I. The idea of creeds:
A. A definition: Creeds are officially adopted declarations or confessions of a church or group of churches which set forth what such a church believes to be the truth of the Word of God.
1. We speak of these as creeds (from the Latin: credo) to express that this is what the church believes (credo means: to believe).
2. Or these are called confessions, from the Latin (meaning: to express, to say with), because in them the church expresses what it believes to be the truths of Scripture.
3. They are called standards either (a) in the sense of a flag which leads an army to battle, or (b) a norm or rule which guides in the determination of that which is right or wrong.
4. They are called symbols, that is, a sign which represents the church and its belief overagainst the world, or overagainst other denominations of churches.
B. How creeds originate:
1. The truth of God’s Word is always confessed within the church though it was not immediately clearly understood nor formulated.
2. Under various circumstances, particularly the rise of heresy and coming of persecution, specific Scriptural truths became more definitely formulated in the minds of the church.
3. When the time was ripe, these truths were contracted into brief statements and expressed in creeds.
C. The relation of creeds to Scripture:
1. Historically, creeds are reflections of specific Scriptural truths.
2. Creeds must be based upon Scripture and never placed on a par with it.
3. Creeds must always be judged in the light of the Word of God.
4. Churches are called to revise creeds in a proper way when it can be shown that these are in conflict with Scripture.
D. The value of creeds:
1. Serves to give a united expression of the faith of a church overagainst the world and other churches.
2. Serves to preserve the expression of the truth from generation to generation.
3. Serve as the basis upon which churches of like faith can unite.
4. Serves as a means of instruction to the covenant seed.
E. Our three forms of unity.
1. The Netherlands or Belgic Confession
2. The Heidelberg Catechism (chief author: Zacharias Ursinus; assisted by Casper Olevianus; composed, and adopted by the Synod of Heidelberg in 1563)
3. The Canons of Dordt (Written by and adopted at the Great Synod of Dordt 1618-1619)
II. The Netherlands Confession:
A. Its composition:
1. It was first written in 1561 under the stress of great persecution, The first known publication date: 1566.
2. Its chief author was Guido De Bres (Guy De Bray); he had assistance and advice from Adrien de Saravia, H. Modetus, and G. Wingen.
3. Originally was composed in French; soon it was translated into Latin, German, Dutch.
4. It was composed as an answer to Roman Catholic civil authorities (who were conducting a terrible persecution under Philip II of Spain, son of Charles V) to prove that the Protestant Christians were truly faithful children of God and loyal subjects of the king.
5. It was approved and adopted by various synods and finally by the Great Synod of Dordt of 1618-1619.
6. It is called either “Netherlands” or the “Belgic” confession. It was written in what was then Southern Netherlands—now the country of Belgium—hence this variation in name.
B. The general division of this Confession:
1. It follows a dogmatical division.
2. In a general way, the confession can be divided as follows:
a. Doctrine concerning God (Theology): articles 1-11.
b. Doctrine concerning man (Anthropology): articles 12-17.
c. Doctrine concerning Christ (Christology): articles 18-21.
d. Doctrine concerning salvation (Soteriology): articles 22-26.
e. Doctrine concerning the church (Ecclesiology): articles 27-36.
f. Doctrine concerning the last things (Eschatology): article 37.
III. The author of the Netherlands Confession: Guido De Bres
A. He was born at Mons, the capital of Hainault (a priwince of Southern Netherlands) in 1522 (or 1523).
B. He was born and raised a Roman Catholic but was converted to Protestantism before his 25th year.
C. He was forced to flee to England when persecution broke out in 1548 and was there 4 years.
D. In 1556 he was compelled to flee once more because of persecution—first to Frankfort and then to Switzerland (where he likely met with John Calvin).
E. In 1559 he returned to Southern Netherlands (Belgium) and served various churches (though often in disguise for safety’s sake).
F. In 1561, when a new investigation of Protestantism began, De Bres wrote this confession to show that Protestants were not dangerous revolutionaries but that they held to God’s Word and were subservient to earthly authorities.
G. When De Bres was recognized as the author of this confession, his life was in constant danger. He was finally captured and hung at Valenciennes on May 31, 1567 (age: 45).
CLASS PREPARATION AND REVIEW:
Study materials: read through our three forms of unity.
1. Point out the differences in approach and contents in each of our three confessions.
2. Name other creeds used in other denominations.
3. Here follows a list of objections to creeds. Consider them and try to give answers.
a. Creeds are human productions–and Scripture must be considered sufficient.
b. Creeds force and bind the conscience.
c. Creeds create divisions.
d. Creeds impede the development of the truth.
e. Creeds exclude new subjects and hold to out-of-date doctrines.
f. Creeds are too long or too broad.
g. Creeds encourage hypocracy.
h. Creeds prevent progress and development.
4. What is the value of creeds to the church?
5. How do creeds arise?
6. What is the relation of creeds to Scripture?
7. Give the author of the Netherlands Confession, his date of birth and death, and the date of his composition of this Confession.