IS TRADITION GOOD OR BAD?

What is Tradition?• From Greek,

para/dosi$, (paradosis)“a giving over, giving up. 1. The act of giving up, surrender. 2. A giving over which is done by word of mouth or in writing.”

(Thayer)

What is Tradition?• Term found 13 times in the

New Testament (never in the Old) 10 times negatively 3 times positively

• It means a teaching passed down, either orally or written.

The Traditions of Men• Mark 7:1-13

Jesus questioned about why His disciples at with unwashed hands.

• Term “tradition” used 5 times in this text

The Traditions of Men• Mark 7:1-13• Jewish traditions consisted of

washing hands and various vessels.

• They BOUND these things upon their brethren! Vs. 2 – they found faultVs. 5 – Why…?

The Traditions of Men• Mark 7:1-13• Jews viewed oral traditions

as “equally authoritative on matters of belief and conduct.” (ISBE)

The Traditions of Men• Mark 7:1-13• Traditions included:

• Oral laws of Moses

• Decisions of judges with precedent

• Interpretations of great Jewish leaders

The Traditions of Men• Mark 7:1-13• Jews referred to them as

“Traditions of the elders” (Vs. 5)

• Jesus called them, “traditions of men” (7) & “your tradition” (9, 13)

The Traditions of Men• Mark 7:1-13• Jesus REJECTED their

traditions and demonstrated we are NOT bound by manmade traditions.

The Traditions of Men• Mark 7:1-13• He gave an example of how

they rejected God’s law with their own (9-13)

The Traditions of Men• Mark 7:1-13• Their behavior resulted in:

• Distant hearts (6)• Vain worship (7)• Laying aside God’s commandments (8)

• Rejecting His commandments (9)• The word of God of no effect (13)

The Traditions of Men• Other passages:

•Galatians 1:14 - tradition of my fathers

•Col. 2:8-9 – traditions of men

•1 Pet. 1:17-19 – traditions from your fathers (one word)

The Traditions of Men• What about today?

• Catholicism espouses similar views of tradition as the Jews:• Oral teachings of Jesus

• Decrees from church councils

• Decrees from various church leaders (i.e. the pope)

The Traditions of Men• What about today?

• Instrumental music NOT in NT – cf. Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16, 1 Cor. 14:15,… Not documented until 7th century when Pope Vitalian introduced it w/opposition.

The Traditions of Men• What about today?

• Sprinkling for baptismNOT in NT – Acts 8:38, Col. 2:12, Rom. 6:3-4Sprinkling came centuries later, associated w/death bed confession.

Apostolic traditions• Refers to teachings of

Christ and His apostles, that we MUST follow and pass down from generation to generation, without variance!

Apostolic traditions•1 Cor. 11:2•2 Thess. 2:15•2 Thess. 3:6-7

• Also 1 Cor. 11:23, 15:3

Apostolic traditions• Of such we are instructed to:• Hold them – 2 Thess. 2:15

• Keep them – 1 Cor. 11:2

• Withdraw from every brother who does NOT walk according to them – 2 Thess. 3:6,7

Apostolic traditions• Because of such we:• Hold fast the pattern – 2 Tim. 1:13

• Do all in the name of the Lord – Col. 3:17

• We don’t “think beyond what is written” – 1 Cor. 4:6

Apostolic traditions• This why we:

• Don’t use instrumental music • DO immerse for baptism• Partake of the Lord’s Supper

weekly• Use Biblical names • Respect the limitations of the

work of the church

Apostolic traditions• This why we:

• Reject those who do NOT follow the pattern – 2 John 9

• Contend earnestly for the faith – Jude 3

Avoiding establishing our own traditions

• Make sure that whatever we do is NOT binding manmade traditions! • While we might have liberty to

do things a certain way, we CANNOT bind them on others (i.e. service times, song books, order of services, etc.)

Avoiding establishing our own traditions

• Be a people of the book!2 Tim. 2:15, Jude 3, 1 Pet. 3:15• Do we demand “book, chapter

and verse” for all that we do?

Avoiding establishing our own traditions

• Hold to God’s traditions!Col. 2:4-8

Avoiding establishing our own traditions

• Don’t think more highly of men and their philosophies than we ought to!1 Cor. 4:6

• Think highly enough of brethren to respect their liberties. Phil. 2:4

Is God’s Word truly our

standard in all that we do?