Sunday, July 24, 2011 pm
IS TRADITION GOOD OR
BAD?
Tonight, I want to deal with the above question from a
Biblical standpoint. In
actuality, we know that it is a loaded question.
Before it can be answered properly we have to define what we mean
by tradition. In our lesson
tonight we are going to see examples of both good and bad traditions and
hopefully gain some insight that will help us to properly discern the
two and make application in all that we do.
a.
From the Greek word,
paradosis which actually means, “a giving over, giving up.
1. The act of giving up, the surrender.
2. A giving over which is done by word of mouth or in
writing.” (Thayer).
b.
The term is found 13
times in the New Testament most of which we will examine as this lesson
progresses. 10 times it is
used of the traditions of men and 3 times as apostolic traditions
(ordinances), with the idea of such in some other passages.
c.
It came to be a teaching
that was passed down either orally or written (the teaching and not the
method of transmission).
As we see religious
tradition it applies to something handed down that continued and was
expected to be followed. WE
need to distinguish that from something we do without binding it on
others.
II.
The traditions of men
a.
Mark 7:1-13 – his
account of Jesus being confronted by the Pharisees and scribes (also
found in Matt. 15:1-9). In
Mark’s account we find a description of some of the traditions they
bound and how Jesus responded to them.
The term “tradition” is used 5 times in this text.
i.
They did not eat unless
they washed their hands (ceremonially)
and when they purchased food from the market place, they did not
eat it until after they washed their hands.
They also washed cups, pitchers, vessels and couches.
While the Old Law did have laws about cleanliness (particularly
with unclean things), the traditions of the Jews went further and they
were associated with everyday conduct which the Old Law did NOT deal
with.
ii.
They BOUND these things
upon their brethren. Vs. 2
says they found fault with them.
Vs. 5, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition
of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands.”
According to the ISBE, Jewish theology viewed the oral teachings of the
elders as “equally authoritative on matters of belief and conduct.”
It further states there are three classes of oral teachings:
1.
Oral laws of Moses
believed given by him in addition to the written Law.
2.
Decisions of judges
which became precedent in judicial matters.
3.
Interpretations of great
Jewish teachers (rabbis) which were reverenced as much as scripture
itself.
iii.
The Jews referred to
them as “tradition of the elders” (vs. 5), BUT Jesus called them
“tradition of men” (vs. 7) and “your tradition” (vss. 9, 13).
He was CONTRASTING this with “the commandment of God” (vs. 8) and “word
of God” (vs. 13)
iv.
In this text Jesus
REJECTED their traditions and thereby demonstrated that they were NOT to
be bound upon anyone.
v.
He gave a specific
example where they “reinterpreted” a specific command of God and created
“loopholes” so that one could set aside that particular command.
Namely, “honor your father and mother” (Exodus 20:12, 21:17).
They excused it with, in essence, a bribe to the authorities in
Jerusalem.
vi.
Such things constituted:
1.
“vain worship” (vs. 7)
2.
Superficial worship with
hearts that were far from God (vs. 6)
3.
“Laying aside the
commandments of God”
4.
Rejecting “the
commandment of God”
5.
They made “The word of
God of no effect through your tradition.”
vii.
This example alone
demonstrates the danger of the traditions of men.
b.
Other passages dealing
with the traditions of men (specifically Jewish traditions)
i.
Gal. 1:14, Paul said, “And
I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation,
being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.”
He was a staunch supporter of Jewish traditions before he was
converted.
ii.
Col 2:8-9, “Beware
lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to
the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world,
and not according to Christ.”
iii.
1 Pet. 1:17-19, “And if
you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each
one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in
fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things,
like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition
from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a
lamb without blemish and without spot.” NOTE: “traditions from your
fathers” is one word.
c.
What about today?
i.
Catholicism espouses a
similar view of traditions (as the Jews).
They consider tradition as equal to written inspiration.
Their examples include:
1.
The oral teachings of
Jesus and the apostles (rather than the written ones)
2.
The decrees of various
church councils throughout history
3.
The decrees of various
church leaders, including popes who they profess were inspired and
infallible as they spoke “ex cathedra” (from the throne).
ii.
Instrumental music is an
example of a tradition of men.
It cannot be found in early centuries, nor in the New Testament –
9 verses ALL mention singing ONLY (cf. Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16, 1 Cor.
14:15, etc.). It was
introduced in the 600s AD into the Catholic Church by Pope Vitalian and
with such outcry it was removed until the next century where it was
again introduced for good (but still rejected by many religions).
(James Hasting, Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics) It
has become a tradition of men that is EXPECTED to be accepted by all
professed worshippers of God.
iii.
Sprinkling for baptism.
The word “baptism” is a transliterated Greek word which means, “to dip”
(Vine’s). For centuries
there was not debate about the method of baptism.
But today, it is accepted in any form as long as it is called
“baptism.” To sprinkle is to
invalidate the word of God with man’s traditions.
III.
Apostolic traditions
a.
There is another sense
in which this same term is used.
It has reference to the teachings of Christ and His apostles.
It is used 3 times in this fashion.
i.
1 Cor. 11:2, “Now
I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the
traditions just as I delivered them to you.”
ii.
2 Thess. 2:15, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the
traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.”
iii.
2 Thess 3:6-7, “But
we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you
withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to
the tradition which he received from us.”
iv.
Other passages to
consider:
1 Cor. 11:23, “For I received from
the Lord that which I also delivered to you…”
1 Cor. 15:3, “For I delivered to
you first of all that which I also received, that Christ died for our
sins according to the scriptures.”
b.
These texts reference
this term in such a way that it describes that which God has bound and
is to remain intact throughout the centuries.
Thus it is a tradition instituted by God and we must follow it
today as exact as possible.
NOTICE these thoughts:
i.
2 Thess. 2:15, “stand
fast and hold the traditions”
ii.
1 Cor. 11:2, “keep the
traditions”
iii.
2 Thess. 3:6-7,
“withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and NOT according to
the tradition received…”
c.
It is because of
passages such as these that we strive to:
i.
“hold fast the pattern of sound
words” (2 Tim. 1:13)
ii.
do “all in the name of
the Lord” by His authority (Col. 3:17)
iii.
We have learned, “not to
think beyond what is written.” (1 Cor. 4:6)
d.
That is why we:
i.
Do NOT use instrumental
music – it is NOT authorized
ii.
DO Immerse for the
remission of sins – Acts 2:38
iii.
Partake of the Lord’s
Supper each first day of the week – Acts 20:7
iv.
ONLY “lay by in store as
you have prospered” on the first day of the week – 1 Cor. 16:1-2
v.
Appeal to Biblical names
for ourselves and His church – Ac. 11:26, Rom. 16:16, etc.
vi.
Respect and limit the
work of the church – to evangelism, edification and limited benevolence.
vii.
Reject those who do not
follow His pattern in all things – 2 John 9.
viii.
Contend earnestly for
the faith – Jude 3.
ix.
And a host of other
passages and teachings which we strive to follow.
IV.
How to avoid
establishing our own traditions
a.
We need to make sure that whatever we do is NOT binding man made
traditions.
We can become dangerously close to such if we bind “the way we
have always done this.”
i.
Yes we need to follow
the pattern we have established.
WE know that.
ii.
But “in matters of
liberty” we need to “let there be liberty”.
While we need not change simply for the sake of change (usually
such is VERY dangerous), we need to be willing to consider the
suggestions of others if they can be properly authorized in God’s word
(i.e. – times of services, what song books we use, order of services,
etc.)
b.
BE a people of the book
– 2 Tim. 2:15, Jude 3, 1 Pet. 3:15, etc.
Demand “book, chapter and verse” for all we do.
KEEP studying! You
can never know too much.
c.
Hold fast to God’s traditions
– Col. 2:4-8.
Don’t let men cheat you
d.
Don’t think more highly
of men than we ought to
– 1 Cor. 4:6 – Don’t
think beyond what is written.
That statement came after a lengthy discussion which contrasted
the wisdom of God with the wisdom of men.
e.
Think highly enough of
your brethren to respect their liberties
– Phil. 2:4 – look out for their interests over yours.
And
thus we can see the subject of traditions.
It is certainly something to consider in light of God’s words.
There are traditions that are absolutely harmless.
But when we bind what God has not bound or we lose what He has
not loosed, it is no longer harmless.
It is a tradition that makes our worship vain, rejects the
commandments of God and ultimately will result in His rejection of us.
May we never let that happen.