We believe that in everything we do, we must be faithful to the blueprint of the Scriptures. In 1 Corinthians we read that each one must be careful in how he or she builds. “According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:10–11). Paul was writing to the churches about the dangers and perils that were already taking place with the early church. “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6–7).
We also believe that we all must be students of the Scriptures (Acts 17:11), which includes both Testaments. We understand that the references to the scriptures in the New Testament always refer back to the Hebrew Scriptures, the Tanakh, or the Old Testament, since the New Testament was still in the process of being written and compiled. “Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:44–45).
We believe that we must be sure we are not only following traditions of men but learning to follow the Scriptures. “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” And He answered and said to them, “Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matthew 15:2–3)