“Tradition” is a Biblical word. The word translated “tradition” in the New Testament means “a handing down or on” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical words, p.639). On the one hand, there are traditions condemned by Jesus and His apostles, and on the other hand, there are traditions not only taught by the apostles but bound upon Christians. It is therefore important to properly discern the two so that we will avoid the ones that are condemned and follow and promote those that are bound.
On the one hand, Jesus condemned the religious traditions of the Pharisees. The Pharisees and Jewish elders held a tradition that you must wash your hands in a special way before you eat. This was only the tip of the iceberg on washing, for there are many other things which required special washings, like the washing of cups, pitchers, etc. (Mark 7:3-4). They taught by tradition that one was released from honoring his father or mother if he dedicated his profit to the temple instead of honoring his father or mother with the care they needed. Jesus rebuked them for their traditions: “He answered and said to them, ‘Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men – the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.’ He said to them, ‘All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition’” (Mark 7:6-9). These teachings and practices that are condemned are the religious traditions of men – they originated with men, not God. These traditions of men are inseparably tied by Jesus to the laying aside of and rejecting of the commandments of God, and to vain worship.
The apostles were greatly concerned with Christians turning away from Christ by following after the traditions of men. “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8).
On the other hand, the Bible teaches that we are to embrace, be devoted to, follow, stand firm in the traditions from the apostles. “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle” (2 Thessalonians 2:15). Again, tradition means “a handing down or on.” What then are the things handed down which Christians are to stand fast and hold? The “traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” These traditions are the teachings of the apostles, teachings that are inspired of God (1 Corinthians 2:12-13) – of divine origin.
The source of the tradition believed or taught or practiced is therefore the distinguishing factor as to whether to reject or to receive and follow. On the one hand, religious tradition of human source must be rejected. On the other hand, religious tradition of divine source must be held.
There’s a lot of religious tradition out there that originated with men. The issue comes down to what men have said vs. what the Scriptures teach. Sprinkling or pouring in place of baptism is a tradition of men; it is not of divine source from apostolic teaching. Instruments of music in worship in this gospel dispensation is a tradition of human origin and is not of apostolic teaching. Saddling the church with social activities and entertainment is a tradition of men and is not according to the traditions taught by the apostles which are of divine origin. Denominational creed books and Catholic catechisms are of human origin.
Just think, congregations today following the traditions taught by the apostles look like congregations in the days of the apostles. Why? Because the religious traditions of men are rejected, and because the traditions from the apostles – what they taught then, which is now contained in New Testament Scripture – have not changed. Let us not only reject the traditions of men but read, follow, teach, and defend the apostolic traditions which are the teachings of the apostles, which are of divine origin.
-Larry Jones