TRADITION OR DOCTRINE?

This is my first post on Danicobol World. It is just some words of the scripture to awaken your inner man. As you read through, I expect you to locate and reposition yourself from the confusion in the Christendom to being an Ambassador in the Christendom. God himself shall enlighten you in Jesus name.

Introduction

Text: Mark 7:1-9

According to WordWeb dictionary Tradition is an inherited pattern of thought or action or a specific practice of long standing while doctrine is a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group. From the scripture above, we can see that it is the tradition the Jews to wash their hands before meal. The disciples of Christ violated this tradition by eating with unwashed hands and the Pharises well described by Jesus as hypocrites took an offence against them.

Mark 7: 3-4

3, For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

 4, And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. 

To the Pharises, not only washing of hand matters but washing of cups, plate etc. Hygiene even teaches us that cleanliness is good for good health but this really have nothing to do with our spirituality as Christians. The Pharises hold unto these traditions more and neglect the true word which God gave as doctrine to his people.

Mark 7:5-6

5, Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

6, He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

They accused Jesus of failing to ensure his disciples follow their traditions but Jesus said it to their faces that they observe those physical practices of cleanliness but their heart is full of wickedness and they don’t love God. They put on beautiful garment on the outside but their inner wear are stinking. Their cup is clean on the outside but the inside where they actually drink from is filled with maggots.

Mark 7:7-9

7, Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

8, For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

9, And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

The worship of the Pharises were in vain as they foolishly out of their too many knowledge mis-understood their tradition for the doctrine of God. They forsake the commandments of God and teach to the blind of this world the commandments and traditions of men. They forsook Jesus is the word (John 1:1), the fountain of life, the way, the messiah and they are still expecting their Messiah.

Beloved, this is exactly why we have diverse of doctrines everywhere today. Many have become rats in the cage of fake and doom prophets and pastors who are mere Native doctors who repackaged themselves in 3p suits. They are Astrologers, numerologist and satanic representatives; beware. Do not be an hypocrite, hold fast the doctrines of Christ and serve him with your heart not just your lips.

Repent and let God’s word be your friend. (II Timothy 2:15)

We shall continue from here in another post.