Creeds, Confessions & Catechisms
- What is a Creed, Confession and Catechism?
- Are they important in my Christian life?
- Should I be using these to help me gain a better understanding of the doctrines that are foundational to the Christian faith?
- Should I be using them when I disciple my family?
To start, these are great questions. To help explore each of these topics in more detail, I listed some important definitions and considerations below.
One of the earliest biblical confessions of faith and/or creeds can be found in Deuteronomy 6:4-25.
Understanding the Confession of Faith
The Confession of Faith is a corporate affirmation of essential Christian doctrines. It is often done through reciting a creed (such as the Apostles’ Creed or Nicene Creed), a section of a confession (2nd London Baptist), or a catechism question and answer (such as the Heidelberg Catechism). This act of recitation unites the congregation, family or group of believers in a shared declaration of faith.
Scriptural Foundations of Confession
The practice of confessing faith publicly has deep biblical roots, seen in both the Old and New Testaments. We can even find early creeds in the pages of scripture, as mentioned previously with Deuteronomy 6:4-25, also 1 Timothy 3:16 and 1 Corinthians 15:3-7
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-7: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
- 1 Timothy 3:16: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Theological Significance
- Affirmation of Core Beliefs: It provides a structured opportunity to affirm the core tenets of Christian faith. By confessing these truths, we root our worship in sound doctrine.
- Connection to Historic Faith: It connects us to the historic faith of the church. Confessing creeds and confessions links us to Christians throughout history who have professed these same beliefs.
- Communal Unity: It fosters communal unity by having the congregation collectively declare their shared beliefs. This shared confession strengthens the bond of fellowship and mutual understanding.
- Public Witness: It serves as a public witness to our faith, proclaiming the truths we hold.
The Impact of the Confession of Faith on Worship
The Confession of Faith enriches the worship experience in several ways:
- Reinforces: It reinforces the congregation’s understanding of key doctrines, embedding the foundational truths of the faith in their minds.
- Strengthens: It strengthens the congregation’s identity as believers who share a common faith.
- Teaches: It increases theological awareness, helping worshipers articulate their beliefs clearly and confidently, both within and outside the church.
Which catechism or confession should I choose?
We recommend this article written by late Pastor and theologian, Dr. Voddie Bachaum, as his insights will help you answer these questions. It is not as straight forward as you might think. Click the link below:
How important is using a catechism to disciple my family, especially my children? What if my children are young and cannot grasp these theological concepts yet?
Watch this brief video by Dr. Bachaum on this topic. Oh, did I mention that he disciples all nine, yes I said nine, of his children using catechism. This is not to say that Voddie is the standard, but it does support the fact that he knows the importance of using catechism to train up a child or even an adult in sound Christian doctrine. He is not telling you second hand as a Pastor just giving good advice, he uses this successfully with his own children. All nine of them.
Biblical and Beneficial
“Not only are creeds and confessions biblical, following the scriptural pattern of expressing core beliefs, they are beneficial in many ways. According to the New Testament, the church is to be unified. Paul speaks of glorifying God “with one voice,” “standing firm in one spirit,” and “with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” (Rom. 15:5-6; Phil. 1:27). The church also needs a clear standard of truth. Because the church has ever existed amid false doctrines and philosophies, under the threat of being “tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14), it needs to be taught the essential truths of the Word of God; in that way, it can better “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). For this reason, Paul preached “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) and spoke of Gentile Romans who were slaves to sin coming to be “obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed” (Rom. 6:17). Paul also wrote to Timothy that he should “follow the pattern of the sound words” (2 Tim. 1:13). The creeds and confessions of the church can help in carrying out all of these mandates by establishing a common confession of the faith.”
– Daniel R. Hyde, “Creeds and Confessions, Biblical and Beneficial” , Ligonier Ministries