“Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” Jeremiah 6:16
At a recent OLS graduation, a brother approached me with sincerity. He suggested that the Pope is after the order of the Apostle Peter and encouraged me to be open-minded about the instruction. His words were offered in earnest, but they raised an important and necessary question: what does it truly mean to follow in the footsteps of Peter?
If the Pope were indeed following Peter’s example, he would not permit men to bow before him. In Acts 10:26, when Cornelius fell at Peter’s feet in reverence, Peter immediately lifted him up and said, “Stand up; I too am only a man.” That simple act of humility speaks volumes. The true successors of the apostles do not seek honour or veneration from men—they point all glory to Christ alone.
Jesus often challenged the religious authorities of His time for allowing human tradition to overshadow the commandments of God. He spoke directly to the Pharisees in Mark 7:6–9, saying, “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.” The Pharisees had developed an elaborate set of oral laws—rules not found in the scripture—which they imposed on the people as if they were divine. These traditions, though appearing pious, became burdensome and distracted the people from the true heart of God’s law. They promoted outward religion without inward transformation.
The danger is no less present today. When religious leaders assume grand titles, accept the reverence of men, or introduce practices not grounded in the scripture, they risk leading the church down the same path the Pharisees once walked. The simplicity and purity of the Gospel are easily lost when human authority and tradition replace the authority of Christ and His Word. The Apostle Paul issues a timely warning in Colossians 2:8: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” That warning rings loud and clear today, calling every believer to remain rooted in Christ, discerning and watchful against teachings that may seem wise or ancient but lack biblical foundation.
The model of true Christian leadership was demonstrated by Christ Himself. He did not come to be served, but to serve. In Matthew 23:11–12, He declared, “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” The apostles followed this pattern. They led with humility, endured hardship, and consistently pointed others to Christ, never to themselves. They carried no thrones, received no worship, and wore no crowns.
The traditions of the Pharisees remain a solemn reminder of how easily worship can be corrupted by human invention. As believers, we must be diligent to examine every teaching and every tradition against the infallible Word of God. Our faith must not rest in religious systems, institutions, or men, but in Jesus Christ alone. Let us strive to walk in the humility of Peter, the servant-heartedness of Christ, and the discernment to distinguish between what is truly of God and what is merely of man. In doing so, our worship will remain pure, our hearts anchored in truth, and our eyes fixed on the One who alone is worthy.
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk