Bible Thoughts

November 23, 2003

"Creed" refers to a "statement of the essential beliefs of a religion." Add the word "human" and it refers to something that originated in the mind of some man. Religion has long been plagued with human creeds that serve as a source of trouble and division. All Christians have a creed. It is the revelation of Jesus Christ(the New Testament). When it comes to religion, every item to be believed, every practice to be performed, and every act of worship to be offered to God is found in this perfect book(James 1:25). The completeness of the articles of belief can be realized as man is furnished "everything that pertains to life and godliness"(II Peter 1:3). In fact, it is so "perfect" that when one subtracts, adds, or perverts what God has revealed, shipwreck is made of one's faith(II Timothy 3:16-17).

Human creeds may be found as confessions of faith, church manuals and disciplines, prayer-books, latter-day revelations, claimed direct communications from heaven, and whatever man's fertile mind may produce. Such creeds add nothing constructive to God's revelation. They only serve to subvert the souls of those who would follow such human devices. Jesus spoke of the consequences of following human creeds by stating, "But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men"(Matthew 15:9).

Ponder on this: If a church manual(statement of faith) contains less than the New Testament, it is unworthy of belief. If it contains more than the New Testament, it is not worthy of being accepted. If it contains only the New Testament, it is not a human creed--it is the New Testament. This eliminates the need for human creeds.

We need the revelation of God--but only that revelation. We encourage you to study and follow the New Testament. It will supply all you need to believe, teach, and practice to please Jesus Christ.

Many claim they have been guided by the Holy Spirit. Others claim they know someone who has been guided by the Holy Spirit. Among these are people who belong to several different religious groups, teaching many different doctrines. Often, the only thing they do have in common are the miraculous claims they profess.

Is it not reasonable to say that when one possesses the Holy Spirit, one will agree with the Holy Spirit? And that when one holds to teachings and practices not in agreement with the Holy Spirit, they do not possess the Holy Spirit? How could those who hold doctrines that contradict the Holy Spirit's will, as revealed in the New Testament, claim guidance by the Holy Spirit? Please consider the following examples of such practices and teachings.

1. Instrumental music: When the Holy Spirit specifies singing in worship (Ephesians 5:19), how can one claim the Spirit leads that person as they use instrumental music in their services?

2. Religious titles: The Holy Spirit revealed the words of Christ in Matthew 23:7-12 concerning the use of religious titles among the Jews. Hence, one does not follow the will of the Spirit when using such titles as reverend, father, pastor, etc.

3. The Lord's Supper: The Holy Spirit reveals that early disciples partook of this memorial feast on each first day of the week(Acts 20:7). How can one claim the Spirit is guiding when the feast is offered on any day other than Sunday? Or it is offered bimonthly, yearly, or on special occasions rather than each first day? These three examples serve as a starting point in understanding that religious leaders make many claims, but such claims do not necessarily follow the will of the Holy Spirit. God has left us His will in the New Testament. It is not appropriate to accept the word of some man when we can read "which the Holy Spirit teacheth."

Which is safer? Listening to the claims of so many different humans(often contradicting one another) or listening to the Holy Spirit speak the words of Christ(God) in the revelation of Christ? Is it better to stand before God and know that what I believed and taught can be found in the written word of God or believe some fallible man whose only claim is that somewhere...somehow God spoke to him? Judge for yourself which is safer.

Because it was made according to the pattern, the first church was completely furnished unto every good work. Its very simplicity was evidently one reason that it was absolutely sufficient and efficient in all things demanded of it.

As a benevolent institution it was without blemish; as a missionary society or evangelistic medium, it lacked nothing.

There is absolutely no precedent or example in the Holy Scriptures for the existence of any organization, federation or society which embraces more or less than one local congregation through which to perform the work of the Lord in the furtherance of the gospel.-F. B. Shepherd, Gospel Advocate, Feb. 22, 1932 ________________________________________________

CONVICTION

It is not the voice of the multitude, but the voice of truth, that has power with the conscience-that can produce a rational conviction, and acceptable obedience. A conscience that awaits the decision of the multitude, that hangs in suspense for the casting vote of the majority, is a fit subject for the man of sin.-Thomas Campbell

Most humans worry about things that they cannot control. This does not stop the average person from being so concerned about the affairs of life that they give up worrying about circumstances and situations. We worry about our jobs, we worry about our families, we worry about our funds, we worry about life, and we could continue in a much longer list. Read Matthew 6:34: "Take therefore no thought(worry-jy) for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."