Thoughts on Discipleship by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

THE, “A,” AND “SO WHAT!”

“. . . that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 3.

In language studies, many things are truly basic. Take, for instance, definite and indefinite articles: “The,” and “A.” Let’s think about them for a minute.“The” is referenced as the “Definite article.” When used before a noun, it often means pointedly, specific, in contrast to any other. On the other hand, “A” is the “Indefinite article,” that alludes most often to one among others whether few or many. Now the inevitable question arises, “So what?” Well, in theology, these indicate vast differences.

Consider the difference in referencing faith. One may express his joy and/or love for the Lord by the term “faith.” A good deed may be called a “faith” deed or work. However when the terminology in scriptures uses the definite article as an adjective to “faith” as in “the faith,” it is indicating specifically the system of doctrines set forth in the scriptures; those once delivered to the saints.

This is also true in other matters. How many discussions has this writer heard over the years around Romans 1:16. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

A misunderstanding of the meaning of this verse led not a few in generations gone by to proclaim that one could not be born again from above (saved spiritually) without hearing the message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus preached. Others went so far as to proclaim that such preaching had to be done by a minister of a specific type of church.

It was my lot to walk into a heated discussion of this very thing in my favorite drug store many years ago. Of course, the protagonist heavily emphasized “the” in the verse as teaching, beyond doubt, no other viewpoint. As a known, young seminary student, I was drawn into the discussion. I shared with them as humbly as I knew how that “The” was not in the original language, and therefore it must be correctly read “A.”

Truly, there are many witnesses of the power of God, and man’s accountability of himself to Him. Romans 10:18 indicates a true witness throughout the earth, even unto the ends of the world. Doubtless, this is a reference to the first few verses of Psalm 19, and the witness of creation itself.

Is there anything so powerful as the actual gospel message in one’s native language? I think not! But truth is truth. Christ Jesus is not a Savior; He is THE Savior, but all of His handiwork testifies of Him, and is sufficiently empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring men to their knees in repentance. So what? Well, simply put, no one will be in hell but those who have rejected such grand testimonies and opportunities to be saved.

FOR THOUGHT: Do you see the importance of language indicators for proper understanding of ideas? There are many witnesses in creation of God inducing men to trust in Him, however, Do you see that the witness of New Testament truth, and how to acceptably serve Him is restricted to the Word? How much Bible reading do you do to help you see the systematized faith once delivered to the saints?