Tradition, Tradition!
Gospel of Mark: Jesus a life to serve • Sermon • Submitted
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· 2 viewsTradition is not at the same level as the Word of God; so beware of the dangers of tradition
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Misnah!
Misnah!
Mishnah is the oral tradition of Jews passed down, they form the first part of the Talmud. The Talmud the body of Jewish civil and ceremonial law and legend comprising the Mishnah and the Gemara. Jesus in our passage today speaks out against tradition when it takes precedence over the Word of God.
Jesus had issues with leaders previously over traditions (Mk2:23-28)
And today we will see eating with unwashed hands (Mk7:1-13)
Jesus will describe the danger of traditions
How keeping tradition can void the very command of God
How keeping them can make our worship vain.
Traditions have a serious place in some religious groups, actions.
Now in Roman Catholicism, tradition is placed on par with God’s Word. But don’t take my word for it, listen to this from Catholic Dictionary (pg 41-42)
“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.”
In some denominations you can find creeds that you are called to adhere too. Like.
T: total depravity. This doesn't mean people are as bad as they can be. It means that sin is in every part of one's being, including the mind and will, so that a man cannot save himself.
U: unconditional election. God chooses to save people unconditionally; that is, they are not chosen on the basis of their own merit.
L: limited atonement. The sacrifice of Christ on the cross was for the purpose of saving the elect.
I: irresistible grace. When God has chosen to save someone, He will.
P: perseverence of the saints. Those people God chooses cannot lose their salvation; they will continue to believe. If they fall away, it will be only for a time.
To be a member of a particular denomination, one must accept its traditions.
So as we journey today, we are going to look at
What are traditions?
Are traditions always wrong?
If not, when does a tradition become sinful?
People were being healed, there was no denying it, now the religious leaders (scribes and Pharisee’s) were finding fault with Jesus because of His disciples not keeping tradition as laid out in the 65 pages of the Mishnah.
Interesting fact, Pharisee’s where did they come from? Well they emerged during the inter-testimonial period, a 300 year period when God stopped talking, but not working. This is after Malachi and before Matthew. The Jews were afraid that their religion was going to be polluted and paganized. The Pharisee (meaning separated ones) were devoted to keeping the most minute detail of the law and the traditions of the elders. Unfortunately, and you will see in our passage today, that the tradition of the elders became more important than the Law itself that came from God.
It was once said
“He who expounds the Scripture in opposition to the tradition of the elders will have no part in the world to come.”
So now, may we look at the passage.
1 The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem, 2 and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed.
3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; 4 and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.)
5 The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?” 6 And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.
Mk7:7-8
7 ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’ 8 “Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”
9 He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. 10 “For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, is to be put to death’;
11 but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’ 12 you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother;
13 thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”
So, what did you see, what did you notice, what sticks out to you?
Tradition: The Meaning
Tradition: The Meaning
Paradosis: (Greek) meaning to “give over to” or “handing down.” Tradition is the teaching that is handed down either by word (orally) or in writing. So now, in looking at what it meant to the Jews and the Roman/Greek Catholics, then what does the scripture have to say about it.
3862 parádosis (from 3844 /pará, "from close-beside" and 1325 /dídōmi, "give ... 2. a giving over which is done by word of mouth or in writing
Believed to be the oral teaching of the elders from Moses down.
Broken into three classes
Oral laws: Additions to the written laws
Decisions: This is by various judges which set precedents in judicial matters.
Interpretations: From highly respected Rabbis held in reverence along with the scripture
Paul was a stanch believer, supporter of Jewish tradition prior to his conversion
13 For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; 14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.
As understood by Roman/Greek Catholics
Views similar, or inline with Jews.
They considered tradition to be the teaching of
Jesus and Apostles, preserved orally vs. written
Of various councils (like Nicene) which left several decrees
Of various church leaders (i.e. Pope) considered to be “inspired” and who claim special revelation from God
Now, it must be said that some want you to believe that it is from God and is inspired with no proof or evidence. Jesus had proof, the Apostles had proof but others, well, just take their word.
You have been taught, reminded, time and time again to check out anything you are taught to make sure it is from the Word not man.
11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
Now how about we get to some scripture and what scripture says.
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As found in the scripture
Word “tradition” in context used is not found in the Old Testament
Is found 3 times referring to the apostolic teaching (1COr11:2; 2The2:15; 2The3:6)
Found 10 times referring to the “traditions of the elders” or “the traditions of men” (Mk7:3-13; Mt15:2-6 are a couple of them)
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A few little things about traditions and scripture
Word is not found in the Old Testament under definition given
Used 3 times regarding the Apostolic teaching
Like this found in 1COr
2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.
Delivered in word or in person (2The2:15)
15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.
And if inspired given by word or in person they were expected to keep
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us.
Paul warned the Colossians about the traditions of man
8 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.
Reminding the Christians who had been set free from the oppression of the Law
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.
Jesus did not feel bound by “traditions of elders.”
Some He kept (Jn2:1-2; Jn10:22-23)
Going to wedding feast (expand on culture; expectation when it came to wedding feast) - Jn2:1-2
Going to required festivals (i.e. feast of dedication) - Jn10:22-23
Others He did not (Mk2:23-28; Mk7:1-5)
Others he gaveno
Plucking grain on the Sabbath -Mk2:23-28
Or in our passage today, eating with unwashed hands - Mk7:1-5
You will not find that Jesus appealed to “the tradition of the elders;” he always would appeal to the authority of the written word of God or his own authority as the Son of God; Son of Man.
Now, don’t get me wrong not all traditions are wrong, bad, sin. For example if handed down by inspired men they were to be heeded, kept. (2The2:15); but if contrary to the Word of God, the commands of God then they were the traditions of man and not of God and there are dangers to look out for.
15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.
Dangers of traditions of men
Dangers of traditions of men
Here are some warnings, some dangers of the traditions of men.
Lead to ritualism that is not scriptural
Can you think of something that is done ritually but is not scriptural?
Or rituals done so often, repeatedly that there is no thought, no teaching on the origin or the purpose.
Can you think of any example on this? (Lord’s Supper)
Ri
Worship without heart or mind is hypocritical, or as Jesus said “vain worship” (Mk7:5-8)
5 The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?” 6 And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.
7 ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’ 8 “Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”
When traditions are taught on the same level as the commands of God then it leads to vain worship
It may look good, sound good, but not biblical for God did not commanded by God
It does not accomplish the good that is really needed (Co2:18-23)
Telling things like do not handle, do not taste, nor touch (v.21)
They may look, have appearance of wisdom,but are of no value against fleshly indulgence (v.23)
They can make the Word of God, the commands void (Mk7:10-12)
10 “For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, is to be put to death’; 11 but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’
12 you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother;
Jesus uses the example from Exo20:20 about honoring your father and your mother and replace it was tradition regarding corban; corban means dedicated to. This is saying something is dedicated to God, or is to be given to God, so cannot do anything else with it, cannot help parents which is the command.
So replacing the command with the tradition of man would nullify the word, the command of God.
Can you think of any religious traditions today that are practiced that are of men and not of God?
Must be baptized into a church, not the church
Sprinkled or poured for baptism; contrary to immersion
In doing these, believing these things you are actually rejecting the Word of God, and the commands of God. So there is a huge danger there.
So, trying to wrap this up quickly.
What are traditions? They are teachings that are handed down orally or in writing. Not all are bad as in the case of the inspired writers and should be heeded to.
Oral traditions should not hold place or be in the same value as scripture, it is not on par and the sum of God’s Word is true (Psm119:150) and we have the complete revelation (1Cor13:10) now.
Traditions can be dangerous when they are taught as doctrine in par with God’s Word. When they are done ritualistically without engaging the heart and the mind of man.
So, make sure our belief, our faith, our actions are in accordance to the Word of God not the traditions of men.