“But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge you,” (Acts 4:19)
Religious organizations are structured such that they subject men to men. It gives men authority to dictate to others what they are to do, say, or believe if they hope to remain part of that organization. And yet, such a hierarchy is the spirit of antichrist, because the Church, has but one Head (Christ) and everyone else in His Spiritual Body is subject unto Him, and members one of another, where one member is not more important than the other, (1 Corinthians 12:27).
Peter and John were called into question by the religious leaders of their day. They commanded the apostles not to speak, teach, or preach anymore in our LORD Jesus’ name, (Acts 4:16-17). As the LORD Jesus said of them, when He was on the earth with His apostles, “Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye,” (Mark 7:13). With boldness and great Spirit-given assurance they answered, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge you.” The Word of the LORD through the apostle Paul is that if you will be the servant of men, you cannot serve Christ! (Galatians 1:10).
1.) Men’s traditions, customs, and culture must always be subservient to the rule of Christ. Biblical tradition is that which was received by God through the LORD Jesus Christ and is to be wholly upheld and adhered to the letter and the Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:15) even as received directly by revelation from the LORD Jesus Christ, such as water baptism, the Lord’s table, preaching of the Gospel, reading of Scripture, the care and order of the church (1 Corinthians 11:23). Our worship, walk, and ways before the LORD individually or collectively as a congregation must have as their foundation and motive the glory of the LORD Jesus alone, and His work accomplished for sinners at Calvary as ALL our sanctification, justification and glorification before God the Father. Anything more or less is NOT worship (John 5:23).
2.) Men’s traditions evolve and change, and are as vain as the men that found them. Truth as it is in Christ (and there is no other) is as immutable as God Himself. The word ‘tradition’ occurs only 14 times in the whole New Testament, and in the Old Testament NOT ONCE. Eight references are from our LORD Jesus Himself, all of which denounce the traditions of men. Not once does He insinuate they are useful or Scriptural. The apostle Paul has five references, two of which he denounces as contrary to the Person and Work of the LORD Jesus (Col.2:8; Gal.1:14). Peter also, directed by the Spirit of God denounces them as ‘vain conversation, received by tradition from your fathers,’ (1 Peter 1:18). Our LORD said, “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' “For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men-- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” And He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.” (Mark 7:7-9)
When men would impose their traditions and create a conflict with the Word of God, it is always right to obey God and follow His Word (Christ. the Eternal, Incarnate, Revealed, and Living Word). (Acts 5:29).
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