Keep It Simple!

I am a simple fellow! Why should we complicate things that are easy? Some folks seem to enjoy the complication and making everyday jobs difficult. I have also observed that trouble-free and daily jobs are overlooked. A task unassigned is a task that does not get done. Many a job becomes a great chore because the basics were not done. I am sure you can think of occasions when folks look at each other and say, “I thought you were supposed to do that?” Let’s “Keep It Simple.”

We are also aware that religious creeds that guide one’s belief system can also be very complicated. Let’s keep it simple and go back to the source of our Christian belief system. Someone may ask, “What is that source?” The answer, plain and simply is the Bible. The Bible is divided into the Old and New Testaments. We do not live under the Old Law. It has been nailed to the cross, “having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14 ASV).

Manmade Religious Creeds
Unnecessarily Complicate Christianity

Let us note the last paragraph, Volume One, Preface, page VI, “The Creeds of Christendom with History and Critical Notes” in Three Volumes, Sixth Edition, edited by Philip Schaff and revised by David S. Schaff.

May this repository of creeds and confessions promote a better understanding among the Churches of Christ. The divisions of Christendom bring to light the various aspects and phases of revealed truth, and will be overruled at last for a deeper and richer harmony, of which Christ is the keynote. In him and by him all problems of theology and history will be solved. The nearer believers of different creed approach the Christological center, the better they will understand and love each other. (Philip Schaff, December, 1876)

Under the section of “Authority of Creeds” on Page 7-8, Dr. Philip Schaff stated, “The value of creeds depends upon the measure of their agreement with the Scripture… The Bible has, therefore, a divine and absolute, the Confession only an ecclesiastical and relative authority.” As a possible summary of Mr. Schaff’s feelings concerning creeds, he points to the fact that both the Greek Church and the Roman Church claim infallibility. He wrote, “It is clear that either the Greek or the Roman Church, or both, must be wrong in this claim of infallibility, since they contradict each other on some important points…” Manmade interjectors into the Word of God, the Bible, only created confusions and grave divisions.

The Challenge for All Believers
Is to Go “Back to the Bible”

Basic facts of the Church of Christ include its: Establishment, Isaiah 2:2-3; Daniel 2:44; Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:5-8; 2:1-4; Note also Mark 9:1. Foundation, Christ, Isaiah 28:16; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Matthew 16:18. Founder, Christ, Matthew 16:16-18. Names of Members, Acts 9:1-2, 13-14; 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16. Organization, Ephesians 1:22-23; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-12. Worship, Spirit and Truth, John 4:24; Acts 2:42; Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. Law of Pardon, Faith + Obedience = Salvation, Mark 16:16; Hebrews 5:8-9. Creed, Christ, 1 Corinthians 2:2. Church Name/Description, Romans 16:16; Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:15.