Someone inquired recently about the place, if any, of the Apostles’ Creed in the Lord’s church. The Apostles’ Creed is defined as: “a Christian statement of belief ascribed to the Twelve Apostles and used especially in public worship” [Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, (Springfield, Massachusetts: Merriam-Webster, Incorporated) 1993.] First, “[t]he so-called ‘Apostles’ Creed’ does not go back to apostolic times.” [The New Bible Dictionary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1962.] Therefore, since its origin postdates the New Testament, the Apostles’ Creed, as such, is not of divine but rather of human arrangement. No creed and no summary, irrespective of whether it may accurately represent a portion of Scripture, ought to be allowed to displace the complete Word of God for mankind. Such a displacement of the Word of God falls under the condemnation regarding adding to or taking away from the Word of God (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18-19).
Second, to use the Apostles’ Creed “in public worship” is tantamount to a rote prayer or other recitation that lacks biblical precedent. “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matthew 6:7).
Third, were the Apostles’ Creed or any man-made creed thought to say the same thing as the Bible, it would thereby be unnecessary since we already have the Bible. Further, a creed that says less than all the Bible reveals, says too little; similarly, any creed that says more than what the Bible reveals, says too much.
“The Apostles’ Creed then, in its present shape, is post-apostolic; but, in its contents and spirit, truly apostolic.” [Schaff, Philip, History of the Christian Church, (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1997.] However, the Apostles’ Creed falls far short of accurately representing the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27, ASV). Further, over the centuries, the Apostles’ Creed has undergone periodic changes, the differences of which are compared in a list in Philip Schaff’s History of the Christian Church. Following is a recent translation of a fourth century version of the Apostles’ Creed.
I believe in God, the Father, Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and was buried; he descended to (Hades). The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. [Psalter Hymnal, (Grand Rapids, MI: CRC Publications) Copyright 1989.]
Many religionists suppose that the Apostles’ Creed is an ecumenical statement around which different faiths can concoct a loose association of denominational interaction. As far as it goes, little fault could be ascribed to the Apostles’ Creed. It acknowledges the triune Godhead, the historicity of Jesus, the cardinal doctrine of the New Testament (our Lord’s resurrection), final Judgment, the one church, that Christians (or saints) form a fellowship, redemption is possible, the general resurrection of mankind and an eternal abode. Missing, though, are these (among other biblical truths): (1) There is a failure to distinguish between counterfeit religion and the Lord’s church (Matthew 7:21-23; 15:13). (2) One needs to know the character of deity in that disobedience is punished (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9) and obedience is rewarded (Hebrews 5:8-9). Every accountable soul needs to understand the relationship between the resurrection of Jesus Christ and immersion (Romans 6:3-5). (3) The final Judgment involves sentencing the majority of accountable souls to a devil’s (Matthew 7:13-14; 25:46) whereas only the faithful will receive a heavenly reward (Revelation 2:10). (4) Christian fellowship is inclusive and exclusive by Divine design (1 John 1:3; 2 John 9-11; Ephesians 5:11).
(5) Forgiveness of sins is conditional upon complying with God’s scheme of redemption to activate the grace of God. Faith is necessary to be saved (Hebrews 11:6; John 8:24) and biblical faith derives from the Word of God (Romans 10:17; John 20:30-31). True repentance follows, which is the result of a change of mind that also produces a change of conduct (conformity to the Word of God) (2 Corinthians 7:10; Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3). Professing to others one’s conviction that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, logically and biblically follows (Romans 10:9-10). Forgiveness of sins then occurs when one is immersed (Colossians 2:12) for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), that is, to have one’s sins washed away (Acts 22:16) or to be saved (1 Peter 3:21). Still, one must remain faithful (Revelation 2:10) and on the future occasions of sin repent and pray (Acts 8:22).
The Bible is so much more than the Apostles’ Creed, full of necessary information regarding whereby souls can attain forgiveness of sins and learn about Christian worship, Christian service, and Christian living. Nothing more and nothing less can serve us adequately while here on the earth we make our pilgrimage toward the threshold of death and the eternity beyond.
