TRADITION VERSUS SCRIPTURE

     "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophecy of you saying, This people
draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips;
but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching
for doctrine the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:7-9). In the first six
verses of this chapter, the accusation that the scribes and Pharisees
made against Christ was, "Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition
of the elders?" The Pharisees had made a religious practice of washing
of their hands before eating and sought to bind it upon their fellow
worshippers.  Christ points out that worshipping according to the
traditions of men becomes vain (empty, void) worship. When men make a
religious practice out of some tradition or custom it becomes vain
worship, and it doesn't take the wisdom of Solomon to understand God's
feelings concerning vain worship.
     The apostle Paul states that "in us ye might learn not to go beyond
the things which are written" (1 Corinthians 4:6). In this passage, as
well as in many others, the inspired writers clearly show disapproval
toward those who would add anything to His Word.  Tradition goes beyond
that which is written, therefore, contradicts the language of Paul.
     God places the anathemas of heaven upon any who would preach or
teach anything other than what has been revealed through the gospel.
(See Galatians 1:6-10.) Tradition is not a part of the gospel or it
would not be tradition. No one has the right or authority to bind
tradition and/or custom upon mankind for religious practices.
     We owe our allegiance to God and not to man. "We ought to obey God
rather than man" (Acts 5:29). Each one is responsible for doing God's
commandments.
    -- Jack Thompson, preacher for the White Park church of Christ.

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