Tradition: Is It A Good Thing In Religion?

The word tradition simply means that which has been handed down. The traditions approved of in the Bible are those teachings which were handled down to Christians by the Apostles ( 2 Thessalonians 2:15 ), and all such teachings are found in the New Testament ( Jude 3 ; 2 Peter 1:3 ; John 16:13 ; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ). 2. But we run into a problem when purely human traditions are added to Christianity. The Bible contains many warnings about adding to the revelation which God has given man ( Galatians 1:6-9 ; 2 John 9 ; Revelation 22:18-19 ). 3. Neither are we left wondering how God feels when human traditions are placed alongside of His commandments. When the Son of God came to this earth He specifically rebuked people who had added human traditions to the Divinely approved religion ( Matthew 15:1-9 ; Mark 7:1-13 ). He said that such a combination makes our worship worthless. Let us make sure that what we are doing and saying in the name of God is supported by book, chapter and verse---before we practice it.

Does Becoming A Christian Release Me From Earthly Obligations?

No. Christianity doesn't obilterate our obligation to whatever civil government we might find ourselves under ( Romans 13:1-8 ; 1 Peter 2:13 ); the responsibility to treat our employers with respect ( 1 Peter 2:18 ); or honor our parents ( Ephesians 6:1 ). 2. A 'Christianity' that encourages Christians not to pay their taxes, show disrespect for government officials or parents, and which also contends that wives no longer need to be in submission to their husbands ( 1 Peter 3:1-7 ), is not the relationship with God revealed by Jesus Christ. 3. Rather, when one becomes a Christian, they are to become the best husband, wife, child, parent, citizen, employee or employer which any society could hope to have ( Ephesians 5:22-6:9 ; Titus 2:1-10 ; 1 Peter 2:11-3:7 ).

Suffering: Does It Disprove The Existence Of God?

God allowed His Own Son to suffer ( John 3:16 ). Obviously, suffering of innocent individuals is not inconsistent with the fact that God exists and that He is good. 2. Being created with a freewill, means that some people might make the wrong choices, and we might suffer as a consequence of their selfishness ( Genesis 4:7ff ). 3. Eliminating God doesn't solve the problem, for innocent people still suffer, even in the world which the atheist lives or wants. In fact, without God, you have another problem. In a no-God universe innocent people still suffer, but this time, they suffer in vain! Does that make you feel better?

Emotions: What Doesn't Determine Or Establish?

Majority rule and the popular views of society ( Matthew 7:13-14 ). 2. Gut feelings, intuition, or human emotions ( Proverbs 16:25 ; Jeremiah 10:23 ). 3. The feelings of one's conscience ( Acts 26:9 ). 4. The view of highly educated religious leaders ( Matthew 22:29 ; Chapter 23). 5. The views of the cultural and intellectual elite, including the secular academic community ( 1 Corinthians 1:26 ). 6. The views of parents or good friends ( Matthew 10:37 ). 7. Tradition ( Matthew 15:1-9 ). The only thing that establishes the truth is what God has said ( John 17:17 ).

Speaking in tongues: What Does The Bible Say?

Speaking in tongues was the miraculous ability to speak in a foreign language or dialect, without any previous study or experience ( Acts 2:1-11 ). 2. Thus, it is incorrect to claim that this was the ability to speak in an angelic or heavenly language. And neither was this gift used exclusively or even primarily for private prayers ( 1 Corinthians 14:14-16 ). 3. Non-Christians could perfectly understand the tongue-speaker ( Acts 2:11 ). 4. This gift was not the proof that one was a genuine Christian. For all Christians didn't possess this gift ( 1 Corinthians 12:30 ) and some very unspiritual individuals did ( 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 ). 5. This gift ceased, as did all the miraculous gifts when God's revelation (the New Testament) was complete ( 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 ).

Is Truth Changed By Situations Or Culture?

Situation ethics failed to excuse the following individuals ( Genesis 4:1-7 ; Leviticus 10:1-3 ; 2 Samuel 6:1-7 ; Acts 5:1-10 ; Galatians 2:11-13 ). 2. God never has put anyone in a no-win situation in which we must choose between a supposed greater sin and lesser sin. Or, a situation in which we must choose between the loving-thing to do or the obedient thing to do ( 1 Corinthians 10:13 ; James 1:13 ). 3. The sins mentioned in the New Testament, will still be wrong at the end of time ( 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ; Galatians 5:21 ; Revelation 21:8 ). 4. The gospel message is for all cultures ( Matthew 28:19 ). 5. The exact same plan of salvation was preached to people from various backgrounds, races, cultures and social classes ( Acts 2:38 ; 8:12 ; 35-38 ; 18:8 ).

Can I Trust God With My Life?

He created you in the first place ( Genesis 1:26 ), which means He know your true needs. He allowed His only Son to die for your sins ( John 3:16 ; Romans 5:6-8 ; 8:32 ). He allows His physical blessings to come upon evil and ungrateful people ( Luke 6:35 ). He already has proven that He loves you. In view of your own sins and the foolish choices you have made, the real question is, ' Can you trust yourself with your own life? ' ( Romans 6:21 )

Does Each Generation Discover More Spiritual Truth?

If we are under the assumption that each new generation will be wiser and more enlightened then previous generations, we are in for a shock when we read the Scriptures. 1. Jesus promised that all truth would be revealed through His Apostles ( John 16:13 ), and it was ( 2 Peter 1:3l Jude 3 ). 2. In the Biblical record we often find that instead of gaining greater insight into spiritual realities, future generations can often lose sight of the truth or completely ignore it ( Romans 1:18-32 ; Judges 2:10 ). 3. Through His Apostles, Jesus plainly revealed that following their generation a great doctrinal apostasy would hit the church ( Acts 20:29 ; 1 Timothy 4:1-3 ; 2 Timothy 4:2-4 ). Even while they were alive a good number of professed Christians were going after various false doctrines ( Galatians 4:11-16 ; 2 Thess. 1:3 ; 1 Timothy 1:3 ; 2 Timothy 2:16-18 ; 1 John 4:1-3 ; 3 John 9 ). For those who are tempted to ridicule basic Bible teaching as outdated or antiquated, carefully consider the following, "Thus says the Lord, stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you shall find rest for your souls" ( Jeremiah 6:16 ).

Is It Merely A Disease?

Actually sin in the Bible is defined as a transgression of God’s law ( 1 John 3:5 ). 2. We are doing a great disservice to people if we claim that various sinful addictions are merely diseases, for we are giving people the impression they are helpless against such temptations. The good news is that the cycle of any habitual sinful addiction can be broken ( 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ). 3. Jesus and other biblical writers noted that the true source of any sin isn’t a genetic or physical malfunction but a selfish choice which we have made in our hearts ( Mark 7:20-23 ; James 1:13 ; 4:1 ). Sin is always a moral problem and not a mere physical problem. The fact that Jesus had a human body ( John 1:14 ) and yet never sinned ( 1 Peter 2:22 ) should prove to us that our body isn’t the real reason why we sin.

The term "saint" applies to any Christian and never used to refer to an elite class of deceased Christians ( 1 Corinthians 1:2 ). 2. According to Jesus: (a) Every faithful Christian is equal in the sight of God, with every other faithful Christian ( Matthew 23:8-11 ). (b) No mere human being has ever lived who departed from this life with an excess of good works or spiritual riches of which are available to others ( Matthew 25:8-9 ; Luke 17:10 ). (c) There is only one mediator between God and men--Jesus Christ ( 1 Timothy 2:5 ). This leaves no room for any other mediators. (3) To deify a mere human being is to be guilty of committing the sin of idolatry ( Romans 1:25 ).

Frequently Asked Questions

Tradition: Is It A Good Thing In Religion?
Does Becoming A Christian Release Me From Earthly Obligations?
Suffering: Does It Disprove The Existence Of God?
Emotions: What Doesn’t Determine Or Establish?
Speaking in tongues: What Does The Bible Say?
Is Truth Changed By Situations Or Culture?
Can I Trust God With My Life?
Does Each Generation Discover More Spiritual Truth?
Is It Merely A Disease?
What Is A Saint?
Sabbath Day: Is It Binding Upon Christians?
Repentance: What Is Repentance?
Religious Titles: What About Them?
Reincarnation: Can It Be Harmonized With The Bible?
Prophecy: Does The Gift Still Exist Today?
Preachers: Must A Preacher Have A College Degree?
Prayer: What Is The Sinner’s Prayer?
Pornography: Is It Harmless?
Pastor: What Is A Pastor?
Once-Saved-Always-Saved: Is This True?
Obscenity: Merely In The Eye Of The Beholder?
New Testament: Is It The Standard For All Time?
Morality: Can A Good Moral Person Be Saved Without Jesus?
Love: Does It Cancel Out The Need For Obedience?
Can I Even Know The Truth?
What If Life Is Found Beyond This Planet?
Unbelief: Why Are Some People Unbelievers?
Jesus: Is He The Only Way To Eternal Life?
Jesus Christ: Can I Really Be Sure He Is The Son Of God?
Jesus Christ: How Can I Be Sure He Was Resurrected?
Jesus Christ: Is He God?
Incarnation: When Was Jesus Born?
Incarnation: Was The Purpose Of Jesus’ Birth To Bring World Peace?
Image Of God: Man Created In
Hell: It’s Not That Bad, Right?
Heaven: Will It Be Boring?
Heaven: What Is Heaven Really Like?
Gyms: Can The Church Build One?
God: Did Man Invent Him?
Grace: Does It Automatically And Unconditionally Remove Sin?
Fun: Is God Against It?
Faith Healers: Is There Any Way We Can Test Their Claims?
Faith: What Type Of Faith Results In Justification?
Faith: Are We Saved By Faith-Only?
Evolution: Can It Be Harmonized With Science?
Bible: Can We Understand It Alike?
Baptism: Holy Spirit Or Water Baptism?
Baptism: Are Sprinkling And Pouring Scriptural Modes Of Baptizing?
Baptism: The Thief On The Cross Wasn’t Baptized!
Evolution: Can Millions Of Years Be Placed Between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2?
Evolution: Were the Days In Genesis 1, Millions Of Years In Length?
Evolution: Can It Be Harmonized With The Bible?
Evolution: What Is The Bottom Line In The Creation/Evolution Debate?
Doctrine: Is It Important?
Divorce: What Does The Bible Say?
Denominations: Is Denominationalism Scriptural?
Death: Are People Give A Second Chance After They Die?
Communion/Lord’s Supper
Church: Which Church Should I Attend?
Church: What Is The Proper Organizational Structure?
Church: Is Church Membership Necessary?
Church: Is One Church Just As Good As Another?
Christianity: Is It A Crutch?
Change: Can A Person Really Change?
Calvinism: Is It True?
Bible: Does Biblical Silence Give Consent?
Bible: The Final Revelation To Mankind?
Born Again: How Is One Born Again?
Bible: Is It Historically Accurate?
Bible: Scientifically Accurate?
Bible: Concept Inspired Or Verbally Inspired?
Bible: Are Books Missing From It?
Baptism: Is Baptism Necessary For Salvation?
Astrology: What Does The Bible Say?
What About Abortion?
THE LORD’S SUPPER IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE RESTORATION OF THE CHURCH TO THE FIRST CENTURY PATTERN
PRAYER IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
MUSIC IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
HOW TO BE A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST AND BECOME A CHRISTIAN
HOW THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST ARE GOVERNED
GIVING IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
BRIEF HISTORY OF CHURCH OF CHRIST
BAPTISMS AND THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

Frequently Asked Questions

Tradition: Is It A Good Thing In Religion?

Does Becoming A Christian Release Me From Earthly Obligations?

Suffering: Does It Disprove The Existence Of God?

Emotions: What Doesn’t Determine Or Establish?

Speaking in tongues: What Does The Bible Say?

Is Truth Changed By Situations Or Culture?

Can I Trust God With My Life?

Does Each Generation Discover More Spiritual Truth?

Is It Merely A Disease?

What Is A Saint?

Sabbath Day: Is It Binding Upon Christians?

Repentance: What Is Repentance?

Religious Titles: What About Them?

Reincarnation: Can It Be Harmonized With The Bible?

Prophecy: Does The Gift Still Exist Today?

Preachers: Must A Preacher Have A College Degree?

Prayer: What Is The Sinner’s Prayer?

Pornography: Is It Harmless?

Pastor: What Is A Pastor?

Once-Saved-Always-Saved: Is This True?

Obscenity: Merely In The Eye Of The Beholder?

New Testament: Is It The Standard For All Time?

Morality: Can A Good Moral Person Be Saved Without Jesus?

Love: Does It Cancel Out The Need For Obedience?

Can I Even Know The Truth?

What If Life Is Found Beyond This Planet?

Unbelief: Why Are Some People Unbelievers?

Jesus: Is He The Only Way To Eternal Life?

Jesus Christ: Can I Really Be Sure He Is The Son Of God?

Jesus Christ: How Can I Be Sure He Was Resurrected?

Jesus Christ: Is He God?

Incarnation: When Was Jesus Born?

Incarnation: Was The Purpose Of Jesus’ Birth To Bring World Peace?

Image Of God: Man Created In

Hell: It’s Not That Bad, Right?

Heaven: Will It Be Boring?

Heaven: What Is Heaven Really Like?

Gyms: Can The Church Build One?

God: Did Man Invent Him?

Grace: Does It Automatically And Unconditionally Remove Sin?

Fun: Is God Against It?

Faith Healers: Is There Any Way We Can Test Their Claims?

Faith: What Type Of Faith Results In Justification?

Faith: Are We Saved By Faith-Only?

Evolution: Can It Be Harmonized With Science?

Bible: Can We Understand It Alike?

Baptism: Holy Spirit Or Water Baptism?

Baptism: Are Sprinkling And Pouring Scriptural Modes Of Baptizing?

Baptism: The Thief On The Cross Wasn’t Baptized!

Evolution: Can Millions Of Years Be Placed Between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2?

Evolution: Were the Days In Genesis 1, Millions Of Years In Length?

Evolution: Can It Be Harmonized With The Bible?

Evolution: What Is The Bottom Line In The Creation/Evolution Debate?

Doctrine: Is It Important?

Divorce: What Does The Bible Say?

Denominations: Is Denominationalism Scriptural?

Death: Are People Give A Second Chance After They Die?

Communion/Lord’s Supper

Church: Which Church Should I Attend?

Church: What Is The Proper Organizational Structure?

Church: Is Church Membership Necessary?

Church: Is One Church Just As Good As Another?

Christianity: Is It A Crutch?

Change: Can A Person Really Change?

Calvinism: Is It True?

Bible: Does Biblical Silence Give Consent?

Bible: The Final Revelation To Mankind?

Born Again: How Is One Born Again?

Bible: Is It Historically Accurate?

Bible: Scientifically Accurate?

Bible: Concept Inspired Or Verbally Inspired?

Bible: Are Books Missing From It?

Baptism: Is Baptism Necessary For Salvation?

Astrology: What Does The Bible Say?

What About Abortion?

THE LORD’S SUPPER IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE RESTORATION OF THE CHURCH TO THE FIRST CENTURY PATTERN

PRAYER IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

MUSIC IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST