According to Paul, the spoken words of the apostles were the word of God. In fact, when Paul wrote his second letter to the Thessalonians, he urged Christians there to receive the oral and written Traditions as equally authoritative. This would be expected because both are the word of God:
So, then, brethren stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter. (2 Thess. 2:15)
I wonder;
When I think of the word and concept of 'tradition', I'm travelling some years back
A tradition in MY family is at least a hundred years old.
How far back, do you suppose, Paul was going when he spoke of "traditions" ?
Matt. 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
Those words written in scripture are what we must listen to, not unfounded manmade religious doctrine which we were specifically warned not to obey. Yeshua demonstrated this himself time and time again in his teachings as well as deed.
In spite of this apostasy, the truth will be preached throughout the world. Then the end of this age will come.
Paul also commends the Berean’s for searching the scriptures to prove the oral words are true. Acts 17:11
No he didn't...You are misquoting the verse that you even posted...
The verse does NOT say oral and written traditions...It says, oral OR written traditions...
We can't pick one or the other...
We are to receive the tradition whether it was spoken to us from memory, we heard it being read to us or we read it for ourselves...It's all the same tradition...
So, then, brethren stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter. (2 Thess. 2:15)
What do we have TODAY so that we can know it is the same thing Paul was talking about that Christians were to hold to? How do we know the "traditions" they taught orally weren't also the written ones they created for believers of all generations? Show us those traditions taught by the Apostles that are missing from Scripture.
That's why we can KNOW that "traditions" are NOT the same thing as the word of God. We have been given the "whole counsel of God", Paul said, and he left out NOTHING that Jesus revealed to him to be taught throughout the world - he WROTE them down.
Tim Staples misstates what sola Scriptura means. He also is ignorant of ALL the many books, writings of early church fathers, modern Biblical scholars and the many confessions of Protestants such as the Westminster Confession of the Faith and others. Maybe if he had really taken the time to study the faith of his family he would not have felt the need to convert to Catholicism.
So, then, brethren stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter. (2 Thess. 2:15)
Just what are those traditions Paul was referring to that he handed down that we are to keep that were not included in Scripture?
How do you know?
How do you know they’re from the apostles, Paul in particular?
How do you know they’ve been passed down faithfully?
What is your source for verifying all of the above?
Please provide the sources for verification purposes.
Paul and the other members of the real Church were filled with the Holy Ghost. When they spoke it was, in reality, Jesus speaking through them (this verse, 2 Pet 1:21, explains where prophecy comes from.) The apostles and saints were servants: instruments. Their "traditions" were simple, with the "chiefest" serving as servant of all, and their dress was always humble, reflecting the simplicity of Christ.
Catholic tradition, on the other hand, is more like old Pharisaic Judasim: ridiculously flamboyant, burdened with unnecessary traditional works, and weak on the works that count. Jesus spoke of those who relied on the works of men:
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?" (Mat 7:21-22)
I know catholics like to think they are "special", but even that attitude denies Christ.
"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." (Luke 18:10-14)
Philip