1. The Bible Our Only Creed

2. What Exactly IS a Creed? Latin Credo – “I believe”
Today – “a formal, authoritative statement of the beliefs of a group of people (e.g. church, brotherhood, denomination).”
“Evolved” from “I believe” to “We believe”
(The Apostles’ Creed, Hiscox Manual for Baptist Churches, The Methodist Discipline, etc.)

3. Dangers of Creeds/Credalism
Creeds Often regarded as equally inspired/ authoritative as the Bible
Mark 7:1-8 “traditions of the elders”
Mark 7:11-13 “making the word of God of no effect through your tradition”

4. May Not be False in Content-
But Always False in Authority
Only God’s Word is “God-breathed” 2 Timothy 3:16,17
IF the majority taught differently than what the Scriptures said, what would YOU DO?

5. Dangers of Creeds/Credalism
Dependency on Men & Their Creeds instead of God & His Word
Matthew 15:1-6 “transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition”
Luke 11:52 “taken away the key of knowledge”
Matthew 15:2 “tradition of the elders”
2 Peter 1:19-21 “no private interpretation”
2 Peter 2:1-3
2 Timothy 2:15

6. Dangers of Creeds/Credalism
Point to “Learned Men” or “Faithful Men”
2 Timothy 2:2
1 John 4:1
Matthew 7:15
1 Thessalonians 5:21

7. Dangers of Creeds/Credalism
Misplacing One’s faith
How do we know a doctrine is true unless we test it according to the Scriptures?
Colossians 2:8
Why we believe & practice what we do is extremely important to God
1 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 5:8
Psalm 40:4; 119:99-102

8. Beware of Creedalism!
The Bible is the “creed” by which all else must be judged Acts 17:11
Make Faith Your Own by Relying on the Bible as Your Only Creed
Genuine Faith Will Come By Your Own Study of God’s Word
Romans 10:17
Know What You Believe & Why
2 Peter 3:15

9. Stand on Your Own Two Feet
To Defend Your Beliefs
Jude 3,4 “contend earnestly for the faith”
2 Peter 3:14-18 “beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked”

10. The Standard of Fellowship: The Bible Alone
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
John 12:48

11. FellowshipWith One Another Based on Being in Fellowship With God
1 John 1:6,7

12. Our Standard of Fellowship & Our Only Creed!
1 Corinthians 1:10
Ephesians 3:4

13. May The Bible Be Our Only Creed!