[metmom]

In the Second Letter to the Thessalonians, St. Paul is just as explicit: “So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter” (2:15). Either by word of mouth or letter.

Just what are those traditions Paul was referring to that he handed down that we are to keep that were not included in Scripture?

How do you know?

How do you know they’re from the apostles, Paul in particular?

How do you know they’ve been passed down faithfully?

What is your source for verifying all of the above?

Please provide the sources for verification purposes.

[Salvation]

It is only when we embrace Scripture and Sacred Tradition that we have the complete Word of God. And as Jesus once said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).

[NKP_Vet]

“Please provide the sources for verification purposes”

“St. Paul does not list the books that comprise Scripture. He does say that all Scripture is inspired and useful, so that he who belongs to God will be fully equipped and made complete for every good work. He does not say “Scripture alone,” and those who read that into the text are doing so based on their own tradition.

Aside from Tradition, there is no proof that St. Peter actually wrote two epistles. We simply don’t have the originals, so we are relying on the traditionally accepted authorship of St. Peter. Yes, it begins with the phrase, “Simon Peter, the servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,” but that phrase alone does not prove apostolic authorship. So when someone says that he accepts the Pauline epistles on the same basis as St. Peter, it is obvious he is relying on Tradition, as St. Peter’s second epistle does not give explicit reasons for their acceptance, does not limit Scripture to the Pauline epistles, and does not tell us the epistles considered inspired by the Prince of the Apostles.