One view:
16All Scripture and tradition of men is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Scripture alone is incomplete to thoroughly equip man for doctrine, salvation or works.
16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Only traditions approved by the Apostles and recorded in the Scriptures are authority for acts and practices of the Lord’s church.
The Apostles derived their authority from Christ and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 16:19; John 16:13).
The Holy Spirit taught the Apostles all things one needed to know about the will of God (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15). Thus, the Apostles were uniquely able to guide the early church (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 15:3-11). The Apostles and other inspired writers used this knowledge to write the New Testament (2 Pet. 1:20-21).
The Scriptures instruct us to follow the traditions of Christ and the Apostles, but no one else. Paul said "keep the traditions as I delivered them" (1 Cor. 11:2; see also 2 Tim. 2:2). He instructed the Thessalonians to "hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle" (2 Thess. 2:15). Inasmuch as Paul established the church in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-4), and wrote the church two epistles, it is evident that he was referring to the traditions taught by his inspired "word" or "epistle." Paul also instructed the Thessalonians to "withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us" (2 Thess. 3:6). Thus, we are not free to follow any tradition, but only a tradition established by apostolic authority.
Some people advocate following a tradition because it was observed a long time ago, perhaps as early as the second century (101 A.D. – 200 A.D.). Where is the authority for that? If that were the rule, how would we decide which of the uninspired early Christians to follow? After which century will we no longer trust a tradition? Will we follow traditions that can be traced back to the third century, but not traditions of the 4th century? Where is the authority for a cut-off date?
How do you decide which traditions to keep that are not mentioned in the Scriptures? Chicken sacrifices? Snake handling? Torture? War? Baptizing dead people? All of these have been done in the name of Christ; some are still practiced. The Bible doesn’t say one wit about them.
Some people equate tradition with Scripture. A creed book and encyclopedia for one faith have the following to say about tradition:
- Creed Book: "Do you have to believe in Tradition? Yes, because it is the Word of God and has equal authority with the Bible."
- Encyclopedia: "Holy Scripture is therefore not the only theological source of the Revelation made by God to His Church. Side by side with Scripture there is tradition. …"
Unfortunately, both the creed book and the encyclopedia contradict the Bible.
Even if it was a historical fact that multiple churches during the time of the Apostles practiced a certain tradition, authority for doing the same today would not exist unless it was supported by Scripture. Could you comfortably follow a tradition of the church of Corinth, given all its problems? How about the churches in Sardis or Laodicea (Rev. 3:1-6, 14-22)?
If a tradition is not supported by Scripture, we must assume the Holy Spirit did not deem it "profitable" for us (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Otherwise, we must assume that the Holy Spirit and the Apostles were incapable of carrying out their missions.
Jesus condemned, "Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men," (Mk. 7:7) and said that worship based upon the tradition of men (Mk. 7:8) as opposed to the commandments of God was worthless (Mk. 7:7). Paul warned that we can be cheated through, among other things, the "tradition of men" (Col. 2:8).
Why would we worship the God of the Bible in a way not mentioned in the Bible? One who worships Christ with a tradition not authorized by Scripture is no better off spiritually than Nadab and Abihu, who were destroyed by God for worshipping Him in an unauthorized manner (Lev. 10:1-3). Although people who worship God as they choose, irrespective of God’s will, do not burn today, they risk an eternity of hellfire to come (Rev. 22:18-19). Therefore, we should call Bible things by Bible names, do Bible things in Bible ways, and not practice unscriptural traditions of men.
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