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

The feast of the "Black Nazarene"

What is the feast of the so-called "Black Nazarene"?

"an annual religious event that draws Christian believers to the miraculous image of Jesus Christ..."

"The Feast of Black Nazarene, which is annually held in Quiapo, has long been marred by deaths and injuries of devotees during the procession..." digitaljournal.com

What happens in every year procession?

"Every year the annual religious rites claim many lives due to stampedes and the sheer number of people who want to touch the image of the Black Nazarene. Many devotees believe that touching the image of Black Nazarene will bring them good luck. Others believe that by joining the procession, their wishes will be granted aside from strengthening their faith and fulfilling their vows..." source: digitaljournal.com

So, yearly, devotees suffers, injures, and even dies in that event only because of their huge devotion to that Black Nazarene. Why? as what stated, they believe that it will bring them good luck, and that their "wishes" will be granted.

Another is that they believe that it will bring them blessings and the big thing what they really believing is that the "Black Nazarene" was MIRACULOUS...



Let us continue..

In 2008, what had happened to the event?

"...Two people died and around 50 injured..." source: wikipedia

And this 2009?

"As a result, at least 227 people have already been reported injured this year,.." source: cbsnews.com

this year?

"Two persons have died as close to 2 million devotees push and shove their way to touch the Black Nazarene during the annual procession in Manila on Saturday..."

"...Nearly 100 people were injured during the procession..." source: abs-cbnnews.com

It was just so sad that others suffered and even died only because of this kind of event, that should be PEACEFULLY done. And last year, i was shocked when i watched news about a devotee died in that feast...

and i think it is his wife was interviewed, i dont exactly remember what she said but i guess she said that she will just account it as a "blessing " and will keep on continuing their panata whatever happens. So, i feel pity for those people who was blinded by their faith only because of their belief about the so-called "miracle"... tsk.tsk

Another, what does these people show?

yes. definitely!

They are showing that they are undisciplined one. I thought there was "UNITY" in the Catholic Church? But what's these? every year, organizers still cannot have LESSONS to what happens to the devotees who's joining the event!

However, if we will notice other religious groups like El shaddai who's always having their worship services having thousands of followers but not getting these things. And even we, the INC. The INC just have its grand celebration last year that brought millions of people to their respective places of event but still nothing happened like what's happening YEARLY on the procession of the Black Nazarene.



So, what does the bible describe these things? Lets quote it.

"Their idols are made of silver and gold, the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but they cannot speak. They have eyes, but they cannot see. They have ears, but they cannot hear. They have noses, but they cannot smell. They have hands, but they cannot feel. They have feet, but they cannot walk. No sounds come from their throats." Psalm 115:4-7

"Some people make idols, but they are worth nothing. People treasure them, but they are useless. Those people are witnesses for the statues, but those people cannot see. They know nothing, so they will be ashamed." Isaiah 44:9

"They put it on their shoulders and carry it. They set it in its place, and there it stands; it cannot move from its place. People may yell at it, but it cannot answer. It cannot save them from their troubles." Isaiah 46:7

In short, most didnt know that god hate those who make so much effort and everything to the "Idols" made by human hands...

And even worship it, that was called Idolatry! (Click it for the clarification)

I hope that others will be aware of what they are doing and not just following the traditions that even the bible itself especially the commandments of god were being VIOLATED! And I am shouting this, "WHERE'S THE DEVOTEES & CATHOLICS DISCIPLINE?"