What Is 'The Truth'?
A Scriptural Phrase
The phrase “the truth” is commonly used in expressions like “being in the truth” or “living the truth.” This usage stems directly from scripture, where the phrase appears 66 times in the New Testament. A third of these instances are found in the writings of John, who frequently employs sharp contrasts such as light versus darkness and truth versus falsehood.
The Knowledge of the Truth
Scripturally, “the truth” is fundamentally linked to a specific knowledge and worldview. A key reference is 1 Timothy 2:4-5, which states that God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” Therefore, the truth centres on recognising God as the Creator and Jesus Christ as His Son, along with the purpose embodied in that relationship.
The Practice of the Truth
However, the truth is not merely a set of facts to be acknowledged. The Bible also speaks of “practicing the truth” or “obeying the gospel.” This indicates that fully accepting the truth necessarily involves resulting actions and a way of life motivated by that truth. It is a combination of right belief and right practice.
The Truth Defined
The apostles provide clear definitions of this truth in their preaching. For example, in Acts 2:22-24, Peter declares: “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst… this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death.” Several similar summaries in the Acts of the Apostles align closely with the core tenets of the Christadelphian statement of faith.
The Truth and the Trinity Doctrine
While these apostolic definitions might sound broad, they contain crucial distinctions. For instance, these statements proclaim Jesus as “the Son of God,” not “God the Son.” There is no Trinitarian formula. This foundational difference directly affects worship and practice. It leads to praising Jesus for his achievements as the Son, rather than worshipping him as God Almighty. It also upholds the essential need for Jesus’ role as the one mediator between God and man, which is altered by other theological frameworks.
The Truth and the Personal Devil Doctrine
Furthermore, these apostolic statements make no mention of a personal, supernatural devil. The belief in such a being is a flat contradiction of the monotheistic view presented in scripture, which affirms there is no other being like or beside God. Accepting the biblical truth changes one’s behavior: it removes fear of another powerful evil being and prevents blaming such a being for life’s problems or personal sin, focusing instead on the need for personal repentance and change.
A Note on Using ‘The Truth’
Finally, it is perhaps unhelpful to use the phrase “the truth” as a direct synonym for the Christadelphian community. This can suggest a presumptuous judgment that membership here is the only place where truth resides. While we believe we hold the truth as revealed in scripture, it is not our place to make that definitive judgment about others.
Summary of the Truth
In summary, “the truth” is a scriptural term we should use. It encompasses the knowledge of the one God and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the purpose of God revealed in the gospel. It is as much about a resultant way of life as it is about a body of knowledge. We should be mindful to use the term in its rich, biblical sense, avoiding a presumptuous application that refers solely to our community.
We are a Christadelphian Community dedicated to providing outstanding, scriptural content to encourage and build up your faith. If you found this presentation insightful, please share it with others.
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
-
59.7% Yes, supporting people is important!
-
26% No, individuals should take responsibility
-
14.3% ... It is complicated
Even Australians get it - so why not Kiwis???
“Ten years ago, if a heatwave as intense as last week’s record-breaker had hit the east coast, Australia’s power supply may well have buckled. But this time, the system largely operated as we needed, despite some outages.
On Australia’s main grid last quarter, renewables and energy storage contributed more than 50% of supplied electricity for the first time, while wholesale power prices were more than 40% lower than a year earlier.
[…] shifting demand from gas and coal for power and petrol for cars is likely to deliver significantly lower energy bills for households.
Last quarter, wind generation was up almost 30%, grid solar 15% and grid-scale batteries almost tripled their output. Gas generation fell 27% to its lowest level for a quarter century, while coal fell 4.6% to its lowest quarterly level ever.
Gas has long been the most expensive way to produce power. Gas peaking plants tend to fire up only when supply struggles to meet demand and power prices soar. Less demand for gas has flowed through to lower wholesale prices.”
Full article: www.theguardian.com...
If even Australians see the benefit of solar - then why is NZ actively boycotting solar uptake? The increased line rental for electricity was done to make solar less competitive and prevent cost per kWh to rise even more than it did - and electricity costs are expected to rise even more. Especially as National favours gas - which is the most expensive form of generating electricity. Which in turn will accelerate Climate Change, as if New Zealand didn’t have enough problems with droughts, floods, slips, etc. already.
Poll: Should complete designs be shared with the public, or should the community help shape the designs from the start?
The Post recently shared an opinion piece on the Harbour Crossing and why a more democratic approach might be needed 🚗🚲👟
While most decisions sit within the political arena, many organisations—like NZTA—manage long-term projects that go beyond party lines. Politics can sometimes disrupt progress, and the next Harbour Crossing is a big decision that will affect all Aucklanders.
We’d love your thoughts: Should near-complete, shovel-ready designs be shared with the public, or should the community have a hand in shaping the designs from the start?
-
78.8% Community feedback and transparency is needed.
-
21.2% No. This would be impossible in practice.
Loading…
