Sadly, Traditions have been getting a bad rap through the years because people have misunderstood the words of Jesus in Matthew 15 (Mark 7) where the Pharisees nullify the word of God because of the elder’s traditions. As well as Col 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” But what we don’t often speak about is that there are scriptures that back up traditions.
I Corinthians 11:2, “Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15, “So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.” 2 Thessalonians 3:6, “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us.”
Traditions must not nullify the word of God, but traditions in themselves can be very good. To say that Christians must reject tradition would not be honest, because Protestants have plenty of traditions they keep that cannot be back up with a proof text in scripture.
Traditions Protestants accept:
- Moses is the author of Torah
- The use of the Cross as a symbol
- Today’s religious wedding ceremonies
- Christmas
- Conversion experience
- Anti-slavery
- Sola Scriptura
- Sola Fida
- Individual interpretation of scripture
- Trinity
- Full Divinity of Christ
- Guardian Angels
Traditions Fundamentalists accept:
- Re-baptism
- Church leadership term of office
- Ordination service
- Church board
- Church records
- Sunday school
- Youth groups,
- Church schools
- Distributing tithe Open communion
- Sermons in today’s form
- Abstaining from all forms of alcohol
- No smoking (If it was about health why isn’t there a there is no being overweight doctrine?)
Traditions Adventists accept:
- Eve was not with Adam when she ate the fruit (Ellen got it from Milton’s Paradise Lost. The Bible says that Eve was with Adam when she ate.
- Representative form of church government with General Conference as highest
- Nominating committees and their surrounding protocol
- The election of pastors/minister by conference
- Separation of sexes during foot washing
- ingathering
- Healthy living practices like exercise, diet--including vegetarianism, dress, ventilation. Also traditions like no jewelry, no attending the theater as well as, Sabbath keeping traditions including--no TV or radio, no sports events, no swimming, etc
- Divorce:
Under the “Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage” in the Church Manual p. 205, SDA church: “Scripture recognizes adultery and/or fornication as well as abandonment by an unbelieving partner as grounds for divorce.” At the same time the church takes authority to establish its own traditions and laws surrounding divorce and remarriage: “Acknowledging the teachings of the Bible on marriage, the church is aware that marriage relationships are less than ideal in many cases.” The official position of the SDA church is that incest, child sexual abuse, homosexual practices and physical violence are just cause for divorce. Also when the custody of the children, the adjustment of property rights, or even personal protection “may make necessary a change in marital status.”
- Baptism Traditions (p. 30-33 Church Manual):
- Age/maturity requirements for baptism
- Mode of baptism
- A church vote is required for membership subject to baptism
- Public examination of candidate for commitment to all fundamental beliefs
- Baptismal Vow:
to observe “the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath of the Lord and the memorial of Creation, to believe that Ellen White’s prophecy is “one of the identifying marks of the remnant church,” to abstain from pork, shellfish (Levitically unclean foods), alcoholic beverages and the use, manufacture, or sale of tobacco. Finally number 13 asks, “Do you accept and believe that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the remnant church of Bible prophecy and that people of every nation, race, and language are invited and accepted into its fellowship?”
- Order of Worship Service Tradition (p. 96 Church Manual) include the following order in all SDA worship services:
Musical Prelude, Announcements, Choir and Ministers Enter, Doxology, Invocation, Scripture Reading, Hymn of Praise, Prayer, Anthem or Special Music, Offering, Hymn of Consecration, Sermon, Hymn, Benediction, Moments of Silent, Prayer, Musical Postlude
These are their TRADITIONS! They may be very good, but they are not found in scripture.
