not mean that it should be so regarded,
but this interpretation given to his words, or some other cause, led to
its being used as a watchword rather than as an open confession, the
consequence of which is that in the writings of the earliest Christian
fathers no statement of doctrines corresponding to a creed is found.

The absence of creeds or of allusions to them in the oldest Christian
treatises gives seeming point to the objection urged by Professor
Harnack and others against the Apostles' Creed as now held and
interpreted by the Church, that it is not a correct summary of early
Christian belief. That such objections are not well founded will become
apparent as the various articles of the Creed are considered in the
light of Apostolic teaching. The absence of creeds in early Christian
writings is sufficiently accounted for by the care with which the
summary was cherished as a secret trust, to be treasured in the memory
but not to be written or otherwise profaned by publicity.

The word "creed"--derived from the Latin "_credo_, I believe"--is,
in its ecclesiastical sense, used to denote a summary or concise
statement of doctrines formulated and accepted by a church. Although
usually connected with religious belief, it has a wider meaning, and
designates the principles which an individual or an associated body so
holds that they become the springs and guides of conduct. Some sects of
Christians reject formal creeds and profess to find the Scriptures
sufficient for all purposes that creeds are meant to serve. The
Christian religion rests on Christ, and the final appeal on any question
of doctrine must be to the Scriptures which testify of Him: but it is
found that very different conclusions are often reached by those who
profess to ground their beliefs upon the same passages of the Word of
God. Almost every heresy that has disturbed the unity of the Church has
been advocated by men who appealed to Scripture in confirmation of the
doctrines they taught. The true teaching of the Word of God is gathered
from careful and continuous searching of the Scriptures, and there is
danger of fatal error when conclusions are drawn from isolated passages
interpreted in accordance with preconceived opinions. It has been found
not only expedient but needful that the Christian Churches should set
forth in creeds and confessions the doctrines which they believe the
Scriptures affirm. They are bound not only to accept Scripture as the
r