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Text: Colossians 2:5-10
Title: The Importance of Apostolic Tradition
INTRODUCTION
Today we’re gonna
Continue our series
in Colossians.
Let’s turn together
in our Bibles
To Colossians
Chapter 2.
& we’re gonna read
verses 1-8
Colossians 2:1-8.
& when you find that
in your Bible
pls stand for the reading
of God’s Word.
The title of today’s teaching is:
The Importance of
Apostolic Tradition
In Colossians 2:5-9
The Scriptures say:
Colossians 2:5–9 (NIV)
For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,
rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form...
You may be seated.
How important
is Apostolic Tradition
in the Church?
How important
is Apostolic Tradition
for our salvation?
Some of you may be
thinking:
“I would answer
“those questions
“But I don’t know
“What Apostolic Tradition is.”
Today we’ll talk abt
what Apostolic Tradition is.
& talk abt why
it’s so important
in the Church
& for our salvation.
Let’s pray.
PRAYER
Father we thank you
for your word.
We ask you
to open our eyes
to see the truth.
Open our ears
To hear the truth.
Open our hearts
To believe
the truth.
& give us grace
to obey the truth.
In Jesus name.
Amen.
Paul starts this passage
Using military language
to describe
the saints in Colossae.
Paul has inspected
the troops
& found them living
disciplined lives.
They’re ready for battle
In the good fight
of the faith.
& what’s very interesting
is how Paul knew
they were ready
for battle.
In Colossians 2:5
Colossians 2:5 (NIV)
For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in [the] spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
How was Paul
present w/ them
in the spirit?
& how cld Paul see
in the spirit
how disciplined
they were?
Does Paul mean
the HS gave
Him some kind
of window to see
into the lives of the saints
in Colossae?
Honestly?
I have absolutely
no clue
how this works.
But that is
what Paul says.
So, I’ll just
Take his word
for it.
Somehow
in the spirit
Paul was present
w/ them
& saw that the saints
in Colossae
were ready for battle.
That’s what Paul means
when he says
he’s delighted to see
how disciplined
[they] are.
The Greek word
behind the word
“disciplined”
is a military term.
Paul praises
the saints
in Colossae bcs
Every person
knows their rank.
& every person
knows their role.
So, they’re ready.
They’re standing in
fighting formation
& standing firm
in their faith in Christ.
They’ve stood together
& stood against
false teaching
abt Jesus.
Epaphras was a faithful
man of God
who had taught them
the One true faith well.
& they were
standing firm in
& holding tight to
to the Faith
as it was
passed dwn to them.
& Paul goes on:
In Colossians 2:6-7
to talk abt the faith
they had received.
Paul says
Colossians 2:6–7 (NIV)
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught...
The Greek word
behind the word
“received” here
expresses the idea of
being formally taught
& accepting traditions
that are handed dwn
frm an authoritative source.
Paul’s talking
abt the traditions
they had received
abt Christ.
Paul also calls
these traditions
The faith
they were taught
& the true message
of the gospel
that has
come to them.
In Acts 2:42
Luke calls these traditions
Acts 2:42 (NIV)
...the apostles’ teaching...
All of those phrases
“The Faith”
“The Gospel”
& “the Apostles’ Teaching”
Are dfrnt ways
of talking abt
The Apostolic Tradition.
Now
Let’s talk abt
tradition for a minute.
I think most of the
Christian world
has the idea
that all traditions
are bad.
We treat
the word “tradition”
like a cuss word.
& anyone who
talks abt tradition
is dismissed
as a legalistic Pharisee.
But we’ve gotta understand
There are:
Good traditions:
& bad traditions.
There are
traditions we must
follow.
& traditions
we must not follow.
Jesus talks abt
bad traditions:
In Mark 7:8-9.
He says to the
religious leaders
of His day:
Mark 7:8–9 (NIV)
“You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”
And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!”
So many ppl
talk as if
The religious leaders—
The Scribes & Pharisees
in Jesus’ day
were these really righteous ppl
who were sticklers
for obeying
God’s Commands.
But when we read
the gospels
we see that’s just
not true.
In fact
it was just the opposite.
These leaders
shld’ve been
righteous men
who obeyed God’s commands
& taught God’s ppl
how to obey
God’s commands.
Instead
They did everything
they cld
to side-step
God’s commands
so they cld keep
their own traditions.
Jesus goes on
In Mark 7:10-13
to give an example of
one of these traditions.
He says:
Mark 7:10–13 (NIV)
“For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’
But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)—
then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother.
Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”
God’s command
thru Moses is
to honor your
father & mother.
One way to do that is
By supporting your parents
financially
in their old age.
But the religious leaders
Had a human tradition
that wld allow a person
to side-step
that command.
They said:
“If you say:
‘My money,’ or
‘My property,’
is devoted to God
it then becomes
“set apart”
& you’re
no longer obligated
to use your things
to support your parents.
That was a bad tradition—
A human tradition
That set aside
God’s clear commands.
& nullified
God’s Word.
This is the same
kind of tradition
Paul talks abt
in Colossians 2:8
When he says:
Colossians 2:8 (NIV)
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
False teachers
were bringing bad
teaching into the Church.
Empty & deceptive
philisophies
that were
based on human traditions.
Those types of traditions
are always bad
& they shld always
be avoided
by God’s ppl.
Anything added to
the gospel of the kingdom
that contradicts
God’s clear commands
or nullifies God’s word
shld be rejected
as human traditions.
But the answer
for bad traditions
is not to get rid of
all traditions.
There are other types
of traditions.
Good traditions.
Traditions God
put in place
in the Church
for His ppl
to learn & follow
so we can be sure
we’re living in line
w/ God’s will.
These are called
The Apostolic Traditions.
Paul talks abt
these traditions:
in 1 Corinthians 11:2.
He says:
1 Corinthians 11:2 (CSB)
Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions just as I delivered them to you.
The word “traditions”
is frm a Greek word
that means:
A specific set of
teachings & practices
handed down frm
authoritative teachers.
The phrase “delivered them”
is frm a Greek word
that means:
“to formally give
“or hand down
“authoritative teaching.”
We cld literally translate
Paul’s Greek here
“I praise you
for holding fast to
the traditions
just as I tradition-ed
them to you.
The Christian Faith is
A specific set of
Traditions—
Authoritative
teachings and practices
that were handed dwn
to the Apostles of Jesus
by Jesus.
Jesus then gave
the Apostles the authority
to deliver or
hand dwn
those teachings
& practices to others
in the Church.
& it’s thru receiving
& holding to
these teachings
that we receive
Christ Jesus
as Lord
& live a life
that pleases God.
Paul says more
abt these traditions
in 2 Thessalonians 2:15
2 Thessalonians 2:15 (CSB)
So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, whether by what we said or what we wrote.
Notice that phrase
“hold to the traditions.”
It’s the same
phrase Paul used
in 1 Corinthians 11.
Paul was
always encouraging
the saints
to hold on to the
the Apostolic Traditions—
they were taught.
& here we see
Apostolic Traditions
came in two forms
to the Church:
(1) There were Oral Traditions—
Traditions that were spoken
by the Apostles
but not written down.
& (2) Written Traditions—
Traditions the Apostles
or others wrote dwn
that became
the NT Scriptures.
Both forms of
Apostolic Tradition
are equally valid
& equally important.
& both were
passed dwn
in the Church
by the Apostles
And became know as
the Faith.
Now
I wanna show you
An example of
Apostolic Tradition
& how it
was delievered
or handed dwn
in the Church.
In 1 Corinthians 15:1-8
Paul says:
1 Corinthians 15:1–8 (NIV)
Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.
By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.
After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,
and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
Notice again
the language of
receiving the faith
& passing on the faith.
Paul says:
“What I received
“I passed on to you
“As of first importance
“& you received it frm me
thru the gospel
or the word
I preached to you.”
What did Paul receive?
Apostolic Traditions.
Clear teachings
abt the Death
Burial & resurrection
of the Lord Jesus.
Christ died for our sins
According to
the Scriptures.
Christ was buried
& raised on the 3rd day
According to
the Scriptures.
& then Christ appeared:
1st to Cephas or Peter.
Then to the Twelve.
Then he appeared to:
More than 500 ppl
at the same time.
Then he appeared to
James;
Then all the Apostles.
That’s what
the Apostles Believed
& handed dwn
to the Church
Concerning Christ’s death
Burial
& literal
bodily resurrection.
Anyone who veers
away frm those traditions
abt Jesus
has walked away
frm the only faith
that can save them.
Notice Paul’s strong words
In 1 Corinthians 15:2.
He says:
1 Corinthians 15:2 (NIV)
By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
Paul says:
“You are saved
“If you hold firmly
“To the word
I preached to you.”
What “word”
did Paul
preach to them?
The gospel.
What is the gospel?
The Apostolic Traditions
abt the death
burial
& resurrection of Jesus.
It’s thru the Apostolic Traditions
We receive
& pass on the faith
thru which ppl are saved.
So, all traditions
are not bad.
There are good
traditions—
Apostolic Traditions—
that were handed dwn
in the Church.
APPLICATION
Now
Let’s talk abt
why Apostolic Tradition
is so important.
In Paul’s day
ppl who claimed
to be Christians
had begun to deny
the resurrection of Jesus.
So, Paul reminds
the church in Corinth
that what they’d been taught
abt the resurrection
is the Apostolic Faith.
& to deny the literal
bodily resurrection of Jesus
wld result in
a loss of salvation.
You might be surprised to know
Many in our modern day
call themselves Christians
But they deny the literal
bodily resurrection
of Jesus.
A very famous
NT scholar
and former bishop in
the Anglican Church named
N.T. Wright said this
abt those who deny
the bodily resurrection
of Jesus.
He says:
"I have friends who I am quite sure are Christians who do not believe in the bodily resurrection."
Wright continues:
"Marcus Borg really does not believe Jesus Christ was bodily raised from the dead. But I know Marcus well: he loves Jesus and believes in him passionately.”
How is it possible
that a well respected
NT scholar &
former bishop
cld say something
so ridiculous?
Well
To take that position
he’s gotta blv
that holding to
the Apostolic Tradition
abt the bodily Resurrection
of Jesus is optional
for Christians.
Marcus Borg may
love & believe passionately
in a Jesus.
But it’s not
the real Jesus.
It’s a Jesus
he made up
to fit his fancy.
Wright may be
“quite sure”
that ppl who do not
believe in the bodily
resurrection of Jesus
“are Christians.”
But the Apostolic Tradition
handed dwn to the Church
nearly 2000 years ago
says otherwise.
& this is the purpose
of Apostolic Tradition.
Apostolic Traditions
are the referees
that keep us
w/in the bounds
of what is
& is not
Christian teaching
& practice.
When we go outside
the bounds of
the Apostolic Traditions
We’ve stepped outside of
Authentic
Historic Christianity.
& we’re not following
the real Jesus.
W/o the Apostolic Traditions
Theology is
a free for all.
Bible interpretation
is a free for all.
& one interpretation
of the Scriptures
is just as good
as any other.
& we end up
progressing to a place
where ppl are free to
accept or reject
whatever fits
their fancy
abt who Jesus is
& still
call themselves Christian.
So what is
The Importance of
Apostolic Tradition?
Apostolic Tradition
was put in place
by Christ
in the Church
To guard the Church
frm false teaching
& false teachers
who lead ppl away frm
the One Lord
& The One Faith
revealed to the Apostles
by Christ .
& that’s why
when facing false teachers
in Corinth
Paul Appeals to
Apostolic Tradition.
& why he does the same
in Colossians 2:6.
He says:
Colossians 2:6–7 (NIV)
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,
rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught...
The Greek word
for ‘received’ here:
is the same word
Paul used
in 1 Corinthians 11.
Remember
I already said it means
“To formally receive
authoritative teaching.”
The saints
in Colossae
had formally received
the Apostolic Tradition
that Epaphras handed dwn
to them abt Jesus.
They were taught
that Jesus is the Messiah
The Son
of the Living God.
& therefore
He is the Lord.
& therefore
He is to be obeyed.
& notice here
that Paul says
the same thing
he said in 1 Corinthians.
The saints needed to continue
in the faith
they were taught.
Just as they had
received Christ Jesus
as Lord
they needed to continue
to live their lives in Him.
Just as they had
embraced the truth
They needed to hold on to it
& continue to live their lives
in line w/ that truth.
Paul’s talking abt
Two parts
of their salvation:
The past
& the present.
The word “rooted”
in Colossians 2:7
is more literally translated
“Having been rooted.”
When they heard
the Apostolic teaching
abt Jesus
Accepted that teaching;
& were baptized into Christ
They were rooted
in Christ.
That’s past tense.
But being built up in him
& being established
in the faith—
Both of those
are continuous actions.
Paul reminds the Colossians
Just as they have been
Firmly rooted in Christ
So, now
they must continue
to cling to Christ
& live their lives
in Him.
& to do that
They must continue in the faith
as they were taught.
Paul says the same thing
in Colossians 1:21-23.
He says:
Colossians 1:21-23
Indeed you were formerly being excluded, and were enemies in the mind in-connection-with evil works.
But now He reconciled you in the body of His flesh through His death, that He might present you holy and without-blemish and blameless in His presence—
if indeed you continue in the faith, having been founded, and steadfast, and not being moved-away from the hope of the good-news which you heard, the one having been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
It’s not enough
to be founded
or rooted in Christ
by embracing the faith.
We’ve gotta
remain steadfast
Not be moved away from
& keep being built up
& strengthened
in the Faith.
& to continue in the faith
We need to
keep being reminded
of the true teachings
of the faith.
& to keep being encouraged
to practice
the Apostolic Traditions.
ILLUSTRATION
You know
Once you’ve been
a part of the Church
for a while
you’ll notice
you hear & do
the same things
all the time.
& this is at least
one reason why
ppl don’t get excited
abt coming to Church.
& why pastors feel pressured
to come up w/ something new
every Sunday.
Ppl are like:
“I’ve heard this bfr.”
“We already sang
this song.”
“He’s already
taught abt this.”
Ppl get tired of hearing
the same truths
taught repeatedly.
But hearing the truths
of the faith taught
over & over
Well, that’s exactly
what we shld expect
to happen
when we gather together.
You shld not
come to Church
expecting to hear
something new;
But something old.
something ancient.
Pastors are not called
to come up w/
something new.
& ppl who do
come up w/ something
new shld be avoided.
We’re called to communicate
the ancient faith
just as it was
once for all
delivered to the saints.
Pastors are called
To teach ppl
to practice
the Apostolic Traditions.
& if pastor’s
Repeatedly teaching
the truths of the faith
is not enough
to keep ppl interested.
If that’s not enough
to bring ppl
into the Church
& keep them in the Church
Let me just say it like it is:
the problem is not
w/ the pastors.
It’s essential
That we be repeatedly reminded
of the truths of the Faith.
We all need to be told things
Multiple times.
Did you hear me?
We all need
to be told things
Multiple times.
If you’ve ever read
the Scriptures
You’ll see the same things
repeated over & over.
Why?
Bcs we all need
to be told things
Multiple times.
We need to keep hearing
The same teachings
over & over.
So we can
learn to recognize
when what we’re hearing
or being taught to practice
is in line
w/ the Faith
that was delivered
to the Church
2000 years ago.
So we can be better equipped
to spot error
when we see it.
CONCLUSION
So, as we close
Let me ask again:
How important
is Apostolic Tradition
in the Church?
How important
is Apostolic Tradition
for our salvation?
We’ve seen today
that Apostolic Tradition
is the vehicle
thru which the Faith
by which ppl are saved
is distributed.
So the importance
of Apostolic Tradition
cannot be overstated.
Let’s keep doing
everything we can
To learn & practice
the Apostolic Traditions.
Let’s keep absorbing
& obeying
the faith.
PRAYER
Let’s all stand for prayer.
Most gracious & glorious Father.
We’ve all heard your Word.
Pls give us a deeper understanding...
That leads to...
a more perfect practice...
Of your will.
Transform us...
Thru Your grace.
Make us more like You.
Heal us...
Where we need healing.
Cleanse us...
Where we need cleansing.
Encourage the hearts...
of all your ppl...
Thru the power
of Your Holy Spirit.
In Jesus name...........
Amen.