Should the "early church" of the immediate post-apostolic era be our guide and instructor in matters of doctrine? Many would say, "Yes.", since they were so close to the Apostle's time. And common sense would seem to indicate that to be the logical answer. But, that may not be as logical as it sounds if we consult the scripture in these matters.
Paul was expecting apostasy in the immediate future before the close of his ministry. Speaking to the Ephesian Elders, Paul said, "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." (Acts 20:29,30) Notice that Paul expected apostasy to arise among the very leaders of this church! No doubt many of these men had even been discipled by the Apostle, yet they would turn apostate! No doubt that their "apostolic connection" would only further the force of their false teachings.
At the end of his life, Paul noted that many had turned away from him. In II Timothy 1:15, Paul sadly noted, "This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes." May I suggest that this turning away from Paul wasn't just personal, it also represented a departure from his teachings?
Having read a fair amount of early church material, it seems fair to me to suggest that this trend continued after the Apostle's death. The early church writers just did not seem to grasp Pauline doctrine very well. Indeed, Paul was very pessimistic concerning the days that lay ahead. "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears." (II Timothy 4:2,3) It seems that Paul did not have high hopes for the "successors" of the Apostles and the doctrines that they would proclaim!
The Church simply cannot have a faith founded on the traditions of men. Jesus warned the Pharisees of his day against taking man made traditions as their guide in spiritual matters. The Pharisees had erred greatly in looking to centuries of Rabbinic writings as their source of authority. In Mark 7, Jesus upbraided the religious leaders of his day for their overthrowing of scripture in favor of Rabbinic tradition. "He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth 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, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." (Mark 7:6-9) Sadly, the Christian Church has failed to heed her Master's warnings. Throughout the history of the Church, there has been an accretion of man made doctrines and practices that in many cases prove toxic to the souls of men.
The Church must get back to the New Testament. And specifically, to those New Testament books especially addressed to the body of Christ. There is contained the traditions handed down by Christ himself to his hand-picked, chosen representatives. Paul urged the Thessalonian believers to hold to those traditions received directly from the Apostle himself. "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle." (II Thessalonians 2:15) Note that the traditions to be stood on were those that were received from Paul's writing and teaching. Indeed, Paul identified his Apostolic teaching as commandments having come from the Lord himself. "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." (I Corinthians 14:37) Having been written under divine inspiration, by God's appointed representatives, Scripture is fully sufficient to be the sole source of our appeal in establishing doctrine for the body of Christ. Paul directed Timothy to the scriptures as that source alone sufficient for teaching authority. "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (II Timothy 3:15-17) Certainly, we can build our faith on nought but God's Holy Word. Nothing else will suffice.
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