What role does tradition play in sharing God's "things we have heard"? Setting the Stage: Psalm 78:3–4 “things we have heard and known, which our fathers have relayed to us. We will not hide them from their children; we will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might, and the wonders He has performed.” This passage shows an unbroken line of testimony—what earlier believers heard, they faithfully passed down. That is tradition in its healthiest sense: preserving and transmitting the mighty acts and revealed words of God. Understanding Tradition in Scripture • Biblical tradition is not man-made customs but the faithful handing down of divine truth already given. • Deuteronomy 6:6-9 calls parents to teach their children “diligently,” weaving God’s words into daily life. • Paul says, “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught” (2 Thessalonians 2:15). • 1 Corinthians 15:3—“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance…”—shows tradition preserving the gospel itself. Why Tradition Matters in Passing On the Faith • Continuity: links one generation’s testimony to the next. • Accountability: the shared memory of God’s works guards against distortion (Galatians 1:8-9). • Identity: reminds God’s people who they are and Whose they are (Psalm 145:4, “One generation will declare Your works to the next”). • Stability: anchors us in God’s unchanging revelation amid shifting cultural winds (Isaiah 40:8). How to Practice Faithful Tradition Today • Read aloud Scripture stories at home; rehearse them in worship. • Memorize key passages—hiding God’s Word in hearts (Psalm 119:11). • Share personal testimonies of answered prayer and providence, tying them to biblical principles. • Celebrate ordinances—baptism and the Lord’s Supper—as living reminders of the gospel (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). • Mentor younger believers, modeling obedience as Paul did for Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-15). Guarding Against Empty Tradition • Test every tradition by Scripture (Mark 7:8-9, “You have set aside the command of God to hold to the tradition of men”). • Retain what faithfully echoes God’s Word; discard what contradicts or obscures it (1 Thessalonians 5:21). • Keep the focus on God’s glory, not mere habit or nostalgia. Key Takeaways • Tradition, rightly understood, is God’s chosen conduit for transmitting “the things we have heard.” • It safeguards doctrine, shapes identity, and fuels worship for each new generation. • Our calling: receive the deposit, live it out, and pass it on—unaltered, undiminished, and full of joy. |
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