"But we have to give thanks for you, at all times, dear brothers and sisters in the LORD. For GOD chose you, from the beginning, to be saved, through true faith, and to be made holy by the Spirit. To this end HE called you, through the gospel we preach, for HE willed you, to share the glory of CHRIST JESUS, our LORD.
Because of that, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions that we taught you, by word or by letter. May CHRIST JESUS, our LORD, who has loved us, may GOD our FATHER, who, in HIS mercy, gives us everlasting comfort and true hope, strengthen you. May HE encourage your hearts and make you steadfast in every good work and word." - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
(Note the word traditions used by Paul. The traditions are the customs, rites and teachings that people pass down from one generation to another. They are also the usages and lifestyles which are adopted upon joining a community. JESUS condemned the exaggerated importance of the Pharisees gave to their own traditions, to the point that they prevailed over GOD's commandments [see Mark 7:5]. Yet JESUS HIMSELF, while HE was with HIS apostles, taught them a certain way of praying, of doing, and of living in fellowship. It is in this sense that Paul here speaks of traditions.)
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