| |
Human tradition is not the scared scripture. It is simply human
tradition. These religious leaders were false teachers because
they ignored the sacred scriptures and taught their traditions
as divine truth. Jesus rebuked them for their false teaching.
Later they killed Him.
Apostle Paul and Tradition.
The Apostle Paul also had some strong things to say about tradition.
The apostle had both positive and negative things to say. Here
are his positive statements.
| |
Now I praise you because you remember me in everything,
and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered
them to you.
(NASB)
1 Cor. 11:2
So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions
which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or
by letter from us.
(NASB)
2 Thess. 2:15
|
In both statements, the apostle encourages the saints
or those who believe in Jesus,
to hold firmly to his traditions or what he has taught them.
It is important to remember that the New Testament was in the
process of being written. What Paul taught or referred to as "traditions" was
to become scripture and was included in the Bible. Therefore,
the wonderful news about Jesus was initially taught by word
of mouth. The last statement is used by the Roman Catholic
Church to support their teaching about their "sacred" tradition.
But the Apostle has some
strong statements about accepting anything contrary to what
had already been taught.
| |
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that you keep aloof from every brother
who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition
which you received from us.
(NASB)
2 Thess 3:6
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy
and empty deception, according to the tradition of
men, according to the elementary principles of the
world, rather than according to Christ.
(NASB)
Col. 2:8
|
They were to reject anything that did not agree with what they
had already been taught. But the most significant statement
is found in the next passage of the sacred scriptures.
| |
But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach
to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached
to you, let him be accursed.
(NASB)
Gal. 1:8
|
The Roman Catholic Church has been adopting new teachings since
the time of Jesus and the apostles. The apostle Paul clearly
says that we are to reject any teacher who changes what has
already been taught. The scriptures are the only proof as
to what has been taught. Even if it is an angel, institution,
or church, we are to reject that person or organization.
|
|
