In light of the challenge by Cliffton Loucks to rethink using the ecumenical Apostles' Creed , I'd like to give an excerpt that goes along with it, this time from the excellent book "The Protestant Trilemma" as well as show how Martin Luther held the creed as authoritative and the test of true believers.
Pro 30:6 Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and you be found a liar.
Luther holds to the Creed (the Apostles' and his very own Catechisms) as the test of true believers:
Luther’s Preface to his Larger Catechism:
1] This sermon is designed and undertaken that it might be an instruction for children and the simple-minded. Hence of old it was called in Greek Catechism, i.e., instruction for children, 2] what every Christian must needs know, so that he who does not know this could not be numbered with the Christians nor be admitted to any Sacrament, just as a mechanic who does not understand the rules and customs of his trade is expelled and considered incapable.
On the Apostles' Creed, Luther states:
1] Thus far we have heard the first part of Christian doctrine, in which we have seen all that God wishes us to do or to leave undone. Now, there properly follows the Creed, which sets forth to us everything that we mustexpect and receive from God, and, to state it quite briefly, teaches us to know Him fully.
More:
The Apostle's Creed is inspired by God according to Luther:
6a For as truly as I can say, No man has spun the Ten Commandments, the CREED, and the Lord's Prayer out of his head, but they are revealed and given by God Himself,
67] From this you perceive that the Creed is a doctrine quite different from the Ten Commandments; for the latter teaches indeed what we ought to do, but the former tells what God does for us and gives to us. Moreover, apart from this, the Ten Commandments are written in the hearts of all men; the Creed, however, no human wisdom can comprehend, but it must be taught by the Holy Ghost alone.
Creeds are the test and Luther shows his interfaith error
LLC 66] These articles of the Creed, therefore, divide and separate us Christians from all other people upon earth. For all outside of Christianity, whether heathen, Turks, Jews, or false Christians and hypocrites, although they believe in, and worship, only one true God, yet know not what His mind towards them is, and cannot expect any love or blessing from Him; therefore they abide in eternal wrath and damnation. For they have not the Lord Christ, and, besides, are not illumined and favored by any gifts of the Holy Ghost.
3] For if we could by our own powers keep the Ten Commandments as they are to be kept, we would need nothing further, neither the Creed nor the Lord's Prayer.
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Now remember, The Apostles' Creed
Does not declare Jesus to be God or Creator
Declares Jesus went to hell, when that is not what Scripture states (hell is not death)
Does not declare Scripture to be the inspired and infallible 66 books of the Bible
Does not declare the Holy Spirit to be the third Person in the Trinity or Creator
Does not declare the Trinity
Does not speak of repentance to God for sin
Does not declare the sufficiency and authority of Scripture alone
Does not declare justification by faith alone, not by works
Yet here we have Luther, the "father of the Reformation" or however folks want to crown him, as elevating that document ON PAR WITH SCRIPTURE and says, "the Creed, which sets forth to us everything that we must expect and receive from God, and, to state it quite briefly, teaches us to know Him fully. "
How can this be when the creed doesn't discuss the Triune Godhead, the Word as the sole authority of practice and faith, Jesus as God, sin and repentance, total depravity of man and therefore the need for salvation? How can we know God when so much is ignored? We can't. That is why God gave us HIS Word, not the creed which is a mere document written by ecumenical men.
The Protestant Trilemma, by By J. R. Graves , 1860
Chapter 4
16.Will Protestants charge the Papacy with denying that doctrine professedly so sacred to Pedobaptist--THE ALL-SUFFICIENCY of the Word of God for faith and practice?--the Bible and the Bible alone, for all religious doctrines and duties?
Can not Rome point to their Books of Common Prayer, Rubrics, etc., Confession of Faith, and authenticated Disciplines, that in every Protestant meeting-house are placed either on top of the Bible or by its side, but in every case the first required to be observed by Protestants. If the laws, and traditions, and "rules" enjoined by their elders and "chief ministers" on them are not observed, the guilty Protestant is cast out of the Church of Christ--if these organizations can be so considered. Does Rome do worse?
17. Will Protestants assail the Papacy for sweeping away the great fundamental vital doctrine of individualism, upon which all true Christianity rests, because she forbids by pains and penalties personal religious liberty, and freedom of the conscience, and forces upon her infantile, unconscious subjects, onerous rites, Church ordinances, and religious obligations, and even salvation, without either faith or voluntariness on their part.
Would not Rome reply: "Whenever you judge me on this you condemn yourselves. You have imitated my example and adopted the very rite which I originated, by which to accomplish these very results, that I might the more easily and successfully extend my authority over the hearts and consciences of men. Were it now in your power as it has been, to carry out your principles, you would not only as thoroughly destroy the pure doctrine of personal religion, but constrain religious freedom and liberty of conscience, by 'pains and penalties,' as you have done. But you are more inconsistent than I am. While you teach the doctrine of total hereditary depravity in your Creed, you deny it in your Ritual, (for the baptism of infants,) and while you deny in your Creed the possibility of the apostasy from grace of a saint or the elect, you deny it in your Discipline."
CHAPTER IV. TWO OTHER QUESTIONS
5. Will Protestants declare before the world, that the ordinances administered by the Priests of Rome are invalid, since Rome is no Church, but Antichrist, and her priests therefore the ministers of Antichrist?
Can not Rome reply: "It is quite unfortunate for you to say so, since you unbaptize Luther and Calvin, and all your first ministers, and thereby acknowledge yourselves unbaptized, and without authority to baptize. If you are not concerned for my honor, you should be for that of those whom you boast of as your ecclesiastical fathers and founders. The less you say about my baptisms and ordinances the better."
The dilemma presented by the Archbishop of York to the British Parliament, early as 1558, vaunting itself upon its orthodoxy and succession apostolic, is worthy of special attention just here, and it will show that Presbyterians are not alone between two horns, and impaled upon a third!
Here it is:
"The Romish Church is either a true Church or a false one."
"If true then the Church of England--we may add, all Protestants and Reformed Churches, are schismatics, and have been excommunicated."
"If false, then the English Episcopal clergy, and all Protestant ministers, have false orders, are unordained, and without authority to administer the ordinances."
End quote.
How do you answer those three questions?
How do you use the Creeds and Confessions? Are they the first thing you think of or go to for spiritual knowledge? Do you use them as the test of whether a person is a true believer?
Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Ps. 138:2… You have exalted above all things Your name and Your word.
Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
Pro 30:5 Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Is. 8: 20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
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