Present Truth

Tradition has long shown itself to be the enemy of the continuing revelation of the scriptures. The apostle Peter spoke of the attitude which reinforces tradition and resists change. ‘In the last days mockers will come … saying, “all continues just as it was from the beginning”.’ 2 Pet 3:4. For this reason he was ‘always ready to remind’ the church to be established in the ‘present truth’. 2 Pet 1:12. When Peter used the term ‘present truth’ he meant the truth previously delivered and the truth that was presently coming by the revelation of the Holy Spirit. Jesus irreversibly established an active and ongoing revelation of prophetic light when He said, ‘When the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth’. John 14:26; 16:13. Peter developed this thought in his admonition to ‘pay attention to the more sure prophetic word as to a lamp in a dark place’. 2 Peter 1:19.

A myriad of concepts about the body of Christ have spoken into the age-old discussion on authority in the church. Who is in the body of Christ? Where is it? What is its order and structure? A study of the early church days, the development and expansion of the apostolic administration, will help us to properly understand, recover and implement this mystery.

At the beginning of His three and a half years ministry, Jesus appointed the twelve apostles. He then re-commissioned them just prior to His ascension. He remained ‘until the day when He was taken up, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen’. Acts 1:2. Jesus firstly commanded them to, ‘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 He had commanded them’. Matt 28:19. Secondly, He commanded them ‘not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised’. He told them, ‘You shall receive power, the Holy Spirit coming upon you. And you shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the end of the earth’. Acts 1:8.

Now, it is clear that Jesus committed the administration of the infant church to the twelve apostles. Throughout the scriptures the number twelve was the foundation of divine order and authority. Having been empowered with the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they were to be witnesses of Christ to the ends of the earth. The Spirit of truth within them would be their guide, establishing this administration of the church as a ‘lamp in a dark place’. The evangelistic explosion which followed shortly after, with the Lord adding daily to their number, clearly endorsed this apostolic administration as the way ahead for the church. Acts 2:41; 3:47.

David Falk

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Feature Articles
May 2008

Marvellous Faith

The Living Song

Present Truth

The Faith of Abraham

Wisdom and Folly

The Valley of Baca

The Nature of Business

Willing Obedience

Light to the Nations