Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 1000 God » 1600 Scripture as the word of God » 1690 word of God The utterances of God, especially as revealed in Scripture. This may take the form of commands or promises. The term can also refer to Jesus Christ as the incarnate Word of God. The word of God revealed as law God has made his commands and requirements known Psalm 147:19 See also Exodus 20:1-17; Exodus 24:3; Exodus 34:27-28; Deuteronomy 5:5; Isaiah 2:3 pp Micah 4:2; Matthew 15:6 pp Mark 7:13 God's law is to be obeyed Deuteronomy 30:14 See also Joshua 23:6; Psalm 119:4; Luke 8:21; Luke 11:28; James 1:22-23 Examples of disobedience and its consequences Numbers 15:31; 1 Samuel 15:23-26; 2 Samuel 12:9; 1 Chronicles 10:13; 2 Chronicles 34:21; Isaiah 5:24; Jeremiah 8:9 The word of God as prophecy The prophets spoke the words of God Jeremiah 1:9; 1 Samuel 3:1; Jeremiah 25:3 God's prophetic word came to Israel with varying frequency. See also 1 Kings 17:24; 2 Kings 24:2; 2 Chronicles 36:12,15; Isaiah 16:13; Isaiah 24:3; Jeremiah 7:1; Jeremiah 14:1; Amos 8:11-12; Malachi 1:1 Prophetic introductory formulae “The word of the LORD came to ...”: Genesis 15:1; 1 Samuel 15:10; 2 Samuel 24:11; 1 Kings 6:11; 2 Kings 20:4 pp Isaiah 38:4; Jeremiah 16:1; Ezekiel 6:1; Jonah 1:1; Zechariah 1:1 “Hear the word of the LORD”: 1 Kings 22:19; 2 Kings 20:16 pp Isaiah 39:5; Isaiah 1:10; Jeremiah 2:4; Hosea 4:1 “This is what the LORD says”: 2 Samuel 7:5 pp 1 Chronicles 17:4; 2 Kings 1:6; Isaiah 37:6; Jeremiah 2:5; Ezekiel 2:4; Amos 1:3; Haggai 2:11 Prophetic predictions fulfilled 1 Kings 12:15 See also 1 Kings 15:29; Kings 16:12,34; Kings 22:38; 2 Kings 1:17; Kings 9:36; Kings 10:17; Kings 14:25; Kings 15:12; Kings 23:16; 2 Chronicles 36:21-22 The word “against” a people, indicating judgment Isaiah 9:8; Isaiah 37:22; Jeremiah 25:30; Amos 3:1; Zephaniah 2:5; Zechariah 9:1 True prophecy is inspired by God 2 Peter 1:20-21 See also Nehemiah 9:30; Jeremiah 23:16,25-26,30; Ezekiel 13:1-3; Micah 3:8 A true prophet hears from God 2 Kings 3:12; Jeremiah 5:13; Jeremiah 23:18; Jeremiah 27:18 The prophetic word is to be heeded Exodus 9:20-21; Jeremiah 6:10; Jeremiah 25:3; Zechariah 7:12 The word of God as Scripture Scripture is the written word of God Daniel 9:2 See also Romans 3:2; Romans 15:4 NT writings are classified as Scripture Scripture is inspired and true The foundational importance of Scripture It must not be distorted or changed: Deuteronomy 4:2; Deuteronomy 12:32; Proverbs 30:6; 2 Corinthians 2:17; Corinthians 4:2; 2 Timothy 2:15; Revelation 22:19 It is to be read publicly: Nehemiah 8:1-8; 1 Timothy 4:13 It is to be meditated upon: It is the test of orthodoxy: Isaiah 8:20; Acts 17:11 Matthew 22:29 pp Mark 12:24 It is the basis for preaching: Acts 17:2; Acts 18:28 1 Corinthians 4:6 It sets the limit of authoritative doctrine. Jesus Christ as the incarnate Word of God Jesus Christ is God in the flesh John 1:1 See also John 1:14; John 12:45; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:2; 1 John 1:1; Revelation 19:13 Jesus Christ speaks the Father's words John 8:40 See also Matthew 22:16 pp Mark 12:14 pp Luke 20:21; John 7:18 Jesus Christ's words have sovereign power Matthew 8:8 pp Luke 7:7; Matthew 8:16; Hebrews 1:3 The gospel as the word of God It was preached by Jesus Christ Mark 2:2 See also Matthew 13:19-23 pp Mark 4:14-20 pp Luke 8:11-15; Mark 4:33; Luke 4:43 pp Mark 1:38; Luke 5:1 It was preached by the first Christians 1 Thessalonians 2:13 See also Mark 16:20; Acts 6:2; Acts 8:4; Acts 11:1 to the Gentiles; Acts 13:5 to the Jews; Acts 15:35-36; Acts 17:13; 1 Corinthians 14:36; 2 Corinthians 2:17; Corinthians 4:2; Philippians 1:14; Colossians 1:25; 2 Timothy 4:2 It leads to numerical and spiritual growth within the church Acts 6:7; Acts 12:24; Acts 13:49; Acts 19:20; Colossians 1:5-6; 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Paul stresses that the preached word is not merely a verbal message but a dynamic power which achieves things. It must be preached Descriptions of God's word It is true: It is flawless: 2 Samuel 22:31 pp Psalm 18:30; Proverbs 30:5 It is infallible: 1 Kings 8:56; 2 Kings 10:10 Psalm 103:20 It is obeyed by angels. It is eternal: Psalm 119:89,152; Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:25 Psalm 119:103 It is sweet and delightful; Psalm 138:2 It is exalted above all things; Isaiah 45:23 It is irrevocable; Ephesians 6:17 It is the sword of the Spirit; 2 Timothy 2:9 It is not chained; Hebrews 4:12 It is living and active; 1 Peter 1:23 It is living and enduring. Comparisons of the word of God with everyday things Food: Deuteronomy 8:3; Job 23:12; Psalm 119:103; Jeremiah 15:16; Ezekiel 2:8; Ezekiel 3:1; 1 Peter 2:2 Psalm 119:105 light Fire: Jeremiah 5:14; Jeremiah 20:9; Jeremiah 23:29 Jeremiah 23:29 a hammer; Hebrews 4:12 a two-edged sword The word of God has power It is active Isaiah 55:11 The Hebrew for “word” can also mean “action” or “deed”. This indicates that God's word is active. It brings about creation Psalm 33:6 See also 2 Peter 3:5 It governs and maintains the created order Hebrews 1:3 See also Psalm 147:18 It gives life Deuteronomy 8:3 See also Isaiah 55:2-3; Matthew 4:4 pp Luke 4:4 It consecrates secular things 1 Timothy 4:5 “the word of God and prayer” probably means “scriptural prayer”; i.e., on the basis of scriptural teaching the believer offers thanksgiving and prayer. It restrains from evil It heals and rescues It has power to save James 1:21 See also 2 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 1:23 It brings about the growth of the kingdom of God Matthew 13:23 pp Mark 4:20 pp Luke 8:15 It builds up the saints See also
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