1 Timothy 3:14-16

v14-15: The church is the pillar and foundation of the truth.  It is to work hard "to maintain, hold out, and proclaim the truths of Christ." Each local church is to "be careful to keep and preserve" the truth and to "take care to proclaim it and to transmit it safe and uncorrupted to future generations." If a "church stops being the pillar and foundation of the truth, we may and should leave her, for our regard for truth should be greater than our regard for the church."

v16: What is the truth that churches are to be a pillar and foundation of?  It is Christ.  "He is God revealed in the flesh."  He was put to death for our sins and to show that "his sacrifice was accepted," he was raised again by the Spirit for our justification.  Angels "attended his incarnation, his temptation, his anguish, his death, his resurrection, and his ascension."   He has been "offered to the Gentiles as Redeemer and Saviour" and "many of the Gentiles welcomed the Gospel that the Jews rejected."   Finally In His ascension, He was taken up in glory.  This happened "before he was believed on in the world, but it is put last" because it includes "his being seated at the right hand of God" from where he is now "making intercession" and "has all authority both in heaven and on earth."