Why Recite Creeds?

A few more thoughts on Creeds as we take on the reciting of the Nicene Creed in the weeks ahead.  Many of you may have grown up or been a part of churches that do not hold to creeds.  They complain they are extra-biblical, not from the scriptures.  They confidently declare, “No creed but Christ:  that’s my confession of faith.”  It can appear more pure than those who hold to statements that are not directly from scripture – but a closer look reveals the problem.

In fact, just yesterday I was approached by a Jehovah’s Witness who wanted to share with me words of peace and hope.  Now he claims to be a follower of Christ.  What happens if we simply agree on Christ without any definition.  Who is this Christ?  Was He really God?  Was He fully God or was He only partly divine?  Was He the Son of God and therefore not God?  And how does this make any sense?  James writes in 2:14, “You believe that there is one God.  You do well.  Even the demons believe – and tremble”

And so, when someone says they have “no creed but Christ” they may think it sounds tolerant and wise, but it is neither.  It is not only unwise, but it is actually arrogant and foolish.  There is value in listening to the words of learned men who have helped us to understand the scriptures over centuries.  Of course, we believe the Scriptures to be the only final and infallible authority for our faith and practice – but even when I say that, I am recalling a statement that comes from a confession – because it is helpful.

Learning the creeds help prepare you to answer for your faith.  So what exactly do you believe when you say you are a Christian, you can ask someone from a cult.  And when you are asked, you can say something intelligible, helpful, and pointed.  And so join with the church, our church, and the church of this gospel age, in declaring the truth of Jesus Christ to the world in desperate need of salvation.