'Do this in remembrance of me' #3: Lost in Transmission?

In this particular writing series 'Do this in remembrance of me,' I have covered two issues.  The first one was underlining that the first churches were small gatherings around a meal.  They were in homes and each person was able to share on equal footing.  The second was about how Jesus instructed the Apostles to 'do this...' at the Last Supper.  What's missing in this exploration is evidence for the Apostles, having taken Jesus' words to 'do this...' on board, and then passing this practice on to other believers.

Jesus Passed on the pattern from the Last Supper as Paul tells us:

 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. (underlining and italics mine)

Also see 1 Cor 11:23 Paul 'delivers' ... the same derivative term.  Here Paul tells us what he is referring to... The Last Supper!

'Paradosis'

Paul had followed Christ's command in the subject matter (The Lord's full meal practice) and now the Corinthians were to follow Paul.  Follow what?  This is specifically the word translated as 'ordinances.'  The Greek word here is 'paradosis' and it means 'passed on or transmitted precept / pattern / tradition.'  For clarity over this you don't need a greek expert... just download esword and use the feature that allows Greek words to be translated from Strongs Concordance. So we are clear:

G3862

παράδοσις

paradosis

par-ad'-os-is

From G3860; transmission, that is, (concretely) a precept; specifically the Jewish traditionary law: - ordinance, tradition.

Traditions and precepts are things we do

So Paul 'paradosis-ed' ... transmitted or passed on something... he had received from the Lord.  I have no doubt that Paul passed on moral and ethical example and lived as a role model for the Christ life.  However the 'following Paul' (as he follows Christ) here is to do with the subject matter as traditions /precepts are things we do, not things we are.  This refers to the passing on of the specific way to meet as ekklesia.  Jesus passed it on to the Apostles and they passed it on to everyone else.  

Other instructions about 'paradosis'

Paul said certain things about the passing on of a way to meet as believers remembering Christ (church).  

2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

'Traditions' is 'Paradosis.'  The text here says 'Therefore.'  It would be good to note the things said in all of chapter 2 as it is clearly stated by Paul that keeping to the practices for believers will help when the Antichrist comes and powerful delusions / signs will be outworked to deceive believers.

2 Thessalonians 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.

Again, a strong command from Paul to not be associated with those who 'walk disorderly' over the paradosis! Again check the greek with esword as this rendering is exactly what the King James says it is!  So if you are aware of the way to meet, yet choose to not meet that way... not a good idea according to Paul.

Conclusion

Do a thorough study on 'paradosis,' as with all my writing don't just take it from me.  We can see that an actual way to gather and meet was passed on and the key word to look for is 'paradosis' and its derivatives. When we see verses like this one:

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

It appears that Luke records believers carried on doing what the Apostles did.  'Breaking of Bread is a Jewish idiom for eating together.  Read the rest and see what happens.  

Gary Ward