Do we have traditions that have become “law” to us in the Church? Mark 7:1-13 Some of the strongest language of Jesus ever recorded was reserved for those who insisted upon and perpetuated religious “traditions.” By “traditions” we mean those religious practices passed down from generation to generation until they become viewed as “law” despite not being legislated by God, Gal.1:14. Some, as is the case here in Mark 7, displace God’s commands, and thus become sinful, cf. vv.8,13. Other “traditions” are of themselves harmless, at least until they cease to be understood as a convenience or accommodative practice and become viewed as “law” themselves, cf. vv.3-4 > 5. The New Testament uses “traditions” in both positive, cf. 2Thess.2:15; 3:6; and negative ways, cf. Col.2:8. The difference, obviously, is the source- from God, or from men.

You tell me:  Must we start a bible class with a prayer?  First, I know of no situation in which it would ever be “wrong” to pray.  Second, we are not commanded to have “bible classes” at all. Bible classes are a part of our efforts to edify and build up one another through a study of God’s word, Eph.4:11-16; but are not commanded as such.  So, third, if we are not commanded to have a bible class in the first place, how could there be a requirement to start (or end) one with a prayer?  Is there anything “wrong” with beginning a study with an entreaty for the Father to bless and prosper our efforts to better understand, and therefore better obey, His will?  Absolutely not, unless we begin to think and act as if it can’t start class without one!

You tell me:  Must we end a service with a prayer?  First, I know of no passage that provides a liturgical “order of service” for our worship.  There are passages which authorize various acts of worship: praising/singing, Col.3:16; Eph.5:19; praying, Eph.5:20; 1Tim.2:1-8; partaking, 1Cor.11:20-34; Acts 20:7a; preaching, 1Cor.14; Acts 20:7b; and providing, 1Cor.16:1-2.  But, is prayer the “required” ending to a service? If so, I do not know the passage that requires it, cf. Acts 20:11.  Could we just as easily end a service with a song or preaching? Sure, as long as we “stand for the closing song/preaching” I suppose!  The requirement of “closing prayer” comes from the same place as the requirement that we stand for it- from us, not God. “Closing prayers” are not wrong, provided we don’t make it so by saying we must have one!

You tell me:  Must we have an invitation song after the sermon?  Again, let’s back this up- is there a requirement for a formal invitation, let alone a song which invites response?  Which sermon recorded in the N.T. ended with an invitation?  The one in Acts 2? That wasn’t as much an invitation as an accusation! The audience asked, “What shall we do?” v.36. But OK, is there another recorded sermon which ended with a formal invitation? And Acts 2:40 is still a part of this sermon.  We can infer that many sermons included some form of invitation because of the responses which followed, but must concede that most “sermons” recorded (especially in Acts) were not preached during a worship service at all.  Again, there is nothing wrong with a song which encourages or invites response at the end of a sermon or lesson, unless we say that one is required!  I have no problem ending a sermon or lesson without an “invitation song”- especially if the lesson isn’t really inviting a response. Some lessons, like this one, are informational rather that invitational.

You tell me:  Must we end a prayer with “in Jesus’ name”?  One passage typically used to require this tag on the end of all prayers is John 14:6.  In the context of this passage, Jesus is speaking of access to heaven- i.e. going there, not praying to God, cf. vv.1-5.  It is true that Jesus is our Mediator, 1Tim.2:5; and that the general context of this passage is that of prayer, vv.1-2,8; but, the specific context of v.5 is again referencing our access to God with regards to salvation, not prayer, vv.3-7.  A prayer that is not according to the will of Jesus will not be made so by adding “in Jesus name” on the end of it.  While it is true that some recorded prayers included the phrase, cf. 1Cor.16:24; Jude 25; it is also true that many more do not, Gal.1:5; 6:18; Eph.3:21; Phil.4:20; 1Tim.1:17; 6:16; et al.  Is there anything wrong with it- not unless it is required!

Conclusions Should be obvious: “Traditions” can be divine or man-made in their origin. Divine ones are required and good. Man-made ones can be acceptable if:  They do not violate or set aside God’s laws in their implementation; and  They do not become “law” (required) despite coming from man rather than God.