What ever God does is perfect! In God's eyes, to add to His perfection, or to subtract from it, is looked upon as creating our own "tradition." The word "tradition," or "paradosis," is actually Latin in origin and comes from the root word, "paradidomi," which can mean "betray, deliver up, give over to, or yield up." We get our modern word "traitor" from this same word and interestingly enough, it's numerical value adds up to "666!" You can read more about that in our booklet, "Postponements, Another Mystery of God."

We are surrounded in this world with religions that practice syncretism through their "traditional" laws. We can see an example of that when looking at the largest member church in the world. When the reformer Martin Luther began challenging the Catholic church about their spiritual authority for it's many of its practices, a council was convened by the church in 1546. In that meeting it was declared that tradition should be regarded as divine authority and on equal basis with the scriptures. The Catholic Dictionary, page 41-42 says: "It is an article of faith from a decree of the Vatican council that tradition is a source of theological teaching distinct from Scripture, and that it is infallible. It is therefore to be received with the same internal assent of scripture, for it is The word of God." The Catholic Catechism for adults, page 11 says: "Do you have to believe in tradition? Yes, because it is the word of God and has equal authority with the Bible." Thus every Catholic today is duty bound to accept traditions as equal authority with the Bible!

In the three verses, where the term "tradition" is used favorably, it is evident that the Apostle Paul was talking about something which he and other inspired individuals had taught. Let's look at 1 Cor. 11:2, where we see Paul first using the term tradition in a positive light. "Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances [traditions, principles; and instructions], as I delivered them to you." Here, the word traditions literally means, principles and instructions given to you from God's written word. The idea of being handed down orally from one generation to another, is not in this meaning.

The other two positive examples are found in 2 Thessalonians. "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions [things already delivered] which you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle" (2 Thess. 2: 15). That is the boundary we are to stay within. The third example says, "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us" (2 Thess. 3:6).

There was a time, we are told in Galatians 1, that Paul was very diligent in following the traditions of his fathers [meaning Judaism]. "For you have heard of my conduct in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the Church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the Traditions of my fathers" (Gal. 1:13-14). Paul's eagerness to persecute God's church exceeded that of other Jews at that time. It was an obsession with him just as the preaching of the gospel later became! He was not satisfied with just persecuting God's church, he was out to destroy it. "As for Saul,[Paul] he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling [dragging] men and women committed them to prison" (Acts 8:3).

When Paul learned the truth he denounced the Jew's traditions and turned to keeping God's word. "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus" (Gal.1:15-17). Notice what Paul said about this new "gospel," "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Gal.1:11-12). Paul also warned in the strongest possible language against any traditions that man might add. "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed" (Gal.1:8-9).

Who was Paul speaking about ? Did Paul have a particular group in mind? Christ makes reference to this same problem and group, "Then Jesus said unto them, take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, it is because we have taken no bread. Which when Jesus perceived, He said unto them, O you of little faith, why reason you among yourselves, because you have brought no bread? Do you not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up? How is it that you do not understand that I spoke it not to you concerning bread, that you should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine [traditions] of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees"(Matt. 16: 6-12).

In the book of Matthew we read of Christ and His disciples plucking ears of corn to eat on the Sabbath day. "At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the corn; and His disciples were an hungry, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto Him, behold, Your disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the Sabbath day. But He said unto them, have you not read what David did, when he was an hungry, and they that were with him; how he entered into the house of God, and did eat the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the law, how that on the Sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, that in this place is one greater than the Temple. But if you had known what this means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day" (Matt. 12:1-8).

According to the Pharisee's traditions, this was looked upon as reaping or work and this was a violation of their law. Jesus answered their objection by calling their attention to four principles. First was what David did in verses 3-4, eating the show-bread. Jesus answered the Pharisee's complaint by reminding them of an incident in the life of David, a much revered patriarch and former great king of Israel. David and his men while in exile, were given twelve loaves of bread which were forbidden as food to any one but the priest according to their law. But God never found fault with David and his men for eating the bread. Why not? The reason is that God's law never intended to inflict hardship on his faithful people. You can read this story in chapter 21 of 1st Samuel. The second principle we find in verse 5, "Or have you not read in the law, how that on the Sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless?" Jesus reminded the Pharisees of how the priest profaned [worked] on the Sabbath killing and sacrificing animals and by performing many other servile duties, yet God considered them blameless because they where engaged in the service of God. Principal number 3, "But I say unto you, that in this place is "one" greater than the temple. For the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day." The italicized word "one"in verse 6, would read more accurately using the word "something." "Something"greater refers to the spirit of true worship. Verse 8, needs no interpretation, because Christ had instituted the law, in the first place and therefore He was the One most qualified to interpret its true meaning. The fourth and last principle, is in verse 7. "But if you had known what this means, ‘I will have mercy, and not sacrifice', you would not have condemned the guiltless." The Pharisees had never understood the heart of God. "I desire mercy and not sacrifice" (Hosea 6:6). God's law of mercy was practiced on those who obeyed and served Him with a right heart.

Let's look at another test case. We might ask, "is it alright to ask for healing on the Sabbath?" We can read Christ's opinion in the book of Mark. "And He entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they watched Him, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath day; that they might accuse Him. And He saith unto the man which had the withered hand, ‘stand forth.' And He saith unto them, [the Pharisees] ‘is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath days, or to do evil? To save life, or to kill?' But they held their peace. And when he had looked round about on them with anger" (Mark 3:1-4). Jesus Christ knew, according to Judaism's "traditions," healing was a type of "work" and was therefore wrong to do on the Sabbath. Continuing in verse 5, "Being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, He saith unto the man, ‘stretch forth thine hand.' And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other." It seems strange that the Pharisees never stopped to think, that seeing such miraculous healing was of such an unusual nature that anyone who had that power should be revered, and not condemned. Stories like these bring our attention to the Pharisee's hypocrisy and insincerity! They thought it was wrong for Jesus Christ to perform that miracle of healing on the Sabbath, but not wrong for them to plan His murder and destruction on the Sabbath!

We can read of another example of healing in the book of Luke. "And He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him, and said unto her, ‘woman, you art loosed from your infirmity.' And He laid His hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day, and said unto the people, ‘there are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.' The Lord then answered him, and said, ‘you hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed From this bond on the Sabbath day?' And when He had said these things, all His adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him" (Luke 13:10-17). Verse 15, showed that Christ reproved the Pharisees and the other Jewish leader's hypocrisy! He reminded them that they don't hesitate to loose a dumb animal such as an ox or donkey from its pen on the Sabbath in order to let them drink water. Christ was pointing out to them that man is of more value than an animal and that they apparently had done nothing for this suffering woman during the 18 years of her infirmity.

Mark again shows us the Pharisees and the Scribes system of rigidly enforced traditions, when they criticized Christ and the disciples for not washing their hands before eating. "Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashed, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands often, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, ‘why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?'" (Mark 7:1-5).

Jesus Christ quickly pointed out the craziness of such behavior. "He answered and said unto them, well has Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, this people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other

People today become offended when God's truth does not agree with their traditional beliefs! The same result occurred back when Christ walked with His disciples. We can read where Christ's disciples brought word to Him that the Pharisees were offended by His denunciation of them. "Then came His disciples, and said unto Him, ‘know you that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?' But He answered and said, ‘every plant, which My heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch'" (Matt. 15:12-14). Christ is saying that these Pharisees profess to be authorities in spiritual matters, but are blind to the truth and spiritual realities just as the people they were leading.

We witness this same dilemma going on today. Only God can remove people's blindness of the "postponement" rules found in the traditional Jewish Hebrew Calendar. There have been dozens of impressive articles written in an effort to substantiate Satan's deeply rooted postponement traditions, that have infiltrated God's church. The majority have had the backing of substantial resources, such as, money, time and Ambassador College student ministers, and especially their peer supporters.

Satan found a weakness in the church and has taken advantage of that weakness. I don't know if you have noticed in your studies into the Jewish Hebrew Calendar issue, that most baptized members of the church of God, have never questioned why the Hebrew Calendar they follow call their postponed festivals "Holidays" and not "Holy Days." This should be a clue as to who's calendar the churches of God are keeping. Another clue is why don't the churches of God keep all 13 postponed Hebrew Calendar holidays? Since they so strongly support Hillel II's calendar and say the Jews have the authority to postpone God's annual Sabbath for a

I ask again, can we God's "called out ones," compromise with God's Word and include Jewish traditions into our faith (syncretism)? The Bible shows clearly that Jesus Christ condemned such practices. The Apostle Peter, one of the forty or so writers of the Bible, was inspired to write, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:20-21).

There is a ton of evidence to prove that the Jewish Hebrew Calendar is of a private interpretation and it came through a practicing Pharisee, named Hillel II, 359 years after Christ died! "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (Rev. 3:13). Something all should recognize is Hillel II, never accepted Christ as his Messiah, therefore, he never received God's Holy Spirit. So why would we keep Judaism's holiday dates for God's Holy Day dates, that are His appointed times?

Let's look now at another word used in the Bible for those who deny that Jesus is the Christ: "Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son" (1 John 2:22). We are told by Christ, "I and My Father are one" (John 10:30); meaning of one mind and thought. Christ said to the anti-Christ, practicing Jews and Pharisees of His day, "You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it" (John 8:44).

The meaning of "anti- Christ" in Greek is: 1. "Against the Messiah;" 2. "The adversary of the Messiah;" 3. "The opponent of the Messiah." That is Strong's word # 500. Another verse the Churches of God, know well, is what Paul told Titus when he was commissioned to ordain elders on the island of Crete. "This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth" (Titus 1:13-14). Chapter 2 and verse1 says, "But speak you the things which become sound doctrine." Postponing God's Holy Days is not teaching God's sound doctrine!

In the book of 1 John we are told, "Little children, it is the last time [last hour]: and as you have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many anti- Christs; whereby we know that it is the last time" (1 John 2:18). It is remarkable that the last hours, in which we are now living, is characterized by the existence of many of God's called out ones, denying God's annual appointed times, or Holy Days!

The last verse we will look at on antichrist is "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world" (1 John4:3). It should be clear, the antichrist are identified as those who are opposed to Christ and His teachings. Hillel's Jewish Hebrew calendar replaced God's word, the Bible, as instructions on when and which days are set aside for God's annual Holy Days. Hillel II added the postponement rules and intercalated wrong day for the new moon.

Christ told the Jews, "I am come in My Father's name, and you receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you, even Moses, in whom you trust. For had you believed Moses, you would have believed Me: for he wrote of Me. But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe My words? (John 5:43-47).

When reading the message to the Philadelphia church in Revelation 3, we find Christ tells them, "I know your works: behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it; for you have a little strength, And have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Behold I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not [Who are these people? Those that follow the traditions of Judaism?] but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept the word of My patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly; hold that fast which you have, that no man take your crown" (Rev. 3:8-11).