Articles of Faith - Part Two
I want to mention an article or two that I find some who object to and offer a few thoughts for consideration.
“We believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testatments are given by the inspiration of God and the only rule of faith and practice.”
The above is to be found in all our Articles of faith that I have seen, not in the exact phraseology every time, but the equivalent. They all affirm their faith in the Scriptures as being from God and that they are to be our final authority for all we preach and practice. I believe this is in harmony with the teaching of the Bible. However, some object to having the Old Testament included in this article, for they say, “We are not under the Old Testament rule.” I believe this objection will be found to have some merit, but not valid, in the light of what our forefathers had in mind. For instance, who would want to rule the Old Testament out as having nothing to offer by way of our faith in God and his wonderful works to the children of men? “…whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4) That the Old Testament is a good source of our faith is evident by our reference to it from time to time in support of that faith. This is the meaning intended in our article on the scriptures. However, the need for explanation to those who do not readily see the meaning intended can be had by a simple statement being added to the article, such as - “The New Testament being our guide in church worship and Christian conduct.” Or some other expression to the same effect. This brings us to consider another important point - it is a sad mistake to suppose that our declarations of faith or rules of decorum, or any other thing that we do or say, is so perfect that it cannot be improved! Furthermore, to make any of these a “test of fellowship” is contrary to the express statement of the article under consideration which declares that the Scriptures themselves are the “only rule of faith and practice.” Some say “the only perfect rule,” which I think is better. Therefore, if and when we are called in question about any article of faith, our our application of it to any given situation, instead of trying to argue the terms of the article, we should go immediately to the scriptures and, if we cannot sustain our position thereby, the let all contention cease!
I would not want to see our Articles of Faith and Rules of Decorum deleted from our church records, or other appropriate media, but I do believe some items in them could be improved or made to more clearly express what we believe and practice today.
May each of us bear our rightful share in “earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to the saints.” And may we do so in love and meekness, “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
- Elder Virgil F. Lowrance