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Ezekiel Kimosop
Supporter
Church traditions and sacraments are not synonymous unless the sacrament in question is based on a church tradition that is not taught or implied in Scripture. They should not offend God unless they are inconsistent with or openly contradict His word. There are only two sacraments which Christ expressly taught that the Church should observe, namely water baptism of believers (Matthew 28:19-20) and the celebration of the Lord's Table (Luke 22:19-20). The Roman Catholic Church over the ages has added other sacraments such as holy matrimony or confirmation, extreme unction and a host of others. Some of these sacraments do not have a scriptural basis for their practice but a few of them nonetheless have been accepted as appropriate for the church. Marriage is recognized across all churches as a sacrament based on the teaching of Genesis 1:28 and 2:24. However there is a danger when the church amplifies the scope of the official church sacraments beyond confines of scripture in that It may be difficult to justify their practice. Church traditions are distinct to each denomination though some are common to most churches. So long as they do not violate or contradict express or implied scripture teachings they should be practiced by the church. The danger again lurks in traditions that appear to make unreasonable demands on believers (too liturgical) so that they render the authority of scripture rather obscure. For example, The Roman Catholics teach that they have authority to make rules and regulations that somewhat bear authority equal to or above scripture and that their traditions are binding on their members in the same way that Scripture does. This violates 2 Timothy 3:15-17. Catholics also teach that the Pope is infallible but this teaching is inconsistent with Romans 3:23-24 which declares "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Only members of the Holy Trinity are infallible and so is God's word in its original autograph. The church is certainly fallible and we see good examples in the words of Christ in his address to the Seven Churches in Revelation 2-3. The holiness of the believer and of the church is based on its fidelity to Christ and His divine grace that covers our sinfulness. No sacrament or tradition in itself can secure a believer the ticket to heaven. We are saved by faith alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches that "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast." If a church tradition or sacrament is inconsistent with or expressly violates the Bible, it should be rejected.
Brandon Hughes
Supporter
To clarify, man-made traditions are neither good nor bad in and of themselves. However, when someone takes a tradition and uses it to enslave people (such as the pharisees did) or make salvation dependent upon following tradition or use traditions to govern what God's Word says, God abhors such things. Many traditions exist in every church today, they are so much a part of who we are and how we worship, it can be difficult to identify them. We must be careful not to make them into golden calves.
Jennifer Henkel
Supporter
By sacraments, I am assuming that we are referring to baptism, confirmation, penance, communion, marriage, last rites, and holy orders.
The Bible speaks of only two "sacraments" - baptism of believers ("Believe and be baptized" Mark 16:16 - belief comes first) and communion.
Marriage, though invented and ordained by God, is not a sacrament, as not all believers participate.
The others are all inventions of man. Matthew 15:9 and Mark 7:7 show Jesus harshly condemning the traditions and doctrines of the Pharisees. These were NOT scripture but the Pharisees insisted that they carried the weight of scripture.
So to answer the question, if church traditions contradict scripture or add extra requirements for eternal life, then yes, they are an offense to God.
Steve VanDyke
Supporter
The main sacraments- The Lord's Supper and Baptism, are necessary for the proclaiming of Jesus as savior, and for the unifying of the body of Christ. With believer's baptism, the body of believers comes together to witness and promise to hold the person accountable to their proclamation. I always think of baptism as our wedding ceremony to Jesus- now we have taken a vow of commitment to Jesus in front of the body, and the body comes together to hold that person accountable and help them grow spiritually in Christ. The Lord's Supper also unifies the church. The body comes together to proclaim Jesus' death until his return. 1 Corinthians 11:26. This is also a command, as Jesus said- "Do this in remembrance of me." Luke 22:19. Any other sacraments installed by the church are not always bad, but if they become rituals that the church does, they can be offensive to God if they take the focus off of Him. The purpose of the church is to glorify God and build His Kingdom.
JD Abshire
Supporter
If you mean sacraments as applied to the doctrine of transubstantiation and usage of a monstrance for the display of the bread or other relic, this is a man made tradition and an abomination to God. The very essence of adoration and devotion given to the sacrament/relic is nothing more than pagan idolatry. Further evidence of this false teaching is the chant which follows. Christ sharply condemned chanting in Matthew 6:5-7 " And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. V.6 "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. V.7 "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." Chanting is right out of eastern meditation, also an abomination to God. In Romans 10 :6-10 the apostle Paul wrote: "But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) v.7 "Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)" v.8 "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;" v.9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." v.10 "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Where is Christ Jesus today? Matthew 26:64 "Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." Mark 12:36 "For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool." (See also Mark 14:62, 16:19, Luke 24:42; 22:69, Acts 7:55, 56, Romans 8:34, Ephesians 1:20, Colossians 3:1, Hebrews 1:3; 1:13;10:12; 12:2, 1 Peter 3:22.) According to God's Word, where is the Lord Jesus Christ today? He is seated at the right hand of the Father. So, do we believe what the Bible teaches or do we accept "man's religion". As Paul pointed out in Romans 10, who is it that can ascend into heaven and bring Christ down from above? Who is it that can descend into the depths of the grave and bring Christ up from among the dead? Can you, me or some priest summon the great creator, life giver, sustainer and savior, turn hm into a wafer and/or a cup of wine then put Him in a box to be adored and worshiped?
Steve Nearman
Supporter
Many religious organizations have traditions called sacraments or ordinances which are antithetical to God instruction. Like the Pharisees and scribes of old their leaders impose them on their followers. Mark 7:8-9, 13 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. Making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” Col. 2:8 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. There are traditions taught in scripture we should follow. The difference between these and the traditions of men referred to earlier is the source. For you to know the difference and its source, it requires one to study the bible not just read it. God wants us to grow in grace and knowledge of him and commands believers to be diligent in studying His word. God’s enemy uses His scriptures, out of context, to justify man's traditions. To know the difference, is what God’s desire is for his children. That is why he has given us His word. John 17:14, 17 2 Th. 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. 2 Th. 3:6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. So the answer is YES "church traditions" offend God.
Thomas Thune
Supporter
I am sure in my mind that Jesus, our Redeemer, is only offended by one sacrament and in certain cases: By communion in cases when the person partaking of the bread and wine has not accepted the redemption God offered by way of the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary. Think of the example of Judas. Communion had not occurred yet, but the disciples were following Christ, with the exception of Judas. It appeares that Judas may have been there for the notoriety, and the money. He came to his right mind after the fact, still able to have believed the truth. He took his life, and we do not become aware of what went on in his mind. Because of his suicide, I suspect he felt the shame, but may not have made the right choice. Stop...and think on that. Luke 22:19: "And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me."
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