighting heresy over the past 2000 years, but there is nothing inherent for your salvation in reciting them. The key is having a sound belief and faith and I do think that if you disagree with the Creeds there could be a major problem in the doctrine that you hold. All the Creeds are is a nice summary of what Christians believe.

I recite the Creeds as a way of having unity with other Christian believers and with my own congregation, not because they have anything to do with salvation.

[stan4257]

The reason creeds, like the Apostle's Creed, for example, came into being was because in the early centuries of Christianity the average church member didn't read and certainly didn't have a Bible (there were no printing presses), so creeds became a way succinctly witness and share the faith.

Hadn't thought about that reason. Makes a lot of sense. Thank you.

But it no longer applies in this time when nearly all are able to read and reason for themselves with easy access to a bible.

Or so I think at the moment unless some other reason comes along.

[Smalcald]

I think they do apply because there is just as there always has been heresy and these serve as a guard against heresy and so we all understand what we all agree on. Most heretical groups today, Mormons, JW

[mizzdy]

Man,

<<Most of christianity today is nothing more than Scribes and Pharisees.>>

It certainly seems to be going that way more and more these days. The many atheist will point out that christianity or rather religion is always at odds with itself and that in their minds there is no difference between the two. I am no atheist yet I can relate to what they are saying about this issue.

[Smalcald]

I see a free for all with people simply making up whatever they want.

[patricia1]

There is no such thing. Creeds are catholic and religious.