The Bible’s answer
The expression the word of God” usually refers to a divine message or to a collection of those messages. (Luke 11:28) In a few places, “The Word of God” or “the Word” is used as a personal title.
A divine message. The prophets often stated that the messages they delivered were God’s word. For example, Jeremiah introduced his prophetic messages with the expression “the word of Jehovah came to me.” (Jeremiah 1:
A personal title. “The
Word” also appears in the Bible as a title for Jesus Christ, both as a
spirit in heaven and as a human on earth. Consider some reasons for this
conclusion:
- The Word lived before all other creation. “In the beginning was the Word . . . This one was in the beginning with God.” (John 1:
1, 2) Jesus is “the firstborn of all creation . . . He is before all other things.” —Colossians 1: 13- 15, 17. - The Word came to earth as a human. “The Word became flesh and resided among us.” (John 1:
14) Christ Jesus “emptied himself and took a slave’s form and became human.” —Philippians 2: 5-7. - The Word is God’s Son. After stating that “the Word became flesh,” as quoted above, the apostle John continued: “We had a view of his glory, a glory such as belongs to an only-begotten son from a father.” (John 1:
14) John also wrote: “Jesus is God’s Son.” —1 John 4: 15. - The Word possesses godlike attributes. “The Word was a god,” or “was divine.” (John 1:1; An American Translation) Jesus is “the reflection of God’s glory and the exact representation of his very being.”
—Hebrews 1: 2, 3. - The Word rules as a king. The Bible states that on the head of the Word of God are “many royal headbands.” (Revelation 19:12, 13; footnote) The Word is also named “King of kings and Lord of lords.” (Revelation 19:16) Jesus is called “the King of those who rule as kings and Lord of those who rule as lords.”
—1 Timothy 6: 14, 15. - The Word serves as God’s spokesman. The title “the Word” apparently identifies its bearer as one whom God uses to convey information and instructions. Jesus said that he performed this role: “The Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. . . . So whatever I speak, I speak just as the Father has told me.”
—John 12:49, 50. 45 Bible Verses about the Word of God For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word. The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God endures forever. He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him. Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.The unfolding of your words gives light;Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” For the word of the Lord is right and true;
it gives understanding to the simple.
he is faithful in all he does. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me? Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.For the Lord gives wisdom;To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. You make your saving help my shield,
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
and your right hand sustains me;
your help has made me great.
You provide a broad path for my feet,
so that my ankles do not give way. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.7 verses about the Word of God
Everything written in the Scriptures was written to teach us, in order that we might have hope through the patience and encouragement which the Scriptures give us. (Romans 15:4)
Yes, grass withers and flowers fade, but the word of our God endures forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
So then, anyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. (Matthew 7:24)
Read 10 Bible verses about hope.The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
God keeps every promise he makes. He is like a shield for all who seek his protection. (Proverbs 30:5)
Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105)
Be like newborn babies, always thirsty for the pure spiritual milk, so that by drinking it you may grow up and be saved. (1 Peter 2:2)
We wish to continue publishing Bible notes of encouragement for your Christian life. Please, write to us with your suggestions. We also appreciate your prayers for this ministry.
Beautiful Benefits of the Word of God
My time spent with the Lord can feel all across the map and often, unpredictable.But For Scripture is a firm foundation that never changes. Rather, it is a commentary on the state of my own heart and the many life circumstances that I bring to the throne of grace:
Some days, I come rejoicing: “Praise God for who he is and all he has done!”
Other days, I come tired and weary: “Oh Lord, come near to me and help me, I pray.”
And yet other days, I come particularly thirsty: “My soul thirsts for you; my body longs for you, as in a dry and weary land.”
How do you come? Despite our attitudes or feelings, despite the kind of days or nights we’ve had, the key is that we come. Come dependent. Come ready. Come to the fount where wisdom, and life, and truth are found.
Come to the sure and steady Word because it is the only firm foundation upon which we can stand. Nothing else compares, and nothing else assures our hearts like Scripture does. Nothing else points us to Christ like the Word, itself.
15 Beautiful Benefits of Scripture
If you’re wondering how to come to the Word today, consider these 15 beautiful benefits of Scripture:Come, let it nourish your dry soul. “My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!” (Psalm 119:25).
Come, let it strengthen your weary bones. “I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word!” (Psalm 119:107).
Come, let it redirect your wayward gaze. “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things, and give me life in your ways” (Psalm 119:37).
Come, let it soothe your discouraged heart. “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words” (Psalm 119:147).
Come, let it grant you peace. “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble” (Psalm 119:165).
Come, let it fill you with hope. “Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope” (Psalm 119:49).
Come, let it feed your hungry spirit. “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103).
Come, let it grant you deep wisdom. “I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts” (Psalm 119:100).
Come, let it reassure you during pain. “I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me” (Psalm 119:75)
Come, let it echo your glad praises. “At midnight I rise to praise you because of your righteous rules” (Psalm 119:62).
Come, let it keep you from falling into temptation. “Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God” (Psalm 119:115).
Come, let it point out your wrong beliefs and actions. “Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law!” (Psalm 119:29).
Come, let it assure you of your eternal inheritance. “My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise” (Psalm 199:123).
Come, let it comfort you in your time of trouble. “This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life” (Psalm 119:50).
In all times, come, and let it lead you to the Word of Life, Jesus Christ. “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments” (Psalm 119:176).
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, so that all who believe in his name could have life forever.
“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97).
Reasons Why We Should Study God's Word
The Bible is an incredible book of history and facts that proves that there is a God that created all things. Most important of all, the Bible is the Word of God. It contains the mind of God and His will for each one of our lives. That is why the Bible was given to us. Paul the Apostle says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." Why should we study the Word of God? The following are a few scriptural reasons that we should consider when answering this question.First, the Word of God is infallible. There is no error in God's Word. The law of the Lord is perfect concerning our soul. The testimony of the Lord is not only infallible it is inerrant. Proverbs 30:5-6, "Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar." The purity of His words does not need anything added to it. God warns us not to misrepresent His scripture.
Second, the Word of God is complete. The Bible does not need any new chapters or verses. It is all given to us already. Many cults add their own books or commentaries to the Bible. All you need is God's Word because it is the holy Word of God. It is complete. In Revelation 22:18-19, God gives us a warning, "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
Third, the Word of God is totally authoritative. The book of Psalms 119:89 says "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven." The Word of God is the only source for absolute divine authority. This divine authority is for you and me as servants of Jesus Christ. When some say, "I have a word from the Lord for you," write it down and as you study God's word see if the Lord speaks to you through His Scriptures. Only then will you know if the Lord is truly speaking to you.
Fourth, God's Word is totally sufficient for all of our needs. We don't need anything else. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 it reads "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." We Christians can be totally secure in the Lord by studying the Bible because it is God's plan for our life.
And fifth, the Word of God will accomplish what it promises. If God told you something will happen, and you wait, it will happen. In Isaiah 55:11 it says, "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." God sent His word to accomplish His perfect will in our lives. If God makes a promise to you He will fulfill it in His own time. There are so many promises given to us in the Bible. These promises reassure us and bring comfort to our lives in our times of trial. I challenge you to take time to study the Word of God. The Lord will show you wonderful things that will change your life.
Word of God downs St. David's,
Word of God pulled away from St. David's in the second half to claim a 66-59 win on Thursday night. St. David's started the game hot on offense. Kris Monroe scored seven points to lead the team, but five other players scored in the opening quarter as St. David's took a 24-9 lead.Word of God was able to chip away at the St. Daivd's lead some in the second quarter, posting a 13-11 advantage, but St. David's still led at halftime 35-22.
It was in the third quarter when the game turned around. Max Farthing hit a trio of three-point baskets in the third quarter and the Holy Rams got six points from both Zach Newkirk and Aaron Cash as Word of God outscored St. David's 24-7.
Word of God led 46-42 going into the fourth quarter.
A couple more three-point baskets by Farthing and six free throws from the team in the fourth quarter helped Word of God secure the seven-point win.
Farthing and Cash led Word of God in scoring with 15 points each. Newkirk added 14 points and Chase Forte scored 12 points in the win.
St. David's was led in scoring by Monroe's 21 points. Darion Green was the only other player in double-figures with 11 points.
The Bible: The Word of God
“The Scriptures:
We believe the Bible to be the verbally inspired Word of God without
error in the original writings, and the supreme and final authority in
doctrine and practice.”
Parade magazine had an article by Carl Sagan about
his experience with cancer. He said he didn’t believe in an afterlife.
He said Christians, Moslems, Jews and Hindus had told him they prayed
for him. “While I do not think that, if there is a god, his plan for me
will be altered by prayer, I’m more grateful than I can say.” Carl Sagan
has studied astronomy. He was the current authority on the cosmos. Yet
his study has led him to deny a Creator rather than worship Him. Isn’t
that what Romans 1:18-20 says?
Read Romans 1:18-20
We learn from creation that there is a God and He has great power. But God has revealed Himself even more extensively.
Read Hebrews 1:1-2
He spoke His Word through the prophets. But his
final and most complete revelation of Himself is in His Son. Jesus
reveals what God is like. How he thinks, feels, acts. And God has
preserved the record for us in the Bible. The Bible is the source for
what we believe about God, Christ, humanity, salvation, heaven? Does it
matter what our authority is? Why should we trust the Bible? What
evidence is there for us to let it be the authoritative book that
informs and controls our lives?
Bible from Gr. biblos, book; biblia, books. The word not used in the Bible.
The Bible Is The Unique Word Of God
The Bible is uniquely the Word of God.
There are two lines of evidence: external and internal.
External Evidence
1. The continuity of the Bible
It was written by more than 40 authors over about
1600 years, it is still one book, not a collection of books. The authors
were kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, physician, tax
collector, statesmen, scholars, poets and farmers.
It was written from various countries, from Italy,
Greece, Babylon, Persia and Israel. The human authors lived in different
cultures and had different experiences. They were different in
character and personality.
They wrote in 3 languages; Old Testament: Hebrew; Aramaic; New Testament: Greek.
But the Bible is not an anthology of books by
different authors. It has an amazing continuity and unity from Genesis
to Revelation.
The Paradise Lost
of Genesis becomes the Paradise Regained of Revelation. Whereas the
gate to the tree of life is closed in Genesis, it is opened forevermore
in Revelation. (Geisler & Nix. Evidence that Demands a Verdict, p. 19)
Doctrine is progressively unfolded throughout.
Salvation is hinted at in Genesis 3, developed by promises and pictures
in the OT, accomplished in the Gospels, explained in the epistles and
brought to glorious completion in Revelation.
2. The extent of biblical revelation
All the books of Bible were written in the early
days of human knowledge when authors were not aware of modern
discoveries. But what they wrote has never been contradicted by later
discovery.
Isaiah 40:22-He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth. That was written 2800 years ago.
Job 26:7-He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; He suspends the earth over nothing. That was written 4000 years ago.
Archeology consistently produces evidence that supports biblical statements. (Hittites, Sargon)
3. Influence and publication of Bible
No other book has been published in as many
languages. It still is a best-seller. The French atheist Voltaire said
that it would be obsolete within a hundred years from his time and
Christianity would be swept from existence and passed into history. But
Voltaire has passed into history and the Bible continues to be
circulated increasingly throughout the world. In fact, ironically, only 50 years after Voltaire's death, the Geneva Bible Society used his press and house to produce stacks of Bibles. (Evidence, p. 23)
4. Manuscript evidence
Compared to the few manuscripts of ancient writings
that are existent, there are 13,000 manuscript copies of portions of
the NT, some dating from as early as the second century.
Sir Frederic Kenyon, director and principal librarian of the British Museum said: No
other ancient book has anything like such early and plentiful testimony
to its text, and no unbiased scholar would deny that the text that has
come down to us is substantially sound”
5. Unprejudiced authority of Bible
Human authorship has not resulted in prejudice in
favor of man. The Bible records the sins and weakness of best of men
(Abraham, Moses, David, Peter). It records lies and misconceptions of
Satan and men (Job). It is a devastatingly honest record that is
consistent with our instinctive knowledge of human beings today.
6. The supreme character of the Bible
The Bible is a supernatural book revealing the
person and glory of God as manifested in His Son. A person like Jesus
Christ could never have been the invention of mortal man. Nor would we
have invented him if we could. Contrast Greek mythology where their gods
were magnified images of themselves.
Internal Evidence
Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17.Theopneustos=God-breathed. Only here NT.
Scripture is God-breathed
Scripture was breathed out by God. Inspiration
refers not so much to authors but to the Word of God. While the authors
were fallible and subject to error, God breathed out into their minds
His infallible Word, so that what they wrote was the inerrant Word of God.
How did God tell the human authors what to write?
Not by mechanical dictation.
Read 2 Peter 1:20-21
The human authors were moved or borne along,
carried to the destination intended by God much as a boat will carry its
passengers to its ultimate destination.
God used various ways to communicate His Word.
Exodus 34:27. Write down these words.
The Word of the Lord came to the prophets: Jeremiah 1:2; Hosea 1:1;
Visions and dreams, Daniel 2:1; 7:1
Therefore, the Scriptures are the very expression of God and must be as absolutelyauthoritative and absolutely perfect as He is or.
He is in error and fallible.
Extent of Inspiration--ALL Scripture
God directed so that all the words that were used were equally inspired by God. Verbal means words, plenary means full.
It doesn’t just contain the word of God, or is only the word when it speaks to you.
1 Timothy 5:18-Paul places Luke 10:7 on the same authoritative level as Deuteronomy 25:4, calling them both Scripture. (Graphe)
2 Peter 3:15-16--Peter refers to Paul’s writings as equal to the rest of Scripture.
VERBAL PLENARY INSPIRATION
Definition: The supernatural ministry of the Holy
Spirit in which He superintended the human authors of canonical
Scripture, so that their individual personalities composed and recorded
without error God's revelation to humanity in the words of the original
autographs.
The Spirit of God guided in the choice of the words
used by the human authors in the original writings. Various books
reflect the writers' personal characteristics in style and vocabulary,
and their personalities are often expressed in their thoughts, opinions,
confusion, prayers, or fears.
Luke was a physician and used medical terms.
Paul, a scholar of Greek literature, quoted from the Greek poets. (Acts 17)
God employed human writers and these men did not always understand all that they were writing (Daniel 12:8-9).
Nevertheless, under the guiding hand of God they
produced the 66 books, in which there is amazing unity and constant
evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in directing what was written.
Consistent Internal Testimony
The Bible consistently claims to be God’s Word throughout the Old and New Testaments.
Exodus 20:1ff; Deuteronomy 6:6-9, 17; 2 Samuel
22:31; 23:2; Psalm 19:7-11; 119:9,11,18,89-91, 97-100, 104-5, 130;
Proverbs 30:5-6; Isaiah 55:10-11; 22:29; Mark 13:31; John 2:22; 5:24;
10:35; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 1:23-25; Revelation 1:1-3;
22:18.
Testimony of Jesus
Jesus and the OT
Matthew 5:18; John 10:35. The Scripture cannot be broken.
He came in fulfillment of OT. Matthew. 1:22-33, 4:14; 8:17; 12:17; 15:7-8; 21:4-5.
Psalm 110:1 and Matthew 22:43-44. Accurate even to very words. Holy Spirit and David.
Luke 24:27--all Scriptures concerning Himself were accurate. John 5:39-40
He quoted from OT in every important section of NT,
often from books most disputed by liberals, e.g. Deuteronomy, Jonah,
Daniel. Deuteronomy 6:16--Matthew 4:7; Jonah, Matthew 12:40; Daniel
9:27; 12:11-Matthew 24:15. It is impossible to question inspiration of
OT without questioning the character and veracity of Jesus Christ.
Christ's trustworthiness is at issue. He said, “I am the truth.”He did
not accommodate Himself to the misconceptions of His age, as has been
charged by liberal critics.
Jesus and the NT
Jesus predicted the writing of NT. John 14:25-26;
15:26-27; 16:12-13. The Holy Spirit would do for the human writers of
the NT what He did for the human writers of the OT.
The testimony of Jesus regarding the Bible is
really determinative. If we believe that He is God, and sinless; if we
believe that He is the Truth; then we have to accept His evaluation of
Scripture as accurate. We may not understand everything perfectly.
That’s not essential. I don’t understand anything about atomic energy,
but I believe in it and I’ve seen evidence of its power. I’ve also
experienced the power of the Scriptures even though I don’t understand
everything in it thoroughly.
A proper approach to the Bible involves recognizing
that we cannot understand all that the Scriptures reveal, but what we
are able to understand is beautifully harmonized and is the only
accurate source of knowledge about God and faith in Him. The evidence of
fulfilled prophecy as in Daniel, the testimony of Jesus, and the fact
that the Holy Spirit uses it so effectively is compelling confirmation
that the Scripture is breathed out by the all knowing, all-powerful God
who loves us and made us His own through the Lord Jesus Christ, His Son.
Therefore we can trust the Bible as our authority for faith and
conduct.
Biblical Authority
Definition: the
divinely derived power of the written Word of God to communicate the
character and will of God with certainty and assurance.
The Scriptures Are Authoritative Because:
1. They are God-breathed.
2. They were written by chosen men who were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
3. They were attested to by the Lord Jesus Christ--the second person of the Godhead.
4. They are the Word employed by the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12. (1 Timothy 4:1) Sword of the Spirit.
Living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, etc.
5. Their own claims are fully vindicated.
Reread 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (Phillips)
All Scripture is
inspired by God and is useful for teaching the faith and correcting
error, for re-setting the direction of a woman’s life and training her
in good living. The Scriptures are the comprehensive equipment of the
woman of God, and fit her fully for all branches of His work.
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