When tradition takes Over Notes

The similarity between the traditions of the Pharisees, nullifying God’s Word under the pretense of zeal for God’s glory, and those of the Jesuits and other advocates of the Roman Catholic church, is painfully striking. The following passage from Peter’s commentary on St. Mark is worth reading.

The Scriptures teach that there is no difference to be put between meats, in regard of holiness, but that every creature of God is good. This the Papists make void by teaching that it is matter of religion and conscience to abstain from flesh meats at certain seasons. The Scripture teach that we should pray to God alone. This they make void by their manifold prayers to saints departed. The Scripture teach Christ alone to be our mediator, both of redemption and intercession. This they make void by making saints intercessors. The Scripture teach Christ to be the only head of the church. This they abrogate by their doctrine of the Pope’s supremacy. The Scripture teach that every soul should be subject to the higher power. This they abrogate by exempting the Pope and popish clergy from subjection to the civil power of princes and magistrates. Lastly, to instance in the same kind as our Savior here against the Pharisees, whereas the Word of God commands children to honor their parents, the Papists teach that if the child have vowed a monastical life, he is exempted from duty to parents.

Jim Cymbalia- Pastor Brooklyn Tabernacle- the most mature Christian is the one bent over leaning most heavily on the Lord and admitting his total inability to do anything without Christ. We never reach a place where we can live victoriously without his grace in our lives. Only his spirit can produce fruit in our lives.