There is a real and growing pull toward the creeds, liturgical worship, and older Christian traditions. Many are hungry for reverence, the weightiness of God, and connection with the historical traditions of the church. I think these desires are good and I too feel this pull.

The issue is not whether something is ancient, beautiful, reverent, or historically Christian. The issue is whether it is faithful to Scripture and the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can disagree about secondary doctrinal differences. I am talking about issues related to the most important thing of all, the good news of Jesus Christ. We must do all that we can to protect the gospel and the authority of the Word of God.

Here are eight things we need to be watchful for when teachings minimize the authority of Scripture, add requirements to the gospel, or diminish the sufficiency of Christ.

1. Baptismal Regeneration as Necessary for Salvation — Biblically Wrong. The teaching that baptism itself washes away sin and brings regeneration makes baptism a necessary means of salvation rather than an outward expression of faith. Scripture teaches that we are justified by faith, and the thief on the cross was promised paradise without baptism. Baptism is commanded and important, but it does not save us. Key verses: Romans 3:28; Ephesians 2:8–9; Acts 16:30–31.

2. Confession to a Priest and Priestly Absolution — Biblically Wrong. The teaching that forgiveness must come through confession to a human priest adds a human mediator to our access to God’s forgiveness. Scripture points us directly to Christ, who is the one mediator between God and humanity. His sacrifice was offered once for all and is completely sufficient. Key verses: 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 10:12, 14; 1 John 1:9.

3. Purgatory and Purification After Death — Biblically Wrong. The teaching that believers need further purification after death undermines the completeness of Christ’s saving work. Scripture says that the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin and that Christ’s sacrifice has perfected his people for all time. Our confidence before God rests in Christ’s finished work, not in purification after death. Key verses: 1 John 1:7; Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 10:14.

4. Human Merit and Justification — Biblically Wrong. The teaching that our cooperation with God’s grace and our good works contribute to securing our final justification changes the basis of our acceptance before God. Scripture teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, “not a result of works.” Good works are the fruit of genuine salvation, not a contribution to the basis of our justification. The problem is not that Christians must obey Christ or that genuine faith produces good works. The problem is making human works or cooperation part of the ground or basis on which God declares a sinner righteous. Key verses: Ephesians 2:8–10; Titus 3:5; Romans 11:6.

5. Scripture and Tradition Are Equally Authoritative — Biblically Wrong. The problem is not tradition itself. The problem comes when church tradition is given an authority equal to or above Scripture. Jesus warned against allowing human tradition to override the Word of God, while Scripture presents itself as the sufficient and authoritative Word of God. Key verses: Mark 7:6–13; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; Galatians 1:8–9.

6. The Church as Necessary for Salvation — Biblically Wrong. The church is essential to Christian discipleship, and every Christian should be committed to Christ’s church. But belonging to a particular visible institution does not justify us before God. The church is not the Savior; Christ is the Savior, and salvation comes through faith in him. When a church or denomination claims that salvation is limited to those who belong to its particular institution, that should be a serious warning sign. Key verses: Ephesians 2:8–9; Acts 4:12; Acts 16:30–31.

7. Mary, the Saints, and Additional Intercession — Biblically Wrong. Christians should pray for one another, but Scripture never instructs believers to seek the intercession of departed saints or Mary. The New Testament directs us to approach God through Jesus Christ, who is the one mediator between God and humanity. We have direct access to the Father through Christ. Key verses: John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:14–16.

8. The Eucharist Necessary for Salvation — Biblically Wrong. The Lord’s Supper is a precious gift Jesus gave his church to remember and proclaim his death. But Scripture never teaches that receiving the Eucharist is necessary for salvation. The concern becomes even greater when the Eucharist is understood as a sacramental participation in Christ’s sacrifice in a way that compromises the once-for-all sufficiency of Christ’s work. Hebrews emphasizes repeatedly that Christ offered himself once and that his sacrifice is completely sufficient. No one is justified by taking communion. Key verses: Hebrews 10:10–14; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26.

In Summary

We should celebrate the good things that historic Christianity gives us: reverence, doctrinal seriousness, the creeds, church history, and a sense that Christianity is bigger than the latest cultural moment.

Tradition can help us understand Scripture, but tradition must always be tested by Scripture. And when tradition adds requirements to the gospel that Scripture does not give us, we must follow Scripture, even when the tradition is beautiful, ancient, and deeply meaningful.