TRADITION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

[Used by permission of Silouan, the author; click here
for other pages in the series in which this study is found--
a series of studies that caused its author to convert
to holy Orthodoxy] (not yet online)

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.

As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

17 But thanks be to God, though you were slaves of sin, yet you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to you.

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.

Beloved, taking all care to write to you concerning our common salvation, I was under a necessity to write unto you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.