Table of Contents
Sufficiency of Scripture:
Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32 – 2 You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, so that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I am commanding you… 32 “Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take anything away from it.
If there is nothing to take away, nothing to add, and nothing to change, then nothing is lacking or insufficient.
Job 23:12 – I have not failed the command of His lips;
I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.
There is nothing more important and sufficient than the Words of God.
Jeremiah 23:36 – 36 For you will no longer remember the pronouncement of the Lord, because every person’s own word will become the pronouncement, and you have perverted the words of the living God, the Lord of armies, our God.
Going outside of and beyond “the pronouncement of the Lord” leads to the perversion of the words of God; thus the pronouncements, or words, of God are fully sufficient.
Jeremiah 36:2 – 2 “Take a scroll and write on it all the words which I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah, and all the nations, from the day I first spoke to you, from the days of Josiah, even to this day.
All the words that God has revealed for the benefit of humanity have been written. Jeremiah does not record any mention of not writing any ancient oral traditions.
Psalm 89:34 – I will not violate My covenant, Nor will I alter the utterance of My lips.
God won’t contradict his word and won’t change is word. Since nothing needs to be changed (which would including adding) than it is sufficient. Also read Psalm 19:7–14
Isaiah 8:20 – 20 To the Law and to the testimony! If they do not speak in accordance with this word, it is because they have no dawn.
The Law is referring to the Law of Moses, the Torah, and the testimony is referencing the Prophets. If something is not “in accordance” with their words, it is not of God. This makes Scripture the only standard and authority. Which also means it is sufficient to be the only standard.
John 20:30-31, 21:25 – 30 So then, many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that by believing you may have life in His name… 25 But there are also many other things which Jesus did, which, if they were written in detail, I expect that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.
John says it best: “Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that by believing you may have life in His name“
Mark 4:14 – 14 The sower sows the word.
Jesus clearly states that the sower gives, proclaims, and shares The Word, not opinions or traditions.
Luke 8:11 – 11 “Now this is the parable: the seed is the word of God.
The seed the sower sowes, is literally the WORD of God, nothing more, nothing less, it is sufficient.
Acts 17:11 – Now these people were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
Paul praised those in Thessalonica for testing what he said to Scripture, and not any other source.
Romans 10:17 – 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Faith comes from hearing the word, not from keep rites, rituals, or doing religious acts in patterns.
1 Corinthians 4:6 – Now these things, brothers and sisters, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos on your account, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.
Paul instructed the church of Corinth to not exceed or go beyond what is written. Did not mention anything about any sort of equally authoritative oral traditions or non-accepted ancient non-Old Testament canon writing.
2 Timothy 3:15-17 – 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.
It is the sacred writings (the Old Testament) that gives wisdom and leads to salvation and that ALL scripture is inspired by God equipping believers for “every” good work. Did not mention anything about any sort of equally authoritative oral traditions or non-accepted ancient non-Old Testament canon writing.
2 Timothy 4:2 – preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction.
There is never not a time to preach scripture and is sufficient for all seasons. “the word” in context is written scripture (2 Tim. 3:15-17).
1 John 5:13 – 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
John does not appeal to any early oral traditions, he only appeals to what he has “written” to them and through his writings, they “may know that [they] have eternal life” Thus, what has been written is sufficient for faith.
Jude 1:3 – 3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all time handed down to the saints.
Revelation 22:19 – 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and [a]from the holy city, which are written in this book.
The final book of Scripture is not to be changed, and since it does not need to be updated or changed it is sufficient and complete.
Divine Authority of Scripture:
Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32 – 2 You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, so that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I am commanding you… 32 “Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take anything away from it.
It is clear that Scripture is Sacred and is the divine authority and commands of God.
Isaiah 8:20, 34:16 – 20 To the Law and to the testimony! If they do not speak in accordance with this word, it is because they have no dawn...
16 Seek from the book of the Lord, and read:
Not one of these will be missing;
None will lack its mate.
For His mouth has commanded,
And His Spirit has gathered them.
The Law is referring to the Law of Moses, the Torah, and the testimony is referencing the Prophets; which is summed up by saying “the book of the Lord”. If something is not “in accordance” with their words, it is not of God. This makes Scripture the only standard and authority. Which also means it is sufficient to be the only standard.
Matthew 22:31–32 – But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God: 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
Scripture literally records God’s actual words.
John 1:1, 14, 17:17 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth… Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
The Word was with God and is God and became flesh, the God incarnate Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the The Word and was in the Old Testament (with God) and became flesh in the New Testament; manifesting the sanctifying authority and power of The Word because he is truth.
Acts 17:11 – Now these people were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
They only used scripture to test things and determine if they were true or not. Thus, scripture is the ultimate authoritative test of spiritual matters.
Romans 10:17 – 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Faith comes by hearing the now written words of Jesus Christ, who was also spoken of in the Old Testament and is also God; thus, faith comes by hearing truth from Holy Scripture.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.
Scripture is inspired by God with the authority of God to teach, rebuke, correct, and train in righteousness for good works. Did not mention anything about any sort of equally authoritative oral traditions or non-accepted ancient non-Old Testament non-canon writing.
Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
The Word of God is living and active. It alone impacts the soul and spirit and judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
1 Peter 1:23 – 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
2 Peter 1:20-21 – 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Scripture is God’s Word written by chosen men who were moved by the Holy Spirit to write exactly what God wanted them to write.
Revelation 14:13 – 13 And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”
The Holy Spirit literally told John what to write, verbatim.
Written Scripture over oral tradition:
Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32 – 2 You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, so that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I am commanding you… 32 “Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take anything away from it.
The last book of the Law of Moses, or the Torah, God makes it explicitly clear not to add to his words, or take away from his words, and to be careful to do exactly as he has commanded. Which, becomes extremely problematic for any authoritative ancient oral tradition and all non-accepted ancient non-Old Testament non-canon writings, such as the Book of Enoch.
Joshua 23:6 – 6 Be very determined, then, to keep and do everything that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, so that you will not turn aside from it to the right or to the left,
Joshua instructs (under the divine influence of God) everyone to keep doing “everything that is written” and does not mention anything about keeping any sacred oral traditions.
Jeremiah 36:2 – 2 “Take a scroll and write on it all the words which I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah, and all the nations, from the day I first spoke to you, from the days of Josiah, even to this day.
All the words that God has revealed for the benefit of humanity have been written. Jeremiah does not record any mention of not writing any ancient oral traditions.
2 Chronicles 17:9 – 9 They taught in Judah, having the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; and they went throughout the cities of Judah and taught among the people.
They traveled teaching “the Book of the Law of the Lord” and not any additional ancient sacred oral tradition.
Isaiah 2:3 – 3 And many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let’s go up to the mountain of the Lord,
To the house of the God of Jacob;
So that He may teach us about His ways,
And that we may walk in His paths.”
For the law will go out from Zion
And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
The ways and path of the “house of the God of Jacob” is manifested in Christ Jesus and codified in the Law and The Word. These “ways” and “path” are not dependent on any sort of oral traditions.
Matthew 5:19, 15:6 – 19 Therefore, whoever nullifies one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven…6 he is not to honor his father or mother.’ And by this you have invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
Traditions that create loop holes, short cuts, and going around truths to achieve a different end attempts to invalidate Scripture, such as the traditions of praying to Mary and penance. These human traditions nullifies going to the throne room ourselves in prayer and nullifies the need for repentance if we can just pay off our sins with worldly things.
Mark 7:6–9 – But He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far away from Me. 7 And in vain do they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” 9 He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.
Traditions that afford the ability to neglect that which is prescribed in Scripture is a doctrine and tradition of men and thus invalidates their worship of God. Two examples are praying to Mary for grace instead of praying directly to God and paying for the forgiveness of sins with worldly materialism (penance).
Luke 24:27, 44 – Then beginning with Moses and with all the Prophets, He explained to them the things written about Himself in all the Scriptures…. Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all the things that are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
Jesus only validates the Old Testament writings and his words (knowing they will also be written) and not any single ancient Jewish oral tradition or early Christian oral tradition of the Apostles. No mention of oral traditions whatsoever.
Acts 17:11 – Now these people were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
They did not use any sort of equally authoritative oral tradition or non-accepted ancient non-Old Testament non-canon writing; only recognized cannonal Sacred Scripture.
Romans 10:8, 15:4 – 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching... For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
What was the word in their mouth? What was the word of faith they were preaching? Everything that has been revealed in the Old Testament and spoken by Jesus which was codified in the synodic gospels. Hope comes from written scripture with no mention of any oral traditions besides the written tradition.
1 Corinthians 4:6 – Now these things, brothers and sisters, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos on your account, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.
The Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, explicitly tells us NOT to exceed what is written. He does NOT say anything about obeying any oral traditions or non-accepted ancient non-Old Testament non-canon writing; only recognized cannoned Sacred Scripture.
1 John 5:13 – 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
John does not appeal to any early oral traditions, he only appeals to what he has “written” to them and through his writings, they “may know that [they] have eternal life” Thus, what has been written is sufficient for faith.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.16 All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.
He only mentions Sacred Writings, and nothing about any sort of sacred traditions as he also states that only Scripture (writings) are inspired by God with no mention of any oral sacred traditions being inspired by God.
Titus 1:9 – 9 holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.
What is the teaching and how do we know what is sound doctrine? How do we “refute” those who contradict an extra biblical oral tradition untestable against Holy Scripture? Sound doctrine taught is Holy Scripture.
Scripture Is About Christ
Luke 24:25-27 – 25 And then He said to them, “You foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to come into His glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the Prophets, He explained to them the things written about Himself in all the Scriptures.
Jesus makes it clear the Old Testament is all about him.
Luke 24:44-49 – 44 Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all the things that are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and He said to them, “So it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Jesus makes it clear “the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms” are written about Jesus and for him to fulfill.
Acts 17:11 – Now these people were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
Testing the teachings about Jesus, the Thessalonicans examine Scripture to know if what they are saying about Jesus is true.
Acts 18:28 – 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
The Old Testament demonstrate that Jesus was the Messiah, which means the Old Testament foreshadows and points to Jesus.
To Be Studied
2 Chronicles 17:9 – 9 They taught in Judah, having the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; and they went throughout the cities of Judah and taught among the people.
They traveled teaching “the Book of the Law of the Lord”
Psalm 119:97 – 97 How I love Your Law! It is my meditation all the day.
Love for God’s word makes meditating on it enjoyable and so we can do it all day.
Nehemiah 8:13 – 13 Then on the second day the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests, and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe so that they might gain insight into the words of the Law.
All the people attended bible studies, as a community, to gain understanding and insight in the WORDS of the Law.
2 Timothy 2:15 – Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
In order to “accurately handle” the word of truth, it must be studied and properly known.
Acts 17:11 – Now these people were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
They examined and studied the Scriptures daily.
Acts 8:30-31 – 30 Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Philip sat down with someone who was trying to understand scripture and they did a bible study together which eventually brought the person to faith.
2 Timothy 4:2 – preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction.
In order to preach the word, to correct, rebuke, and exhort at any given moment with patience, they must study and know it first.
God Does The Teaching of His Word
1 Chronicles 22:12 – 12 Only the Lord give you discretion and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel, so that you may keep the Law of the Lord your God.
God is the one who gives understanding of “The Law of the Lord”
Psalm 119:34 – Give me understanding, so that I may comply with Your Law And keep it with all my heart.
The Psalmist asks God to give him understanding in order to comply with The Law of God.
Isaiah 54:13 – 13 All your sons will be taught by the Lord; And the well-being of your sons will be great.
They are “taught by the Lord”
Jeremiah 31:33-34 – 33 “For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord: “I will put My law within them and write it on their heart; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 They will not teach again, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their wrongdoing, and their sin I will no longer remember.”
God makes known that HE will PUT his law IN THEM and write it ON their heart.
Matthew 16:17 – 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
Right after Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus lets him know that he didn’t come to that conclusion and understanding by himself. It was God the Father who “revealed this to” him. Also see that his “flesh and blood DID NOT“
John 6:45, 10:27, 14:26, 17:6 – 45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘And they shall all be taught of God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me... 27 My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;… 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you., and remind you of all that I said to you…6 “I have revealed Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have followed Your word.
John co-signs what Isaiah said and then John adds “EVERYONE” who comes to Jesus, “has heard and learned FROM THE FATHER.” Thus, every single born again genuinely saved believer literally learned from God, who will teach you ALL things.
Hebrews 8:10-11 – 10 For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel
After those days, declares the Lord:
I will put My laws into their minds,
And write them on their hearts.
And I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.
11 And they will not teach, each one his fellow citizen,
And each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
For they will all know Me,
From the least to the greatest of them.
Notice all the “I will.” God WILL impact (teach) their minds and hearts and they WILL learn.
1 John 2:27 – 27 And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him remains in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you remain in Him.
1 Corinthians 2:10-13 – 10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among people knows the thoughts of a person except the spirit of the person that is in him? So also the thoughts of God no one knows, except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
Paul says it best, “we may know the things freely given to us by God.” These “things” Paul is talking about are NOT taught by man, but is actually taught by the Spirit.
Recognized Canon
Joshua 23:6 – 6 Be very determined, then, to keep and do everything that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, so that you will not turn aside from it to the right or to the left,
Joshua makes it clear that The Torah (Law of Moses) is the moral standard of God that keeps you on the proper path of faith.
Daniel 9:2 – 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, observed in the books the number of the years which was revealed as the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.
Daniel validates Jeremiah as scripture canon.
Isaiah 8:20, 34:16 – 20 To the Law and to the testimony! If they do not speak in accordance with this word, it is because they have no dawn...
16 Seek from the book of the Lord, and read:
Not one of these will be missing;
None will lack its mate.
For His mouth has commanded,
And His Spirit has gathered them.
The Law is referring to the Law of Moses, the Torah, and the testimony is referencing the Prophets; which is summed up by saying “the book of the Lord”. If something is not “in accordance” with their words, it is not of God. This makes Scripture the only standard and authority. Which also means it is sufficient to be the only standard; and the canonization is Spirit led.
1 Kings 8:56 – 56 “Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel in accordance with everything that He promised; not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He promised through Moses His servant.
Jeremiah, the author of 1st Kings, who was also a Prophet of God as well, validates the writings of Moses as canon
Luke 1:1-2 – 1 Since many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word,
Many compiled an account of everything the eyewitnesses and servants literally saw, heard, smelt, touched, and experienced: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Luke 24:44 – 44 Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all the things that are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
Jesus validates the books of Moses, all the accepted Prophets of his day and the Psalms as Scripture of God.
2 Peter 3:15–16 – 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which there are some things that are hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
Peter validates “all” of Paul’s letters as Scripture.
1 Timothy 4:6, 11, 13 – 6 In pointing out these things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have been following… 11 Prescribe and teach these things… 13 Until I come, give your attention to the public reading, to exhortation, and teaching.
Paul knows what he is writing are the words of God.
1 Timothy 5:18 – 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing, (Deuteronomy 25:4)” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages (Luke 10:7).”
Paul validates Deuteronomy as Scripture and also quotes verbatim The Gospel of Luke as Scripture as well.
2 Timothy 1:13-14 – 13 Hold on to the example of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 Protect, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.
Paul knows what he is writing are the words of God.
2 Timothy 4:11 – 11 Only Luke is with me. Take along Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
Paul trusts and vouches for Luke and Mark.
Traditions Then, Now Written
Romans 10:8, 15:4 – 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching... For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
What was the word in their mouth? What was the word of faith they were preaching? Everything that has been revealed in the Old Testament and spoken by Jesus which was codified in the synodic gospels. Hope comes from written scripture with no mention of any oral traditions besides the written tradition.
1 Corinthians 11:2, 23 – 2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I handed them down to you… 23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread;
Paul records a previous oral tradition of communion, codifying it in Scripture just as the synoptic gospels did.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 – 13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of mere men, but as what it really is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe.
Paul is grateful they took his word as the words that God told him, and then records the words of God in his letter to them, codifying it and transforming it from an oral tradition into Sacred Scripture.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 – 6 Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother or sister who leads a disorderly life and not one in accordance with the tradition which you received from us.
The tradition received from the Apostles is not codified in the gospels and epistles.
Extra Biblical Doctrines
Jeremiah 23:36 – 36 For you will no longer remember the pronouncement of the Lord, because every person’s own word will become the pronouncement, and you have perverted the words of the living God, the Lord of armies, our God.
Going outside of and beyond “the pronouncement of the Lord” leads to the perversion of the words of God.
Mark 7:6–9 – But He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far away from Me. 7 And in vain do they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” 9 He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.
Traditions that afford the ability to neglect that which is prescribed in Scripture is a doctrine and tradition of men and thus invalidates their worship of God. Two examples are praying to Mary for grace instead of praying directly to God and paying for the forgiveness of sins with worldly materialism (penance).
1 Corinthians 4:6 – Now these things, brothers and sisters, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos on your account, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.
Paul instructed the church of Corinth to not exceed or go beyond what is written. Did not mention anything about any sort of equally authoritative oral traditions or non-accepted ancient non-Old Testament canon writing.
1 Timothy 1:3-4; 4:1-5; 6:20 – Just as I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, to remain on at Ephesus so that you would instruct certain people not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to useless speculation rather than advance the plan of God, which is by faith, so I urge you now… But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 3 who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; 5 for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer… 20 Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge
Strange teachings, myths, speculation, worldly empty chatter, endless genealogies are all things outside of sound doctrine and Scripture. Forbidding marriage and required abstinence from certain foods is something currently practice by the Roman Catholic Church today.
2 Timothy 2:18; 4:3 – men who have gone astray from the truth, claiming that the resurrection has already taken place; and they are jeopardizing the faith of some… 3 For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires,
The teaching that the resurrection has already happened is still taught today by the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Muslims and other religious groups throughout history.
Titus 1:9, 14 – 9 holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it… not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.
Christians are instructed to refute those who contradict sound doctrine, which is found in Scripture. Ancient Jewish myths also stem from popular apocrypha non-scripture non-inspired writings such as Enoch and Tobit which a included in the Roman Catholic Church’s resources for study.
Colossians 2:8 – 8 See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, rather than in accordance with Christ.
Any rite, ritual, or religious celebration that is not revealed in Scripture is a human tradition. This includes Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter.
Galatians 1:6-8 – 6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel, 7 which is not just another account; but there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be [b]accursed!
If the APOSTLES or even an ANGEL teach a different or new, distorted, different, or contradictory gospel to the only gospel in Scripture, they are not of god. This is a problem for Islam, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Science, and Seventh Day Adventists
Let us know what you think!