"The Pillar and Ground of the Truth"
Pastor Doug Sherrill,
A Member of the DBS
We read much of the Waldensians, the Albigensians, the Lollards, the
Paulicians, and many others in past history who were used of God to
providentially preserve the very Words of God. Concerning the providential preservation of the Text Received among believers, Dr. Gary La
More wrote on the subject of our Bible's Preservation as follows:
"The Holy Spirit providentially guided churches to preserve His
Words during the manuscript period. First, faithful scribes produced many
trustworthy copies of the original New Testament manuscripts. Second,
these trustworthy copies were read and recopied by true believers down
through the centuries. Third, untrustworthy copies were not so generally
read or so frequently re- copied. Although they enjoyed some popularity
for a time, yet in the long run they were laid aside and consigned to
oblivion. Thus, as a result of this special providential guidance, the
true text won out in the end, and today the believer may be sure that the
text found in the vast majority of the Greek New Testament manuscripts,
preserved by the God-guided usage of the Greek churches, is a trustworthy
reproduction of the Divinely inspired original."
Scripture gives clear direction for the responsibility placed upon the
local churches to preserve the text handed down through the priesthood
of believers (1 Timothy 3:15; Rev. 3:8, 10; 1 Cor. 4:1-2). As we seek to
understand the transmission of the preserved Words of God, may we find
direction and exhortation concerning our duty. As those before us gave
their lives for the Scriptures, may we commit our lives for this same
cause.
The critic of our day promotes himself as a Goliath of Gath. He is
arrogant and proud. He finds his strength in numbers. His pride teaches
him to flaunt his Philistine education. He defies those who stand with the
small fundamental remnant. What must we do? "Is there not a cause?"
(1 Samuel 17:29) We will not bow nor fall before the Giant. Those who deny
the inspiration and the preservation of God's Words must know, "that
the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S."
(1 Samuel 17:47)
As we "exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith
which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 3), may we apply the
principles of Biblical preservation within our homes and our churches.
What will it be like for our children should the rapture happen 20 years
from now? Will they be able to purchase copies of the Word of God? Will
they be able to take a stand for the Received Text? Paul told the Romans,
"For whatsoever things were written afore- time were written for
our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might
have hope" (Romans 15:4). We, too, must learn from our predecessors
and their faithfulness to the Scriptures. We have the Word of God today
because faithful Christians obeyed the Lord and were used to preserve His
Words. May we not fail the Lord and our children suffer the dreadful
consequences.
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