A creed is defined as a "brief authoritative formula of religious belief-a set of fundamental beliefs." The church of Christ, therefore, does not have a creed. There is no statement of belief or system of teaching formed by man like the denominations. There is no legislative body to determine doctrines and practices. The Lord's church has no headquarters except in heaven (Philippians 3:20). It is unique among all religions.

A creed says too much. It goes beyond the written Word of God (1 Cor. 4:6). Woeful condemnation is given to those who "add to" or "take from" God's Word (Revelation 22:18-19).

The Word of God, the Bible, is the system of teaching the Lord's people follow exclusively. It is the holy and inspired Word of God. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Scriptures are to be handled correctly-rightly divided. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

The Gospel is to be obeyed, for those who "...obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: ...shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power" (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

The Gospel is to be taught throughout the whole world. Jesus said, "...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16).

The Gospel is to be defended as we "...earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3).

The Gospel will judge us in the last day (John 12:48).

Does your church have a creed? If so, it is not the Word of God. Follow the Bible, not a creed.

--Garland M. Robinson

Have you considered that words no longer mean what they mean when used by people devoid of respect for God and Bible authority? It is pathetic to listen to the feeble lip-service that is given to God by those who are a living abomination to Him.

The Friday, August 7, 1998 Dallas Morning News contained a lengthy article on the Methodist debate in Dallas on gay marriage. The paper says that "nine members of the United Methodist Church's supreme court will decide how the nation's largest mainline Protestant denomination will deal with homosexual marriage."

A glaring problem is that most folks who claim to be religious do not have a clue how the Lord's church is governed. I suppose a denomination can be governed any way it chooses as it is man-made and finds its authority in men and not God! It is indeed a man-made supreme court!

Now while some threaten to leave the denomination if they authorize homosexual marriage, the Rev. John Thornburg, pastor of Northhaven United Methodist Church in Dallas says, "We're all sinners. What's wrong is when we presume that everything about being homosexual is sinful."

All indeed do sin (Rom. 3:23; 1 John 1:8,10), but it is wrong to suggest that all people live a sinful lifestyle. Neither is homosexuality part sin and part good! The apostle Paul says, "Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 6:9-10; emp. mine, MLW). The so-called "Reverend" suggests not "everything about being homosexual is sinful" but God says homosexuality is sinful and will keep one out of Heaven. Please tell me what is good about missing Heaven!

A former "pastor" of the Methodist church, Jimmy Creech, conducted a "holy union ceremony for a lesbian couple" and it eventually led to the congregation dismissing him. Here we have the word "holy" being used to describe something God says is an abomination and sinful! Mr. Creech defends his actions by saying:

"I thought of it in terms of my being responsible as a pastor. I didn't do it as an act of disobedience. I did it as an act of integrity. There was no moral authority the church had to mistreat homosexual couples."

Please pardon me, did I miss something? When did the joining in marriage of a homosexual couple become an act of integrity? And, of course, we "mistreat" homosexual couples if we condemn their sinful action! Mr. Creech disobeyed God by performing the immoral act. The Bible says, "And if a man lie with mankind, as with womankind, both of them have committed abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them" (Lev. 20:13).

Mr. Creech's concluding remark is nauseating, "They had no idea the very simple, pure purpose they had would cause such trauma."

How can one have a pure purpose while willfully committing what God calls an abomination?

The paper also says, "Perhaps lost in the bureaucratic discussion, however, are homosexual Christians who don't understand why they're so misunderstood." "Homosexual Christians"--how horrible and disgusting! If words have meaning, a Christian is a follower of Christ. Since Christ always did the Father's will (John 4:34; 6:38), He neither condoned nor practiced homosexuality. One cannot be a follower of Christ while willfully engaging in a sinful activity.

The paper also states that "Todd" who was reared a United Methodist will marry "Chris" (both men) next May at the Cathedral of Hope (world's largest gay congregation) in Dallas. Cathedral of Hope? There is no "hope" for those unwilling to repent of the sin of homosexuality! Yet, Todd says, "I strive to be like Christ in my day-to-day activities." How can one "be like Christ" when he is not following Christ's examples or commands? But Todd's parents approve and "will help them light a candle signifying their union."

Words simply cannot be ignored because they suit one's purpose! Let's play this game using as our text 1 Corinthians 9-10 and recalling the words "holy," "pure purpose," and "Christian." Can you picture the "Christian fornicator or adulterer" who commits such acts with a "pure purpose?" Or, can you visualize the "Christian thief" who steals from others with a "pure purpose?" Now don't forget the thief considers this to be an act of integrity and the church (nor anyone else) has any moral authority to mistreat him! Have you considered the "Christian drunkard" next door? What about the "Christian extortioner" who works at the bank? He has a "pure purpose" so please do not dare question his integrity!

Now, by this time you should have no difficulty visualizing an "effeminate Christian man who abuses himself with other men." And, you must also realize it does not matter that God calls such behavior sinful and an abomination and says that those who practice such will not "inherit the kingdom of God." Do God's words mean anything?

Friends, as the Scripture says, do not be deceived! Words do indeed have meaning, and there is nothing that will ever be right about homosexuality! It is blasphemous to suggest that a so-called "holy communion" can make an unholy act holy!

--Marvin L. Weir

5810 Liberty Grove Road

Rowlett, TX

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