WHAT IF IT'S NOT IN THE SCRIPTURES?

By David J. Riggs

On several occasions, after I had stated that a certain religious belief or practice was not in the Scriptures, I received the reply, "Does that make it wrong?" Let me affirm plainly and emphatically in words which cannot be misunderstood that it most certainly does make it wrong! When one believes or practices something in religion which is not in the Scriptures, all of the following divine principles immediately apply:
  1. It is not a good work - 2 Tim. 3:16-17
  2. It does not pertain to life and godliness - 2 Pet. 1:3
  3. It causes one to not have God - 2 John 9
  4. It is not authorized by Christ - Col. 3:17
  5. It cannot be done by faith - 2 Cor. 5:7; Rom. 10:17; 14:23
  6. It is going beyond what is written - 1 Cor. 4:6
  7. It is not as the oracles of God - 1 Pet. 4:11
  8. It is not according to the pattern - Heb. 8:5
  9. It does not pertain to the seed of the kingdom - Luke 8:11; Matt. 13:18-19
  10. It is not of righteousness - Rom. 1:16-17; 10:1-4
  11. It is of "no such commandment" - Acts 15:24
  12. It is iniquity - Matt. 7:22-23
  13. It is of men - Matt. 21:25; 15:9
  14. It is not of truth - John 4:24
  15. It is another gospel - Gal. 1:6-9
  16. It is adding to the Word of God - Rev. 22:18-19; Deut. 4:2; Prov. 30:5-6


In effort to justify their practice, people often argue, "The Bible doesn't say not to." The Bible doesn't need to condemn a practice to make it sinful and wrong. It is wrong when it is not in the Scriptures for it violates the above principles. Similarly, many use the time worn reply, "Isn't our practice a good work; look at the good we're doing." If it's not in the Scriptures, if cannot be a good work because, again, it is condemned by the above principles.

What should we say, therefore, about the many things which are practiced in religions today that are not in the Scriptures? For example, what about baptizing infants, sprinkling for baptism, christening, calling a man Reverend, instrumental music in worship, taking money out of the church treasury and sending it to human institutions, etc.? Aren't all of the above sixteen principles violated by such additions?

How can people claim to be followers of Christ when they have no respect whatsoever for the things which Christ said? How can they claim love and respect for Christ when they continue to do things in religion which have been introduced solely by man? Spending time and effort to learn the Word of Christ and continuing steadfastly therein, demonstrates genuine love and respect for Christ. Similarly, a rejection of all traditions and doctrines of men confirms true love and respect for Christ. Those who are doing things not authorized by Christ have no love and respect for Him.