Body: | The Apostolic Fathers viewed scripture itself as tradition
"So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were
taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us." (2 Thessalonians
2:15)
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Introduction:
It is clear that the apostolic fathers viewed scripture as tradition. They
even referred to scripture as tradition. This should not surprise us, since
scripture itself refers to itself as tradition: 2 Thess 2:15
Tradition #1: Scripture. (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Thess 2:15; 3:6)
A. The Bible texts that support scripture as tradition:
"So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you
were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us." 2
Thessalonians 2:15. Here scripture is directly called a tradition.
"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not
according to the tradition which you received from us." 2 Thessalonians
3:6. This verse likely includes both oral and scripture tradition as a
summary of 2 Thess 2:15.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of
God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
"I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among
my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions."
Galatians 1:14 (These traditions were started by Moses and written down in
scripture as the law.)
B. The fathers speak of the inspired scriptures themselves as being
apostolic tradition:
"the Apostolic tradition teaches in the words of blessed Peter,
'Forasmuch then as Christ suffered for us in the Flesh" Athanasius then
quotes: 1 Peter 4:1; Titus 2:13; Heb 2:1, which is the apostolic tradition.
Notice that the expression, "words of blessed Peter" might be seen as some
oral tradition, but it just the plain Good old Bible Athanasius is
referring to! (Athanasius, To Adelphius, Letter 60, 6)
Hilary equates, the "faith from the beginning" with "if any man
teaches contrary to the wholesome and right faith of the Scriptures" and
saw no difference. (Hilary of Poitiers, On the Councils, or the Faith of
the Easterns, 30)
The Apostolic Fathers recognized five different kinds of tradition:
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Tradition #1: Scripture. (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Thess 2:15; 3:6)
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Tradition #2: Verbal inspiration. (Jer 1:9; 1 Cor 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6; 2 Tim 2:2)
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Tradition #3: Expedient tradition. (Roman 14:5)
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Tradition #4: Uninspired creeds "Rule of Faith". (1 Cor 15:3-6; 1 Timothy 3:16; 2 Timothy 2:8)
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Tradition #5: False doctrine tradition. (Mk 7:7-9; Col 2:8; 2 Tim 4:2-5)
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Mistakes made by the Apostolic Fathers based upon tradition
By Steve Rudd
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