p. 7 | NOT A CREED

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · Jun 25, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 26.

"NOT A CREED."

In speaking of the new doctrinal statement of the Presbyterians, the Independent says:—

When we say that its adoption will remove a great stumbling-block and will be of substantial advantage to the church, we do not abandon our confidence that binding creeds should never be imposed on any church. But we have been distinctly told that this is not a creed by which to try the orthodoxy of anybody, but a mere statement of what is usually believed, for public information. And the Presbyterian Church, if it adopts this proposed revision, will really have no binding creed. The declaratory statements will have said No to what the confession says Yes; and the amended confession will be practically superseded by the brief statement, which itself is a statement and not a creed.

There is but one reason we can conceive why the Independent does not abandon its confidence in binding creeds, and that is that it has no confidence in God's Word. That church which holds to the Bible needs no creed. That Book, through the mighty power of its life, will hold all who believe. It is only when man chooses his own way in preference to God's way that he departs. And then it is better. Sometimes the few keep to the Word, while the many depart. The many stick to the creed, while the few go out. But departing from the creed and excommunication from "the church" may mean simple loyalty to God and His Book.