St Paul was clear: …hold the traditions…by word or by letter. So how far back do you go in terms of tradition?
This question relates to traditions and refers to 2 Thessalonians 2:15, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” We would like to point out that verses taken out of context will always get us into trouble. The word “tradition” as used by Paul refers to what the Church had at that time, the inspired word of God through the prophets, and the written word from the apostles. The chapter from which that verse was taken warns the Thessalonians about something: “Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or tha
