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By Roger A. Scully, Jr.
A part of Christianity which exists, which is just as important as any other, is defending the truth. One cannot read the pages of the
Bible, Old Testament or New, and not clearly see this idea taught and practiced over and over again. What is sad, however, is that
members of the church of Christ rarely practice this command in our day. It seems that many brethren are eager to compromise the
truth instead of defend it; that many are eager to let the truth fall than stand and fight for it. What is the end result of this? Just look
around you. Liberalism is tearing the church apart. There is not a week that passes that I do not receive a bulletin from some
congregation that is advertising its singing group, gymnasium opening, monthly fellowship with denominations, children’s church, etc.
Where is the authority for these things (Col 3:17)? There is none, yet they are being practiced anyway. What can we do about it? Well,
the only thing we can do is “fight the good fight of the faith.” We must settle in our minds intellectually that there is an objective truth,
and in our hearts with conviction that we have it and are willing to defend it no matter the cost. It has gone this far, no farther!
Paul, when writing to the Philippians stated, “…because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and
confirmation of the gospel…” (Phil 1:7). “Defense” is translated from the word apologia, which means a verbal defense given by
reasoned argument. “Confirmation” is translated from the word bebaiosis, which means to strengthen. Thus Paul was saying that the
Philippians were partakers with him in giving a verbal defense from reasoned argument of gospel truth, and were strengthening the
gospel in the process. How is the gospel strengthened? The gospel is strengthened when the truth is taught and error is exposed.
Paul wrote to Titus of men who are “unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision” (1:10). Paul went on to
explain that they “subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not” (v.11). This is not a means whereby the gospel is
confirmed, thus Paul said, “whose mouths must be stopped…wherefore rebuke them sharply” (vs.11, 13). By stopping their mouths,
which is done by giving a sharp rebuke, the gospel is confirmed, because the truth is placed beside error, and those who are seeking
truth will see it and embrace it (Matt 7:7, 8).
In Philippians 1:17 Paul wrote of men who were preaching the gospel for the right reason, knowing that Paul himself was “set for the
defense of the gospel.” How is it that those who loved the truth, thus preached the truth, knew that Paul was set for the defense of that
same truth? They could only know it if Paul had manifest this in his life, which, from the book of Acts, we know he did. Acts 13:45
records that the Jews of Antioch “spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.” How did
Paul respond to this? Did he say, “Can’t we all just get along?” Did he say, “Well you see it your way and I see it my way, so let’s agree
to disagree”? NO, NO, NO. The record says, “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold” (v.46). “Waxed bold” is translated from the word
parrhesiazomai, which means to speak with confidence and assurance. On another occasion Paul said, “hear ye my defense” (Ac 22:
1).
Not only did Paul practice defending the truth, but he also instructed Timothy to “charge some that they teach no other doctrine” (1 Tim
1:3). To “charge” means to command or to give an order. What was Timothy to command? That no other doctrine be taught. In order for
Timothy to fulfill the command of Paul he had to (1) know what the truth was (Jn 8:32), and (2) know when error was being taught.
Does this sound like what many of our brethren are doing today? No, for many of our brethren today are saying things like: We cannot
really know the truth; As long as we all believe in Jesus, it doesn’t matter what is being taught. If Timothy would be here today he would
most certainly “charge” them to stop teaching “another gospel, which is not another, but there be some that trouble you and would
pervert the gospel of Christ” (Gal 1:6-9).
Paul was not the only apostle “set for the defense of the gospel.” The apostle John instructed his readers to “believe not every spirit,
but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 Jn 4:1). And Jude wrote that
Christians should “earnestly contend for the faith,” which means to strongly fight for the gospel (Jd 3).
Peter, another apostle of our Lord, instructed those to whom he wrote, by implication all of us, to “be ready always to give an answer to
every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” (1 Pet 3:15). “Answer” does not mean to answer a question that has
been asked, but it is again the word apologia, meaning to give a verbal defense from reasoned argument. How often is this defense to
be given? Always (2 Tim 4:2). To whom? Literally to every man who requires it, or to anyone who challenges it. Notice carefully the
context of 1 Peter 3. We are not speaking of people who just have some Bible questions, but of people who “speak evil of you” (v.16). Is
it not time that we speak up to those who oppose the truth?
Let us be as bold as Jesus who told the Sadducees, “You do err not knowing the Scriptures” (Matt 22:29). And, as Jesus warned of the
false teachers of His day (Matt 16:6-12), so must we do the same in ours, “Now I beseech you brethren, mark them which cause
divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Rom 16:17). We cannot sit idly by (2 Jn 9-11;
Rom 1:32).
Roger A. Scully, Jr.