Essential Church: The Pillar Of Truth

The Pillar and Ground of the Truth

1Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Paul believed that he would shortly come to visit Timothy in Ephesus, but if he was detained he wanted Timothy to know how to direct himself and the members of the church should behave. He also tells Timothy that the church is the pillar and ground of the truth. Herein lies our second reason why church is essential to the life of the believer.

#2 God has entrusted the church to keep the truth so that others might see.

What does Paul mean by the church being the pillar and ground of the truth? First, we must understand Paul’s use of the word “truth.” Not only did Paul use the word truth in contrast with lying, deceit, and evil, but he also use it synonymously with the content of the faith in the New Testament.

Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Local churches have been given the responsibility to:

1. Proclaim the truth
We consider this in reason #1. It is the great commission Christ gave to the apostles.

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The idea that the church is dead or irrelevant is building momentum daily. Many have been turned off to churches that seem irrelevant or fail to connect with real life. However, the answer to this real problem is not to throw out the Church. We cannot, because this is God’s design. To leave the local church concept is to disobey the command and model of scripture. To privatize or familiarize (house church with just my family) church is unbiblical, not to mention dangerous in that we need the accountability and the encouragement of other brothers and sisters in Christ.

2. Protect the truth

The Church is responsible to protect to the church. We must maintain God’s Word and the interpretation thereof in order that false doctrine does not overtake true Christianity.

2 Corinthians 4:1-6 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

3. Pass the truth.

The church is God’s chosen vehicle to passing on the truth. In this vehicle, people are used to share the message of salvation with others. God could have chosen to proclaim the truth through clouds, chicken eggs, or facebook, but he didn’t. He chose us. What a privilege. The responsibility is to pass it on. If we as a local church fail to pass on the truth, the next generation will never know it.

2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

It is our Biblical mandate to share the truth from one person to the next.

“Pillar”

This word would have painted a vivid picture in the minds of those who lived in Ephesus. The temple of Diana was located there and it showcased 127 beautiful pillars. The idea is that the local church is there to uphold the truth so that the entire world can see the truth. Remember Samson and how he pushed over the pillars and the entire building collapse on top of the Phiistines (Judges 16:29). This is an example of the how essential the pillar and ground is. The definition of the word “ground” in this context is uncertain, but is believed to be synonymous with the word “pillar.” God has entrusted the local assembly of believers with the truth.

If the world is ever to know Christ (Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.), if Christians are ever to be like Christ (John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy word: they word is truth.), there must be a church proclaiming the truth. The Church is the pillar and ground of the truth.