Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 6/10/2004

Question
Since Christianity is about a personal relationship with God and the Bible is our sole guide, why do we need to "believe in the holy catholic church" as the Apostles' Creed declares? Definitely we don't need the mediation of the church or its clergy to maintain our faith, right? So why doesn't the Apostles' Creed say we should believe in God's Word instead of the church? Isn't this statement a Catholic invention to persuade its members that the church is essential for their salvation?

Answer
Hi Larry,

You are absolutely right!!  I have NEVER repeated the Apostle's Creed, nor would I advocate its use in church.  Look at the Berean believers...they were noble because they searched the scriptures, not some dusty old theology!

Acts 17:10-11
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps.

In Christ
Pastor Don