Tradition or Commandment?

In Matthew 15:1-9 there is the account of the scribes and Pharisees asking Jesus why His disciples did not observe the “traditions of the elders” because they didn’t wash their hands before eating. Jesus answered in this way, “Why do you also transgress the commandments of God by your tradition?” Later, Jesus says, “In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

In this passage, Jesus very strongly condemns depending on tradition instead of God’s commandments. But how do we distinguish between tradition and commandments? God’s word tells us.

In 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 Paul writes that God’s word is “profitable for doctrine (what to teach), for reproof (to tell us if we are doing something wrong), for correction (how to stop doing wrong), for instruction in righteousness (to tell us how to live to please God): that the man of God may be perfect (or, complete/mature), thoroughly furnished to all good works.” If we are thoroughly furnished by God’s word, do we need more?

Second Peter 1:3 says God has given us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” If He has given all things, then do we need additions, or tradition to supplement God’s word?

Jesus says in John 12:46-48 that the word will judge us in the last day. Therefore, we must depend only on God’s word to distinguish between tradition and commandment.

The Restoration plea is to encourage people to search God’s Word to prove all things and not depend on men. It is an effort to restore New Testament Christianity by doing Bible things in Bible ways, calling Bible things by Bible names, speaking where the Bible speaks and remaining silent where the Bible is silent. Therefore, we offer no man-written creeds, dogmas, catechisms, disciplines, or manuals of doctrine. Restoration demands constant maintenance. We must not allow ourselves to become complacent with that message, however. It is up to each individual to know the difference between tradition and commandment. Peter says we should “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”

See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony