“𝗔𝗟𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘: 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗔 𝗩𝗦. 𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗖𝗛”

“ALWAYS CONSIDER THE SOURCE: ALEXANDRIA VS. ANTIOCH”

INTRODUCTION

Throughout church history, two major interpretive streams influenced Bible preservation and doctrine:

ALEXANDRIA — the source of allegory, philosophy, speculation, and corruption.

ANTIOCH — the source of literal truth, preserved Scripture, and dispensational understanding.

Alexandria spiritualized the Bible into human opinion.
Antioch preserved the Bible according to divine inspiration.

Alexandria doubted miracles.
Antioch believed every word of God.

Alexandria produced confusion.
Antioch produced clarity.

And in this Dispensation of Grace, where God commands believers to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15), the difference between these two schools becomes essential.

THE SOURCE OF SCRIPTURE — TWO STREAMS CONTRASTED

(Ps. 12:6–7)

A. Preserved Stream — Antioch maintained God’s words.

— Ps. 12:6–7

B. Perverted Stream — Alexandria altered and doubted the text.

— Jer. 23:36

C. Proven Stream — God validated His preservation through believers.

— Matt. 24:35

THE SPIRIT OF INTERPRETATION — ALLEGORICAL VS. LITERAL

(2 Pet. 1:20)

A. Alexandria Spiritualized Scripture

Driven by imagination, not revelation.
— Col. 2:8

B. Antioch Stood on Literal Truth

Meaning determined by grammar and context.
— Neh. 8:8

C. Paul Supports the Literal Approach

Doctrine rests on exact words.
— Gal. 3:16

THE STANDARD OF AUTHORITY — MAN’S IDEAS VS. GOD’S WORD

(2 Tim. 3:16)

A. Alexandria Elevated Philosophy

Origen and Philo overruled Scripture.
— Rom. 1:22

B. Antioch Exalted the Scriptures Alone

All authority comes from the written Word.
— Isa. 8:20

C. Apostolic Doctrine Endorses Scripture-first Theology

Not traditions, councils, or scholars.
— Acts 17:11

THE STABILITY OF THE TEXT — CORRUPTION VS. CONSISTENCY

(2 Cor. 2:17)

A. Alexandria Corrupted the Text

Many manuscripts, none agreeing.
— 2 Cor. 2:17

B. Antioch Conserved the Text

Thousands of copies in harmony.
— Ps. 119:89

C. God Confirms His Words, Not Human Edits

He preserves, not professors.
— Prov. 30:5–6

THE SUBSTANCE OF DOCTRINE — DOUBT VS. BELIEF

(1 Tim. 4:1)

A. Alexandria Questioned Christ’s Deity & Miracles

A spirit of unbelief.
— John 5:47

B. Antioch Affirmed Every Divine Truth

Literal miracles, literal resurrection.
— Acts 1:3

C. The Body of Christ Requires Sound Faith

Doctrine shapes destiny.
— Titus 2:1

THE SCOPE OF SCRIPTURE — SYSTEMATIC VS. DISPENSATIONAL

(2 Tim. 2:15)

A. Alexandria Produced Systematic Theology

Human categories forced onto Scripture.
— Isa. 29:13

B. Antioch Preserved Dispensational Truth

Right division reveals God’s program.
— Eph. 3:1–9

C. Paul’s Pattern Anchors the Church’s Doctrine

Follow Pauline revelation.
— 1 Tim. 1:16

THE SECURITY OF SALVATION — WORKS-MIXTURE VS. GRACE MESSAGE

(Eph. 2:8–9)

A. Alexandria Blurred Justification

Added sacraments, rituals, mysticism.
— Gal. 1:6–9

B. Antioch Boldly Preached Grace Alone

Faith in Christ’s finished work.
— Rom. 3:24

C. Paul Clarifies Eternal Security

Sealed by the Spirit until redemption.
— Eph. 1:13

THE SURETY OF THE BELIEVER — DOUBT VS. CONFIDENCE

(1 Cor. 14:33)

A. Alexandria Created Confusion

Multiple versions, conflicting verses.
— Amos 3:3

B. Antioch Created Certainty

One Bible, one authority, one truth.
— 1 Cor. 14:33

C. Paul Calls for Full Assurance

Confidence comes from clarity.
— Col. 2:2

THE SUCCESS OF THE CHURCH — FOUNDATION DETERMINES FUTURE

(Eph. 2:20)

A. Alexandria Weakens the Foundation

Faulty manuscripts weaken faith.
— Ps. 11:3

B. Antioch Strengthens the Foundation

Built on prophets, apostles, and Paul.
— Eph. 2:20

C. The Body of Christ Thrives on Truth

Where Scripture is pure, saints are strong.
— Acts 20:32

CONCLUSION

Alexandria represents corruption.
Antioch represents preservation.
Alexandria breeds error.
Antioch produces edification.
Alexandria weakens faith.
Antioch strengthens doctrine.

In the Dispensation of Grace, the Church must reject:

Philosophical interpretation

Allegorical confusion

Textual corruption

Doctrinal compromise

And embrace:

The literal Bible

The preserved text

The Pauline revelation

The rightly divided Scriptures

Always consider the source — because the source shapes the doctrine, and doctrine shapes the destiny.

CALL TO ACTION

Choose the Antioch approach — literal, historical, dispensational.
Reject Alexandria’s confusion — allegory, philosophy, corruption.
Defend the purity of Scripture and the gospel of grace.
Teach others to rightly divide and trust God’s preserved Word.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Two streams: corruption vs. preservation.
Two methods: allegory vs. literal.
Two authorities: man’s philosophy vs. God’s Word.
Two outcomes: confusion vs. clarity.
Two doctrines: works-system vs. grace salvation.
Two programs: systematic theology vs. dispensational truth.
Two foundations: error vs. edification.
Two fruits: doubt vs. assurance.
Two destinies: deception or sound doctrine.