Apostolic tradition refers to the teachings and practices that were passed down from the apostles of Jesus Christ to the early Christian church. The apostles were the original disciples of Jesus who were commissioned by him to preach the gospel and establish the church after his death and resurrection. As eyewitnesses to the life and ministry of Jesus, the apostles were uniquely qualified to instruct the early believers on Christian doctrine, ethics, rituals, and church government.
According to the Catholic and Orthodox churches, apostolic tradition forms the basis for both the Scriptures and the ongoing life and teaching of the church. They view the Bible and tradition as complementary sources of divine revelation, with tradition preserving teachings not found explicitly in the Bible. Other Christian groups, such as Protestants, affirm the authority of Scripture alone as the source of Christian doctrine. However, even among Protestants there is general agreement on the importance of the theological and practical legacy of the apostles.
There are several key components of apostolic tradition:
- The verbal teachings of Jesus to his apostles, especially regarding interpretation of the Old Testament and the meaning of his life and ministry.
- The narratives of Jesus’ life and ministry recorded in the four Gospels.
- The teachings and writings of the apostles contained in the New Testament epistles.
- Baptism in the Trinitarian formula of Matthew 28:19.
- Celebration of the Eucharist and the Last Supper sayings.
- The Apostles’ Creed and other early creedal formulations.
- The biblical canon endorsed by the apostles.
- Liturgical practices and hymns used in the early church.
- Selection and succession of church leaders through apostolic laying on of hands.
- Various disciplinary measures and moral injunctions mentioned in the epistles.
In the first few centuries of Christianity, church fathers such as Irenaeus argued forcefully for the authority of apostolic tradition. According to Irenaeus, the public, unified teaching of the bishops in apostolic succession guaranteed the faithful transmission of true doctrine. Other fathers, however, noted that traditions not based directly on Scripture should be tested against the biblical witness. This tension between Scripture and extra-biblical tradition continues in Christian theological debate today.
Understanding apostolic tradition is important because it provides insight into the foundations of Christian theology and practice. Whether seen as equally authoritative with Scripture or subject to critique by Scripture, the example and teachings of the apostles as preserved in the early church shape Christian faith and life in fundamental ways. Their testimony marks out the core story, doctrines, and mission that define Christianity in all its forms.
Scriptural Basis for Apostolic Tradition
The New Testament contains several passages that refer to the concept of apostolic tradition or the authority of apostolic teaching in the early church:
- 2 Thessalonians 2:15 – “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.”
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6 – “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.”
- 1 Corinthians 11:2 – “Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.”
- 1 Corinthians 11:23 – “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you…” (in reference to the words of institution of the Eucharist)
- 1 Corinthians 15:3 – “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received…” (in reference to the resurrection)
- 2 Timothy 1:13 – “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”
- 2 Timothy 2:2 – “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”
- Jude 1:3 – “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.”
These verses indicate that the early church recognized the teachings of the apostles as authoritative and binding. The apostles instructed the church both through their oral teaching and their writings, passing on traditions not contained explicitly in Scripture but nonetheless regarded as essential components of the faith.
Teachings and Practices of Apostolic Tradition
Many core Christian teachings and practices can be tied back to apostolic tradition in the early church. Some examples include:
- Creeds – The Apostles’ Creed and other early creeds summarize fundamental Christian doctrines that were taught by the apostles.
- Canon of Scripture – The books recognized by the apostles and early church formed the basis for the biblical canon accepted by most major Christian traditions.
- Liturgy – Components of early Christian worship such as the Lord’s Supper, baptism, hymns, Psalms, and prayers have roots in apostolic tradition.
- Church leadership – The three-fold pattern of bishops, presbyters, and deacons was established in the early church based on the example of the apostles.
- Church discipline – Instructions regarding discipline of erring members has basis in several New Testament epistles.
- Sacraments – The number and general meaning of sacraments derive from practice and writings of the apostles.
- Moral teaching – Apostolic injunctions against sins like idolatry, greed, and sexual immorality shaped early Christian ethics.
- Eschatology – The apostles’ teaching on Christ’s second coming, judgment, and the resurrection influenced early Christian hopes.
In these areas and more, apostolic tradition was seen as essential to preserving true Christian belief and practice in each new generation. The example and teaching of the apostles gave the early church its shape and laid the foundation for Christian tradition through the centuries.
Transmission of Apostolic Tradition
How did the early church receive, transmit, and preserve the traditions passed down from the apostles? Several means can be highlighted:
- Oral teaching – The apostles directly taught the Christian community through spoken proclamation and instruction.
- Correspondence – The New Testament epistles contain authoritative teaching passed on through apostolic writings.
- Ecclesiastical councils – Assemblies of church leaders preserved and clarified aspects of tradition.
- Liturgy – Recurring practices and rituals enacted the core truths of the faith.
- Writings of church fathers – Early Christian leaders and theologians elaborated on the tradition inherited from the apostles.
- Apostolic succession – The lineage of bishops and elders taught and ordained by the apostles passed on authority and doctrine.
- Rule of faith – Summaries of Christian belief distilled the essence of apostolic teaching.
- Canonization – The process of formally recognizing biblical and extra-biblical Christian writings.
This “living tradition” was dynamic, as the church sought to faithfully interpret the apostles’ legacy in changing historical and cultural settings. At the same time, deliberate effort was made to remain rooted in the original apostolic deposit.
Evaluating Apostolic Tradition
Given the diverse traditions claiming apostolic origins, how should modern Christians evaluate claims of apostolic authority? Here are several suggested guidelines:
- Test apparent traditions against clear biblical teaching to rule out contradiction.
- Give weight to practices with stronger scriptural warrant and historical attestation.
- Distinguish between core theological doctrines and peripheral issues of custom or ritual.
- Evaluate whether a tradition faithfully adheres to apostolic message or shifts meaning over time.
- Consider consensus or division in early church over a given doctrine or practice.
- Assess logical consistency of a tradition with known apostolic theology.
- Determine whether custom reflects temporary cultural accommodation vs. permanent ethical principle.
While not an exhaustive list, these guidelines can assist believers in rightly discerning those facets of extra-biblical tradition which authentically represent the original, eyewitness teaching of the apostles.
Objections to Apostolic Tradition
Appeals to apostolic tradition as an authority alongside or over Scripture have also been met with objections:
- Unbiblical teachings – Traditions can contradict Scripture or introduce unbiblical innovations.
- Mere traditions of men – Jesus condemned elevating human traditions over God’s commandments (Mark 7:8).
- Oral transmission unreliable – Oral teachings are more likely to be distorted or corrupted over time compared to written Scripture.
- New Testament sufficient – The Gospels and epistles contain all that is needed for Christian doctrine.
- No contemporary apostolic authority – Unlike the early church, no one today possesses infallible apostolic authority.
- Interpretive pluralism – Apostolic tradition has been appealed to by diverse, contradictory traditions.
These concerns highlight the importance of interpreting any purported apostolic traditions by the touchstone of Scripture, which contains the unambiguous witness of the apostles in written form. Scripture is thus seen in most Protestant traditions as the supreme and only inerrant apostolic authority for faith and practice.
Conclusion
Apostolic tradition encompasses the originally delivered teachings of the apostles based on their unique relationship to the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. These traditions formed the essential foundation of early Christian doctrine, ethics, liturgy, and church polity. The content of this original tradition was passed on through a variety of means in the early church. While approaches differ, most Christian groups recognize that the example and instruction of the apostles retains authority and relevance for the church today. Efforts to articulate, defend, and apply apostolic tradition continue to profoundly shape theological discussion and ecclesiastical life in global Christianity.