Bible Matters 392: Word

John introduces “Word” in his gospel.  No other New Testament witness uses a capitalized version of the “word.”

John 1:1-2 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God. 

Who or what is the “Word?”

In the Old Testament, the “word of the Lord” is used 248 times.  The “word of the Lord” is the Lord God speaking directly to the prophets.  It was up to the prophets to obey the word of the Lord.  Lord in this case, is the Lord God. 

Numbers 3:14-16 – And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,  Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.  And Moses numbered them according to the word of the Lord, as he was commanded.

In the case of Noah and others, the word of the Lord is the Lord God speaking directly to the prophets. 

Genesis 6:13-14 – And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.  Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch….

In the New Testament, the “word of the Lord” is used 13 times.  The “word of the Lord” is the instruction of the Lord Jesus. 

Luke 22:61 – And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

In the Old Testament, the “word of God” is used 4 times.  As in the “word of the Lord”, the “word of God” is the Lord God, speaking directly to the prophets. 

1 Chronicles 17:3-5 – And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in:  For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another.

Proverbs 30:5 – Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

In the New Testament, the “word of God” is used 44 times.  The “word of God” is used as communication directly from God.  In the case of John the Baptist, God communicated directly with him.

Luke 3:2-8 – Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.  And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;  As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.  Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;  And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.  Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

The ”word of God” is the testimony that Jesus taught the disciples throughout his ministry.  The “word of God” was taught to the Jews and the Gentiles by the Apostles and the disciples.  The “word of God” and the “word of the Lord” are those instructions which are to be used by you to live a life unto righteousness.

Luke 8:21 – And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

Luke 11:28 – But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

1 Peter 1:23 – Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

1 Peter 1:25 – But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Revelation 1:1-2 – The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:  Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

The “word of God” was given to Jesus through the baptism of the Holy Ghost descending down upon Jesus.  Four witnesses, gave testimony on this baptism.

Matthew 3:15-17 – And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Mark 1:9-13 – And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.  And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:  And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.  And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

Luke 3:21-23 –  Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,  And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.  And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

2 Peter 1:17-21 –  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

The ”Word” that John is referring to are God’s instructions given by holy men of God as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 

God in himself, means nothing.  He is the almighty.  He created the heavens and the earth.  He created man last.  He is looking for his “Word” to be used for instructions unto righteousness and to grow his kingdom here on earth and in heaven.  God sent his Son so that the world though him might be saved. 

John 3:17-18 – For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

God’s instructions in the New Testament or the “Word” are to be followed.  His words created the heaven and the earth.  His word is what makes God, God the Almighty.  Learn his “Word” given to you in the New Testament, go do it and give God the glory in all you do!

To God be the glory in all you do, Amen.