Tradition vs. Scripture Alone

Catholicism

Tradition vs. Scripture Alone

By YBible

The Catholic church officially states their tradition is of equal authority to scripture. To make it simple: their words are equal to God’s. The Pope also claims the authority to speak “ex-cathedra” in place of God.

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. - Proverbs 30:5-6

What does the Bible say about tradition?

Tradition is mentioned 13 times in the Bible. 12 times it’s bad, 1 time it’s neutral. The 1 neutral mention is about passing on true doctrine and God’s word at a time when Christian’s didn’t have completed Bibles to guide them.

Do you think traditions that contradict the Bible are approved by God?

Jesus teaches about tradition:

But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? - Matthew 15:3 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. - Matthew 15:9 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, - Mark 7:8 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. - Mark 7:9 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. - Mark 7:13

Jesus tells a Mary idolator to obey the Bible instead:

And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. - Luke 11:27-28

Beware of the traditions of men:

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. - Colossians 2:8

Even apostles or angels are under the authority of the already delivered word of God:

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. - Galatians 1:8-9

Scripture interprets scripture, nothing else is needed:

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. - 2 Peter 1:20

Scripture Alone Verses

2 Timothy 3:16-17 states you only need the scriptures to be “perfect”, therefore Catholic tradition is unnecessary at best or deception at worst.

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

Jesus teaches scripture only:

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. - Matthew 4:4

Your to check everything by God’s word:

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 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. - Isaiah 8:20

Don’t add or subtract from God’s word...

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it… - Deuteronomy 4:2

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life… - Revelation 22:18-19

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. - Proverbs 30:5-6

- KJV