Biblical Traditions

When you hear the word “tradition,” does it conjure up certain thoughts in your memory?  I remember when I was younger, my mom’s side of the family would have a family reunion each year, where many would gather on a particular day in a particular location to eat, play games, and reminisce about times past.  If I had to guess, many of you also have similar types of “traditions” that you celebrate.  The Bible also speaks of tradition.  However, as we look to the use of “tradition” in the New Testament, we find two very distinct usages: one that amounted to man-made teachings, and the other gospel truth.  Let me explain.

In Matthew 15:2-9, we see a group of scribes and Pharisees accusing Jesus’ disciples of going against the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands before eating bread (vs. 2).  But Jesus turned the tables on them by pointing out their hypocrisy by holding to their traditions and not fulfilling the commandments of God (vs. 3, 6).  In verses eight and nine, Jesus quotes Isaiah (Isa. 29:13), pointing out “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.  And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men”(also Mark 7:6-7).  As well, the apostle Paul had this to say in Colossians 2:8 – “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.”

On the other hand, the New Testament also speaks of tradition in a positive light, that which receives the Lord’s approval.  On two separate occasions Paul made reference to traditions that Christians need to keep.  In his first letter to the church in Corinth he says,  “Now I praise you, brethren, that you keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you” (1 Cor. 11:2).  Similarly, in his second letter to the Thessalonians he tells them, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle” (2 Thessalonians 2:15).  These “traditions” were “the truth/gospel” spoken of in verses 13-14 which were passed down by word of mouth or by written letter.

May we, therefore, hold true to those traditions that have the Lord’s seal of approval – that message we have received through His holy, inspired, and infallable word that will save us if we hold fast to it (1 Cor. 15:1-2).