Read chapter 1 of the Westminster Confession of Faith.
Many people in the church today are antagonistic to confessions (not the prayer of confession but the stipulating of the content of one’s faith).
Discussion Question:
Have you ever read a complete confession of faith? Which one?
Discuss your opinion of it.
This antagonism is often ignorance disguised as biblical maturity. A confession is simply a statement of belief about what the Bible says and teaches. The absurdity of a statement such as ’I don’t adhere to confessions, I just believe the Bible’ can be realised by noting that one’s reading of the Bible immediately produces a particular interpretation and is immediately therefore a confessional stance. But if one decries confessional statements then one is poo pooing one’s own interpretation of the Bible! How absurd! Let me illustrate. A woman recently said to me that she thinks all confessions are man made and are therefore sinful. She therefore adamantly refused to read them or use them in any way, shape or form. If you were to ask this lady what she thought of infant baptism, church government or spiritual gifts, she would immediately tell you her thoughts. She would probably add quite vehemently that she is only telling you the biblical position. Unfortunately there are many different interpretations regarding infant baptism, church government and spiritual gifts. Each group claims to be interpreting the Bible correctly. Each group has summarised what they believe the Bible teaches in their confessional statement. Whatever this person thinks in these not-so-clear areas, she is immediately entering into a confessional stance.
Confessional statements aren't sinful. They are a tool that help the church immensely and can prevent many arguments and incidents from destroying both the local and the wider church.
Discussion:
What advantages are their in having a confessional stance?
(Hint: Having denominations isn’t all bad!!!)
Can you think of disadvantages of not having a confessional stance?
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