22
Apr
2008

J.W. Alexander on the Nature of Truth

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22 Apr 2008

In his wonderful little book Thoughts on Preaching, J.W. Alexander sets down some interesting thoughts on the issue of truth. He writes:

“He who sets one great truth afloat in the world, serves his generation.”
This simple statement led me to think of the work of the apostles, and especially the sayings of Paul which centered on the message of the cross of Christ. It was with this one great truth that the apostles served in their generation. Paul explains this when he says, “I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified;” “We do not preach ourselves but Jesus as Lord;” “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ;” “Him we preach warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom;” “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved it is the power of God;” “Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ…;” “Only that in every way, whether in pretense or truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice.” 

It is the one great truth of the Person and work of Jesus Christ that changes the world. Alexander goes on to write:
“No truth can be unimportant, or be without advantage if uttered. But the nearer a truth lies to the great centers, the more important is its utterance.” 
How can we not say with the great apostle, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes.”

About Post Author

Nick Batzig is the senior pastor of Church Creek PCA in Charleston, SC and an associate editor for Ligonier Ministries. Prior to serving at Church Creek, Nick was a pastor at Wayside PCA on Signal Mountain, TN. Formerly, Nick served as the founding pastor of New Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Richmond Hill, GA and as the editor of Reformation21 and the Christward Collective--sites of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. He frequently writes for Tabletalk Magazine, Reformation 21, He Reads Truth, and the Christward Collective. Nick was also the host of East of Eden, a podcast devoted to the Biblical and Systematic Theology of Jonathan Edwards. You can friend him on Facebook here and follow him on Twitter @nick_batzig

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