Pillar of the Truth   1 Timothy 3:15

This post concerns the phrase pillar… of the truth.

Pillar of the truth seeks to clarify the meaning of this phrase found in 1 Timothy 3:15, “…if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God…the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”

The Catholic church claims that this verse means that the church puts forth truth. So, whatever the Catholic church issues as an ordinance or rule becomes absolute truth.

Let’s examine this claim carefully.

Scholars define the Bible term pillar as a column supporting the weight of a building. Nothing in the word indicates legislation that issues truth.

Likewise, scholars define buttress as a support, bulwark, or stay. These two words say that the church maintains the truth, but does not issue it. That is, the church stands behind or supports truth already issued.

So, what does the Bible say about pillar of the truth and the source of truth?

Jesus defined truth, John 17:17. “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” This fits with what Jesus said, John 14:6. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” Thus, the church that came into existence in Acts 2 became the pillar and bulwark of that which Jesus spoke, the truth.

How did the church come into existence? Acts 2 describes the Holy Spirit falling on the twelve. Then Peter spoke. He related this appearance of the Holy Spirit to words spoken by the prophet Joel.

Next, he spoke of Jesus, proven by God to be Deity by miracles, as the one they had crucified but God resurrected. He finished by describing Jesus, the source of truth, Acts 2:36. “…God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

At that point those believing in Jesus asked Peter what to do about their sins. Peter said, Acts 2:38. “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…”

This resulted in the church which protected and preached this truth for its growth.

So, what did we learn?

1.The church protects the truth but did not originate it.

2.The truth originated with Jesus, not the church.

For more on the Bible, click tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com

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