What is 'Statement of faith'?

[PiousTemplar]

Is it an official protestant document? I see it on all protestant school websites around my area. This is it here:

Statement of Faith
The Holy Scriptures are the inspired word of God. As such, they are infallible. They alone constitute the sole and absolute authority in all matters pertaining to Christian faith and practice. Whatever is not contained therein is not to be declared as an article of faith:

There is one God, perfect and Holy, existing eternally in the Three Persons of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

God created man in His own image and likeness by a specific act of creation. Man, however, fell by a voluntary act of sin and is consequently separated from God, or restored through salvation available in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The devil is a-fallen angel, who by his influence brought about the fall of man. Every believer has access to absolute authority in Jesus Christ over all the power of the devil.

Salvation is solely by grace and is received through genuine repentance towards God, and wholehearted trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Believer’s baptism by immersion in water is an integral part of Christian initiation.

The Lord’s Supper is a special time when believers take the bread and wine (symbolizing the body and blood of Jesus) and in so doing remember Christ’s death and resurrection, until He returns.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are supernatural gifts given to edify and equip the body of Christ.

The fruits of the Spirit are the natural result of the life of the Spirit in the believer.

Divine healing and deliverance are available to all through faith in the redemptive death and victorious resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Hmmm…

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

There is no single “Statement of Faith” for all Protestants. Each denomination may have one, or each local congregation may create its own, depending on their beliefs. A local group of churches may develop a common one as well, which may have been the case if all Protestant schools in your area share the same one. They usually post the Statement so that others can identify if they agree with a particular congregation or not on key beliefs. Typically, they don’t recite it. So, in some ways, it functions like the Creed does for us, except that the word “creed” is just too Catholic for them to use.

Some Protestant groups will refuse to develop/write/post/claim a Statement because of the mentality that “the only creed in our church is the Bible” and they believe it is counter to Scripture to have such a written Statement.

 

[wisdomseeker]

Is it an official protestant document? I see it on all protestant school websites around my area. This is it here:

Hmmm…

Hummm…! is correct. it seems to me he is the one who is the authority by declaring the Bible is the authority over all Christians. It seems he is the one determining such a thing and not the Bible.

 

[SteveGC]

Hummm…! is correct. it seems to me he is the one who is the authority by declaring the Bible is the authority over all Christians. It seems he is the one determining such a thing and not the Bible.

Indeed…as is so frustratingly typical.

It’s beyond me how simple logic escapes Sola Scripturists. The Bible is only infallible insofar as the** interpretation** of it is infallible. Why do we never see them openly admit that it must be interpreted first, and THEN claim that that interpretation is sole authority and infallible? I imagine it’s because this admission would concede that humans must be involved in authority at some point?

Or do they just not actually see that a book must be interpreted? “the Bible interprets itself” we so often hear…which I take to mean the Holy Spirit guides all into understanding (eventually). You know, if that’s the case, then just say that the Holy Spirit is the sole authority…I would have more respect for that, and it actually would bring us closer to better ecumenical dialogue. But just stop the nonsensical claim that the book itself wields the authority. It’s absurd.

Sorry if this temporarily derails the thread, as I’m sure the discussion is not meant to critique actual doctrinal issues, but rather explore credal ones.

 

[PiousTemplar]

Indeed…as is so frustratingly typical.

It’s beyond me how simple logic escapes Sola Scripturists. The Bible is only infallible insofar as the** interpretation** of it is infallible. Why do we never see them openly admit that it must be interpreted first, and THEN claim that that interpretation is sole authority and infallible? I imagine it’s because this admission would concede that humans must be involved in authority at some point?

Or do they just not actually see that a book must be interpreted? “the Bible interprets itself” we so often hear…which I take to mean the Holy Spirit guides all into understanding (eventually). You know, if that’s the case, then just say that the Holy Spirit is the sole authority…I would have more respect for that, and it actually would bring us closer to better ecumenical dialogue. But just stop the nonsensical claim that the book itself wields the authority. It’s absurd.

Sorry if this temporarily derails the thread, as I’m sure the discussion is not meant to critique actual doctrinal issues, but rather explore credal ones.

Of course it doesn’t derail the thread. I could express my frustrations only by reading your post! Thanks!