Man`s tradition and GOD`S word Presented by Steven Schiller
INTRODUCTION
As Jesus went about preaching and teaching, He often ran afoul of the religious leaders over the matter of keeping traditions...
E.g., plucking heads of grain on the Sabbath - Mt 12:1-8
E.g., healing on the Sabbath - Mt 12:9-14
E.g., eating with unwashed hands - Mt 15:1-9
In Mt 15:1-9, Jesus describes the danger of traditions at length...
How keeping them can make void the very commands of God
How keeping them can make our worship vain before God
Traditions are very important in some religions...
In the Roman Catholic church, tradition is place on par with God's Word
"It is an article of faith from a decree of the Vatican Council that Tradition is a source of theological teaching distinct from Scripture, and that it is infallible. It is therefore to be received with the same internal assent of Scripture, for it is the word of God." - Catholic Dictionary, p. 41-42
"Do you have to believe in Tradition? Yes, because it is the Word of God and has equal authority with the Bible." - Catholic Catechism For Adults, p. 11
Just about every Protestant church has its own traditions
It is often the accepted traditions that distinguish between the denominations
To be a member of a particular denomination, one must accept its traditions
In this study, we will address the following questions...
What are traditions?
Are traditions always wrong?
If not, when does a tradition become sinful?
[Let's begin with...]
THE MEANING OF TRADITION
THE WORD ITSELF...
The Greek word is "paradosis", which means "giving over" or "handing down"
It refers to teaching that is handed down either by word (orally) or in writing
AS UNDERSTOOD BY THE JEWS...
It was often applied to the oral teachings of the elders (distinguished elders from Moses on down)
These traditions were often divided into three classes...
Some oral laws supposedly given by Moses in addition to the written laws
Decisions of various judges which became precedents in judicial matters
Interpretations of highly respected rabbis which were held in reverence along with the OT scriptures
-- Article on "Tradition", ISBE
Prior to his conversion, Paul was a staunch supporter of Jewish tradition - Ga 1:13-14
AS UNDERSTOOD BY ROMAN AND GREEK CATHOLICS...
Their views appear to be parallel to that of the Jews
What they consider "Tradition" is what they believe to be the teachings:
Of Jesus or the apostles, persevered orally rather than through writing
Of various councils which have left various decrees
Of various church leaders (such as the pope) considered to be inspired with later revelations from God
Of course, one is expected to take their word for it that these "traditions" were truly from God and have been faithfully transmitted
AS FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURES...
The word "tradition" as such is not found in the Old Testament
It is found thirteen times in New Testament
Three times it refers to "apostolic teaching"
That which had been delivered by the apostles - 1Co 11:2
Whether by word (in person) or epistle - 2Th 2:15
Which Christians were expected to keep - 2Th 3:6
Ten times it refers to "the tradition of the elders" or "the traditions of men"
As in our text and parallel passages - Mt 15:2-6; Mk 7:3-13
Of which Paul warned the Colossians - Col 2:8
From which Jewish Christians had been delivered (including Paul) - 1Pe 1:18; Ga 1:14
Jesus did not feel bound to abide by "the traditions of the elders"
Some traditions He had no problem keeping
Such as going to a wedding feast - Jn 2:1-2
Or attending the Feast Of Dedication - Jn 10:22-23
But He just as easily had no problem with violating other traditions
Plucking grain or healing on the Sabbath
Eating with unwashed hands
Evidently Jesus did not subscribe to the view of "traditions" handed down orally
He never appealed to the traditions of the elders
He either appealed to the authority of the written Word (the Law of Moses), or to His own authority as the Son of God
[Not all "traditions" are wrong. When they are teachings inspired of God, given and "written" by men approved of God, they are to be heeded. But when they are doctrines or interpretations handed down by uninspired men, then like the traditions of the Jews they are suspect.
As we return to our text (Mt 15:1-9), Jesus points out...]
THE DANGER OF TRADITIONS OF MEN
THEY CAN MAKE VOID THE WORD OF GOD...
Jesus gave the example of honoring one's parents - Mt 15:3-6
The tradition of the elders taught giving to the temple freed one from giving to his or her parents
Thus rendering the command of God of no effect
There are traditions of men today with similar affect
Such as the practice of sprinkling for baptism, a tradition of man
When one keeps the tradition of sprinkling, they make the command of God to be baptized (immersed) of no effect!
Through keeping such traditions, one is actually rejecting the command of God! - cf. Mk 7:8-9
THEY CAN LEAD TO VAIN WORSHIP...
When traditions of men are taught on the same level as the commands of God, it leads to vain worship - Mt 15:9
Such worship may appear to be impressive, but it in actually "empty, worthless"
First, because God did not command it
Second, because it does not accomplish the good we really need - cf. Col 2:20-23
THEY CAN LEAD TO HYPOCRITICAL WORSHIP...
Traditions of men tend toward ritualism (just look at the rituals found in many religions that have no scriptural basis)
Such ritualism is often done repeatedly, with little thought as to its origin and purpose
It is easy to go through such rituals, with the heart and mind on other things
Worship without the heart (or mind) of man is hypocritical worship! - Mt 15:7-8
CONCLUSION
What are traditions?
They are simply teachings that have been handed down
In the case of inspired men (like the apostles) given in person or through their writings, such traditions are good and to be followed
In the case of oral transmissions, given through a chain of uninspired men, traditions are at best suspect...
Jesus did not hold the "traditions" orally transmitted through the Jews on par with God's written word
Neither should we hold "traditions" orally transmitted through Christians on par with God's written word
At worst, traditions of men can be vain and deadly...
When their observance leads one to not keep a command of God
When they are taught as doctrine, on par with God's word
When they lead to ritualism, done without engaging the heart and mind of man
From Jesus' words, let us be aware of "The Danger With Traditions", and make sure that our faith and practice is based upon the written Word of God, not the interpretations and teachings of uninspired men!
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- Abortion AP
- Abortion laws repealed thank GOD
- Abortion is murder?
- Abortion (forced termination)
- All scripture
- Animations GBN
- Abounding hope
- Are you a Christian
- A place for God`s name(this is it)
- All have sinned
- Awesome Father,Son,Holy spirit
- Are you the enemy of God
- Audio Bible (KJV)
- All authority
- (ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN) STAYING SAVED DB
- Accuser of GOD`S people
- Avoid being mislead by the devil
- Accuser
- Afraid in fear of Baptizm
- Abomination
- All power is of God
- Acts conversion chart
- Apologetics press
- Amazing grace
- Adversary
- All things work together for good
- Authority
- AUDIO RIVERSIDE CHURCHOFCHRIST
- Baptizm (antitype)
- BAPTIZM POINT OF SALVATION
- Baptizm immersion not sprinkle, pouring
- Baptizm search for truth
- Baptizm NT
- Baptizm Greek Baptizo fully covered
- Rebaptizm
- Baptizm forgiveness of sin, washed in the blood of JESUS
- Born again
- Brand new creation
- Belief more than knowing there is a GOD
- Bible super human
- Blessed is the man
- Baptized into Christ
- Being mistreated for doing good.
- Be not many masters.
- Bible verse of the day
- Bethel
- Brain washed (believing lies)
- Bless your enemies curse not
- Bible is totally reliable
- Blessing or curse
- Blasphemy the name of Jesus
- Bible`s scientific foreknowledge
- Bible inspiration
- Bible charts Donnie Barnes
- Beyond the logos
- Bible read & listen
- Coming home
- CONTACT US
- Christ
- Christian and spiritual growth Donnie Barnes
- Children giving glory to GOD
- CONTACT
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- Christianity full time privilledge
- Committed to GOD
- Children learn what they live
- Creation
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- Childrens video
- Counsel of GOD superior than man
- Can GOD`S house be established today?
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- Condemn your brother with your tongue
- CHURCH IN NEEDS
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- Christs
- Church of Jesus Christ
- Does doctrine matter
- Drinking alcohol
- Did Jesus build more than 1 church?
- Divorce and remarriage
- Dictionary
- Day of the Lord
- Deception of false teachers
- Fabricated truth
- Evil heart of unbelief
- Diotrephes
- Duty of care
- Denominationlism
- Faith the substance of all things
- Filthy rags
- Faith
- False teacher, False preacher DS
- False prophets
- False Teaching
- False Preachers
- First gospel sermon
- Forgiveness
- Falling away
- Fake preachers
- False preaching can keep u from heaven
- False brethren brought in
- False brethren
- Forget God?
- Gossip David Schmidt
- Grief
- Gospel broadcasting network
- GOD`S PLAN IS NOT MAN`S DESIGN
- GOD
- God`s will for you
- Give account for yourself
- GOD is righteous
- Give no offence
- Gospel hid from the lost
- Gospel (good news)
- GOD built true church not man
- God`s preventative word James Watkins
- GOD`S calling, the good new`s
- Gospel Enacted
- Hypocrites
- How do you obey the gospel?
- How to get to heaven?
- Hypocrites1
- How is the church organized?
- Homosexuality
- How beautiful are the feet that preach
- Heaven/Hell
- Hymns
- Heart
- Have you obeyed the gospel?
- Interview with satan(father of lies)
- In Jesus Christ
- Hope
- Is there more than 1 church? no
- In Christ the fullness of the Godhead
- Identity of the church
- Is your heart right with GOD
- Influence of evil
- Influence
- In Christ (what is it being in Christ)
- In Christ
- Jesus (way)
- Inspired word of GOD
- Jesus is our faith to our beloved
- Jesus is Lord
- JESUS STICKERS
- Inspiration what is it?
- JESUS
- Jesus never changes / Changing world James Watkins
- Jesus & children
- Jesus the way
- Jesus has come in the flesh
- Kingdom come ?
- Jesus Jesus Jesus
- JESUS CHRIST IS LORD
- Kenya gallery1
- Jesus is Lord (Kurios)
- LOCATION OF ONE TRUE CHURCH
- Lying Christians is their any without
- LORDS church part 1
- Law of Liberty inCHRIST
- Love God, the creator of Love.
- Lost
- Leaders of this world should be ashamed
- Lord`s church
- Lying wonder
- Light at Riverside Church of CHRIST
- Love of GOD overcomes
- Lamentations 3
- Ladies videos
- Leading to Christ
- LINKS
- Light of the world
- Lord`s supper
- Looking for things to get better
- More about JESUS
- Lying preachers
- Lesson`s books of the bible gbn
- Man`s tradition or God`s word
- Lying 1
- Making the change
- Mat 19:6
- Meddling & Gossip is sin
- MURMURINGS, MURMURERS, MURMUR
- Man`s device (not GOD`S)
- Moral issues
- No change
- New Creation
- None righteous no not one
- NT reveals one church
- Offenses
- Overcome evil with good
- Only 1 church (church of CHRIST)
- Overcoming the world
- Obey the gospel
- Our GOD is a awesome GOD
- Preachers leading w/ no authority from GOD
- Preaching Jesus
- Preach the word
- Pleasing God
- Persecution and Oppression
- Power of the tongue
- Persecution
- Prayer
- Pride of men hinder the advancement of the gospel
- Perverting the gospel
- practicing SIN
- Pray without ceasing
- Reject God
- Right hand of falsehood lesson by Steven Schiller
- REPENT!
- References on request
- Root of all evil
- Riverside gallery
- Rule your own house?
- Repent
- RESPONDING TO THE CALL OF GOD
- Religious error
- ROCK SOLID FAITH JAMES WATKINS
- Salvation
- Repent Repent Repent
- Sober
- Such were some of you
- SINS
- SIN
- Sinners prayer 4min video
- Safe in the arms of GOD
- Scriptually organized w/o deacons?
- Stairway to heaven
- Submit and we will pray for you
- Sheet music
- Serving GOD or Self serving
- Service to GOD
- Searching for truth
- Sound teaching
- SERMONS
- STOP
- Sincere,True Ministry
- Slave of the creator
- Spirit of GOD
- Spirit to the churches
- SHEPHERD
- Searching for truth(book)
- Same sex marriage
- Speak evil of no man
- Slave of GOD
- Salvation of the LORD
- Standard of authority
- Speak evil of a Christian is sin against Christ
- Scriptual and unscriptually organized churches
- SPIRIT & TRUTH
- Speaking evil of Christian brother
- SUNDAY APRIL 17 2022
- Turn from sin to GOD
- The dog has returned to his vomit
- Slander
- Truth about
- Take the name of Jesus with you
- The children
- The devil
- Truth for the world
- Time for truth
- 2 Reasons to believe ap
- Thanks to GOD
- Those who persecute you
- The Church
- The way we were
- Truth
- The Lord`s Supper
- The holy spirit
- Unless the Lord build the house
- Unscriptual organization of the church
- This is God`s church
- U WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR IDLE WORDS
- Vengeance
- U HAVE AN ENEMY!
- Unified church James Watkins
- What is the Gospel?
- WOE WOE WOE
- World Video Bible School (WVBS)
- What must i do to be saved?
- What names on your sign
- What must i do to be saves (transcript)
- James Watkins
- When you die
- Withdrawal fellowship
- What GOD has cleansed
- Wearing the crown
- Why so many churches (Transcript)
- Wonderful Grace
- Whose family are u ruling
- Where in the bible is your church mentioned
- Worship
- Worshipping idols not God
- Worship of idols instead of GOD
- Walking with GOD
- WORSHIP NOV 6 2022
- Worship to God
- What is the church?
- Wonderfully made
- You must be born again
- Your unbelief
- You give good gifts
- Wicked
- You are not your own
- GOD created all things in 6 days
/