IS TRADITION GOOD OR BAD?

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IS TRADITION GOOD OR BAD?
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What is Tradition?

• From Greek, para/dosi, (paradosis)a giving
  over, giving up. 1. The act of giving up,
  surrender. 2. A giving over which is done by
  word of mouth or in writing. (Thayer)

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What is Tradition?

• Term found 13 times in the New Testament (never
  in the Old) 10 times negatively 3 times
  positively
• It means a teaching passed down, either orally or
  written.

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The Traditions of Men

• Mark 71-13 Jesus questioned about why His
  disciples at with unwashed hands.
• Term tradition used 5 times in this text

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The Traditions of Men

• Mark 71-13
• Jewish traditions consisted of washing hands and
  various vessels.
• They BOUND these things upon their brethren! Vs.
  2 they found faultVs. 5 Why?

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The Traditions of Men

• Mark 71-13
• Jews viewed oral traditions as equally
  authoritative on matters of belief and conduct.
  (ISBE)

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The Traditions of Men

• Mark 71-13
• Traditions included
• Oral laws of Moses
• Decisions of judges with precedent
• Interpretations of great Jewish leaders

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The Traditions of Men

• Mark 71-13
• Jews referred to them as Traditions of the
  elders (Vs. 5)
• Jesus called them, traditions of men (7)
  your tradition (9, 13)

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The Traditions of Men

• Mark 71-13
• Jesus REJECTED their traditions and demonstrated
  we are NOT bound by manmade traditions.

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The Traditions of Men

• Mark 71-13
• He gave an example of how they rejected Gods law
  with their own (9-13)

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The Traditions of Men

• Mark 71-13
• Their behavior resulted in
• Distant hearts (6)
• Vain worship (7)
• Laying aside Gods commandments (8)
• Rejecting His commandments (9)
• The word of God of no effect (13)

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The Traditions of Men

• Other passages
• Galatians 114 - tradition of my fathers
• Col. 28-9 traditions of men
• 1 Pet. 117-19 traditions from your fathers
  (one word)

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The Traditions of Men

• What about today?
• Catholicism espouses similar views of tradition
  as the Jews
• Oral teachings of Jesus
• Decrees from church councils
• Decrees from various church leaders (i.e. the
  pope)

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The Traditions of Men

• What about today?
• Instrumental music NOT in NT cf. Eph. 519,
  Col. 316, 1 Cor. 1415, Not documented until
  7th century when Pope Vitalian introduced it
  w/opposition.

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The Traditions of Men

• What about today?
• Sprinkling for baptismNOT in NT Acts 838,
  Col. 212, Rom. 63-4Sprinkling came centuries
  later, associated w/death bed confession.

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Apostolic traditions

• Refers to teachings of Christ and His apostles,
  that we MUST follow and pass down from generation
  to generation, without variance!

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Apostolic traditions

• 1 Cor. 112
• 2 Thess. 215
• 2 Thess. 36-7
• Also 1 Cor. 1123, 153

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Apostolic traditions

• Of such we are instructed to
• Hold them 2 Thess. 215
• Keep them 1 Cor. 112
• Withdraw from every brother who does NOT walk
  according to them 2 Thess. 36,7

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Apostolic traditions

• Because of such we
• Hold fast the pattern 2 Tim. 113
• Do all in the name of the Lord Col. 317
• We dont think beyond what is written 1 Cor.
  46

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Apostolic traditions

• This why we
• Dont use instrumental music
• DO immerse for baptism
• Partake of the Lords Supper weekly
• Use Biblical names
• Respect the limitations of the work of the church

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Apostolic traditions

• This why we
• Reject those who do NOT follow the pattern 2
  John 9
• Contend earnestly for the faith Jude 3

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Avoiding establishing our own traditions

• Make sure that whatever we do is NOT binding
  manmade traditions!
• While we might have liberty to do things a
  certain way, we CANNOT bind them on others (i.e.
  service times, song books, order of services,
  etc.)

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Avoiding establishing our own traditions

• Be a people of the book!2 Tim. 215, Jude 3, 1
  Pet. 315
• Do we demand book, chapter and verse for all
  that we do?

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Avoiding establishing our own traditions

• Hold to Gods traditions!Col. 24-8

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Avoiding establishing our own traditions

• Dont think more highly of men and their
  philosophies than we ought to!1 Cor. 46
• Think highly enough of brethren to respect their
  liberties. Phil. 24

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Is Gods Word truly our standard in all that we
do?