Biblical Evidence for True Apostolic Tradition (vs. “Traditions of Men”)

Biblical Evidence for True Apostolic Tradition (vs. “Traditions of Men”) October 23, 2015

. . . vs. “Traditions of Men”

JesusDuccio

Jesus appearing to the disciples after His resurrection (1308-1311), by Duccio (1260-1318) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons]
(6-23-11)

 I discovered (as a set) several of the following passages in Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman’s sermon, “The Principle of Continuity Between the Jewish and Christian Churches,” from 20 November 1842 (when he was still Anglican). It is Sermon 15 in his collection, Sermons Bearing on Subjects of the Day (1843). I then looked up (by word searches) several other similar passages to expand upon his point. All verses are RSV. Good, apostolic, biblical traditions will be highlighted in blue; false traditions of men in red.

* * * * *

Matthew 15:3 He answered them, “And why do you transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?”

Matthew 15:6 So, for the sake of your tradition, you have made void the word of God.

Matthew 15:9 “in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.”

Matthew 15:13 He answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.”

Matthew 16:23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of Godbut of men.”(cf. Mk 8:33)

Mark 7:8-9, 13 You leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men.” [9] And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God, in order to keep your tradition! . . . [13] thus making void the word of God through your tradition which you hand on. And many such things you do.”

John 12:43  for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

1 Corinthians 2:5 that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

1 Corinthians 2:13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who possess the Spirit.

Galatians 1:9-12 As we have said before, so now I say again, If any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed. [10] Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ. [11] For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not man’s gospel.[12] For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 4:14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles.

Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ.

Colossians 2:20-22 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations, [21] “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” [22] (referring to things which all perish as they are used), according to human precepts and doctrines?

1 Thessalonians 2:13  And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

1 Timothy 4:1, 6-7 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, . . . [6] If you put these instructions before the brethren, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have followed. [7] Have nothing to do with godless and silly myths. Train yourself in godliness;

Titus 1:14 instead of giving heed to Jewish myths or to commands of men who reject the truth.


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