A spiritual disease of Latitudinarianism prevails among the saints today, even among those who in the past have maintained the truth of God. This name emerged in the 17th and 18th Centuries within the Church of England, when certain religious leaders tended to minimize Christian doctrines. Its continuance to the l9th Century produced a liberal theology. Following it, the Spirit of God manifested the greatest revival of divine truth ever known since the early history of the Church.
Webster’s dictionary defines Latitudinarianism as “deviations from a standard of belief and opinion, especially in matters of religion; tolerant of deviation in opinion and doctrine.” A person who is a “latitudinarian,” the same source describes as “one who is broad and liberal in his standard of belief and conduct.” William Kelly, in his exposition of Revelation, describes this as Laodicean in character: “‘I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot.’ This is Latitudinarianism. It is not ignorance that works the deadly mischief, but the heart remaining indifferent to the truth, after it has fully been brought before it.”
The apostle Paul admonished Timothy, “Hold fast the form of sound words” (2 Tim. 1:13). The spirit of indifference to Pauline truth is in strong evidence today. One has said, “Evangelicalism without being followed by teaching will lead to the abandonment of Pauline truth” (J. N. Darby). Let us analyze the words of 2 Timothy 1:13.
What to do: “Hold fast.” The truth of God is to be firmly held. “Buy the truth, and sell it not” (Prov. 23:23). There is always someone else bidding for it against the Lord’s people–the devil!
What to hold: “The form of sound words.” We quote from the footnote of JND’s Translation: “Timothy had heard words or doctrines. Hence he was to have a summary or outline, so as to state clearly and definitely what he did hold.”
What are sound words? The word “sound” is linked with doctrine four times (in 1 Tim. l:10; 2 Tim. 4:3; Titus 1:9; Titus 2:1). It is also linked with “words” two times (1 Tim. 6:3, “wholesome words; 2 Tim. 1:13). It is also linked with “in the faith” in Titus 1:13 and 2:2. The word “sound” is a semi-medical one, referring to the spiritual health of the believer. Health-giving teaching is to produce healthy saints. The remedy for the absence of spiritual growth is to be the beneficial nourishment of healthy teaching.
What is the source of sound words? “Which thou hast heard of me,” writes Paul. If Paul could speak today regarding church conditions, would he not quote his own words in Acts 27:21? Eliminate the Pauline epistles and spiritual tragedy follows in the testimony. Under God, we are indebted to His servant Paul for church guidance in truth and practice. Through him God completed the divine revelation of truth (see Col. 1:25-28), the mystery of the Church.
What is the evidence of sound words? It is possible to hold sound doctrine and still remain in an unhealthy state of soul. The genuine proof is that it is assimilated into personal experience. In 2 Timothy 1:12, the effective experience of practiced truth in Paul’s life is recorded (also in 2 Tim. 3:10-12). You find in the pastoral letters two great principles emphasized: sound doctrine and sound living. Paul could never be accused of “mentally trafficking in unfelt truth” as some of our preachers of the past often said. His life supported his admonition to Timothy to “hold fast” in the midst of departure from the truth that had already set in, many having defected (2 Tim. 1:15). If Timothy faced this danger in his day, what shall we say of it now?
The danger of being like so much dead driftwood, carried about by winds of doctrine and waves of circumstances, is strong today (Eph. 4:14-15). Hence the importance of faithfulness to God’s Word and constant spiritual growth. In relation to the truth of God, in 2 Timothy we are admonished to hold it (2 Tim 1:13); to teach it (2 Tim. 2:2); to abide in it (2 Tim. 3:14); and to preach it (2 Tim. 4:2). Let us search our hearts and ask: “Am I heeding Paul’s admonition to hold fast?” Or am I a Latitudinarian?
In these days of spiritual declension, this exhortation is necessary. The phrase “hold fast” occurs twelve times in Scripture, for however dark and difficult the path, we ought to have a strong grip on God’s truth. If we are inclined to let it go, we should repent and tighten our grip. Consider some important truths we should “hold fast.”
1. The gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4). Paul delighted in the declaration of the gospel, which we have believed and by which we are saved. Many preach on moral problems, current questions, and give sermonettes on topics innumerable, instead of preaching the “death, burial, and resurrection” of Christ as the message of salvation. All need to hear the glorious tidings in simplicity and power (note Gal. 1:9). Let us hold fast the gospel.
2. Assurance of salvation (Jn. 3:36; 5:24; 1 Jn. 5:13; 2 Tim. 1:12). Take God at His Word. The believer is not only saved but safe! He can “never perish” (Jn. 10:28, etc.). The Scripture was given “that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” How unfortunate that so many believers think their salvation can be lost. You cannot lose anything God gives that is eternal. Let us hold fast to our blessed assurance.
3. Inspiration of the Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:21). Probably the longest and greatest theological battle rages over the fallibility or infallibility of the Bible. Prominent ecclesiastical leaders openly deny the verbal inspiration of the Bible in its inerrancy. Yet godly men in the past century whose hearts the Lord touched, after much prayer and study of God’s Word, repudiated all creeds, catechisms, and confessions, and took the Bible for their complete guide in all matters relating to the Church and Christian life. The Bible stands; hold it fast.
4. The gathering name of Christ (Mt. 18:20). One precious Name alone expresses the unity of the Church–“My name,” said the Lord Jesus. Paul stated it in 1 Corinthians 1:2, yet even in his day some were not satisfied with this (see 1 Cor. 1:12). The only church which Scripture gives us authority to belong to, is called the church of the living God (1 Tim. 3:15). All true believers are in this “Body of Christ” (1 Cor. 12:13) and united to the risen Head in heaven (Eph. 1:22-23). If you are one, practice this truth and hold it fast.
5. The priesthood of all believers (1 Pet. 2:1-10). Note we are a “holy priesthood” and a “royal priesthood” (vv. 5, 9). Every believer, young or old, is a priest in God’s spiritual house. There are no distinctions–such as clergy or laity–for each one is called and ordained by God to enjoy immediate access into God’s presence at all times and in all circumstances (Heb. 10:19). We may have different functions to perform as God reveals, but we are equally the same in the priesthood (read Rev. 1:5-6; 5:10). How precious to recognize the whole priesthood is under the authority of the great High Priest above (Heb. 4:14-16; 7:25). Hold it fast!
6. Separation to God (2 Cor. 6:14-18). In the spiritual realm we are to walk separate from the world (Jn. 15:19; 1 Jn. 2:15). We are to be separate from the “disorderly” (2 Thess. 3:6); separate from those with unsound doctrine (2 Jn. 8-10); and from immorality (1 Cor. 5:11, 13). But above all, we are to be separated unto God. Remember that separation from true believers, sound in faith and godly in life, is not taught in the New Testament. God’s children are to be a separated people, not from each other but from those influences that would keep us from each other! This is greatly neglected. We need to hold it fast.
7. The coming of the Lord (Jn. 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-54). The premillennial return of the Saviour is our blessed hope. This doctrine has been abused and emasculated by some, bringing confusion to many saints. But let us be “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). Keep saying: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” And in the meantime, hold fast!