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Nave's Topical Bible Entries

TRADITION

  • The decisions and minor precepts taught by Paul: 1CO 11:2 (R.V.), 2TH 2:15, 3:6
  • Commandments of men: MAT 12:1-8, 15:2-6, MRK 7:3-9, LUK 6:1-11, COL 2:8, 1PE 1:18
  • Not authoritative: MAT 15:3-20, 1TI 1:4, 4:7

Observations for This Study

Paul uses "tradition" (paradosis, G3862) in two ways: 1. POSITIVELY for apostolic tradition he delivers: 1 Cor 11:2 ("hold the traditions I delivered"), 2 Th 2:15 ("hold the traditions ye have been taught"), 2 Th 3:6 ("the tradition which he received of us") 2. NEGATIVELY for human tradition: Col 2:8 ("tradition of men"), Gal 1:14 ("traditions of my fathers")

Jesus uses "tradition" only negatively: Matt 15:2-6, Mark 7:3-9 (Pharisaic tradition of the elders)

GOSPEL

Called: - GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM: MAT 4:23, 24:14 - GOSPEL OF GOD: ROM 1:1, 15:16, 1TH 2:8, 1TI 1:11, 1PE 4:17 - GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST: MRK 1:1 - GOSPEL OF CHRIST: ROM 1:16, 1CO 9:12,18, GAL 1:7, PHP 1:27, 1TH 3:2 - THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD: EPH 3:2 - THE GRACE OF GOD: ACT 20:24 - GOSPEL OF SALVATION: EPH 1:13 - GOSPEL OF PEACE: EPH 6:15 - THE KINGDOM OF GOD: LUK 16:16 - GLORIOUS GOSPEL OF CHRIST: 2CO 4:4 - PREACHING OF JESUS CHRIST: ROM 16:25 - MYSTERY OF CHRIST: EPH 3:4 - MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL: EPH 6:19 - WORD OF GOD: 1TH 2:13 - WORD OF CHRIST: COL 3:16 - WORD OF SALVATION: ACT 13:26 - WORD OF RECONCILIATION: 2CO 5:19 - WORD OF TRUTH: 2CO 6:7, EPH 1:13 - WORD OF FAITH: ROM 10:8 - WORD OF LIFE: PHP 2:16 - MINISTRATION OF THE SPIRIT: 2CO 3:8 - DOCTRINE ACCORDING TO GODLINESS: 1TI 6:3 - FORM OF SOUND WORDS: 2TI 1:13

Compared to: mustard seed, good seed, leaven, pearl, treasure, householder, feast

Observations for This Study

The GOSPEL has multiple designations. Paul calls it "my gospel" (Rom 2:16, 16:25, 2 Tim 2:8) and "the gospel which was preached of me" (Gal 1:11). The multiple names suggest a single message with different aspects: "gospel of God" (source), "gospel of Christ" (subject), "gospel of salvation" (effect), "preaching of Jesus Christ" (method), "mystery of Christ" (formerly hidden content).

EUCHARIST (THE LORD'S SUPPER)

General scriptures concerning: MAT 26:17-30, MRK 14:22-24, LUK 13:26, 22:19,20, JHN 13:1-4, ACT 2:42,46,47, 20:7, 1CO 10:16,17,21,22, 11:20-34

Observations for This Study

The Lord's Supper appears in all three Synoptic Gospels AND in Paul (1 Cor 11:23-26). Paul's account includes details not in any Gospel (e.g., "this do in remembrance of me" after the cup, "ye do shew the Lord's death till he come"). Paul says he "received of the Lord" this tradition (1 Cor 11:23).

APOSTLES

  • Title distinguishing the twelve disciples: LUK 6:13
  • Selection: MAT 4:18-22, 9:9-10, 10:2-4, MRK 3:13-19, LUK 6:13-16, JHN 1:43
  • Commission: MAT 10, 28:19-20, MRK 3:14-15, 6:7-11, 16:15, LUK 9:1-5, 22:28-30, JHN 20:23, 21:15-19, ACT 1-2, 10:42
  • Inspiration: MAT 10:27, 16:17-19, LUK 24:45, ACT 1:2, 13:9
  • Duties (witness): LUK 24:48, JHN 15:27, ACT 1:8,21-22, 2:32, 3:15, 4:33, 5:32, 10:39-41, 13:31, 2PE 1:16,18, 1JN 1:1-3
  • FALSE: 2CO 11:13, REV 2:2

Observations for This Study

Paul's apostolic status is distinct: he was not one of the Twelve (Acts 1:21-22 requires witness from baptism to ascension). Paul claims apostleship "not of men, neither by man" (Gal 1:1) and asks "have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?" (1 Cor 9:1). The apostles' duties include being witnesses of "what thou hast seen and heard" (Acts 22:15).

PAUL

Key biographical data relevant to this study: - Educated at Jerusalem in the school of Gamaliel: ACT 22:3, 26:4 - A zealous Pharisee: ACT 22:3, 23:6, 26:5, 2CO 11:22, GAL 1:14, PHP 3:5 - Conversion and vision: ACT 9:3-22, 22:4-19, 26:9-15, 1CO 9:1, 15:8, GAL 1:13, 1TI 1:12-13 - Called to be an apostle: ACT 22:14-21, 26:16-18, ROM 1:1, 1CO 1:1, 9:1-2, 15:9, GAL 1:1,15-16, EPH 1:1 - Preaches in Damascus first: ACT 9:20,22 - Escapes Damascus, goes to Jerusalem: ACT 9:25-26, GAL 1:18-19 - Visits Peter for 15 days: GAL 1:18 - Sent to the Gentiles: ACT 13:2-3,47-48, 22:17-21, ROM 11:13, 15:16, GAL 1:15-24 - Caught up to third heaven: 2CO 12:1-4

Observations for This Study

Paul's biography shows both direct revelation (Damascus road, 2 Cor 12:1-4) and contact with the apostles (15 days with Peter, Gal 1:18; later visit with James, Cephas, John, Gal 2:1-10). These are not mutually exclusive.

REVELATION

  • God reveals himself to Moses: EXO 3:1-6,14, 6:1-3
  • The law is revealed: EXO 20-35
  • Pattern of the temple is revealed: 1CH 28:11-19
  • The sonship of Jesus is revealed: MAT 3:17, 16:17, 17:5
  • See INSPIRATION, PROPHECY, PROPHET, WORD OF GOD

Observations for This Study

Paul claims his gospel came "by the revelation (apokalypsis) of Jesus Christ" (Gal 1:12). He also went to Jerusalem "by revelation" (Gal 2:2). The concept of revelation in Scripture includes both direct divine communication and the illumination of the meaning of events/traditions already known.

PREACHING

  • Solomon called "the preacher" (Koheleth): ECC 1:1,12
  • Christ crucified and risen, the burden of Paul's: ACT 17:3
  • Effective by Peter: ACT 2:14-41; by Philip: ACT 8:5-12; by Paul: ACT 9:20, 13:16-43
  • Unclassified scriptures: 1CO 1:17-18,21,23,27-29, 2:1-8,12-13, 2CO 2:14-16, 1TH 1:5, 2:3-12

Observations for This Study

Paul's preaching content: "Christ crucified and risen" (Acts 17:3) -- the same content as the tradition he "received" and "delivered" (1 Cor 15:3-5). His preaching is kerygma (G2782, proclamation): Rom 16:25, 1 Cor 1:21, 2:4, 15:14.