Tag Archives: biblical authority

Sufficiency of the Word

The Traditions of Men

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A Call to Return to the Truth

Brethren, I do not write to flatter, but to urge. I plead with you as one who has been shown mercy, who once trusted in the law and the ordinances of men, but was apprehended by the grace of God. I now write with boldness: beware the traditions of men.

For many walk no longer according to the Spirit, but according to patterns handed down without power. They uphold forms without fire. Statues without life. Commands without the Cross. They say, “This is how it has always been,” but they do not ask, “Is this of the Lord?”

1. The Word of God Is Sufficient

    Let every man be found a liar if he speaks contrary to the written Word of God. For Scripture was not given to be supplemented by inventions of the flesh, nor twisted by the wisdom of this age. The Holy Spirit bears witness to the truth. Paul wrote:

    “All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.”

    —2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NASB)

    If the Scriptures make a man fully capable, why do we reach for substitutes? Why do some add practices, rituals, or mediators that neither Jesus taught nor the apostles endorsed?

    2. When Tradition Becomes a Snare

      Traditions are not evil in themselves. I, too, upheld customs, celebrated feasts, and walked with zeal. But when tradition becomes a stumbling block to the gospel—when it burdens consciences, exalts men, or draws attention away from the finished work of Yeshua—it must be cast down.

      “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”

      —Colossians 2:8 (NASB)

      Do not be taken captive! What is handed down by men cannot save. What is proclaimed from heaven—Christ crucified, risen, and reigning—this is the power of God.

      3. One Mediator, One Lord

      Some have exalted figures, relics, and sacred objects. Others have crafted elaborate systems of prayer and penance. But I testify before God and His elect angels: there is only One who intercedes, only One who atoned for sin.

      “For there is one God, and one Mediator also between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all.”

      —1 Timothy 2:5–6a (NASB)

      Every substitute is a shadow. Every tradition that bypasses the cross is a deception. We must not exchange the glory of the incorruptible God for images or patterns made by human hands.

      4. Test Every Tradition by the Gospel

      Do not be deceived by mere age. A tradition practiced for a thousand years is still false if it does not align with the Gospel. Test everything. Prove it by the Word. We do not preach ourselves, nor our customs—we preach Christ, and Him crucified.

      “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!”

      —Galatians 1:8 (NASB)

      Beloved, hear this: you are not saved by tradition, but by grace through faith. You are not sanctified by routines, but by the Spirit. The truth sets you free—not repetition, symbols, or rituals.

      5. A Better Way: Return to the Simplicity of Christ

      As the serpent deceived Eve, I fear some have drifted from the simplicity and purity of devotion to the Messiah. Return to Him. Cast aside every weight, every shadow, every teaching that exalts man or diminishes the sufficiency of the cross.

      Let the fire of the Spirit cleanse your worship, the blood of the Lamb purify your conscience, and the truth of the Gospel restore what tradition has obscured.

      ⸻

      No idol carved, no crafted rite,
      Shall match the cross or pierce the night.
      Tradition bows, the truth stands tall—
      The Word made flesh is Lord of all.

      ⸻

      Closing Prayer

      Lord God, we renounce the empty ways passed down without Your Spirit. Expose every tradition that exalts itself above Your Word. Cleanse us from man-made religion and lead us back to the simplicity of Christ. Open our eyes to see, our hearts to repent, and our hands to cling to You alone. Let no ritual replace our reverence, no custom replace our communion, and no tradition replace Your truth. In the name of Yeshua our Messiah, Amen.

      ⸻

      See Also

      Headship

      Christ’s Headship in the Church

      This is loosely based on the Headship of Christ by THABITI ANYABWILE

      About a 8 minutes read

      In the divine tapestry of God’s Word, Christ’s headship over the Church stands as a profound truth. This headship, vividly portrayed in several biblical passages, reveals both the transcendence and imminence of Christ’s relationship with His Church.

      The Apostle Paul emphasizes Christ’s headship in his letters. He declares, “And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:22-23). Paul also writes, “For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior” (Ephesians 5:23). In Colossians, Paul elaborates, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy” (Colossians 1:17-18).

      These passages underscore Christ’s supreme authority over all creation and His intimate connection with the Church. Christ, fully God, transcends all things, holding supremacy over the dead and the living, the earthly and the heavenly, the physical and the spiritual. Yet, His relationship with the Church is marked by a profound closeness, akin to the intimacy of a husband with his bride.

      This divine headship is not a distant or detached rule but one characterized by love and closeness. Christ, the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, intimately connects with His Church, guiding and nurturing her with the tender care of a loving husband. This union is a mystery, revealing the depth of God’s love for His people.

      Misunderstandings and Misapplications of Christ’s Headship

      Despite the clarity of Scripture, misunderstandings and misapplications of Christ’s headship abound among church members and leaders.

      For Members:

      1. Neglect of Human Leadership: Some believe that Christ’s headship negates the need for human leaders within the Church. However, Scripture clearly shows that Christ, through His Spirit, has appointed leaders to guide the Church (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1). Hebrews 13:17a instructs believers to “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority,” indicating that Christ’s headship includes delegated authority within the Church.
      2. Rejection of Examples: Others might think that, because Christ is the ultimate example, human examples are unnecessary. Yet, Paul exhorts believers to follow his example as he follows Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Leaders must model speech, life, love, faith, and purity (1 Timothy 4:12).
      3. Isolation from the Local Church: Some adopt a Lone Ranger mentality, believing their personal relationship with Christ suffices. However, Scripture describes the Church as a body, with each member intricately connected (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). The headship of Christ is experienced within the context of community and accountability.

      For Leaders:

      1. Neglecting Diligence in Leadership: Some leaders may assume that Christ’s headship excuses them from diligent leadership. However, Scripture calls leaders to use their gifts zealously (Romans 12:6, 8b), emphasizing hard work and dedication in pastoral ministry.
      2. Disregarding the Welfare of the Church: Others might think that Christ’s headship absolves them from concern for the Church’s welfare. Paul, despite acknowledging Christ as the Great Shepherd, felt daily anxiety for the churches (2 Corinthians 11:28-29). Leaders must share in Christ’s sufferings for the sake of the Church (Colossians 1:24).
      3. Expecting Easy Success: Some leaders expect that Christ’s presence guarantees easy success. Yet, ministry often involves hardship and discouragement. Christ’s promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” and “My grace is sufficient for you,” reminds us that His power is perfected in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). The path of ministry may be fraught with challenges, but the faithful leader will share in Christ’s glory if they persevere.

      The Role of the Senior Pastor in a Non-Denominational Church

      In a non-denominational church, the senior pastor plays a crucial role in embodying and reflecting Christ’s headship to the congregation. Biblically, the senior pastor is accountable to several entities:

      To Christ

      The senior pastor ultimately reports to Christ, the Head of the Church. This accountability is reflected in their commitment to prayer, the study of Scripture, and a life that exemplifies Christ-like behavior. As Paul writes, “Be imitators of me, just as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 AMP). As an under-shepherd, the pastor leads the congregation according to Christ’s teachings and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as noted in John 10:27 (AMP), “The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me.”

      To the Elders

      In many New Testament churches, a plurality of elders provided spiritual oversight. Acts 14:23 (AMP) states, “When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they believed.” Similarly, Titus 1:5 (AMP) mentions, “For this reason, I left you behind in Crete, so that you would set right what remains unfinished, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you.” The senior pastor is often accountable to a board of elders or church council, who share in the leadership responsibilities and ensure that the pastor remains aligned with biblical doctrine and practice.

      To the Congregation

      The senior pastor is also accountable to the congregation. The church body has the responsibility to support, encourage, and hold their pastor accountable. Hebrews 13:17 (AMP) instructs, “Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [recognizing their authority over you], for they are keeping watch over your souls and continually guarding your spiritual welfare as those who will give an account [of their stewardship of you]. Let them do this with joy and not with grief and groans, for this would be of no benefit to you.” This relationship is reciprocal, as the pastor leads the congregation in spiritual growth, and the congregation, in turn, provides feedback and support to the pastor.

      By adhering to these biblical principles, the senior pastor effectively reflects Christ’s headship, fostering a healthy, accountable, and spiritually vibrant church community.

      Conclusion

      Christ’s headship over the Church is a doctrine rich with both majesty and intimacy. It calls for submission to Christ and to the leaders He has appointed, exemplifies a life of following godly examples, and emphasizes the necessity of belonging to a local church community. For leaders, it demands diligence, concern for the Church’s welfare, and perseverance in the face of difficulties.

      Recognizing Christ’s headship, we find both the authority that governs and the love that nurtures. The Sovereign Ruler of the universe, who transcends all things, intimately involves Himself with His Church, guiding her with infinite love and care. This dual aspect of transcendence and imminence should shape our understanding, our relationships, and our service within the body of Christ. As we embrace this truth, we are called to live out our faith in community, under godly leadership, and with the assurance of Christ’s abiding presence and grace.

      By focusing on Christ’s headship in the Church, we align ourselves with His divine order and experience the fullness of His love and authority. Let us, therefore, submit to His leadership, follow the godly examples He provides, and remain committed to the local church, where we find strength, accountability, and growth in our journey of faith.

      Self-Reflection Questions

      1. For All Members:
        • How can I deepen my understanding of Christ’s headship in the Church?
        • In what ways can I ensure I am living in alignment with Christ’s authority and love?
      2. For Pastors:
        • How am I demonstrating my accountability to Christ in my daily life and ministry?
        • In what ways can I improve my communication and relationship with the elders in my church?
        • How am I fostering a reciprocal relationship with my congregation, where they feel supported and encouraged to provide feedback?
      3. For Elders:
        • How are we supporting our senior pastor in their role, ensuring they have the spiritual and practical resources they need?
        • Are we regularly evaluating our own accountability to Christ and to each other as a leadership team?
        • In what ways can we enhance our oversight to better align with biblical doctrine and practice?
      4. For Congregation Members:
        • How am I supporting and encouraging my pastor and church leaders in their ministry?
        • In what ways can I be more involved in the life of the church, contributing to a healthy and accountable community?
        • Am I obedient and submissive to the spiritual leaders, recognizing their role in my spiritual growth?

      By reflecting on these questions, each member of the church body can better understand and fulfill their role in supporting Christ’s headship and fostering a vibrant and accountable church community.

      See Also