Is there scripture references to tradition in the true church?

Question

Scripture and Tradition



"I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you" (1 Cor. 11:2).

"Follow the pattern of the sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us" (2 Tim. 1:13-14).

"So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter." (2 Thess. 2:15)

"You, then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:1-2).

"First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (2 Peter 1:20-21).

"‘Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink, but I hope to come to see you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete" (2 John 12).

Answer 1

Thank you for that important reminder.

Answer 2

Yes, there is much scripture to back sacred tradition.

Additionally, the new Church (right after Jesus' death and resurrection) was already functioning for years prior to the written word...so it was all based on tradition at that point.

What do Protestant's think? That Jesus wrote everything down and handed a book to the Apostles?

Do Protestant's realize that when Jesus and/or the Apostle's refer to "scripture" they are referring to the Old Testament? There was no New Testament at the time. In the writings of Paul...he is referring to the Jewish scriptures...the Old Testament. Paul tells us to hold on to the traditions that he has given us. Because for Christian's, at that time, that's all there was. The New Testament writings came later on.

This means, that the traditions of the early Church are valid. They pre-date scripture and are sacred. They are the beginning of Christianity.

Answer 3

Lets think about this for a moment....

Before the gospels or the majority of the New Testament writings were written, the people had to rely on spoken traditions.

I wonder why?

Answer 4

Organized religion has forgotten the 'traditions', calling them "Jewish", or "done away with". Example: substituting Easter for Passover.
http://mlf1070.wordpress.com/2007/08/07/is-passover-observance-for-christians/

Answer 5

1 Cor. 11:2
(1) "And keep the ordinances - Margin, “Traditions” (τὰς παραδώσεις tas paradōseis). The word does not refer to anything that had been delivered down from a former generation, or from former times, as the word “tradition” now usually signifies; but it means that which had been “delivered to them (παραδίδωμι paradidōmi); that is, by the apostles.” The apostles had “delivered” to them certain doctrines, or rules, respecting the good order and the government of the church; and they had in general observed them, and were disposed still to do it. For this disposition to regard his authority, and to keep what he had enjoined, he commends them. He proceeds to specify what would be proper in regard to the particular subject on which they had made inquiry."

2 Tim. 1:13-14
2Ti 1:13 Hold fast a pattern of sound words which you heard from me, in faith and love in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 1:14 Guard the good Deposit given through the Holy Spirit indwelling in us.

This has nothing to do with "church" tradition, it is simply Paul telling Timothy to hold to the doctrines that he, Paul, taught him.

2 Thess. 2:15
2Th 2:15 So, then, brothers, stand firm and strongly hold the teachings you were taught, whether by word or by our letter.

Again, nothing to do with tradition. He is telling the Thessalonian church to stand firm in the teachings they have learned, either by his preaching or his letters.

2 Tim. 2:1-2
2Ti 2:1 Then my child, you be empowered by grace in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 2:2 And what things you heard from me through many witnesses, commit these things to faithful men, such as will be competent also to teach others.

(1) 2Ti 2:2 -
And the things which thou hast heard of me among many witnesses - Margin, “by.” Before, or in the presence of, many witnesses. Perhaps he refers to a solemn charge which he gave him, in the presence of the church, when he was ordained. It is by no means improbable that such a charge was given then to a newly ordained minister, as it is now. On such an occasion, the apostle would be likely to state a summary of Christian doctrine, and to exhort Timothy to a faithful adherence to it.
The same commit thou to faithful men - In the same way as those things have been committed to you. The reference is undoubtedly to ordination to the ministerial office. Timothy was to see that those only were admitted to the ministry who were qualified to understand the truths of religion, and to communicate them to others. This is a clear warrant for ministers to set apart others to the same sacred office. It does not prove that the people are not at liberty to choose their own pastor, but only that those in the ministry are to set apart others to the same office with themselves. There is, doubtless, to be a “succession” of ministers in the church; but the true line of the “succession” is to be found in good men who are qualified to teach, and who have the spirit of Christ, and not merely in those who have been ordained.

2 Peter 1:20-21
2Pe 1:20 knowing this first, that every prophecy of Scripture did not come into being of its own interpretation;
2Pe 1:21 for prophecy was not at any time borne by the will of man, but being borne along by the Holy Spirit, holy men of God spoke.

(1) That no prophecy of the Scripture - No prophecy contained in the inspired records. The word “scripture” here shows that the apostle referred particularly to the prophecies recorded in the Old Testament. The remark which he makes about prophecy is general, though it is designed to bear on a particular class of the prophecies.

Is of any private interpretation - The expression here used (ἰδίας ἐπιλύσεως idias epiluseōs) has given rise to as great a diversity of interpretation, and to as much discussion, as perhaps any phrase in the New Testament; and to the present time there is no general agreement among expositors as to its meaning.
The more correct interpretation, as it seems to me, is that which supposes that the apostle teaches that the truths which the prophets communicated were not originated by themselves; were not of their own suggestion or invention; were not their own opinions, but were of higher origin, and were imparted by God; and according to this the passage may be explained, “knowing this as a point of first importance when you approach the prophecies, or always bearing this in mind, that it is a great principle in regard to the prophets, that what they communicated “was not of their own disclosure;” that is, was not revealed or originated by them.”

2 John 12
2Jn 1:12 Having many things to write to you, I do not intend to speak by means of paper and ink, but I am hoping to come to you, and to speak mouth to mouth, that our joy may be full.

How you get church tradition out of this one is beyond me. It is simply John telling the recipient of the letter that he wishes to come and speak to her personally, not just in letters.

Answer 6

Yep. And it sounds like you rounded them all up. Thanks.