“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
Rare is the religious body in which traditions and doctrines of men do not exist. New converts especially are prone to accept things that “sound good” and seem to have scripture to back them up. More credence is lent to what has been taught for a long time or by a lot of great men of God.
But every believer is responsible to diligently study the word of God. Each of us is called to be “a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.” There will not be one person who stands before the Lord in the day of judgment who will be able to say, “Lord, I just believed what was accepted and taught in my church.”
Christ has given to His body ministers for the perfecting of the saints; but they cannot be the last word on what we believe. Every one us us must “prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.” (Gal. 6:4,5)
Through His Word, God would make the simple wise. “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” (Ps. 119:130) “… The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” (Ps. 19:7) Don’t be so simple that you swallow everything you hear. “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.” (Prov. 14:15) Especially when there is controversy in the Body about something, find out what the issue is about, don’t blindly defend your position. You, and the teachers or “ancients” you trust, just might be wrong.
Study now. Avoid embarrassment later.