What the Bible says about Ordinances
(From Forerunner Commentary)

2 Chronicles 2:4 Some have thought that II Chronicles 2:4 proclaims that the new moons are to be an ordinance forever, similar to the weekly Sabbath and annual holy days. But the context reveals that this verse provides no such authority. Solomon, writing to Huram (Hiram), the king of Tyre (verse 3), was explaining what he (Solomon) was doing and why Huram should deal with him in the same way he dealt with David, his father. It was not a general proclamation to Israel; Solomon is stating his intentions in the dedication of the Temple. It is Solomon who, in verse 4, declares this to be "forever to Israel." God was not making this proclamation, as He did Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy; the spokesman was "merely" a king, and there is no indication that God either inspired his statement or, on the other hand, condemned it. But Solomon's statement must be seen in the context of a letter about the Temple dedication: He is declaring that the things that were formerly carried out at the wilderness Tabernacle were now to be performed at the Temple. An interlinear Bible reveals that the phrase "is an ordinance" is not in the original Hebrew (this is also italicized in the NKJV to show that the phrase was added). So the last part of the verse literally reads, "This forever to Israel," and, again, these were Solomon's words to Huram, and thus did not have the weight of when God declares something to be "perpetual" or "everlasting." This verse does not add to what was already established by God in Numbers 29:6 regarding the new moons (which only gives instructions about the animal sacrifices, which do not have a literal place under the New Covenant). For more information, see the article entitled The New Moons. David C. Grabbe Related Topics: Animal Sacrifices | New Moon | New Moons | Ordinance | Ordinances | Solomon

2 Thessalonians 2:15 Tradition is broader than some admit. A note from a study Bible contains a bit of useful information regarding this word: Traditions refers to more than customs. In view here is the totality of the apostolic doctrine as it was given to them—all of the teachings, not just what we would think of being the foundational teachings that appear in Hebrews the sixth chapter or things directly pertaining to the great goal in life that gives us the vision of being born in the kingdom of God. The writer understands that word applies to the whole revelation given through the apostles. "Traditions" reach out to include policies and practices or procedures that the Bible does not specifically speak to. The apostle has the authority to establish them while he is God's apostle. Notice an application in I Corinthians 11:2. Corinth was a badly divided congregation, at least internally; church members there had all kinds of different ideas. In I Corinthians 1:10, the phrase about being "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" has to do with the way we see things, with our perspective. He is saying that we should not be divided even in our perspectives. I Corinthians 11:2 reads, Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. Ordinances is the same word that is translated "traditions" in II Thessalonians 2:15 and II Thessalonians 3:6. Here, the translators have rendered it "ordinances," as if it referred to law. However, consider the issue in I Corinthians 11: the way—the manner—in which Christians should keep the Passover, the procedures that were to be followed. He instructs them to eat at home first before coming to the service. The passage deals with what we would call church-service procedures. "Traditions" includes these matters. John W. Ritenbaugh Unity (Part 5): Ephesians 4 (B) Related Topics: Apostle | Apostle, Authority of | Apostle, Function of | Christian Unity | Customs of Men | God's Traditions | Ordinances | Tradition | Tradition as Doctrine | Tradition as Ordinances

 

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