What's Right and What's Wrong with: Tradition

Intro

Series:

“What’s Right and What’s Wrong”

This Topic:

What’s Right and What’s Wrong with: Tradition

Background

Paul commended the saints about tradition

2 Thessalonians 2:15 NKJV

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

Paul warns the saints about tradition

Colossians 2:8 NKJV

8 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.

Definition

Dictionary of Bible Themes 5588 traditions

Beliefs or customs handed down from previous generations.

Eerdmans Bible Dictionary TRADITION

The handing on of beliefs and practices from one generation to the next or from one group to a related group primarily by oral rather than written means.

The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Volumes 1–5 Tradition

The Gr word is παράδοσις, parádosis, “a giving over,” either by word of mouth or in writing; then that which is given over, i.e. tradition, the teaching that is handed down from one to another.

The New Bible Dictionary, 3rd Edition Tradition

That which is handed down, particularly teaching handed down from a teacher to his disciples.

Key ideas:

tradition is handed down from one generation to the next

it is composed of beliefs and practices

it is primarily oral, or by mouth

it is also by written

Sermon Points

When is “tradition” wrong?

The tradition of men

Colossians 2:8 NKJV

8 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.

tradition in general - whether, Jews or Gentiles

here includes “philosophies and empty deceit”

anything that is “not according to Christ”

not from Christ

nothing to do with Christ

can be used to “cheat” believers

cheat - means “to take control”, to loot/plunder

to make them think that there is more to gain and satisfy outside of Christ

see next verses - Colossians 2.9-10

The tradition of the elders/fathers

Paul mentioned this concerning his past life

Galatians 1.14

The Pharisees defended their tradition against Christ

Matthew 15:1–2 NKJV

1 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”

QUOTES

Eerdmans Bible Dictionary I. “The Traditions of the Elders”

The Gospels frequently refer to the tradition of the scribes and Pharisees (e.g., Matt. 15:3). While the Sadducees viewed the written text of the Torah as alone authoritative, the Pharisees cultivated an elaborate interpretive tradition as a way of dealing with the ambiguities and inexactness of God’s commandments. The resultant “tradition of the elders” (or “oral Torah”) was considered equal in authority to the written text elaborated by it. It represented simply the unfolding of what was implied in the written commandments, and was said to have been received by Moses from God on Mt. Sinai along with the written commandments and passed down orally from that time.

considered equal in authority to the Law

claimed to have been received by Moses from God

New Dictionary of Biblical Theology Jesus and the ‘Traditions of the Elders’

In 1st century Judaism, especially in Pharisaism, OT laws were adapted to new circumstances. The resulting case law was handed down, mainly in oral form. After some time the theory was formulated that Moses had received on Sinai the law in written form (the Pentateuch), but that oral commandments were passed on through the centuries by prophets, sages and rabbis. This oral law (Heb. halakhah, i.e. ‘how one should walk’) included all the case law developed from the written laws. Today in orthodox Judaism this traditional interpretation of the OT law, enshrined in the Talmudic literature, has almost the same authority as the OT itself.

Jesus rejected the tradition of the elders

Because it caused people to transgress the commandment of God

Matthew 15:3–6 NKJV

3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— 6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.

Because it made the word of God “of no effect”

NIV - nullify

NASB - invalidated

Because it lays aside and rejects the commandment of God

Mark 7.8-9

When is “tradition” right?

Early Christian traditions were handed down by the apostles

1 Corinthians 11:2 NKJV

2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.

Paul delviered a number of “traditions” that the saints kept

Christians traditions were delivered as “doctrines” and commandments

2 Thessalonians 2:15 NKJV

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

they were handed in the form of “teaching”, either by word or by epistle

1 Corinthians 14:37 NKJV

37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

2 Thessalonians 3.6

Christian traditions are teachings and commandments received from the Lord Jesus Christ, and were faithfully delivered to the early church, either by word or by epistles.

Thus -

we cannot separate tradition and doctrine/teaching

any tradition that does not reflect apostolic doctrine is a tradition of man.

Conclusion

Christ’s redemptive work involved tradition

1 Peter 1:18–19 NKJV

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.

man’s tradition resulted in “aimless conduct”

aimless conduct - meaningless activities or practices

If you knew your precious traditions were not really taught or commanded by the apostles and prophets of God, would you still hold on to them?

As Christians - we have been redeemed from “traditions of men”

As Christians - we are no longer bound by cultural practices, especially those that are opposed to Biblical doctrine

As Christians - we are only accountable to the doctrine and commandments of God, nothing else.