The early church grew because they kept on teaching and preaching the message of Jesus Christ despite opposition (Acts 5:42). When Peter and John were told not to teach at all in the name of Jesus, they said they could not stop speaking about what they had seen and heard as witnesses of the resurrected Lord (Acts 4:18-20). Saul spearheaded a persecution effort against the church in Jerusalem by dragging people to prison (Acts 8:3), but those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8:4).  Multitudes were added by the Lord to His church because they heard the message of the gospel and believed (Acts 2:41, 47; 4:4; 5:14). As the word of God spread, the number of disciples multiplied greatly; moreover, even many of the priests were obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7). The gospel message must be heard before any will believe and obey it (Rom. 10:17). The opponents of the church in Jerusalem noted that the early church had filled Jerusalem with the doctrine of Christ (Acts 5:28).

As we come to our gospel meeting this week, let us have the same determination: to fill Flatwoods and the surrounding areas with the doctrine of Christ. Perhaps you can be like Cornelius who called together his relatives and close friends to hear the gospel (Acts 10:24). Perhaps you could be like Andrew who brought his brother to the Lord (Jn. 1:40-42). If someone is skeptical, maybe you could be like Philip who simply said to Nathanael “Come and see” (Jn. 1:46).

The sad reality is not everyone will obey the gospel (Mt. 7:13-14; Rom. 10:16), but we must work to give them an opportunity. The sower scatters the seed even though some lands on the wayside soil (Lk. 8:5). The seed is the word of God (Lk. 8:11). If no seed is sown, then no one will receive the word that is able to save their souls (James 1:21). Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Lk. 19:10). While Jesus accomplished essential tasks to bring salvation that are not required of us (such as dying on the cross), He also went about preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Mt. 4:23; 9:35). This is an essential part to the lost being saved in which He has called us to participate by spreading the soul-saving message (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Lk. 24:47).

This week will be a great opportunity to do that as we explore lessons which powerfully demonstrate how Jesus is Lord. His fulfillment of scripture and His resurrection from the dead prove He is indeed the Son of God, the promised Messiah (Pss. 16:10; 110:1; Isa. 53:3-8). One can clearly see this if guided by a capable teacher (Acts 8:30-36). Only through Jesus can one enter heaven (Jn. 14:1-6). Without Him, people die in their sins (Jn. 8:24; Rom. 3:9-12, 23; 6:23). The gospel of Christ will be preached this week. Through this message, God will save those who believe (1 Cor. 1:21). However, flaming fire awaits those who do not obey the gospel (2 Thess. 1:8). Eternal souls hang in the balance. Let us spread the saving news far and wide.

“Tradition” is the way English versions of the Bible translate the word paradosis, which means something handed down or transmitted in the way of teaching. Traditions may be good or bad. The word is used of divine traditions that were handed down by apostolic authority (2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6). These we obviously should keep.

However, there are also evil traditions. Colossians 2:8 tells us, “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.” Empty lifestyles of sin are handed down by tradition; by inspiration Peter referred to the former lives of recipients of his epistles as “your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,” (2 Pet. 1:18). Both passages describe traditions that stand in stark contrast to Christ. When one becomes a Christian, these traditions are left behind in order to follow the Lord Jesus.

“Tradition” is also used of practices to which men clung in Bible times instead of keeping God’s commandments. In Mark 7:5, Jesus was asked by the scribes and Pharisees why His disciples did not keep the tradition of the elders. Jesus replied by rebuking them: “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 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” (Mk. 7:6-8). Jesus went on to highlight how their tradition of Corban enabled men to disregard the command to honor their parents (Mk. 7:9-13). The statements of Jesus are very clear regarding how He feels about these kinds of traditions. He said, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition” (Mk. 7:9). Jesus rebuked them because they were, “making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down” (Mk. 7:13).

Religious traditions are a particularly thorny matter. We all have particular patterns we go through in our religious lives. How many songs we sing before we have prayer or whether or not the Lord’s supper is before or after the sermon are habits of worship service that we do not deem binding. But some religious traditions are elevated to a place they should not occupy. When tradition supersedes what is commanded in the word of God, then we are in trouble. Some religious traditions may appear good and right, but in reality keep us from truly following the commands of God. In reference to his life before he became a Christian, Paul said “I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers” (Gal. 1:14). No doubt many of the things he was taught in Judaism were good, but any traditions that were different or at odds with what the Lord Jesus commanded had to be abandoned. We must do the same today. We should surrender to the Lordship of Jesus by dispensing with any religious tradition for which we do not have authority in His written will, the New Testament.