Teaching Article

Tradition is a powerful entity. Its influence is felt everywhere from sports teams to families to nations and very much so, in religions. Tradition is defined as “the oral transmission of information, beliefs, customs, etc., from ancestors to posterity without written memorials.” We want to look at tradition in first-century times and see what the Scriptures teach us on this debated topic. Hopefully, we will be able to see a balanced view of tradition. It has the unique capacity to be either good or bad and sometimes, even down-right ugly.

The Renewed Covenant teaches us about good traditions. It actually affirms them as a positive influence if they are based on the Word of Elohim. Rabbi Paul said he had passed-down important traditions to believers in Yeshua that he wanted them to remember and practice. In 2 Thessalonians 2:15 he writes:

“Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” (Webster’s Bible)

You can see below, according to the Strong’s definition, the word “traditions” is defined as “Jewish traditionary law.”

from GSN3860; transmission, i.e. (concretely) a precept; specifically, the Jewish traditionary law:

If we examine other similarly worded statements about what Rabbi Paul passed on; certainly the traditions described in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 at a Passover Seder would be examples of good traditions.

For I have received from the Lord, that which also I delivered (passed on – NASB) to you, That the Lord Yeshua, the [same] night in which he was betrayed, took bread: And when he had given thanks, he broke [it], and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also [he took] the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as ye drink [it], in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he shall come. (Webster’s Bible)

The seder traditions are beautiful visual, as well as, tasty object-lessons of the fullness of Passover. Our Messiah Yeshua led a seder with his talmidim (taught ones) as recorded in Matthew 26:17-27. Thus, we recognize a good tradition as one that teaches us, usually through symbolism, true spiritual concepts. I cannot imagine a Passover or the other Holy Days without them.

He answered and said to them, Well hath Isaiah prophesied concerning you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoreth me with [their] lips, but their heart is far from me. But, in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, [as] the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said to them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition, For Moses said, Honor thy father and thy mother; and, Whoever curseth father or mother, let him die the death: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, [It is] Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatever thou mightest be profited by me; [he shall be free]. And ye suffer him no more to do aught for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of no effect through your traditions, which ye have delivered: and many such like things ye do.

Apparently, many at this time were upholding a corrupt tradition which put religious donations above honoring your mother and father. I believe pure a faith, as taught in the Scriptures, would uphold both temple-giving and parental care. Of course, taking care of parents usually does not get the social-status perks that a big financial gift to the then Sadducee-controlled temple could give. In Matthew 23, Messiah tells us about the hypocritical state of some Pharisees in the first century.

Not much has changed since then. Sadly, we can easily commit the same sins by seeking social position, power and pride, and forgetting the weightier matters of the Torah. This creates a religion of outside observances with no true heart change (circumcision of the heart). Since these bad traditions abound everywhere in religious circles today; let us be weary of these attitudes that can destroy our testimony.

I believe these can only be labeled as demonic strongholds which completely disassociate us from the God of Israel who is our creator as recorded in Genesis chapter one. Our Elohim rested on the Seventh day and set it apart to worship and think on Him. Why then are so many who claim to know Him following the Papal man-made system and not the Elohim of Israel’s special days?

This situation can only be described as an example of a truly ugly tradition. YHVH made it so simple in the Garden of Eden and then gave a written directive (commandment) to His people at Mt. Sinai. Later, He sent Messiah to show us how to honor the Sabbath and do good on His day. Three hundred years later, another corrupt system solidified their tradition of Sunday/first day over the Sabbath/seventh day. This false teaching is still upheld to this day over Scripture and Messiah’s example. Now, that’s what I call u-g-l-y!

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