Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 2 Thessalonians 2:15
We have traditions that we uphold as Christians and as Assemblies of Christians. These traditions fall into two different categories: scriptural traditions and practical traditions. The scriptural traditions are those clearly defined in the Bible. In Paul’s time, the complete New Testament was not available, so what Paul told the Thessalonians to stand fast in included those things that he and other apostles taught, and those things written in his epistle to them. Practical traditions are those guidelines that make for orderly conduct in the Assembly but don’t have any direct instruction or prohibition in Scripture. Practical traditions can and do change over time. Scriptural traditions must never change.
To explain, let’s look at a couple of examples. In the 1970, many of our Assemblies adopted a tradition that men in the fellowship should not have beards. At that time, a beard was considered a major symbol of rebellion in society, so the beard tradition made sense. It was a practical tradition based on a scriptural principle of godly behaviour. But that tradition has changed as society gradually accepted the beard as just another grooming option for a man. That was a practical tradition that came and went.
In most of our Assemblies, there is a tradition that those in fellowship sit separately from those who are observing the Lord’s Supper. But this is not a practical tradition, but a scriptural tradition, because we can point to the Word of God and see it there. In 1 Corinthians 14:16, we find this phrase: ‘he that occupieth the room of the unlearned’. This refers to someone not participating in the Supper but is there to observe and learn. The Greek word translated ‘room’ is topos, and means place. Thayer’s dictionary defines it as ‘any portion or space marked off, as it were, from surrounding space’. So this tradition has the force of Scripture, and as our text declares, we are to hold it fast. -Jim MacIntosh
Here is the link to the video of this message: https://youtu.be/yHy5BkGriZc