Bible Truth or Baptist Tradition

Posted on October 13, 2011 by bbakss 2 Comments

By Pastor Mark Tossell

“Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 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, brazen vessels, and of tables. 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? 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. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 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. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” Mark 7:1-9

We are called to reach the world. We are not called to “hold on” until Jesus comes back. We are on the offensive, not the defensive. The churches of Jesus Christ are called to storm the gates of hell, and Jesus said that those gates cannot stand against us (Matthew 16:18). We must reach as many souls as we can, and we must impact our city, our nation, and our world with the glorious Gospel of Christ. We desire to do what the early Christians did: “And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;” (Acts 17:6). This is our vision. Ours is not to hide in our own little corner, preserving the faithful few, while Satan devours the lost around us. We must stand, we must fight, and we must conquer.

We can impact the world and we must impact the world. There is far too much at stake for us to remain stagnant and dormant while men, women, and children perish around us. If we are honest, the job is not getting done. Most of us are not impacting our own neighbours, never mind the teeming millions and billions that surround us. I don’t know of too many independent Baptist churches that are the largest and most influential churches in their neighbourhood – do you? I do not know of many that are running out of space for their members and guests, but I do know of many that have plateaued. I do not know of many that were started in the last five years, but I know of numbers that have closed down. Let us be honest and admit that we could be much more effective in our goal to reach this nation and our world. Let us be grieved and ashamed that we have done so little!

Why are we so ineffective? Why have we failed to fulfil the Great Commission? Are there things that are hindering our effectiveness? Sadly, I believe that there are.

When I joined Liberty Baptist Church in Cherrybrook back in 1985, I was well instructed by Pastor Keith Piper concerning the man-made traditions of Catholic and Protestant churches. My dear pastor lovingly and patiently shared with me scriptural precepts and principles that exposed such man-made traditions as infant baptism, transubstantiation, and congregational rule. I am thankful that I saw the error of these religious customs. I was encouraged that our Independent Baptist churches are free from such traditions because we adhere to the principle of sola scriptura – scripture only. That is, we believe and teach that the Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice. Of all the characteristics of our fundamental churches, this tenet of scriptural authority is our cornerstone. This belief in an every-word Bible and its ultimate authority is what makes us who we are. We live and die for this truth above all others. Or, do we?

Consider our passage above: “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men… And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” (verses 7 and 9). Jesus clearly denounced and rebuked those who taught a man-made tradition (a commandment of men) as if it was a divine truth (a commandment of God).

Unfortunately, as fundamentalists, we have often embraced and defended our own unscriptural customs – Baptist traditions, as it were. In some cases, we have added to the Word of God; some of our standards are no more than man-made rules, imposed by well-meaning leaders upon their followers. We are guilty of the same sin as the liberal churches that we boldly castigate – the sin of elevating tradition above truth. On many occasions, we have rejected liberty governed by charity, and have taught as doctrines the commandments of men. As a result, lost souls are turned away from our Gospel, and new converts leave our fold for that of the liberal and neo-evangelical.

I am not saying that we should adopt the mindset that is so common today, where every man does that which is right in his own eyes. Where the scripture speaks against sin, let us speak boldly and confidently, for “sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:15). However, let us not be guilty of “doubtful disputations”, where the commandments of men are taught as Bible doctrine, lest our worship be in vain.

No pastor or teacher has any business dogmatically presenting a Baptist tradition as if it is a Bible truth. We must speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Paul said, “For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” (2 Corinthians 13:8). He charged Timothy, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2). Although we claim to walk accordingly to this rule, it seems that our talk is better than our walk.

I do not believe that we hold these traditions on purpose. Rather, we have heard them taught for so long, and we are so accustomed to them, that we fail to discern them and distinguish them from truth. Personally, I know that I have, at times, taught dogmatically on a topic, and later realised that I was preaching a Baptist tradition. In this context, let me give you five ways to discern between truth and tradition. If we apply these principles and free ourselves from man-made traditions, we shall be far more effective in our mission of impacting the world around us.

1) You do not have to twist scripture to defend the truth

If you have to twist and bend scripture beyond its normal and clear meaning, then you are defending a tradition – you are not expounding the truth. We must not seek to make any passage of scripture say what it does not say. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20). Too many times, while trying to prove their point of view, a Christian will use – or misuse – a verse or passage so that it backs up what they are trying to say. He will loudly quote passages or portions of scripture that seem to agree with his point of view, while quietly ignoring those that do not. However, if we would bow to the authority of the Word, then the Bible must determine our position, not defend our position. Therefore, you do not change the Bible to fit what you believe – you change what you believe to fit the Bible.

Brethren, we must be absolutely honest in our handling of Scripture: “But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:2). You do not have to twist scripture to defend the truth.

I know of an instance where a preacher boldly pronounced that rimless glasses are ungodly. What Bible verse did he use to justify this? None, of course; his views were shaped by his culture, and personal bias. His justification for what he said was simply that such glasses are worldly. That is twisting scripture!

On that note, it seems that an easy justification for the espousers of tradition is for them to say that a certain practice or action is worldly. That is what the Amish do as they preach against the evils of modern technology.  But, scripture itself defines for us what is worldly: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (1 John 2:16). I don’t see rimless glasses anywhere in there – or a host of other things that men speak against.

2) You readily come to agree with the truth through a thorough and objective study of the scriptures

The Christian must search and study the scriptures: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) If you study the Bible thoroughly, you will arrive at the truth. Instead of first determining our position and then searching the scriptures to find passages that we can use to back up our viewpoint, we ought to study the Bible in an objective and unbiased manner in order to find out the biblical position. The reward for doing so is great, for we shall arrive at nothing less than the truth: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32).

An intimate knowledge of the Word is all the education and qualification necessary to make any judgment on the truth: “I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.” (Psalm 119:100). Did not Jesus promise that the Spirit would guide us into all truth? “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…” (John 16:13a). If I study the scriptures and submit to the Spirit, I will know the truth. One reason why there are so many different positions on some issues in our circles is because we rely too much on extra-biblical sources of information.

Let us be careful that we do not drift into Gnosticism, where worldly knowledge and secular education are elevated above godly wisdom. Remember the case of Peter and John, two men whom God used mightily, in spite of their lack of formal education: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13).

Is the Bible enough? Or do we need other sources of truth, such as social studies, church history, and religious creeds? If the historical Baptist position and the Holy Bible position don’t agree, which do we choose? If we believe what we say we believe – that the Bible is our sole authority of faith and practice – then the Bible is enough. The Bible is complete and comprehensive, able to answer any question and clear up any confusion. That is what Bible-believers have always stood for, and often died for. If the Bible contradicts our cherished Baptist traditions, or our beloved Baptist forefathers, then let us stick with the Bible.

Let me remind you of a classic passage for the position of sola scriptura: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible is comprehensive and complete. The Bible is enough.

The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself. “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” (1 Corinthians 2:13) Why add the imperfect and fallible words of sinful men to the perfect and infallible words of our holy God? If you can study your Bible thoroughly and honestly (no laziness allowed), and not arrive, in time, at the conclusion that you have been taught, then you have been taught a tradition, not the truth. If you need someone to enlighten you so that you arrive at his conclusion, which you would not have otherwise arrived at by simply studying your Bible, then you have been taught a tradition, not the truth.

Recall to mind the impassioned rebuke that Jesus gave to the unbelieving Jews of His day: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39). Every pastor and church leader ought to encourage his people to study the Bible for themselves. Remember your history – the Roman Catholic Church did not let people read and study the Bible because the priests and leaders were afraid that the people would work out that such things as indulgences were wrong. People were imprisoned, tortured, and even killed for simply owning a copy of the scriptures, lest they should actually read it and find out the truth thereby.

Let me ask you a question: If the standards of our fundamental churches are so clearly and unquestionably Bible truth, then why do good churches have different standards? Why aren’t we all in perfect harmony and agreement? The truth never contradicts itself. If our convictions are so clearly Bible truth, why can’t good, Bible-believing, Christ-honouring people agree on what the truth is? Why do we judge and condemn one another for not measuring up to our standards? We break the clear command of not judging each other (Matthew 7:1), thus straining at a gnat while swallowing a camel (Matthew 23:24). A typical church member might well ask, “Why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?” (1 Corinthians 10:29).

3) The truth stands up to harsh scrutiny; those that teach it welcome questioning and scrutiny

I magnify the office of the pastor. I respect and honour men of God. However, I fear that we have arrived at the place, in some of our churches, where the pastor’s word has become law, above refutation, question, or rebuttal. If we know that we speak the truth, then surely we would welcome questioning and scrutiny. The truth always appears stronger when challenged and proved, not weaker.

When Paul and Silas avoided their Jewish persecutors in Thessalonica, and were sent by the brethren into Berea, they found a noble group of hearers: “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11).

The word ‘noble’ means to be virtuous, honourable, decent, and upright. The characteristic of the Bereans that led them to be labelled so was their willingness to receive the Word, study the Word, and prove the Word. In fact, they diligently studied and searched the scriptures every day, to be sure that Paul and Silas were preaching the truth. If you are teaching the truth, then your message will certainly stand up to a healthy dose of scrutiny. A tradition, the commandment of men, will not fare so well.

We live in a day where Generation Y questions everything. The upcoming leaders of our society do not humbly and meekly accept everything that they are told, not even in the church; they prod, they poke, and they prove. They are naturally sceptical, unlike their forefathers. I believe that this is especially true in our Australian culture, where we often harbour a natural distrust of those in authority. If we think that we can dismiss the intelligent, and uncomfortable, questions of the present generation of young adults and youth, and still reach them, then we are sorely mistaken. I think that we have often been guilty of presenting weak arguments for our Baptist traditions, refusing to be questioned any further, while the Generation Y members of our congregation are “googling” the subject and finding out the truth. And we wonder why we are losing them.

I once heard a good man use the Greek to prove that the Bible teaches a man should have not only short hair, but, in fact, a tapered haircut, trimmed above the ears. The most tragic thing was not the argument itself but the hearty “amens” that accompanied it. It would take very little Bible knowledge or sense at all to disprove and debunk such a weak hypothesis, but challenging the speaker would have resulted in accusations of disloyalty and rebellion. This is not the Christianity that our forefathers bled and died for!

The truth will stand up to the harshest scrutiny and questioning because it is of God, and not of man. Search the scriptures, and do not be afraid of scrutiny when your message is questioned or challenged, because the truth is impregnable and incorruptible. We ought to welcome questions, not dismiss them, because a question is a golden opportunity both to learn and to instruct.

4) The truth is contained in more scripture than one ambiguous verse or passage; It is clearly and undeniably a Bible truth

“What is truth?” Thus asked Pilate. Jesus answered this question of the ages in His prayer, as He stated to the Father, “Thy Word is truth.” (John 17:17b). Therefore, if I would speak the truth, I must speak the Book. The Bible is the truth, and the truth is the Bible. Therefore I must speak where scripture speaks, and be silent where scripture is silent. I cannot go beyond the Word: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2). If I am addressing an area of ambiguity and doubt, I must present and follow the clear principles of scripture, and I must treat the brethren with grace as they exercise their Christian liberty. This is the indisputable teaching of Romans Chapter 14. “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” (Romans 14:13).

We know that a text without a context is a pretext. To obtain the unbiased and unadulterated truth, we must compare scripture with scripture. “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” (1 Corinthians 2:13) Therefore, to take a phrase, verse, or passage out of its true context and use it to support a position, is unethical and unscriptural. We cannot and must not force our own interpretations upon the eternal Word of God. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20).

I know of an independent Baptist pastor who has preached for years against taking vacations. He scolds members who take time away on holiday with their families. What is his scriptural basis for such an extraordinary position? “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58) Not only could such use of this scripture be easily refuted, but there is the small matter of passages such as Mark 6:31, “And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.” You inevitably end up at the commandments of men when you have to grasp at a few morsels of scripture to back up your position.

Every word of God is important – that is certainly true. But, if all we have to “prove our point” is one verse or short passage that is open to debate, we might be dealing with a tradition, not truth. Besides, what are we doing trying to prove our point? Let’s study and preach the Book! Let us not subtract from the truth, nor let us add unto it. May we always aim to proclaim the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

As result of labouring to defend our standards (which are sometimes just preferences), we often major on the minors, and minor on the majors. We emphasise the external and de-emphasise the internal, yet scripture does the opposite. We tend to neglect the more prevalent themes of scripture such as charity, grace, prayer and worship, while concentrating on externality and conformity. Did not the Pharisees do the same? Consider Matthew 23:23-28, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of

them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.”

For example, I fear that some churches would tolerate a gossip as long as she wore a modest dress and didn’t drink or smoke. Now, we know that a godly woman will dress modestly out of a desire to glorify God and keep her brother from stumbling. Certainly she ought not drink or smoke (Proverbs 20:1; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17). However, we are unwise to judge according to appearance: “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” (John 7:24). It is often the hidden sins of the heart, and the subtle sins of the tongue, that cause the most damage in our homes, churches and communities. I think I would rather have a drunk in my church than a gossip (Proverbs 26:20); the outward sins are more obvious, but the inward sins more insidious.

5) The truth is not bound or shaped by culture. It is objective, absolute and unbiased

Culture is not truth – it is the tradition of men. In fact, the truth is very often counter-cultural. Christians have suffered persecution and rejection for centuries because they embraced the truth and rejected culture.

For example, how counter-cultural is it today for a woman to obey her husband? “Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.” (Ephesians 5:24) Whether you’re an Aussie, European, Filipino, Indian or American, this truth is extremely counter-cultural. But it is the truth.

Every culture is different – each is unique in its beliefs, philosophies and practices. However, the truth is absolute. It spans cultures and centuries, unaffected by the sands of time and the winds of change. “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” (Isaiah 40:8) “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” (Luke 21:33). The truth is, by its very definition, unchanging and unbiased.

God forbid that our preaching and teaching should be shaped by the traditions and trends of our culture. Let us obey the commandments of God and not the culture of our fathers! Even Judaeo-Christian cultures have things in them that dishonour God and contravene scripture.

Some of our fundamental churches are stuck in the culture of 1950s America. This is not America, and neither is this the 1950s. You step into some church services and you are transported sixty years back in time and 10,000 km across the ocean. We have created our own sub-culture, complete with dress code, social values, and Christian jargon. We are so accustomed to this that we think it is the truth. Any deviation from this sub-culture is labelled as compromise. We even pressure others to conform. But it is tradition, not truth, that we preach so loudly and confidently. Let us remember that our God wants sanctity, not conformity.

Conclusion:

Why are we not as effective in reaching the lost as we hope to be, and could be? I believe that our tenacious hold on Baptist traditions is partly to blame. I fear that we sometimes take a dogmatic stand on issues that are debatable and questionable, rather than contending for the faith, and showing grace in areas of dispute. Personal preferences and Baptist customs have often been elevated to the status of Bible convictions. Tragically, and much to our detriment, we thus become involved in doubtful disputations (Romans 14:1). If a truth or conviction could not be proved in a court of law, then it should not be preached and taught as dogma.

I deliberately have not used examples in my article that are common causes for debate. Why? I do not want to determine for you what is truth, and what is tradition. I want us each to examine our own beliefs and practices. I have not addressed areas of contention among the brethren, as I hope that God might shine His searchlight in our hearts and minds, so that He might reveal to us if we have any man-made traditions that are hindering our mission to reach the world.

Our contention over debatable issues is hurting us greatly. We often lack grace and tolerance towards those who disagree with us, and we therefore undermine our cherished tenet of individual soul liberty. We seek to be like Jesus, who was full of grace of truth (John 1:14), yet we are heavy on “truth” and light on grace, much to our detriment. This greatly hinders our mission to impact the world. We have substituted judgment for mercy, criticism for tolerance, and bondage for liberty.

It is costing us very dearly indeed.