The phrase “the church is the pillar and foundation of the truth” comes from 1 Timothy 3:15, which says “if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” This verse teaches that the church plays a vital role in supporting and proclaiming the truth of God’s Word.
There are a few key things we can understand about the church from this verse:
- The church belongs to God – It is called “God’s household” and “the church of the living God.” The church is not simply a human institution – it is something God established and oversees.
- The church supports the truth – By describing the church as the “pillar and foundation of the truth,” Paul is comparing the church to the pillars that hold up a building. The church has the God-given responsibility to uphold, support and promote the truth of the gospel.
- The church proclaims the truth – A pillar is high and visible, meant to display something for all to see. The church is called to lift up the truth of God’s Word as a “pillar” so that the whole world can see it.
Taking all this together, we see that the church is essential to preserving, protecting, and proclaiming the truth. God designed the church to be the primary way the gospel is spread and the primary community where believers grow in the truth. Without the church fulfilling this role, the truth of God would not flourish in the world.
There are several implications that flow from this biblical teaching about the church:
The church must focus on Scripture
Since the church is called to be the pillar of biblical truth, it must be grounded in Scripture. Its teaching, practices and priorities must be shaped by the Word of God. The church must emphasize sound doctrine and biblical literacy among believers. The more the church is anchored in God’s Word, the better it will fulfill its role.
Unity around core doctrine is important
For the church to effectively support and display the truth, it must have unity around core doctrinal truths. Of course there will be some secondary issues where Christians disagree, but unity around things like the gospel, the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, etc. is vital. Such unity displays to the world a consistent pillar of truth.
The church must be a community of holiness
Since the church represents the truth of Christ, it should demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel by being a community of love, grace, justice, purity, integrity, etc. The church’s life should line up with its message. When the church lives out biblical truth, it powerfully supports that truth in the eyes of the world.
Believers should be involved in church community
Since the church is God’s vehicle for upholding and displaying the truth, it is important for believers to commit to a local church. By using their gifts and participating in the life of their church, they strengthen the pillar of truth.
Church leaders carry great responsibility
Since the church is the pillar of truth, church leaders have great responsibility. Like the pillars of a building, church leaders are tasked with holding everything up. They must keep the church grounded in God’s Word and display the truth through how they lead. Leaders who compromise the truth undermine the church’s foundation.
The church is essential for the Christian life
This verse teaches that the church community plays an irreplaceable role in the lives of believers. Through the church, Christians are built up in the truth, join together in worship and community, use their gifts in service, and fulfill the Great Commission.
In summary, this verse teaches that the church is invaluable in God’s plan to uphold and spread the truth. The church is not merely a human institution – it is the God-ordained means by which the gospel is proclaimed and God’s people grow in the knowledge of Christ. All believers should participate in and pray for their local church, so it can effectively be the pillar and foundation of biblical truth in their community.
Now let’s explore a bit deeper what it looks like for the church to function as the pillar and foundation of the truth in the world:
The Church Upholds the Truth by…
- Preaching Biblical sermons – God’s Word should be taught and applied to people’s lives through expository preaching each week. Solid preaching is foundational.
- Singing truth-filled worship songs – The lyrics of congregational songs should reflect good theology and sound doctrine.
- Reading Scripture publicly – Hearing the Word read reinforces its authority and importance (1 Tim 4:13).
- Praying biblically – Prayers should align with Scripture and modeling praying God’s Word back to Him.
- Celebrating baptism and the Lord’s Supper – These ordinance portray the gospel.
- Equipping people in Bible studies – Systematic teaching of the Bible helps people know God’s truth deeply.
- Teaching sound doctrine – Classes on theology, apologetics and important issues help reinforce biblical truth.
- Warning against unbiblical ideas – Elders should refute unsound doctrine in the church and instruct in sound doctrine (Titus 1:9).
- Conducting weddings and funerals faithfully – these ceremonies should convey biblical truth about marriage, death and hope of resurrection.
- Counseling based on Scripture – Whether formal or informal, all counseling should align with biblical wisdom.
- Resolving conflicts and offenses biblically – Following principles in Matthew 18:15-20, Galatians 6:1, etc.
The Church Proclaims the Truth by…
- Evangelizing the lost with the gospel – Sharing Christ’s death and resurrection for salvation (1 Cor 15:3-4).
- Sendling missionaries to plant churches – Supporting home and foreign mission work.
- Equipping members to share their faith – Training Christians how to witness to friends and neighbors.
- Hosting apologetics conferences – Events that equip believers to defend the faith.
- Engaging the culture – Speaking God’s truth to current social issues.
- Connecting Christianity to everyday life – Applying the Bible to the real world and showing its relevance.
- Leveraging technology wisely – Using radio, TV, internet to spread the Gospel and biblical teaching worldwide.
- Writing books/articles applying Scripture – Publishing works on theology, Christian living, etc.
- Hosting conferences on family, work, theology, etc – Bringing believers together to learn about important topics.
- Maintaining helpful church website – Digital front door to inform and teach people in the community.
In carrying out all these functions day after day and year after year, the local church provides a trustworthy pillar – something solid, immovable and reliable – that people can cling to for support. The church provides stability amidst the shifting tides of culture. It preserves and communicates the enduring, unchanging truths from God’s Word that people desperately need to hear. In this way, the church is the pillar of truth.
At the same time, the church is the foundation of the truth by laying the groundwork of doctrine and theology on which everything else is built. A good foundation is hidden from view but is indispensable in supporting the entire structure.
Several ways the church functions as the foundation:
The Church is the Foundation of Truth by…
- Defining essential Christian doctrine – Beliefs about God, Jesus, salvation, humanity, etc. laid out in creeds like Nicene, Apostles’ Creed.
- Developing theologically sound statements of faith and catechisms – Foundational documents that summarize key doctrines.
- Studying Christian systematic theology – Understanding how all doctrines connect in an integrated framework.
- Interpreting the Bible in its historical context – illuminated by scholarly study.
- Teaching Christian history – Learning from mistakes and successes of 2000 years of church heritage.
- Promoting literacy and education – so people can study the Bible for themselves.
- Starting Bible colleges and seminaries – To train pastors, missionaries and ministry leaders.
- Curating a collection of Christian classics – Promoting influential books through the ages.
- Addressing new issues with a biblical worldview – Applying timeless truths to modern complexities in bioethics, technology, etc.
- Supporting scholarship and academic study – to strengthen the intellectual foundations of the faith.
- Passing the faith on to the next generation – Through intentional discipleship.
By establishing this body of doctrine, theology and study over centuries, the church has laid a solid, stable foundation upon which the truth of Christianity has been built. Core Christian beliefs have been defined, debated, and defended so that each generation has a faithful framework to build upon.
Of course, the foundation of truth in the church is built on the ultimate foundation, Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11). He Himself declared “I am the truth” (John 14:6). The gospel rests on the historical truth of Christ’s incarnation, perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection. So in all its functions, the church must point to Christ as the cornerstone.
In conclusion, 1 Timothy 3:15 teaches that the local church community plays an invaluable, irreplaceable role in God’s plan. The global church collectively, and local churches specifically, are tasked with upholding, displaying, and propagating the truth revealed in God’s Word. The church protects the treasured truths of Scripture, proclaims them to the lost world, and passes them on from generation to generation. Without the church vigilant in this calling, the truth of Christianity would be quickly distorted, watered down, or lost altogether. But as Christians recognize the church’s vital role and commit to building up biblical truth within their churches, the gates of hell cannot prevail against it. The church remains that magnificent pillar and foundation displaying the truth and hope of Christ to all people. May God strengthen His church until the day Christ returns!