Oral Tradition
Luke 1:1-4 : 1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a narration of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 According as they have delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word: 3 It seemed good to me also, having diligently attained to all things from the beginning, to write to thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 4 That thou mayest know the verity of those words in which thou hast been instructed.
St. Luke, in order to write the Gospel relied on oral reports from eyewitnesses and ministers of the word.
John 21:25 : But there are also many other things which Jesus did which, if they were written every one, the world itself. I think, would not be able to contain the books that should be written.
The Gospel of St. John tells us that not everything Jesus did was written down, only a small portion of what Jesus did was recorded in what we know today as the New Testament of the Bible.
Acts 2:42 : And they were persevering in the doctrine of the apostles and in the communication of the breaking of bread and in prayers.
People persevered in obedience to the teaching of the Apostles, this shows us that they knew that the teaching of the Apostles came from Christ: "He who hears you hears me".
Acts 8:40 : But Philip was found in Azotus: and passing through, he preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
The gospel was preached to the people.
Acts 15:27 : We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also will, by word of mouth, tell you the same things.
Romans 10:14 : How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? Or how shall they believe him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
The Word of God nees to be preached and heard.
1 Corinthians 11:2 : Now I praise you, brethren, that in all things you are mindful of me and keep my ordinances as I have delivered them to you.
NASB: Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 : (2:14) Therefore, brethren, stand fast: and hold the traditions, which you have learned, whether by word or by our epistle.
The NASB, a Protestant translation of the Bible, translates this verse by "word of mouth" :
NASB: So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 : And we charge you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the tradition which they have received of us.
1 Timothy 6:20 : O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding the profane novelties of words and oppositions of knowledge falsely so called.
2 John 1:12 : Having more things to write unto you, I would not by paper and ink: for I hope that I shall be with you and speak face to face, that your joy may be full.
We see here that the author preferred speaking with people face to face, rather using the written form.
3 John 1:13-14 : I had many things to write unto thee: but I would not by ink and pen write to thee. But I hope speedily to see thee: and we will speak mouth to mouth. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.
Oral communication was preferred to letters.
Jude 1:17 : But you, my dearly beloved, be mindful of the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:
The above list of quotes of the Sacred Scripture is by no means exhaustive. I have selected only the texts that I believe are so obvious.
Unless otherwise indicated, all biblical texts are quoted from the Douay-Rheims Bible.
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