No it is not!
There are instances of tradition in the Bible but they are all scriptural or do not contend with the scripture teaching itself.
David, upon only 3 verses in the Bible that have the word “tradition” in the Scriptures, Catholicism’s entire practice for traditions being of equal status with scripture are founded on these. Despite the fact that the same Scripture that mentions the word tradition makes it clear from both Jesus and the apostles writings that they are to be our source of life. So lets look at this Scriptures carefully and see what they say and what they do not say.
1) 1 Cor.11:23 ……...
“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; Here Paul states he is presenting in writing what he had previously taught them in person, that which I also delivered unto you.”
This pertains to the communion and how it is to be taken.
So what he had taught orally was inscripturated, so there no validation for oral tradition here. Paul learned of the communion by the other apostles as they fellowshipped and broke bread each week. However Paul learned more of this from the Lord and is the only apostle to write in detail about it.
2) 2 Thess. 2:15...…..
“Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.”
Both which were taught were the same that was written down. What traditions is Paul talking about? In v.5 Paul previously stated “ Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?” This Paul says he already taught them in person but now is writing it down
. Consistent with the rest of the teachings, everything said was written down that would be used to have one practice their Christian relationship.
He was giving them and us in writing what he had previously taught. Which was about the man of sin, to provide further understanding clarifying any misconceptions they had, Since the epistle starts off with the church shaken up by a false letter or word they received that the resurrection already taking place and they thought they missed out. So presently he is elaborating on the details of the tribulation and the falling away.
3) 2 Thess. 3:6...…..
“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition (some translations have teaching, at any rate teaching can be passed on orally before it is committed to writing) which he received from us.”
Again if we go further we find what is being said which proves all should be read in its context.
V.10 …...
“for even when we were with you we commanded you this, If anyone does not work neither shall they eat.”
It was the same thing by personal word or by letter. They showed this teaching by example as they were with the Corinthians and he put in writing what he had taught them earlier.
This way they would not forget or corrupt it after his death. None of these scriptures have any relationship to the traditions presently taught and practiced in the Roman Catholic Church.
Further no one has ever documented any specific teaching to be accredited to Paul in their traditions. Obviously not everything the apostles “said” is written down but the doctrines are. So there is nothing spoken that was not written that we would need to know about salvation and living.
For example Paul says in 1 Cor.15:1 ...…..
“Moreover brethren I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you...”
Here it is written out.
The only revelation we have today is the same committed to the apostles that was written down, this was what the church accepted and practiced after the apostles, that which was written, not what is spoken. The same Paul who is claimed to write of traditions specifically tell us in 1 Cor.4:6 “do not to go beyond what is written.” How could he do this if he approved of the apostles oral teaching alongside the writings? He couldn't. That is why what was taught was penned on paper, pointing to the Scripture as our final authority.
Every time the Pharisees the religious men brought up traditions as equal to the Scripture Jesus brought them to the word. This is why he called them the traditions of men because they did not come from God but by religious men who no longer intended to obey the word.
Traditions found in the Bible
