Beech Tree News Network

The word “tradition” has become somewhat of a buzz-word today. For some, anything they associate with being “traditional” is rejected. Sometimes we find folks who wish to do things differently for no other reason than for the sake of being different. This is unfortunate.

    Today, it seems that if there is anything which someone could say has been done for ‘x’ amount of time, then some are ready to throw it out, and try something “new” and “exciting.” (That is, until that thing becomes a “tradition”!) Their attitude reminds me of the Athenians in Acts 17:21. We need to be reminded that Solomon said there is “nothing new under the sun.”

    The reason I titled this article, “Traditions Or Traditions?” is because “tradition” needs to be put in context. In other words, just because something is a “tradition” doesn’t mean we must do it. At the same time, some things called “traditions” must be obeyed because they are commanded of God! How do we determine when a tradition is something men have done for a long time or something that God has commanded? We do this by respecting Bible context. Let us read seven occasions where the word “tradition” is used in the New Testament, and note the very different ways that word is used.

•    “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?” (Matt. 15:2).

•    “Why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Mk. 7:9, 13).

•    “You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men” (Mk. 7:8).

•    “I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers” (Gal. 1:14).

•    “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter” (II Thess. 2:15).

•    “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us” (II Thess. 3:6).

•    “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers” (I Pet. 1:18).

    Notice that on two occasions the word “tradition” was used with the understanding that one is expected to continue in the tradition or be condemned by God (II Thess. 2:15, 3:6). These “traditions” were passed down by God through Christ, to the apostles, and then to Christians (II Thess. 2:15; II Tim. 2:2). These are the things which must continue, regardless of what men think of them!

    In contrast, some people wish to cling to things merely because this is the way we have “always” done them. Such an attitude can be detrimental if it is allowed to go unrestrained. Just because someone doesn’t like a change does not mean that the change is sinful. (Read: Heb. 7:12-14 where God changed His law.) Therefore, we can have certain traditions which have been a practice of men, and then change them or omit them altogether, and there be no sin involved.

    Therefore, for those contending for a “change,” let us go to the Bible make sure that the traditions we are discussing are ones that we have the right to change! The Bible says there are some traditions that we have no authority to change! (I Pet. 4:11; Col. 3:17)

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167