God’s Word: Don’t add to it and don’t take away from it. “To the Bible alone” is essential for the purity of Biblical doctrine and Biblical practice. Mere human tradition, false teachings, human rationalizations, rituals and other corruptions (large and small) continue to be a constant threat to “the Faith once for all entrusted to the Saints”. It is common for leaders and Christians to include extra-Biblical teachings and practices, especially if individuals were influenced in favor of the aberration though upbringing, favored teachers or attempts to ‘improve’ on God’s teaching, practices and methodology. Although many Evangelical churches claim to follow God’s Word alone for both doctrine and practice, most fail miserably. The failure to follow God’s Word and the methods prescribed leads to significant perversions and distortions in both belief and practice. Humans have always resisted God’s Way. Today is no different.
Church doctrine and practice is no immune. If a doctrine or practice cannot be clearly identified in the Bible, it should be held with great suspicion. This is not to say that there is no room for flexibility and adaptation. However, when the Bible is clear, the local church must be clear. And when the Bible permits flexibility and adaptability, the local church must do likewise.
Our Guiding Document: The Bible is Uniquely God’s Written Word
“All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be equipped, having been thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
(2 Timothy 3:16–17, LSB)
The Bible: The Church’s Only Legitimate Source
“To the Law and to the Testimony! If they do not speak according to this Word, it is because they have no dawn.”
(Isaiah 8:20, LSB)
The Bible: Do not add to it. Do not take away from it.
“You shall not add to the Word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of Yahweh your God which I am commanding you.”
(Deuteronomy 4:2, LSB)