Gospel: Called: Word of Life
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Word of Life" is a profound designation for the Gospel, emphasizing its divine origin and life-giving power. This title underscores the Gospel's role as the message of eternal life through Jesus Christ, the living Word. The phrase "Word of Life" is notably found in the New Testament, where it encapsulates the essence of the Gospel message.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle John, in his first epistle, introduces the concept of the "Word of Life" with a deep theological significance. In 1 John 1:1-2 , he writes: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life— and the life was revealed, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us." Here, John testifies to the tangible reality of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word, who embodies and imparts eternal life.

Theological Significance

The Gospel as the "Word of Life" highlights its transformative power. It is not merely a set of teachings or moral guidelines but the very revelation of God's life-giving truth. Through the Gospel, believers are invited into a relationship with Jesus Christ, who is the source of eternal life. This life is not only a future promise but a present reality for those who are in Christ.

Christ as the Living Word

The Gospel's identification as the "Word of Life" is intrinsically linked to Jesus Christ, who is described as the Word in the prologue of John's Gospel. John 1:1-4 states: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men." This passage affirms that Jesus, the eternal Word, is the source of all life, both physical and spiritual.

Implications for Believers

For believers, the Gospel as the "Word of Life" is a call to embrace the fullness of life offered through Christ. It is an invitation to experience the abundant life that Jesus promised in John 10:10 : "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness." This life is characterized by a deep, abiding relationship with God, marked by joy, peace, and purpose.

Proclamation and Witness

The early church understood the Gospel as the "Word of Life" to be a message that must be proclaimed and shared. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 2:15-16 , exhorts believers to "shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life." This call to witness reflects the responsibility of Christians to share the life-giving message of the Gospel with a world in need of hope and redemption.

Conclusion

The Gospel, as the "Word of Life," is central to the Christian faith, offering the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. It is a message that transforms lives, calling believers to live in the light of Christ's life and to share this transformative truth with others.
Nave's Topical Index
Philippians 2:16
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of John
... 15. The Gospel is in the Old Testament, and Indeed in the Whole Universe. Prayer ...
Person. What is Meant When He is Called the Word. 24. Christ ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/

The Corruption of Man, his Conversion to God, and the Manner ...
... nor of God, who calls men by the gospel and confers ... fault lies in themselves; some
of whom when called, regardless of their danger, reject the Word of life ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/the corruption of man his.htm

Laymen Called to the Field of Missions.
... of the church in great numbers are called to go ... indirectly, though efficiently, aid
the progress of the Gospel. ... ministers, and by scattering the word of life ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter v laymen called to.htm

The Word as a Means of Grace
... He commissioned His apostles to preach the same Gospel. They "went everywhere preaching
the Word." The Church called and sent others, whose life-work it was to ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xvii the word as.htm

The Birth and Early Life of John the Baptist.
The Four-Fold Gospel. ... thanksgiving for the time of Messiah's advent], saying, 68
Blessed [the hymn gets its name from this word, and is called the Benedictus ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/viii the birth and early.htm

That one God Formed all Things in the World, by Means of the Word ...
... on the top of a mountain, Elias being also present, as the Gospel relates, [4091 ...
with a vesture sprinkled with blood: and His name is called The Word of God ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xx that one god formed.htm

The Heart of the Gospel
... be famous for anything but preaching of the gospel. ... must, in fact, spell out each
word of my ... righteous," but to become the substance called "righteousness." I ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the heart of the gospel.htm

That the Same Christ is the Word of God.
... He sent His Word, and healed them." [3943] Moreover, in the Gospel according to ... with
a garment sprinkled with blood; and His name is called the Word of God ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/3 that the same christ.htm

A Chime of Gospel Bells.
... I say unto you, he that heareth My word, and believeth ... Let me ring out another bell
in this Gospel chime ... to be revealed in the last time." We are called to be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sovereign grace/chapter viii a chime of.htm

The Saviour's Last Command.
... The rapacity of those called Christians, which has not scrupled ... and perseverance,
in making known the Gospel to all ... long ere this, have heard the word of life? ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter iv the saviours last.htm

Resources
What is the Gospel of Peter? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be gospel-centered? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Gospel of Judas? | GotQuestions.org

Gospel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Gospel

Gospel According To the Hebrews

Gospel Of John

Gospel Of Luke

Gospel Of Mark

Gospel Of Matthew

Gospel: Called the New Covenant

Gospel: Called: Doctrine According to Godliness

Gospel: Called: Form of Sound Words

Gospel: Called: Glorious Gospel of Christ

Gospel: Called: Gospel of Christ

Gospel: Called: Gospel of God

Gospel: Called: Gospel of Jesus Christ

Gospel: Called: Gospel of Peace

Gospel: Called: Gospel of Salvation

Gospel: Called: Gospel of the Kingdom

Gospel: Called: Ministration of the Spirit

Gospel: Called: Mystery of Christ

Gospel: Called: Mystery of the Gospel

Gospel: Called: Preaching of Jesus Christ

Gospel: Called: The Dispensation of the Grace of God

Gospel: Called: The Grace of God

Gospel: Called: The Kingdom of God

Gospel: Called: Word of Christ

Gospel: Called: Word of Faith

Gospel: Called: Word of God

Gospel: Called: Word of Life

Gospel: Called: Word of Reconciliation

Gospel: Called: Word of Salvation

Gospel: Called: Word of Truth

Gospel: Compared to a Feast

Gospel: Compared to a Householder

Gospel: Compared to a Mustard Seed

Gospel: Compared to a Pearl of Great Price

Gospel: Compared to a Treasure Hidden in a Field

Gospel: Compared to Good Seed

Gospel: Compared to Leaven (Yeast)

Gospel: Prophecies Relating To

Gospel: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

The Gospel is Called the Dispensation of the Grace of God

The Gospel is Called the Doctrine According to Godliness

The Gospel is Called the Form of Sound Words

The Gospel is Called the Glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ

The Gospel is Called the Gospel of Christ

The Gospel is Called the Gospel of God

The Gospel is Called the Gospel of Peace

The Gospel is Called the Gospel of Salvation

The Gospel is Called the Gospel of the Grace of God

The Gospel is Called the Gospel of the Kingdom

The Gospel is Called the Ministration of the Spirit

The Gospel is Called the Mystery of the Gospel

The Gospel is Called the Preaching of Jesus Christ

The Gospel is Called the Word of Christ

The Gospel is Called the Word of Faith

The Gospel is Called the Word of God

The Gospel is Called the Word of Grace

The Gospel is Called the Word of Life

The Gospel is Called the Word of Reconciliation

The Gospel is Called the Word of Salvation

The Gospel is Called the Word of Truth

The Gospel is Everlasting

The Gospel is Glorious

The Gospel is Good Tidings of Great Joy for all People

The Gospel is Hid to Them That are Lost

The Gospel is the Power of God to Salvation

The Gospel: Awful Consequences of not Obeying

The Gospel: Be Careful not to Hinder

The Gospel: Brings Peace

The Gospel: Exhibits the Grace of God

The Gospel: Foretold

The Gospel: Let Him Who Preached Another, be Accursed

The Gospel: Life and Immortality are Brought to Light by Jesus Through

The Gospel: Ministers Have a Stewardship to Preach

The Gospel: Must be Believed

The Gospel: Preached Beforehand to Abraham

The Gospel: Preached by Christ

The Gospel: Preached to Every Creature

The Gospel: Preached to The Gentiles

The Gospel: Preached to The Jews First

The Gospel: Preached to The Poor

The Gospel: Preached Under the Old Testament

The Gospel: Produces Hope

The Gospel: Profession of, Attended by Afflictions

The Gospel: Promises to Sufferers

The Gospel: Rejection of, by Many, Foretold

The Gospel: Rejection of, by the Jews, a Means of Blessing to The

The Gospel: Saints Have Fellowship In

The Gospel: Testifies to the Final Judgment

The Gospel: The Knowledge of the Glory of God is By

The Gospel: There is Fulness of Blessing In

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Adhere to the Truth of

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Earnestly Contend for the Faith of

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Have Their Conversation Becoming

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Live in Subjection To

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should not be Ashamed of

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Sacrifice Friends and Property For

The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Sacrifice Life Itself For

Related Terms

Gospel's (3 Occurrences)

Endirons

Caesar's (10 Occurrences)

Preparation (28 Occurrences)

Magus

Evangelist (2 Occurrences)

Glad (421 Occurrences)

Tidings (169 Occurrences)

Millennium

Agrapha

Foolery

Euodia (1 Occurrence)

Bartholomew (4 Occurrences)

Paraclete

Retribution (14 Occurrences)

Logia

Committed (201 Occurrences)

Thomas (12 Occurrences)

Truth (380 Occurrences)

Liberty (32 Occurrences)

Intrusted (5 Occurrences)

Furtherance (5 Occurrences)

Thaddaeus (2 Occurrences)

Eunice (1 Occurrence)

Dispensation (8 Occurrences)

Premillennial

Praetorian (2 Occurrences)

Advocate (7 Occurrences)

Aenon (1 Occurrence)

Andrew (12 Occurrences)

Baptismal (1 Occurrence)

Anathema (6 Occurrences)

Minister (150 Occurrences)

Syriac (2 Occurrences)

Accountability

Latin (2 Occurrences)

Matthew (5 Occurrences)

Gnosticism

Martha (12 Occurrences)

Word (8118 Occurrences)

Nicodemus (5 Occurrences)

Gifts (144 Occurrences)

Synoptic

Flame (61 Occurrences)

Peace (523 Occurrences)

Parable (52 Occurrences)

Bethsaida (7 Occurrences)

Son (25967 Occurrences)

Trophimus (3 Occurrences)

Ebionism

Commandment (209 Occurrences)

Sacraments

Ebionites

Titus (15 Occurrences)

Preach (72 Occurrences)

Canonicity

Colossians (1 Occurrence)

Scribes (85 Occurrences)

Ascension (1 Occurrence)

Galilee (73 Occurrences)

Iscariot (11 Occurrences)

Saviour (157 Occurrences)

Persecution (22 Occurrences)

Fellowship (114 Occurrences)

Lest (282 Occurrences)

Father (11359 Occurrences)

Guard (185 Occurrences)

Verily (146 Occurrences)

Zealot (4 Occurrences)

Apostles (79 Occurrences)

Ostraca

Wheresoever (17 Occurrences)

Wealthy (22 Occurrences)

Wealth (340 Occurrences)

Illyricum (1 Occurrence)

Infancy (2 Occurrences)

Further (121 Occurrences)

Theophilus (2 Occurrences)

Gospel: Called: Word of God
Top of Page
Top of Page