The founding of the Assemblies of God (my denomination) was based on the lack of creeds in the very beginning. They believed in the Bible, bless God, and that was enough. It wasn’t long before theological controversy forced them into a statement of faith. (But it’s not a creed. 😉 )

Over the years as I have studied more of Church History and spiritual formation and Pentecostal “sightings”, as I would call them, through the early church, I have grown in my appreciation for the creeds of the Church.

Scot McKnight’s book, The King Jesus Gospel, revolves around the basics of the gospel. His contention is American Christianity has more of a “salvation plan” approach rather than a “gospel” approach. The development of the gospel message in the New Testament, McKnight contends, is 1 Corinthians 15. Paul lays out the simple gospel.

McKnight then makes a bold claim. This simple gospel laid out by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 is the basis for the Nicene Creed. In essence, to be Christian is to be in agreement with the creeds. Quite honestly, he asks, what could a Christian possibly disagree with in the Nicene Creed? What about the Nicene Creed is not gospel? (And, McKnight would say, add in the fact that much of 1 Corinthians 15:1-5 is in there, how can you deny the Creed and not deny the gospel?)

For the early church, to deny the creed was to deny the gospel. It is the very essence of the gospel.

McKnight articulates what has been going on in my own life over the past few years. I am far more “confessional” in my belief than I used to be. I am still solidly Pentecostal. Both “roots” are deep within the Church. This is just something I am learning to try to articulate better.

The King Jesus Gospel: The Original Good News Revisited