Stand fast and hold (Catholic) Traditions?

(Correct me if im wrong) But what i know is that Catholics believe that the bible is not enough to be the sole basis of faith but also by believing and practicing (catholic) traditions.

Catholic traditions (came from man made teachings and practices) should be included with the bible as basis of faith is what they are shouting.

The bible says:

"Brothers and sisters, I have used Apollos and myself as examples so you could learn through us the meaning of the saying, "Follow only what is written in the Scriptures." Then you will not be more proud of one person than another." I Cor. 4:6

Meaning, if there are Catholic traditions that are not based in the bible, what is it called again?:

"And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." Mark 7:7

It will be called COMMANDMENTS OF MEN and not of God.


As what is written in the Pasugo:

That Catholics adhere to traditions, aside from believing in the bible, is an indisputable fact that needs no further elaboration. But what do Catholics exactly mean by tradition? A Catholic bishop defines it, thus:

"By divine tradition is meant the revealed truths taught by Christ and His Apostles, which were given to the Church only by word of mouth and not through the Bible, though they were put in writing principally by the Fathers of the Church." (My Catholic Faith, Louis LaRavoire Morrow, p.18)

Traditions, then, are the teachings that "were given to the [Catholic] Church only by word of mouth and not through the Bible." Why do Catholics believe in traditions? The same author maintains that the Bible cannot be the sole guide to salvation because

"The Bible does not contain all the truths necessary for eternal salvation." ( p.21)

Thus, Catholics uphold traditions because they believe the Bible is incomplete and hence, it needs to be supplemented. To supplement means to add something to, especially so as to make up for a lack or deficiency.

Does the Bible need to be supplemented?

No. Apostle John was very clear on this matter, thus:

"Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." Jn. 20:30-31

The Bible, by itself, is sufficient to guide man towards salvation. Hence, it does not need any supplement or addition. Those who add to God's word as well as those who subtract from His truths written in the bible will not be saved (cf. Dt. 12:32;Rev.22:18-19).

What about the supposed admonition of Apostle Paul to hold fast to traditions? Did Apostle Paul really exhort the Christians to uphold traditions? Notice what he said:

".....stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word OR OUR EPISTLE" New King James Version

The traditions mentioned by Apostle Paul in II Thessalonians 2:15, do not refer to Catholic traditions which have been handled down by WORD OF MOUTH only ---NOT through epistles or letters. Then, what is the real meaning of Apostle Paul's pronouncement in the said verse? In the New International Version, this is what is written:

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

What are these teachings which every Christian ought to uphold? The same verse as rendered in the Today's English Version says:

"So then, our brothers, stand firm and hold on to those truths which we taught you, both in our preaching and in our letter."

Apostle Paul advises us to hold to the truth and stand firm in it.

What is the truth? The truth is God's words which are written in the Bible and which will sanctify and guide man toward salvation (cf. John 17:17; II Timothy 3:15-17). Apostle Paul warned against people who insist that human traditions are necessary in serving the Lord, thus:

"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." Col. 2:8

Why did the apostles warn the observers of traditions? Because followers of traditions are all too ready to transgress God's laws in order to comply with their handed-down beliefs as the Scriptures attest:

"For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men---the washing of the pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do. And He said to them, 'All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition'." Mark 7:8-9

For man to be able to keep God's words faithfully, he must always bear in mind Apostle Paul's admonition not to go beyond what is written (cf. I Cor. 4:6). Thus, although our Lord Jesus Christ did many works which were not recorded in the Scriptures, it is the written or recorded ones that will be the basis of our salvation.

source: Pasugo issue 1996 studyiglesianicristo.com