In Paul’s first letter to young Timothy he labels the church as “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). This language paints an image of the church that must be understood. Truth is that which always has been, and always will be. It is objective in nature, and therefore is independent of anything subjective. Whether we believe the truth does not affect the substance of the truth. However, God’s means of preserving and protecting the truth are those who have been begotten by it (cf. 1 Peter 1:3, 23). The church is made up of those who have obeyed the truth (cf. Acts 2:47). The church is “the pillar and ground of the truth.”

Ultimately, the emphasis is on the serious role the church plays in standing up for, and spreading the truth throughout the land. If we jeopardize the truth no salvation will be, or can be, produced. Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), and “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). However, in addition to this there are other obvious implications with regard to this imagery.

• Christ only intended for there to be one church. The world of denominationalism is a cesspool of people rebellious to the truth. Their plea for unity in diversity contradicts Paul’s inspired description – “the pillar and ground of the truth.” Truth is unchangeable and everlasting (cf. Hebrews 6:18; 1 Peter 1:23-25). The only legitimate claim to truth is that which is in accord with “the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). Churches that teach ANYTHING contrary to that of the gospel of Christ are in fact not the church which Jesus built. Consequently, any other church cannot possibly be the structure on which the truth rests, and therefore cannot ensure salvation to its members.

• If your “obedience” is in reaction to anything contrary to the truth you are not saved. The only thing Jesus said would release one from the bondage of sin is the truth (cf. John 8:31-32). Any message differing from the original, and only gospel of Christ is not a gospel at all (cf. Galatians 1:6-9). There cannot be divergent messages that save. Jesus said, “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness” (Matthew 6:22-23)! This divine logic suggests that obedience to a message that is “mostly right” is obedience to a message that is completely erroneous and unable to save. Brethren, we must not fall prey to the concept of unity with regard to the “black and white” areas and not the “grey” areas. There are no grey areas in God’s truth!

The church has been given a grave responsibility to uphold. It is “the pillar and ground of the truth!” The members of the one body of Christ must all recognize the gravity of who we are, and what we are supposed to be doing. We cannot compromise! We cannot take vacations from standing for the truth! We must always contend for the faith (cf. Jude 3)! We must unequivocally be “the pillar and ground of the truth.”