Mark 7:8,4-9,13
8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the
traditions of men." 4
When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they
wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of
cups, pitchers and kettles.) 5
So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why
don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders
instead of eating their food with 'unclean' hands?"
6 He replied,
"Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is
written: "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts
are far from me. 7 They
worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' 8 You have
let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of
men." 9
And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside
the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!
13 Thus you
nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And
you do many things like that."
Ephesians 4:11-13
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some
to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
12 to prepare God's
people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
13 until we all
reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and
become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.