Marvin L. Weir
Truth is a most important commodity and is essential to the salvation of one’s soul. People have argued over truth for centuries and will continue to do so until this earth is destroyed by fire (2 Pet. 3:10-12). Some people will question or deny the veracity of the Scripture just referenced as well as other Scriptures that disagree with the wisdom of man and his theories. Is the creation account in Genesis regarding Adam and Eve allegorical, mythical, or historical? Those who believe in the truth of God’s Word declare it to be a historical account. John Whitcomb made an “un-get-aroundable” point about how an historical Adam must be accepted as truth if one accepts the truthfulness of Jesus Christ. Whitcomb’s statement shows the fallacy of those who claim to acknowledge Christ and His Word while rejecting the Genesis account of creation. He states:
It is the privilege of these men to dispense with an historical Adam if they desire. But they do not at the same time have the privilege of claiming that Jesus Christ spoke the truth. Adam and Christ stand or fall together, for Jesus said: “If ye believed Moses, ye would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words” (John 5:46-47)?
People today who profess to believe in God and the Lord Jesus continue to quibble over the truthfulness of some of the inspired Word. You will remember that Pilate, when placed in a position he did not desire, asked of the Christ, “What is truth” (John 18:38)? Let us observe several comments on Pilate’s question to the Savior:
Thus, Pilate terminated the interview, not waiting for a reply. He needed no reply, because the truth was of no particular concern to him. He was far more interested in what was politically expedient [Coffman Commentary on John].
Among the sages of that time there were many opinions concerning truth; and some had even supposed that it was a thing utterly out of the reach of men. Pilate perhaps might have asked the question in a mocking way; and his not staying to get an answer indicated that he either despaired of getting a satisfactory one, or that he was indifferent about it. This is the case with thousands: they appear desirous of knowing the truth, but have not patience to wait in a proper way to receive an answer to their question. [Adam Clarke’s Commentary on John].
This question was probably asked in contempt, and hence Jesus did not answer it. Had the question been sincere, and had Pilate really sought it as Nicodemus had done (John 3), Jesus would not have hesitated to explain to him the nature of his kingdom. They were now alone in the judgment-hall (John 18:33), and as soon as Pilate had asked the question, without waiting for an answer, he went out. It is evident that he was satisfied, from the answer of Jesus (John 18:3637), that he was not a king in the sense in which the Jews accused him; that he would not endanger the Roman government, and consequently that he was innocent of the charge alleged against him. He regarded him, clearly, as a fanatic, poor, ignorant, and deluded, but innocent and not dangerous. Hence, he sought to release him; and, hence, in contempt, he asked him this question, and immediately went out, not expecting an answer. This question had long agitated the world. It was the great subject of inquiry in all the schools of the Greeks. Different sects of philosophers had held different opinions, and Pilate now, in derision, asked him, whom he esteemed an ignorant fanatic, whether he could solve this long-agitated question. He might have had an answer. If he had patiently waited in sincerity, Jesus would have told him what it was. Thousands ask the question in the same way. They have a fixed contempt for the Bible; they deride the instructions of religion; they are unwilling to investigate and to wait at the gates of wisdom; and hence, like Pilate, they remain ignorant of the great Source of truth, and die in darkness and in error. All might find truth if they would seek it; none ever will find it if they do not apply for it to the great source of light the God of truth, and seek it patiently in the way in which he has chosen to communicate it to mankind. How highly should we prize the Bible! And how patiently and prayerfully should we search the Scriptures, that we may not err and die forever [Barnes’ Notes on John]!
Must one have faith in God to be saved (Heb. 11:6)? Must one confess Christ as God’s Son to be saved (Rom. 10:10)? Must one repent and be baptized to be saved (Acts 2:37-38; Mark 16:16; Gal. 3:27; 1 Pet. 3:21; Acts 22:16)? Is baptism a burial in water or can one be sprinkled instead (Rom. 6:4; John 3:23)? Must one obey Christ to be saved (Heb. 5:9)? Must one who desires to be saved “worship in spirit and truth” as Christ demands (John 4:24)? If one answers “No” to the above question, what part of truth can be ignored? Must a child of God continue to “walk in the light, as he is in the light” to have fellowship with like-minded Christians and access to the saving blood of Christ (1 John 1:7)? Can one choose to not abide in the teaching of Christ and have access to the Father and the Son (2 John 9)? Must one study and grow in knowledge of God’s Word to be acceptable to Him (2 Tim. 2:15; 2 Pet. 3:18)?
Will people continue to argue that the created has the ability to know all truth but that the Creator only has the ability to know some truth? As the Psalmist said, “The sum of thy word is truth.” (Psa. 119:160). My we cherish Bible truth!
