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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- Does doctrine matter
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- False preaching can keep u from heaven
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- Faith
- False Preachers
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- How beautiful are the feet that preach
- Gospel Enacted
- Homosexuality
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- Leading to Christ
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- Lying 1
- None righteous no not one
- Making the change
- Man`s tradition or God`s word
- Moral issues
- New Creation
- Overcome evil with good
- No change
- Our GOD is a awesome GOD
- Preachers leading w/ no authority from GOD
- Obey the gospel
- Only 1 church (church of CHRIST)
- Pleasing God
- Pride of men hinder the advancement of the gospel
- Power of the tongue
- Persecution and Oppression
- Prayer
- Persecution
- Preaching Jesus
- Root of all evil
- practicing SIN
- REPENT!
- Riverside gallery
- Perverting the gospel
- Pray without ceasing
- Religious error
- Reject God
- Repent
- RESPONDING TO THE CALL OF GOD
- References on request
- Sober
- Scriptually organized w/o deacons?
- Stairway to heaven
- Searching for truth
- Sinners prayer 4min video
- Serving GOD or Self serving
- Salvation
- Sheet music
- Submit and we will pray for you
- Scripual and unscriptually organized churches
- Safe in the arms of GOD
- Service to GOD
- Such were some of you
- Searching for truth(book)
- Sincere,True Ministry
- STOP
- Spirit to the churches
- Speak evil of a Christian is sin against Christ
- SHEPHERD
- SERMONS
- SUNDAY APRIL 17 2022
- Slave of the creator
- Same sex marriage
- Thanks to GOD
- Truth about
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- The dog has returned to his vomit
- The Church
- Truth
- Truth for the world
- The way we were
- The devil
- 2 Reasons to believe ap
- Those who persecute you
- U HAVE AN ENEMY!
- Unscriptual organization of the church
- Time for truth
- Unless the Lord build the house
- Vengeance
- What is the Gospel?
- WOE WOE WOE
- The Lord`s Supper
- When you die
- What must i do to be saves (transcript)
- James Watkins
- U WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR IDLE WORDS
- Why so many churches (Transcript)
- Withdrawal fellowship
- World Video Bible School (WVBS)
- What names on your sign
- What GOD has cleansed
- Wonderful Grace
- What must i do to be saved?
- Worship
- Walking with GOD
- Where in the bible is your church mentioned
- Your unbelief
- Home
- (ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN) STAYING SAVED DB
- Abortion (forced termination)
- All authority
- All have sinned
- Are you a Christian
- A place for God`s name(this is it)
- Abounding hope
- Are you the enemy of God
- Amazing grace
- Awesome Father,Son,Holy spirit
- Audio Bible (KJV)
- Authority
- Abomination
- Accuser of GOD`S people
- Accuser
- AUDIO RIVERSIDE CHURCHOFCHRIST
- Adversary
- Apologetics press
- Born again
- Baptizm search for truth
- Acts conversion chart
- Baptizm immersion not sprinkle, pouring
- Baptizm NT
- Baptizm
- Bible read & listen
- Brand new creation
- Belief more than knowing there is a GOD
- Bethel
- Baptizm (antitype)
- Brain washed (believing lies)
- BAPTIZM POINT OF SALVATION
- Bible inspiration
- Being mistreated for doing good.
- Bible charts Donnie Barnes
- Bible verse of the day
- Be not many masters.
- Beyond the logos
- Baptizm forgiveness of sin, washed in the blood of JESUS
- Bible book outlines
- Bless your enemies curse not
- Bible`s scientific foreknowledge
- Children giving glory to GOD
- Can GOD`S house be established today?
- CONTACT US
- Condemn your brother with your tongue
- Church built by GOD
- Church built on Christ
- Christianity 101
- Childrens video
- Childrens : Digger Doug
- Christ
- CONTACT
- Church of Jesus Christ
- Church of CHRIST Romans 16:16
- Committed to GOD
- Cast the first stone
- Creation
- Dictionary
- Deception of false teachers
- Christs
- Did Jesus build more than 1 church?
- Divorce and remarriage
- Day of the Lord
- Denominationlism
- Drinking alcohol
- Diotrephes
- Falling away
- Does doctrine matter
- Filthy rags
- Forgiveness
- False preaching can keep u from heaven
- Faith the substance of all things
- Fake preachers
- False Teaching
- False teacher, False preacher DS
- Faith
- False Preachers
- Fabricated truth
- First gospel sermon
- Forget God?
- Give account for yourself
- GOD is righteous
- GOD`S PLAN IS NOT MAN`S DESIGN
- God`s will for you
- GOD
- Gossip David Schmidt
- GOD built true church not man
- GOD`S calling, the good new`s
- False brethren
- Gospel broadcasting network
- How do you obey the gospel?
- How beautiful are the feet that preach
- Gospel Enacted
- Homosexuality
- Heaven/Hell
- How to get to heaven?
- Heart
- Hypocrites
- Hymns
- Have you obeyed the gospel?
- Hope
- How is the church organized?
- Inspiration what is it?
- Interview with satan(father of lies)
- In Christ
- Influence of evil
- In Jesus Christ
- In Christ the fullness of the Godhead
- Is there more than 1 church? no
- JESUS
- Jesus the way
- In Christ (what is it being in Christ)
- Jesus is Lord
- Inspired word of GOD
- Jesus Jesus Jesus
- Jesus is our faith to our beloved
- JESUS CHRIST IS LORD
- Jesus has come in the flesh
- Kenya gallery1
- Kingdom come ?
- Lying wonder
- Jesus is Lord (Kurios)
- Lord`s church
- LOCATION OF ONE TRUE CHURCH
- Light at Riverside Church of CHRIST
- Lost
- LINKS
- Lying preachers
- LORDS church part 1
- Looking for things to get better
- Leaders of this world should be ashamed
- Lying Christians is their any without
- Lord`s supper
- Law of Liberty inCHRIST
- Light of the world
- Leading to Christ
- Lesson`s books of the bible gbn
- Love God, the creator of Love.
- Ladies videos
- Meddling & Gossip is sin
- Man`s device (not GOD`S)
- MURMURINGS, MURMURERS, MURMUR
- Lying 1
- None righteous no not one
- Making the change
- Man`s tradition or God`s word
- Moral issues
- New Creation
- Overcome evil with good
- No change
- Our GOD is a awesome GOD
- Preachers leading w/ no authority from GOD
- Obey the gospel
- Only 1 church (church of CHRIST)
- Pleasing God
- Pride of men hinder the advancement of the gospel
- Power of the tongue
- Persecution and Oppression
- Prayer
- Persecution
- Preaching Jesus
- Root of all evil
- practicing SIN
- REPENT!
- Riverside gallery
- Perverting the gospel
- Pray without ceasing
- Religious error
- Reject God
- Repent
- RESPONDING TO THE CALL OF GOD
- References on request
- Sober
- Scriptually organized w/o deacons?
- Stairway to heaven
- Searching for truth
- Sinners prayer 4min video
- Serving GOD or Self serving
- Salvation
- Sheet music
- Submit and we will pray for you
- Scripual and unscriptually organized churches
- Safe in the arms of GOD
- Service to GOD
- Such were some of you
- Searching for truth(book)
- Sincere,True Ministry
- STOP
- Spirit to the churches
- Speak evil of a Christian is sin against Christ
- SHEPHERD
- SERMONS
- SUNDAY APRIL 17 2022
- Slave of the creator
- Same sex marriage
- Thanks to GOD
- Truth about
- The holy spirit
- The dog has returned to his vomit
- The Church
- Truth
- Truth for the world
- The way we were
- The devil
- 2 Reasons to believe ap
- Those who persecute you
- U HAVE AN ENEMY!
- Unscriptual organization of the church
- Time for truth
- Unless the Lord build the house
- Vengeance
- What is the Gospel?
- WOE WOE WOE
- The Lord`s Supper
- When you die
- What must i do to be saves (transcript)
- James Watkins
- U WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR IDLE WORDS
- Why so many churches (Transcript)
- Withdrawal fellowship
- World Video Bible School (WVBS)
- What names on your sign
- What GOD has cleansed
- Wonderful Grace
- What must i do to be saved?
- Worship
- Walking with GOD
- Where in the bible is your church mentioned
- Your unbelief
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