![]() ![]() Throughout history, the Word of God was always transferred orally and Jesus did not change this. Also, because the oral word abides forever, oral apostolic tradition could not have died in the fourth century with all teachings being committed to Scripture.Ģ Peter 1:12, 15 – Peter says that he will leave a “means to recall these things in mind.” But since this was his last canonical epistle, this “means to recall” must therefore be the apostolic tradition and teaching authority of his office that he left behind.Ģ John 1:12 3 John 13 – John prefers to speak and not to write. ![]() Because the Word is preached by the apostles and it lasts forever, it must be preserved by the apostles’ successors, or this could not be possible. This “preaching” is the tradition that comes from the apostles.ġ Peter 1:25 – the Word of the Lord abides forever and that Word is the good news that was “preached” (not read) to you. Titus 1:3 – God’s word is manifested “through preaching” (not writing). 4:2,6-7 – Paul, at the end of his life, charges Timothy to preach (not write) the Word. Oral authority does not die with the apostles.Ģ Tim. 1:13 – oral communications are protected by the Spirit. The orally communicated word of God lasts forever, and this word is preserved within the Church by the Holy Spirit.Ģ Tim. 2:13 – the Word of God is what you have “heard” (not read). 1:5 – of this you have “heard” (not read) before in the word of truth, the Gospel which has come to you.ġ Thess. This is the living word in the Church’s living tradition.Ĭol. 1:13 – hearing (not reading) the Word of truth is the gospel of our salvation. 1:11-12 – the Gospel which is “preached” (not read) to me is not a man’s Gospel, but the Revelation of Jesus Christ.Įph. To the contrary, Scripture says the oral word abides forever. But no where does Scripture say oral tradition died with the apostles. For non-Catholics to argue that oral tradition once existed but exists no longer, they must prove this from Scripture. 15:1,11 – faith comes from what is “preached” (not read). Those in countries where the Scriptures are not available can still come to faith in Jesus Christ.ġ Cor. This word comes from the oral tradition of the apostles. 10:17 – faith comes by what is “heard” (not just read) which is the Word that is “preached” (not read). ![]() 10:8 – the Word is near you, on your lips and in your heart, which is the word of faith which is preached (not just written). For Protestants to argue that the word of God is now limited to a book (subject to thousands of different interpretations) is to not only ignore Scripture, but introduce a radical theory about how God spreads His word which would have been unbelievable to the people at the time of Jesus.Īcts 2:3-4 – the Holy Spirit came to the apostles in the form of “tongues” of fire so that they would “speak” (not just write) the Word.Īcts 15:27 – Judas and Silas, successors to the apostles, were sent to bring God’s infallible Word by “word of mouth.” Luke 24:47 – Jesus explains that repentance and forgiveness of sins must be preached (not written) in Christ’s name to all nations. This succession has been preserved in the Holy Catholic Church. The oral word passes from Jesus to the apostles to their successors by the gracious gifts of the Holy Spirit. Luke 10:16 – He who hears you (not “who reads your writings”), hears me. If Jesus wanted Christianity to be limited to a book (which would be finalized four centuries later), wouldn’t He have said a word about it? Jesus gives no commandment to the apostles to write, and gives them no indication that the oral apostolic word he commanded them to communicate would later die in the fourth century. Mark 3:14 16:15 – Jesus commands the apostles to preach (not write) the gospel to the world. But Jesus did not want this preaching to stop after the apostles died, and yet the Bible was not compiled until four centuries later. Mark 16:15 – Jesus commands the apostles to preach the Gospel to every creature. How was the Word of God communicated? Orally, by the bishops of the Church, with the guidance and protection of the Holy Spirit. Also, it took 400 years to compile the Bible, and another 1,000 years to invent the printing press. But Jesus never says anything about His Word being entirely committed to a book. Mark 13:31 – heaven and earth will pass away, but Jesus’ Word will not pass away. The Word of God in Oral Apostolic Tradition Examples of Jesus’ and the Apostles’ Reliance on Oral Tradition Learning through Oral Apostolic Tradition ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |