Thanks for the opportunity Mike, you just might be right.
This is all that I can find in the NT KJV with the word “religion” 6 in all.
Acts 13:
42: And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
43: Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
44: And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
45: But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Now it doesn’t say that the religious where contradicting and blaspheming, but it is obvious that it was the Jews’ religion that was used to do so. Nor is religion shown in a good light in the Bible mind you.
Act:26
4: My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;
5: Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6: And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
7: Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
Note that in the context of religion by which Paul excelled, he is accused. Once again, nor is religion shown in a good light in the Bible mind you.
10: For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
11: But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12: For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13: For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
14: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
15: But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
16: To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Note that in verse 11 “that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.” religion is of men.
Also that he says “Jews’ religion” and never mentions the Gospel as a religion it seems to me he separates the two. As a matter of fact, could some one show me where it says that the Gospel is a religion. And once again religion is not shown in a good light, in the Bible mind you.
Jms:1:26: If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
Jms:1:27: Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Nor does it say here that the Gospel is a religion. If you really look at it, it is very possible that unless you are a Mother Teresa who toke a vow of abject poverty and toke no pleasure of things for herself, it might be wise to not go there. I would rather be one that does not turn away the needy and not proclaim myself as righteous for it. I believe one would be in better standing with God and men. For there is warring in verse 26.
Also there are organizations who help the afflicted that are not a religion and some of them do upright work. And they have no need of religion to accomplish that.
I apologize if I seem to be coming across on the stern side. But I am dealing with this up front an personal at this time.
This is all that I can find in the NT KJV with the word “tradition” 13 in all.
Mt:15:2: Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
Mt:15:3: But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
Mt:15:6: And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
Mk:7:3: For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
Mk:7:5: Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
Mk:7:8: For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
Mk:7:9: And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Mk:7:13: Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Gal:1:14: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Col:2:8: Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
1Pt:1:18: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
Lets see here, 11 of 13 verses do not show tradition in a good light, interesting. If one would notice, most of the 11 make reference to tradition getting in the way of the message of Truth. Imagine that, oh no you don’t have to, there it is in scripture.
2Thes:2:
13: But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15: Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16: Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17: Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
Now to what tradition is referred to here? Could it be “stand fast”? In what? Could it be “salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”?
2Thes:3:
6: Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
7: For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
8: Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
9: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
10: For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11: For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12: Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
13: But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
14: And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15: Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
16: Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
17: The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
18: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Now what tradition could be referred to here?
“Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:” and in verse 12 that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
It is common knowledge that Paul worked in different trades to maintain himself and not be a burden to the ministry. I wonder if that was what he was getting at. I mean feed yourself and proved yourself as in trusting that the Lord give you of your needs.
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The Lord my God is my justification, not religion, He says I live, therefore I Live by His Word, my Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Tho to kneel before God in honor, respect, and humiliation for the Love of God is good. The Lord will never turn away ones Love for Him. but the Lord Jesus does not seek those who bow to a religion, He seeks those who would stand by Him, as He stands by us in Spirit, and in Truth.
