|
See Julie's Questions Here
Answer 1
There are a lot of examples of Apostolic Tradition. The first example
is the form of worship, which is the Liturgy. We read from Justin
Martyr:
“On the day we call the day of the sun, all who dwell in the city
or country gather in the same place. The memoirs of the apostles and
the writings of the prophets are read, as much as time permits. When
the reader has finished, he who presides over those gathered,
admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things. Then
we all rise together and offer prayers for ourselves . . .and for all
others, wherever they may be, so that we may be found righteous by our
life and actions, and faithful to the commandments, so as to obtain
eternal salvation. When the prayers are concluded we exchange the
kiss. Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed
together to him who presides over the brethren. He takes them and
offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the
name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he
gives thanks (in Greek: eucharistian) that we have been judged worthy
of these gifts. When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings,
all present give voice to an acclamation by saying: 'Amen.' When he
who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those
whom we call deacons give to those present the "eucharisted"
bread, wine and water and take them to those who are absent.”
(Apology 1, 65-67)
Nowhere in the NT does it show how the form of worship will be, but
it has been through early Church Fathers that we can know how they
worshipped. This affects the doctrine of the Mass, which is obvious.
Another Apostolic tradition is apostolic succession. Pope Clement
says:
“Our Apostles knew through our Lord Jesus Christ that there would
be strife for the office of bishop. For this reason, therefore, having
received perfect foreknowledge, they appointed those who have already
been mentioned, and afterwards added the further provision that, if
they should die, other approved men should succeed to their ministry.
As for these, then, who were appointed by them, or who were afterwards
appointed by other illustrious men with the consent of the whole
Church, and who have ministered to the flock of Christ without blame,
humbly, peaceably and with dignity, and who have for many years
received the commendations of all, we consider it unjust that they be
removed from the ministry.” (Letter to Corinthians 44,1)
This statement shows what apostolic succession is. It also shows how
apostolic succession went. Another Apostolic Tradition is to follow
Apostolic Tradition.
ST. IRENAEUS OF LYONS (c. 180 AD):
“So forceful are these arguments that no one should henceforth
seek the truth from ANY OTHER SOURCE since it would be simple to get
it from THE CHURCH ....On this account are we bound to avoid them, but
to make choice of the things pertaining to the Church with utmost
diligence, and to lay hold of the TRADITION OF TRUTH ..For how should
it be if the Apostles themselves had not left us writing? Would it be
necessary [in that case] to follow the course of Tradition which they
handed down to those whom they committed the Churches?” (Against the
Heresies 3:4:1)
“Though none others know we the disposition of our salvation,
than those through whom the Gospel came to us, first heralding it,
then by the will of God delivering us the Scriptures, which were to be
the foundation and pillar of our faith. ...But when the heretics use
Scriptures, as if they were wrong and unauthoritative, and we
variable, and the truth could not be extracted from them by those who
were IGNORANT OF TRADITION. And when we challenge them in turn with
that TRADITION, which is FROM THE APOSTLES, which is guarded by the
succession of presbyters in the churches, they oppose themselves to
TRADITION, saying they are wiser, not only than those presbyters but
even than the Apostles! The TRADITION OF THE APOSTLES manifested, on
the contrary, in the whole world, is open in every church to all who
seeks the truth ...And since it is a long matter in a work like this
to enumerate these successions, we will confute them by pointing to
the TRADITION of the greatest and most ancient and universally-known
Church founded and constituted at Rome by the two most glorious
Apostles, Peter and Paul, a TRADITION which she has had and a faith
which she proclaims to all men FROM THOSE APOSTLES.” (Against the
Heresies 3:3:1-3)
Answer 2
I really do not know what Julie means by “differed.” Oral message
is certainly different either by elaboration, or a different message. I
do not believe that it was a different message, however, I do believe
that Paul elaborated more of the teachings when he preached. One example
is the form of worship. One example of writing that shows oral tradition
is by the author of Second Clement, which says, For the Lord said, “You
will be like lambs among wolves,” But Peter replied by saying, “What
if the wolves tear the lambs to pieces?” Jesus said to Peter, “After
death the lambs should not fear the wolves, nor should you fear those
who kill you and can do nothing more to you. But fear him who, when you
are dead, has power over soul and body to cast them into the flames of
hell.” (Second Clement, 5, 2-4).
Also, Dr. Lienhard adds,
“In the period of Apostolic Fathers, it is still the words of
Jesus, rather than any written Gospel, that are authoritative. When
the Apostolic Fathers quote the Scriptures (and not all of them do),
they almost invariably mean the Old Testament. They do not have a New
Testament. But they quote the words of Jesus as authoritative
seventeen times. A few passages will show an important pattern
evolving. In a few cases the Apostolic Fathers quote one of the
Gospels verbatim. Polycarp of Smyrna writes: “ |