The Irrepressible Truth

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” (Matt. 28:18-20)

This has been called “The Great Commission" and it is delivered by the One who holds all authority as ruler and high priest over the cosmos. Jesus gave this command citing His absolute authority in "Heaven and Earth" (a merism). The divine Son's authority was perceived by people even before His Incarnation.

Disciples of Jesus Christ are found around the world and the number is growing, especially in places where the Faith is suppressed and denied. The Truth of the Gospel is irrepressible. It makes itself known even in the darkest places. Indeed, it always ultimately overcomes the darkness!

The biblical Hebrew recognized three types of authority: derived, attributed, and achieved. The deification of rulers required derived and attributed authority. Because the ruler was seen as God's representative on earth and the one to enforce divine law, his authority was believed to be derived from God.

If the ruler proved over time to be just or righteous in his actions and decrees, the priests would attribute deification. Deification or apotheosis was an expression of the flamboyant honor shown to royal masters by their servants.

Deification was indicated by the SR designation in the ruler's epithet and or royal name. The historical ruler Osiris was deified as is evident in his name O-SiR. Among the Sumerians and Akkadians SR designated a king (šarrum) and a queen (šarratum). The Akkadian itti šarrim means "with the king".

None of the ancient rulers returned from the dead. They had no authority over death. However, the Son of God broke the hold of death. He tramped down death by His death. He leads his disciples to the Father and admits them to His eternal kingdom. This is the truth that can never be suppressed.

Related reading: Symbols of Authority Among the Biblical Hebrew; The First Lords and Their Authority; Responding to Jesus' Authority

His Power Within You

The Apostle Paul was starkly truthful about the human condition. He described the unregenerate as "dead" in their trespasses and sins, and he said that this condition is "according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.” (Ephesians 2:1, 2)

Disobedience and spiritual rebellion are the way of the world. They express themselves in violence, hatred, racism, sexual perversion, arrogance, and the lust for money and power. Paul was truthful as to the source of this darkness: Satan or the Devil, described as "the prince of the power of the air." To their own detriment, many dismiss his existence.

Fortunately, there is a more powerful force at work in the world, the Holy Spirit. A. W. Tozer wrote, "When we have the Holy Spirit we have all that is needed to be all that God desires us to be."

The Holy Spirit brings spiritual regeneration. By the Spirit we are "born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23) 

The Spirit makes us to be "partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” (2 Peter 1:4)

The Spirit convicts the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment" and according to Jesus Messiah the root of the sin is "because they do not believe in me.” (John 16:8-10)

Scripture says that "every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God" and that spirit is of the antichrist. John explains why worldly voices gain a greater audience. "They are of the world and they speak from the world’s perspective, and the world listens to them." (1 John 4:3-5)

The Spirit of truth guides us into all truth and discloses the things of God the Father and God the Son to us. (John 16:13-16)

The Holy Spirit teaches us "all things" and brings to our remembrance all that Jesus said. (John 14:26)

The Apostle Paul prayed that "the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints." (Ephesians 1:18)

The works of darkness are exposed by the light of Christ and the matchless inward and outward working of the Holy Spirit. Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. Thanks be to God!

Related reading: You Must Be Born Again; Formed and Informed by the Bible; By Grace, Through Faith

A Discipling Church Speaks Truth

Edward F. Lundwall, Jr.


“I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15

The church is the pillar and ground of truth by God's design. For where God dwells the truth is present, for He is Truth. When the faithful honor God they gain access to His truth. The truth sets us free from spiritual bondage and equips us to stand for the Gospel as Christ’s soldiers (II Cor 10:4).

The scriptural design for the Church is to develop mature followers of Jesus Christ. The Lord requires spiritually gifted and mature leaders to make this happen. I am not speaking of super Christians, but rather of people who daily walk the way of faith. These are the salt and light of which the Bible speaks.

People will not hear the truth from the world. Where can they turn but to the church? Is your church a place where truth is spoken? Do you hold leaders in your church accountable for speaking the truth from the pulpit and in the classroom?

Related reading: How to Build a Disciple-Making Church