THE TRADITION OF THE APOSTLES

A look at what the Apostles actually taught

By Gary Ray Branscome

 



"Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle." (2 Thessalonians 2:15).
    Comment: Through the words, “or our epistle” the Apostle Paul tells us that the tradition he is speaking of is found in the written Word of God. Therefore, any tradition that contradicts the Word of God must be rejected as false.

CONCERNING THE VIRGINITY OF MARY

The tradition of Matthew: "Joseph did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son:" (Matthew 1:24-25).

"Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee" (Matthew 12:47).

"Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?" (Matthew 13: 55-56). (See also Mark 3:32, Luke 8:20).

CONCERNING FORCED CELIBACY

The tradition of Paul: "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth" (1 Timothy 4:1-3). (In regard to meats see Colossians 2:16).

"Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well." (1 Timothy 3:12).

"A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife" (1 Timothy 3:2).

"Ordain elders in every city… If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God" (Titus 1:5-7).

"Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband" (1 Corinthians 7:2).

CONCERNING FLATTERING TITLES

The tradition of Matthew: "Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." (Matthew 23:9).

CONCERNING MARY'S NEED FOR A SAVIOR

The tradition of Luke: "And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour" (Luke 1:47).

CONCERNING WHO ALONE IS OUR MEDIATOR

The tradition of Paul: "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" (1 Timothy 2:5).

CONCERNING WHO MAKES INTERCESSION FOR US

The tradition of Paul: "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God" (Romans 8:26-27).

"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us" (Romans 8:34).

"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).

The tradition of John: "And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:1-2).

CONCERNING PRAYER

The tradition of Matthew: "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking" (Matthew 6:7).

The tradition of Luke: "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father" (Luke 11:2).

The tradition of John: "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you" (John 16:23).

DO WE NEED SOMEONE TO PRAY FOR US?

The tradition of John: "I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God" (John 16:26-27).

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER DEATH

The tradition of Paul: "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8).

The tradition of Luke: "Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43).

The tradition of John: "I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours" (Revelation 14:13).

CONCERNING OUR SALVATION

The tradition of John: "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:7-9).

The tradition of Paul: "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;" (Colossians 2:13).

The tradition of Luke: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

The tradition of Paul: "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" (Titus 3:5).

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law" (Romans 3:28).

THE CERTAINTY OF SALVATION

The tradition of John: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God" (1 John 5:13).

CONCERNING THOSE WHO SEEK RIGHTEOUSNESS BY WORKS

The tradition of Paul: "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace" (Galatians 5:4).

CONCERNING WHO HAS THE RIGHT TO READ THE BIBLE

The tradition of Luke: "These (converts) were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11).

The tradition of John: "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me" (John 5:39).

CONCERNING THOSE WHO REJECT THIS TRADITION

The tradition of Paul: "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Colossians 2:8).

The tradition of Mark: "And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition" (Mark 7:9).

The Word of God: "If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20).