Why I believe in the sufficiency of the word of God and diminish the value of extra-biblical tradition!
The Sufficiency of the Word of God
- The Word of God reveals Jesus Christ (John 5:39; Luke 24:25-27, 45-47).
- The Word of God is the basis of saving faith (John 5:24).
- The Word of God brings about the new birth (1 Peter 1:23).
- The Word of God is the truth that sanctifies (John 15:3; 17:17).
- The Word of God is the ultimate and final standard of judgment (John 12:48).
- Abiding in the Word of God is evidence of discipleship (John 8:31).
- The Word of God nourishes our souls (Matthew 4:4; John 6:63; 1 Peter 2:2).
- The Word of God is sufficient to save and complete us (2 Timothy 3:14-17).
- We are to make disciples by teaching the Word of God (all which Jesus commanded) (Matthew 28:19-20).
- Pastors are commanded to preach the Word of God (2 Timothy 4:4)
- The Word of God endures forever (1 Peter 1:24-25).
Unverifiable Tradition:
- There are only three passages in the NT that speak of ‘apostolic’ tradition (1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15, 3:6).
- Each of this passages can be taken as teaching that is ‘passed down.’
- None of these passages indicate any specific tradition that is beyond what is recorded in Scripture.
- It is unlikely that there would be extra-biblical human tradition when Jesus always condemned tradition that conflicted with the Word of God (Matthew 15:3; Mark 7:8).
- If there was a tradition in addition to what is revealed in Scripture, it certainly would not replace or contradict the ten statements given above.
- The church fathers offer no unified witness to any universally accepted tradition apart from Scripture.