Introduction
A few weeks ago, in my sermon “The Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist,” I mentioned in the third point traditions. Specifically, “Apostolic Traditions or Man-Made Traditions.”
I want to revisit that point again and expand upon it. This morning, our subject is called “Biblical Traditions and Traditions of Men.”
As I’ve learned more about the Catholic Church and even the Eastern Orthodox Church, I’ve noticed the heavy emphasis on traditions. When denominations start speaking of their ancient traditions, it often appeals to the masses. There is something attractive about being connected to something old, historical, and longstanding.
However, something being ancient and a tradition does not make it right.
God’s Word is the standard.
That is what I wish to demonstrate—to protect our faith and to pull some from the fire. Paul warned the saints in Colossae and elsewhere not to be deceived.
“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men… rather than according to Christ” (Colossians 2:1-8).
The question is not, “How old is this tradition?” The question is, “Does it come from God?”
Traditions
What Is Tradition?
Tradition is what has been handed down for the next generation to believe and practice.
There is nothing inherently wrong with that. Teachings and practices are meant to be passed down. Tradition is necessary and unavoidable. No one is without tradition of some kind, including those who claim to dislike tradition (Thoughts from Doy Moyer).
However, we must be very careful in our thinking about tradition.
There are at least three categories we need to distinguish.
1. Truth
Some traditions are truth.
These are teachings revealed by God and passed down from generation to generation. Truth is meant to be preserved and transmitted.
Consider the instructions of Deuteronomy 6:4-9, where parents were commanded to diligently teach God’s word to their children.
This is tradition in the best sense of the word.
When Paul spoke of traditions in the New Testament, he often referred to revealed truth.
Paul’s Traditions Were Inspired Truth
In 1 Corinthians 11:2, Paul commended the brethren because they were holding firmly to the traditions he delivered to them.
Why?
Because:
- Paul spoke by inspiration of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:12-13).
- What he taught were the commandments of God (1 Corinthians 14:37).
- What he taught in every church was God’s word (1 Corinthians 4:16-17).
Likewise, in 2 Thessalonians 2:14-15 and 3:6, Paul urged saints to stand firm in the traditions they had received.
Notice what those traditions were:
- The Thessalonians received God’s word (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
- Paul reasoned from the Scriptures with them (Acts 17:1-3).
- They were called through the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14).
- Their faith rested upon truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
These were not human traditions.
These were divine traditions.
They came from God through inspired men.
Those traditions are to be believed, obeyed, and preserved.
2. Error
Unfortunately, traditions can also be wrong.
Erroneous traditions can be handed down just as easily as truth.
Consider the position of the Greek Orthodox Church.
The Eastern Orthodox Church highly respects the Bible, but it does not view Scripture as the complete and final standard by itself.
The Orthodox Church teaches that the Bible is central and that “everything in the Church must be Biblical,” yet it also teaches that the Bible receives its proper interpretation and significance only within the life of the Church. Scripture is viewed as one expression of revelation within a broader body of traditions.
The problem is that this contradicts Scripture.
Consider:
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- Jude 3
- Galatians 1:8-9
The Bible presents itself as sufficient and complete.
Furthermore, Jesus condemned traditions that contradicted God’s word.
In Matthew 15:1-9, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees because their traditions invalidated the commandment of God.
That same danger exists today.
Infant Baptism as an Example
One example is infant baptism.
Some argue that the households mentioned in Acts 16:30-34 must have included infants.
Yet the text never says that.
That is not Scripture.
It is an unnecessary inference being elevated into doctrine.
Notice Paul’s instruction:
“Believe in the Lord Jesus…”
Infants cannot do that.
We cannot claim that a tradition is given by the Spirit if that tradition negates what the Spirit Himself has revealed.
When a tradition contradicts Scripture, Scripture must win every time.
3. Choice
There is a third category.
Many traditions are neither right nor wrong.
They fall into the realm of judgment and choice.
For example, the specific time a congregation assembles for worship on the first day of the week.
Acts 20:7 authorizes worship on the first day of the week.
The specific hour is not specified.
Morning worship does not violate God’s word.
Evening worship does not violate God’s word.
These are matters of judgment.
They are traditions of choice rather than truth or error.
A Necessary Distinction
Let me be clear.
The traditions Paul spoke about in the New Testament are truth and must be practiced.
Traditions that are error and contrary to the Holy Spirit’s revelation must be abandoned.
No tradition, regardless of its age, has the authority to override what God has revealed.
When man-made traditions are elevated to the level of Scripture, it is only a matter of time before tradition itself swallows Scripture.
What About Traces of the Church Throughout History?
One reason many people flock to certain churches is because of their age.
They are ancient.
The argument often sounds like this:
- “If something is ancient, it can’t be wrong.”
- “We can trace our church back to Christ.”
- “Churches of Christ cannot do that.”
- “Your heritage comes from Alexander Campbell and the Restoration Movement.”
These arguments sound persuasive on the surface.
But do they hold up?
Pattern Versus Succession
The issue is not succession.
Succession is the belief that church authority and legitimacy are transmitted through an unbroken line of leaders extending back to the apostles.
But the real issue is this:
Does a church follow the apostolic pattern revealed in Scripture?
Authority rests in God’s revealed word, not in a historical chain of succession.
Paul emphasized the importance of following a pattern.
- 2 Timothy 1:13
- Acts 2:42
The standard is the apostolic doctrine.
Not a lineage.
Not a headquarters.
Not a historical chain.
A pattern.
Josiah: A Powerful Example
Consider the days of Josiah.
In 2 Kings 23:22-23, the Passover was restored.
The text tells us it had not been observed like that since the days of the Judges.
Think about that.
We’re talking approximately 500-700 years.
For centuries, God’s people had drifted away from the pattern.
Yet when the Book of the Law was discovered, they could return to God’s instructions.
The authority was not in uninterrupted practice.
The authority was in what God had written.
The same thing happened during the Restoration Movement.
People went back to Scripture and began examining the New Testament pattern.
A new church was not created.
Rather, God’s pattern was observed.
Like an NFL team returning to the original playbook, the goal was not innovation but restoration.
Ancient Doesn’t Mean Accurate
Jesus warned about man-made traditions in Matthew 15:1-9.
Traditions often gain credibility simply because they are old.
People think:
- “We’ve always done it this way.”
- “This church is ancient.”
- “Millions believe it.”
Yet error does not become truth through age.
The question is not:
“Which church is oldest historically?”
The question is:
“Which church follows the doctrine of Christ?” (2 John 9)
The Example of Jeroboam
Israel repeatedly drifted from God’s pattern.
Jeroboam is a classic example.
In 1 Kings 12:28-33 he created an alternative worship system.
Think about what he introduced:
- Alternative worship locations.
- New feast days.
- A new priesthood.
- A more convenient religion.
Today we might call that:
- Innovation.
- Modernization.
- Contemporary worship.
- Keeping things fresh.
Yet God did not authorize any of it.
Jeroboam’s religion was ancient by Josiah’s day.
But it was still wrong.
Age did not make it true.
Popularity did not make it true.
Tradition did not make it true.
The Standard Has Always Been God’s Word
By Josiah’s day, people had abandoned God’s pattern.
Yet God still expected them to return to it.
Why?
Because the standard never changed.
Consider these passages:
John 17:17
“Your word is truth.”
Colossians 3:17
“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord.”
2 John 9
“Abide in the doctrine of Christ.”
Jude 3
“The faith once for all delivered.”
The authority has always been God’s revealed word.
Not history.
Not popularity.
Not emotions.
Not tradition.
Ask the Right Questions
Everything must be tested by Scripture.
This is the standard.
Not history.
Not age.
Not popularity.
Not emotional appeal.
Wrong questions include:
- Is it ancient?
- Is it popular?
- Is it emotional?
The right question is:
“Where is the authority?”
That was the issue in Josiah’s day.
That was the issue in the first century.
That remains the issue today.
Conclusion
What kind of foundation are we standing on?
Some have been shaken and disturbed by arguments about tradition, church history, and succession.
Yet we must remember this:
A church is not sound because it is old.
A church is not sound because it is large.
A church is not sound because it is emotional.
A church is not sound because it can claim an ancient lineage.
Rather:
A church is sound because it abides in the apostles’ doctrine.
The question has never been, “How old is it?”
The question has always been:
“Does it follow the pattern God revealed?”
That was true in Josiah’s day.
That was true in the first century.
And it is still true today.
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