When Jesus was in Pilate's judgment hall, Pilate asked Him a number of questions. For example, in John 18:33, Pilate asked Jesus, "Art thou the King of the Jews?" Jesus replied, "Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?" (vs.34) Then, Pilate replied by saying, "Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?" (vs.35) To this, Jesus replied, in verse 36, by saying, "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." Pilate then asked, in verse 37, "Art thou a king then?" and Jesus said, "Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice." (vs.37) Finally, Pilate asked "What is truth?" and then he exclaimed to the Jews, "I find in him no fault at all." (vs.38)

Bible commentators have arrived at varying conclusions regarding this section of Scripture and the intent of Pilate's question to Jesus, "What is truth?" Some comment that Pilate may have asked this question to mock Jesus, and the fact that he walked away just after asking it indicated that he did not ask the question expecting to receive an answer. Regardless of Pilate's intention, the Bible clearly answers the question in a manifold way. So, what is truth?

1. The Truth Is God's Word. Jesus prayed for His disciples, "Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth." (John 17:17). God's word found in His book, the Bible, is the truth. Since God is our creator, and He created us in His image, he gave us an owner's manual, so to speak. It tells us about our history, our mission here on earth, and what our future will be. This manual, the Bible, tells us everything we need to know to guide us through this life with all its hazards and the varied trials we face. This is evidenced by simple statements of inspired men, such as old Jeremiah who wrote, "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." (Jeremiah 10:23) The Psalmist said, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119: 105) The wisdom writer wrote, "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life." (Proverbs 6:23) Yes, God's word gives us ample instructions for this life. But more importantly, it tells us how to prepare for the life to come--eternity (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Paul wrote, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10)
   
   
2. The Truth Is "Settled in Heaven." The Psalmist wrote, "Forever, O LORD, Thy word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89) Jesus said " ... and the Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35). Unlike men's writings, which are frequently revised and altered, the truth cannot be changed or altered; it is forever binding. If it is changed or altered, then it is perverted and not the truth. Throughout the ages, evil men who reject the truth have failed at their attempts to change it. They have added, subtracted, perverted, rejected, and denied the truth of God's word. But they will meet their doom on the last great day. "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." (Revelation 22:18-19) Also consider: Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Proverbs 30:6. Men are not to tamper with God's book.
   
   Attempts at perverting the truth began in the Garden of Eden: "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, 'Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.'" (Genesis 2:16,17). The serpent added one little three-letter word and perverted the Lord's command, telling the woman, "... Ye shall not surely die." (Genesis 3:4) The Bible tells us that the Lord's warning was the truth: "And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died." (Genesis 5:5, emphasis mine) No, Adam and Eve did not become sick and die physically. The forbidden fruit was not poisonous in the sense that death-cap mushrooms and rat poison are poisonous, causing those who consume them to become sick and die. After eating, they were able to distinguish between good and evil, and feeling the guilt of their actions, they tried to hide themselves from God in the midst of the garden. Even though the Serpent deceived Adam and Eve, they suffered the consequences of which God warned them. "Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven."
   
   
3. The Truth Cuts to the Heart; It Pierces and Divides. On Pentecost, the Jews were smitten in their hearts (minds) when Peter and the apostles declared, "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain ... Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:22-23, 36) The Jews' reaction to the truth is stated in vs.38; "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?'" Peter then commanded, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Act 2:38)
   
   Concerning this nature of the truth, the Hebrews writer wrote, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12) The divine truth is able to reveal man's deepest, darkest, inner feelings and thoughts, which are often in conflict with the truth, and expose them for what they really are--sin! This is exactly why the prophets of old, Jesus, Steven, the apostles, and Godly men of all ages have been persecuted and slain--because they taught the truth (2 Chronicles 36:16; Matthew 23:34-37; Acts 3:17; 7:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 2:15).
   
   In Matthew 10, Jesus instructed His apostles concerning the dividing nature of truth. Said the Savior, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household." (Matthew 10:34-36) When Paul wrote to the Ephesians, he termed it this way, "... the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). In the apostle John's letter to the church at Pergamos, he warned them of their need to repent because some held to the "doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate." (Revelation 2:15) In verse 16, he said, "Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth." Meaning, God's judgment through His word (truth) and power would come upon them if they did not repent. Yes, the Truth cuts, pierces, divides, and strikes a death blow to every form of evil and falsehood (cf. John 3:18-20). This word is aimed at the hearer's heart. All anyone can do is plant the seed in the alien sinner's heart; what he does with it is completely up to him (Luke 8:11-15).
   
   
4. The Truth Terrifies. When Paul stood before Felix and Drusilla, " ... as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come Felix trembled, and answered, 'Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.'" (Acts 24:25) Felix had good reason to tremble. Religious history tells us that Felix and Drusilla were living in adultery. When Paul discussed "righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come," the truth evidently frightened Felix, causing him to tremble. Paul could have asked Felix for a pardon, but he was more interested in the souls of Felix and Drusilla than in his own release. Paul did not hem-haw around; he seized the opportunity to instruct Felix and Drusilla. Paul did not compromise or gloss over and sugar coat the truth as many religious people, and some compromising gospel preachers, do. Rather, he declared "all the counsel of God" (Acts 20:20, 27). No person who promotes, condones, or lives in adultery, as did Felix and Drusilla, will be judged righteous in the last great day (Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5; 1 Timothy 1:9; Revelation 21:8; 22:15).
   
   
5. The Truth Frees. Jesus told his disciples, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)
   
   Paul wrote at length about the truth's freeing power. Said he, "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." (Romans 6:14) Paul further explained, "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness." (Romans 6:17-20) The "form of doctrine" is the pattern or mold of the gospel of Christ. This pattern transforms one from sinner to saint, from serving sin to serving God, from damnation to salvation. All this becomes possible when the sinner obeys the Gospel, thereby freeing himself from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2; 12:2).
   
   James called the truth, the gospel of Christ, "the perfect law of liberty" (James 1:25; 2:12). It breaks the sinner free from the guilt and power of sin, and it freed the Jews from the commands and ordinances of the Law of Moses, which could not take away sins (Hebrews 10:1-10; Galatians 5:1-4). The truth is powerful and enlightening, freeing mortal man from the doom of sin and darkness; and Paul called it "the power of God unto salvation to everyone that beliveth ... "(Romans 1:16; cf. Acts 26:18; Colossians 1:12-13).
   
   
6. The Truth Is Understandable. Many have the idea that we cannot know the truth. The Catholic Church would have us believe that you cannot understand the Bible unless a priest explains it to you. Some of our own brethren have said that the Bible lacks clarity on some controversial subjects. The Bible refutes this false notion. Jesus told his disciples, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32) He reminded them, "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." (John 15:3) Also, he said, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, and they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me." (John 6:44-45) Notice the underlined words--taught, heard, learned, and cometh. Those who come to Jesus by answering the gospel call (2 Thessalonians 2:14) have been taught; and they heard, learned, and then answered (obeyed) this call, because they could understand the message. How could so many believe and obey that message if it isn't understandable? "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:17) Did He give us a command we cannot obey?
   
   In Ephesians 3, Paul wrote, "For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit." (Ephesians 3:1-5)
   
   Peter stated that some things were hard to understand: "As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction." (2 Peter 3:16) Notice that he did not say it was impossible to understand the hard things. Peter said why it was hard for some to understand some things--they are "unlearned and unstable" and therefore "wrest (twist) as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction." (2 Peter 3:16)
   
   
   • Are you aware of those who twist Scriptures, such as Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; and 1 Peter 3:21, that command water baptism for the remission of sins?
     
     
   • Are you aware of those who try to twist and pervert Jesus' divorce-and-remarriage teaching in Matthew 19:9 by adding exceptions to the only reason (unfaithfulness) Jesus gave for putting away one's mate and remarrying and not committing adultery. He said, "And I say unto you, 'Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for (for the cause of) fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery." These Scriptures can be understood, but those who refuse to accept, teach, and obey the truth often resist, twist, and pervert them to their own destruction. Dear readers, believe the Scripture text.
     
     
7. The Truth Will Judge All Men of All Ages. Since God's word is truth, as Jesus proclaimed in John 17:17, He will judge all people by it.
   
   
   • Paul wrote, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10)
     
     
   • Christ will be every person's righteous judge and jury (Acts 17:31). In John 12:48, He said, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." In John 5:24-25, He said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, 'He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.' Verily, verily, I say unto you, 'The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.'"
     
     
   Only those who are obedient to "the word of the truth of the gospel" will obtain the heavenly hope (Colossians 1:5; cf. Ephesians 4:4; 2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 1:3-4).
   
   Sadly, many have false hope, hope that will end in eternal damnation. Paul encouraged the Thessalonian brethren to remain steadfast and faithful, even though they would suffer persecution. But he also spoke of the doom and destruction coming to those who do not obey the truth. "And to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power." (2 Thessalonians 2:7-9) Why do so many refuse to accept this certain truth? All men are accountable before God, and they will give account of their choices. God's word is the only standard that He will use on Judgment Day. There will be no surprises and no changes. He left us a copy of the standard so we can prepare to pass the final test when we stand before Him on that final day.
   
   

If you have not answered the gospel call by hearing God's word (Romans 10:17); believing the gospel message (John 5:24), repenting of your sins (Luke:13:3,5; Acts 17:30); confessing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (Acts 8:37); being baptized "in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38; cf. Galatians 3:26-28; 1 Peter 3:21); and living faithfully according to God's will "unto death" (Revelation 2:10), you cannot have the hope of which the apostles spoke and promised to the faithful (Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Revelation 21:8).

I could mention numerous points, but I must bring this article to an end. Remember, if and only if, you obey "the word of the truth of the gospel" do you have the heavenly hope (Colossians 1:5). Heed the words of the apostle Peter who exclaimed to Cornelius and his house, "... In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 'But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him'" (Acts 10:34-35) Hear, believe, and obey the truth-God's, not man's, word-to the saving of your soul (Acts 5:29).

Indeed, the truth is exactly what it is-the truth. For more than 2000 years, people have sought to get around its plain teachings. But, no matter how they twist, pervert, misuse, abuse, and deny the conclusions drawn from the Scriptures, they still contain the same vital truths they did when God gave them. Time and men do change, but God's word does not. Just ask yourself the following questions:

1. Are people still sinning?
2. Can we provide our own remedy for that problem?
3. Do we have a solution for getting around the broken fellowship caused by our sin?
4. Did Solomon teach the truth when he said "There is nothing new under the sun"?
5. Would God be just if he did not punish us for our failure to repent of our sins?
6. Can we advance in our thinking to the point where we no longer need Christ's blood?

Honesty would compel each individual to acknowledge that the answers to all of these questions have never changed. Try as men do to deny that God's truth is absolute and not relative, they are fighting a battle they cannot win. That's the truth on the matter! (KMG)