The importance of “the truth” may be seen in Solomon’s words: “Buy the truth, and sell it not; ..” Whatever you may be thinking of buying, if it cost you “the truth;” don’t do it, but hold on to “the truth!” You see, “the truth” can make you free from “the wages of sin” (Rom. 6:23). It is just as Jesus said: “ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). To know in our case requires many hours of study; but it first starts with honesty! Truth never gets into the heart/mind that is not honest! Thus, it is “truth or nothing!”
Have you ever noticed the words which Solomon followed with, “buy the truth, and sell it not?” They are very important to the subject! The words are: wisdom, instruction, and understanding. Solomon is saying, “Buy wisdom, and sell it not;” “buy instruction, and sell it not; and “buy understanding, and sell it not.” Therefore, Solomon is telling us, wisdom, instruction, and understanding, travel in the same container as “the truth.” Solomon also wrote: “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding” (Pro. 2:6). The inspired word, which comes from the mouth of the LORD, is wisdom, knowledge, instruction, and understanding. In the New Testament, Paul wrote: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Though the words are different, they stand together. So, you cannot truthfully separate: wisdom, instruction, knowledge, and understanding, from “the truth.” Therefore, it is “truth or nothing!”
Every teaching, which is not “the teaching of Christ,” is not “the truth!” Not one of these “teachings” that are not “the teaching of Christ” has the ability to bring salvation to the lost soul. Yes, there are many such teachings; as each denomination has its own teaching and in this case, the plural teachings can never be one. Yet, Paul wrote there is “one faith” (Eph. 4:5). In the denominations, there are just as many teachings as there are denominations. So you are asking, “How do you know this?” If two denominational churches had the same teaching, they would not be two, but one. The teaching is identified by the name of the denominational church. Many of these denominational churches wear the name of the teaching, or a word that identifies them with a teaching fostered by a man. Here is a good time to recall the words of the apostle Paul: “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. (13) Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (I Cor. 1:12-13). Clearly wearing the name of any other than that of Christ is commended! So, how do you answer the question: “What are you religiously?” Go ahead and identify yourself!
Friends, why would you desire to wear any name, but Christ? It is manifestly clear, that no one but Christ was crucified for you. At the same time, if you were baptized into another, go ahead and honestly wear the name! However, it must be known, that Peter said, speaking of Jesus: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). So, to wear the name, or to be identified with the teaching of anyone, but Christ, is to be lost! John, as referred to above, pointed out that there is no fellowship with God and Christ, but to abide in “the teaching of Christ.” The word of God’s grace, by which so many desire to be justified, but refuse to abide in the “one faith!”
Here is a simple test. So you are determined that the teaching you believe in and put your salvation in, is “the teaching of Christ.” What does this teaching say about salvation and baptism? Teaching after teaching says that baptism has nothing, is not necessary, to salvation, but Peter wrote, after pointing out that Noah was saved by water: “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us, …” (1 Pet. 3:21). Of course, you do not believe these words! Commentary after commentary says something like: “As with any single verse or passage, we discern what it teaches by first filtering it through what we know the Bible teaches on the subject at hand. In the case of baptism and salvation, the Bible is clear that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of any kind, including baptism (Ephesians 2:8-9). So, any interpretation which comes to the conclusion that baptism, or any other act, is necessary for salvation, is a faulty interpretation.”
Friends, first the New Testament never refers to baptism as a work. It is an act of obedience; these words will clarify the necessity of obeying: “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb. 5:9). So, did Jesus state that baptism stands before being saved? Here is what he said: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). Here we could quote from the same writer above, but space will not allow it just now. Needless to say, the writer illogically tries to prove what Jesus said was not, “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Remember, it is “truth or nothing” that saves!
— Frank R. Williams