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QUESTION 14:
What about Church tradition? Is it not as true as the bible?

ANSWER:
Every professed Christian church system in the land has their covenants and creeds. These are usually traditions handed down from their forefathers. Every cult is a product of extra biblical revelations.

The Bible is the only guide. "To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this Word there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:20. Jesus said "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4. God put three guide posts in His word. He begins with, "Add not to my Word" Deuteronomy 12:32. Then God repeats the same thing in Proverbs 30:6 and in Revelation 22:18.

Traditions are mentioned in the Bible, but not too favorably. Speaking to the religious leaders of His day, Jesus said, "Making the Word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye." Mark 7:13. "Beware least any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Colossians 2:8. The Bible declares that God has spoken to us in the last days BY HIS SON. Hebrews 1:2. Holy men of God wrote as they were inspired of God. "All scripture is given by inspiration (lit. God-breathed) of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16-17. We don't need traditions. Read 2 Peter 1:21.

Don't put your trust in traditions; put your trust in the Word of the living God. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God, (not traditions). Romans 10:17. People that trust in religious traditions are no better off than the Pharisees and the hypocrites of Jesus' day.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen