Just before Pilate’s decision to have Jesus crucified, Jesus said to Pilate, “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice,” John 18:37. Pilate responded by saying, “What is truth?” John 18:38.
Whether Pilate said this out of sarcasm or sincerely, we do not know. We do know it is a question men have asked over the ages. It is human nature to want to know the truth.
Jesus once said, “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free,” John 8:32. Jesus was speaking of truth in spiritual matters. I have found in discussions with those who come from different religious backgrounds that they will use different sources for religious authority.
If we use different sources for authority, we will inevitably end up with different conclusions. Different sources will provide different conclusions.
It can be useful to review some of the sources used to justify religious practices in our day, and then discover what the one and only absolute true source is for all that we believe and practice in religion.
Some say there are no absolutes. When you carry this reasoning out to its final conclusion, it leaves right and wrong in shambles. For example, apply this reasoning to our courts.
If stealing, rape, murder, terrorism, etc., are relative, then it makes a farce out of our judicial system. This raises the question whether the Scriptures are the absolute truth or are they relative?
If Scripture is inspired by God, then it must be the absolute truth. There is no way inspired Scripture can be relative! Most people who say truth is relative do not believe the Scriptures are inspired.
If you cannot accept Paul’s declaration, then you owe it to yourself to look at the internal and external evidence that the Bible is God’s inspired word. The proof for its authenticity is overwhelming.
No other historical document has as much evidence to prove its integrity. Paul declares his preaching was vain, and our faith is vain if what he had preached was not true, 1 Corinthians 15:11-17.
Why were intelligent men like Paul so willing to suffer so much and even die for what they believed and taught? There was no financial gain, no special recognition, or promotions to be gained from their efforts. They did it because they knew it was true.
Many rely on their feelings for what they believe and practice. They say, “I had rather have what I feel here than a stack of Bibles.” Others declare with great conviction, “I know what I feel, and no one can take that away from me.”
Sometimes they can, but many times they cannot. If they are based on the truth of God’s word, then they can be trusted. If not, then they cannot be trusted. Feelings can be very deceiving.
Take the case of Joseph in the Old Testament. Out of jealousy, his brothers sold him into slavery, Genesis 37:11 / Genesis 37:18-20 / Acts 7:9. They took his coat and dipped it in the blood of a goat, Genesis 37:31.
Then they brought the coat to their father, saying, “We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son’s tunic or not?” Seeing the coat, Jacob recognised it as Joseph’s.
He concluded a wild animal had devoured Joseph. He said, “It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt, Joseph is torn to pieces,” Genesis 37:32-33. For many years, Jacob sincerely believed Joseph was when he wasn’t.
There is the case of Saul of Tarsus, who persecuted the church. He sought out Christians to be bound in chains and punished for turning from Judaism to Christianity. He did this “in all good conscience,” Acts 23:1.
He felt he was doing the right thing. Later, He realized he was wrong. He became a convert to Christianity. Feelings had led him in the wrong direction. Later, the truth of God’s word would lead him in the right direction.
Emotions are very unstable when it comes to truth. One should be absolutely sure that what they feel is in harmony with what the Word of God teaches.
Many, when discovering a truth that contradicts their previous beliefs, will point to their parents’ beliefs as the same as theirs. It is as if their parent’s integrity is being questioned. Be thankful for good parents who brought you up to respect spiritual matters.
However, they may not have had the opportunity to learn the truth. If living, you have the opportunity to teach them the truth. If no longer living, rest assured, God will do what is just. If they could return, they would advise you to obey the truth.
Most people have the utmost respect for the preacher where they are members. He is intelligent, highly educated, successful, etc. This was the same situation Paul found himself in at the time of his conversion.
Gamaliel was one of the great rabbis. He was “honoured by all the people.” Furthermore, Paul had direct contact with members of the Sanhedrin. This ruling body of Jews was composed of some of the best-educated and trained men in the traditions of Judaism. In fact, it was the Sanhedrin that sent Paul out to run down Jews who had been converted to Christianity.
When Paul learned the truth, he said, “I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem,” Galatians 1:16-17. Paul could have gone to Gamaliel or someone on the Sanhedrin. Instead, when he learned of his error, he obeyed what he knew to be true.
Tradition is deeply rooted in many. But there is both good and bad tradition, as can be seen in the clash between the teachings of Jesus and the traditions of the Jews.
In Matthew 15, we read of a discussion Jesus had with the Pharisees over their traditions. They had collected hundreds of rules and regulations into a book called the MISHNAH. Many were in direct conflict with Moses’ law.
Jesus told them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your traditions?” Matthew 15:3. God had not authorised them. They had invented them. They considered these traditions equal to God’s law. Paul had been schooled in these traditions.
When Paul learned the truth, he had to break with these traditions.
Many say they accept only the Bible as their authority, but there are different interpretations of the Bible. The problem with this is that it stands in conflict with what Paul says in Ephesians 4:4-5.
Take the phrase, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism”. The word “one” does not allow for two, three or four Lords. “One” does not leave room for many faiths. By the same token, “one” does not allow for two or three baptisms. They can’t all be right since Paul says there is “one faith.”
A classic example of interpretation is how baptism is approached.
Men come out with different conclusions about baptism. One says baptism is sprinkling, while the word in the original Greek is immersion.
A tradition originating in A.D. 250. Another person looks at this verse and says baptism is not essential to salvation, even though Peter says it is for the remission of sins.
Where does this idea come from? From Martin Luther’s doctrine of salvation by faith only in the 1500s. Still another person rejects baptism by saying, “I have had an experience which left me with deep feelings that tell me I am saved.”
Feelings become the basis of his convictions. It was the Moravians and John Wesley in the 1700s who originated this doctrine. Another looks at the same verse and says, “Baptism is ok, but not essential. My mother and father were good Christians and were never baptised.”
Authority becomes his parents. People go to the wrong sources for authority. In John 17, Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” John 17:17.
The Word of God is the only authority in religious matters. Jesus told his disciples before ascending to heaven, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth,” Matthew 28:18. This is our soul authority.