A tradition is that which is handed down. The Lord cautioned against traditions of men that invalidate the Word of God (Matthew 15:6). However, the traditions of the apostles, handed down from the Lord, are to be handed on to the church who is to hold them firmly.
1. What the apostles "received from the Lord" by revelation they "delivered" to the churches by inspiration (I Corinthians 11:23; 15:3).
2. The churches are to hold firmly to the traditions taught by the apostles (I Corinthians 11:2; 15:1-2; II Thessalonians 2:15).
The apostles' teachings are equated with traditions. What the apostles received from Christ they handed on to the churches. The churches, in turn, were charged to hold the traditions they were taught whether by word or by the apostles' letters. Hence the apostles' traditions constitute a pattern of teaching that is to be firmly held and passed on to future generations of the church until Christ returns.
D. The Preacher's Charge
Paul urged Timothy to remain in Ephesus so that he might charge some to teach no other doctrine (I Timothy 1:3). Observance of such instruction requires distinctiveness of doctrine to identify those who teach to the contrary. Paul passed on a similar admonition to the brethren at Rome when he directed them to "note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them" (Romans 16:17). There must be a divine standard against which doctrines can be tested for correctness; otherwise, doctrinal differences cannot be distinguished.
Paul's final instructions to the preacher include: "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus" (II Timothy 1:13). The word "pattern" is rendered "standard" in the NASB: "Retain the standard of sound words." The NIV also renders "pattern": "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching."
Within the apostles' teachings lies a pattern of instruction for the church. And God expects his church to hold it, retain it, keep it.
The Bible teaches specific doctrines such as, the inspiration of Scripture, the deity of Christ, the atonement, the gospel of justification by grace through faith in Christ, baptism, the nature of the church, the organization of the church, the work of the church, the Christian lifestyle, worship, the Lord's Supper, the Second Coming, the Resurrection, the final judgment, eternal life and eternal condemnation. From such teachings emerge the pattern of sound words that is to be reproduced and lived by the Lord's church until Jesus comes.
- taken from "The Church of Christ: The Distinctive Nature of the New Testament Church" by Edward C. Wharton
