The Word of God (The Bible)

The Bible is God’s personal Words to His people. It is given to us as a guide to live the life intended for us, that is, to glorify God. This study of the Word of God will come in three articles. In this article, I will give an overview of the Word of God. In the next, I will give your some reasons why you must study the Word. Since my goal for this study is to encourage you to study the Word, I will not but show you how to study it. So the last of this series of articles will focus on how to study the Bible.

The Word of God is complete and should be taken as the final authority for all matters of faith and godliness.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The Word of God is surer and more reliable than any other information or revelation outside of the Bible. According to Apostle Peter, the Word of God is not “cunningly devised fables” but “a more sure word of prophecy”. After witnessing the real vision of the glory of Christ, Peter confessed that there is still a more sure word of prophesy, that is, the Scriptures:

2 Peter 1:15-21 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. 16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 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. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 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: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 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.

With the above said, the following are some important things to know and keep in mind about the Word of God:

1. The Bible is Inspired by God through the Spirit

The message of the Bible is inspired by God through the Holy Spirit, all that is in the Bible is God-breathed. Although each Book of the Bible is associated with a human writer with each writer writing with different writing styles, the Words that they wrote were not original to them. What the writers of the Bible wrote were the Words of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit moved them to write those Words as Peter clearly tells us in his Epistle:

2 Peter 1:20-21  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 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 Holy Spirit is the source and power behind the revelation of the Scriptures.

The Holy Spirit moved the Old Testament prophets to prophesy about the future comings of Christ. Peter also tells us about this in his Epistle:

1 Peter 1:10-11 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

Acts 3:18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

Towards the end of His earthly ministry, Christ makes two promises regarding the coming Holy Spirit. We find one of these promises in John 14:25–26 where Christ says the the Holy Spirit will teach us all things and bring all things to our remembrance.

John 14:25-26  These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

This promise was fulfilled in the writings of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). When we read this portion of the Bible today, the Holy Spirit continues that work in us in that He will illuminate our hearts with the truth of the Word and also enable us to practice what we have learned in the Word.

The second promise of Christ regarding the Holy Spirit is that He will show us things to come. There were things that Christ needed to tell His disciples which they weren’t ready to received, in that, they won’t be able to comprehend it at that time. Hence, Christ said the Spirit will come after He is gone, and the Spirit will show us those things that we still needed to now.

John 16:12-15  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Again, the above promise was fulfilled in the writings of the Apostles’ Letters and Epistles, as well as the Book of Revelation given to John. When we read the Epistles and the Book of Revelations today, God is still speaking to us through His Spirit. We read the Words inspired by the Spirit, and the Spirit himself continues to help us understand the Words and apply them to our lives.

You can now see how the entire Bible is inspired by God through His Spirit. I know many people today who like to speak of the new revelations they receive from God. But when diligently investigate the words that speak, they usually contrary to the already revealed truth. Those are things we do not need. The Word of God which is given to us in the Bible is sufficient for life and godliness, nothing new is to be added, and there is nothing too old that we must remove.

2. The Word of God Testifies of Jesus Christ

Not only does the Bible testify of Jesus Christ, the entire Bible is all about the plan of God to save the world through the Work of Christ. We see Jesus, the Son of God and God the Son, and His future works as early as in the Garden of Eden. When you study the Bible, there is no way you won’t discover Christ. In His own words, Jesus says “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39. The only way you won’t encounter Christ in the Bible is if you have your mind and heart closed. That is why we need to approach the Bible “with all readiness of mind” like the Bereans did (Acts 17:11).

All the prophets wrote about Christ:

Acts 10:43  To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

John 1:45  Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

See also: Deuteronomy 18:15,18; Luke 24:27,44; Acts 26:22-23; Romans 1:2; 1 Peter 1:10-11; Revelation 19:10.

3. The Word of God is Truth

The Bible, the Word of God, is the source of truth, the only source of truth! There could be among men those who are able to speak words of wisdom and motivational speeches, but all truth come from God to us through His Words. If you want the truth, read the Bible. The Psalmist has this to say about the Words of God

Psalm 119:142, 151  Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. 151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

The Apostles of Jesus Christ refer to the Word of God and the gospel of salvation as the “word of truth”

2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

James 1:18  Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

But not only is the Word of God the source of truth, it is also itself the truth! In His prayers prior to going to the cross, Christ refers to the Word of God as “truth”.

John 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

The Apostle John, at the beginning of his Gospel, refers to Christ as “the Word” (John 1:1). Christ in the Gospel of John, refers to Himself as “the truth” (John 14:6). It is therefore safe and biblical to say that God gave us His truth through Christ. No wonder the writer of Hebrews says that God spoke to us in these last days by His son:

Hebrews 1:1-2  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.

See also:  2 Samuel 7:28; Psalm 12:6; 19:7; 119:144,151-152; John 8:40; Ephesians 4:21; 2 Timothy 2:25-26.

The Devil is Void of the Truth

The devil on the other hand is completely void of the truth. The devil has nothing to offer you but lies. At the same time, we shouldn’t be ignorant of the fact that the devil has devices; he is capable of presenting deadly and destructive things to us as beneficial and fulfilling. The devil started to lie right from the beginning of time, remember the deception in the Garden of Eden? Christ Himself speaks of the devil in the Bible:

He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. – John 8:44.

See also: Genesis 3:3-7; 1 Kings 22:22; 1 Chronicles 21:1; James 4:1-7; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 2:10; 9:11; 13:6-8; 20:7-9.

4. The Word of God is Power and the Source of Power

The Word of God is the source of power, but it is also itself power. Do you desire to be powerful? The Word of God is your answer. In his Epistles, the Apostle Paul refers to the gospel as the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). You need this power to become a child of God. But don’t believe people who try to give you a list of things to do in order to receive the power. The only source of the power is the gospel. John says:

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12.

The way to receive Christ is by simply believing, and this is how you get the power of God. That is why the Bible says that the gospel “is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth“. If anyone tells you anything different from this, the person must be speaking of another kind of power.

Listen to Paul’s declaration regarding the gospel of Christ:

1 Corinthians 1:22-24  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

The writer of Hebrews says that “the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). This is why it is able to pierce human hearts, convict the sinners of sins, and lead to the conversion of the hearts of men and women.

If you desire the power of God, you have to soak yourself in His Words. It is the Word of God in your heart that will empower you. Simply owning a Bible is not enough. You have to read it. The Bible calls the Word of God “the sword of the spirit”, this is a weapon of defense against the wiles of the devil. You have to be familiar with the Scripture if you desire this kind of weapon. Again, just having a Bible on or with you will not protect you from this kind of attack. As rightly put by a preacher:

You can have a Bible Warehouse and not have the sword of the Spirit – Dr. John MacArthur.

A Christians without the Word is nothing but a powerless Christian.

See also: Psalm 45:3; 110:2; 119:130; 149:6;  Proverbs 5:4; Ecclesiastes 12:11; Isaiah 11:4; 49:2; 55:11; Jeremiah 23:29; John 6:51; Acts 2:37; 5:33; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Ephesians 6:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; 2:4-5; Re 1:16; 2:16; 19:15,21.

If you desire the power of God, you have to soak yourself in His Words. It is the Word of God in your heart that will empower you. Simply owning a Bible is not enough.

5. The Word of God Produces and Changes LIFE

As mentioned in point 3 above, the gospel gives power to become a child of God. This is regeneration, a process where the Holy Spirit imparts new life into the one who believes. It happens through the power of the Word of truth.

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 John 1:1   That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

We receive new life when we come to Christ by faith. That faith is a gift from God to us (Ephesians 2:8), and it is produced through the Word of God. That is why the Apostle James in his Epistle states that we (i.e the believers) were born by the Word:

James 1:18  Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

In Acts 17, the Bible compares the Jews in Thessalonica with those in Berea. The Jews in Thessalonica rejected the Word and persecuted the Apostles. But those in Berea were considered “more noble”. Why? Because “they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11. Two things stand out with the Bereans:

• first they received the Word with all readiness of mind – meaning they were open-minded to the Word. They allowed the Word to permeate their heart.
• but not only did they open their heart to the Word, the Bible says that they also searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

The word “search” in this verse must not go unnoticed. It is the Greek word ἀνακρίνω or anakrínō (pronounced an-ak-ree’-no). According to Strong’s Greek Dictionary, it means to scrutinize, i.e. (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine. Therefore, we can refer to what the Bereans did as thorough investigation. By so doing, they, unlike the Jews in Thessalonica, were able to discover the truth in the message of the Apostles, and many of them believed and were saved, “not a few”, the Bible says.

Acts 17:12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

See also: Proverbs 10:17; John 6:63, 68; Acts 13:26; 2 Timothy 2:15-17; Hebrews 4:12; 1 John 1:1.

6. The Word of God Produces Righteousness

In Matthew 13:1-23 (also in Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:4-15), we see the parable of the sower spoken by Jesus Christ. Four groups of people are identified in the parable and its interpretation:

• the unsaved listeners who do not understand (Matthew 13:19)
• the shallow-hearted listeners who aren’t truly saved (Matthew 13:20-21)
• carnal and worldly converts who could not let go of the things of the world (Matthew 13:22)
• the true converts who wholeheartedly heard and understood the Word and born fruits (Matthew 13:23)

We are told in the Bible that the Word of God was the seed that was sown (Luke 8:11). Jesus Christ says in Matthew 13:23:

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

The Word of truth, when received, believed and obeyed, produces the fruit of righteousness.

The Word also leads to sanctification, when rightly applied. Jesus Himself has this to say in His prayer to the Father in John 17:

John 17:17-19  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

There will be no holy or Godly life without a good knowledge and the understanding of the Word of God. Do you want to have a life that is acceptable and pleasing to God? Then you need to start taking the Word into your heart daily. Read and study the Scriptures.

Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

See also: Psalm 19:7-9; John 8:32; 15:3; Acts 15:9; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 5:26; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; James 1:21; 1 Peter 1:22-23.

7. It is Needed for an Acceptable Worship

There are many today who think they can worship God in any way they want. Listen to the Word of Jesus about acceptable worship:

John 4:23-24  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

What does it mean to worship God “in spirit and in truth.”? It is simple. God is spirit, so our worship to Him must be spiritual and heart-felt. Worship done just for a show is not an acceptable worship. Jesus and Elijah has this to say about the Jews:

Matthew 15:7-9  Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

But no only that, worship must also be based on the truth of the Scripture. So a good knowledge of the Word of God is what will empower you for an acceptable worship. Haven’t you heard some hymns? Many of them were written directly from the Scriptures. Some gospel hymns will preach the gospel to you almost like the way the Scripture does. But songs or singing is not the only way to worship God. Every attempt that we make to live our lives for God’s glory is worship to Him.

Also, let’s not forget who is the truth, it’s Jesus Christ Himself. See His own Words in John 14:6.

John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

If you know Jesus, sincerely desires His will, and your worship is based upon His will, then you will be a true worshiper who worships God in Spirit and in truth.

See also: Joshua 24:14; 1 Samuel 12:24; 1 Chronicles 29:17; Psalm 17:1; 32:2; 51:6; Isaiah 26:8-9; 29:13; 48:1-2; 58:2,8-14; 66:1-2; Jeremiah 7:7-12; Luke 18:11-13.

8. The Truth Leads to Freedom

One of the things that the devil loves so much is to keep people in bondage, especially in the bondage of sins. The knowledge of the truth is the only thing that can set you free. Jesus says this to the Jews in John 8:

John 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

But they argued the fact that they needed freedom. So Jesus had to explain to them what they didn’t realize:

John 8:33-36  They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Think about what the gospel does: mankind fell into sin and death due to the deception of Satan. Christ came and atoned for our sins and redeemed us from death and hell. This very simple but powerful message of the gospel is what the devil would do all he could to stop the fallen world from receiving. We read about this in 2 Corinthians:

 2 Corinthians 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

The gospel sets the captives of sin free, but many are yet to receive it. Are you free today or do you still live in bondage and fear? You can come to Christ today and be free! That is exactly why Christ came and died, and rose from the dead, to help those who are in the danger of deceptions.

Luke 4:18-19  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

See also: John 8:36; 17:17; Psalm 119:45; Isaiah 61:1; Romans 6:14-18,22; 8:2,15; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Galatians 5:13; 2 Timothy 2:25-26; James 1:25; 2:12; 1 Peter 2:16.

9. The Word of God is Not to Be Altered

The Word of God is not to be added to or taken from. This is a clear commandment of God in both Testaments of the Bible.

Deuteronomy 4:2  Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Proverbs 30:6  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar

Matthew 5:18  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Revelation 22:18-19  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

It is a serious sin against the God Almighty to mess with His Words. The Word is a message to us from God, and must be received unadulterated. Unfortunately, many preacher and Church leaders of our days do not have any problem disobeying this commandment with their twisting of the Bible and their personal revelations. All we can do is to pray for their repentance.

See also: Exodus 7:2; Leviticus 18:4; 19:37; Deuteronomy 12:32; Joshua 1:7; Proverbs 30:6; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Galatians 3:15.

10. It is the Standard of the judgment

On the last day, everyone who have lived will be asked what they did with the Word of God. I have to mention here that the believers and the unbelievers will attend different judgments; and the results of these judgments are different. God gave us His Words and it is our responsibility to study and understand it. If we fail to do that, there is no excuse for us. Jesus Christ in His own words says:

John 12:48: He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

See also:

Psalm 9:7-8  But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. 8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

Romans 2:16  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

What have you done and are still doing with the Word of God and the gospel that was preached to you? This will be the basis for judgment on the last days for both believers and unbelievers.

I hope this was a blessing to you and that it encourages you to study the Word of God. It is a rewarding thing to do. In the next article, I will be speaking on Why You Should Study the Bible. That will also be follow by another message on How to Study the Bible. Watch out!

If you’ve not saved, or maybe you sometimes doubt your salvation, you can address that problem right now. The whole world have sinned against God and offended Him. The result of our offense is that we die and go to hell where will be punished with unquenchable fire for all eternity. The only solution to this problem is for us to be saved. But we cannot save ourselves since we do not have what it takes to do so. That is the bad news.

The good news is that Jesus Christ loves us so much that He voluntarily came and died in our place. He took the punishment that you and I deserve.

1 Peter 3:18  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

He shed His blood to redeem us from the curse of sin.

Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

He has also offered salvation to all who believes in Him. So all that you need to do in order to be saved is to believe that Christ suffered and died in your place and fully paid the penalty of your sins. If you believe this with all your heart, the Bible says you will be saved.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

If you believe today, I congratulate you. If not, I strongly recommend that you consider it as soon as possible. For additional detail on the gospel or salvation, please see The Gospel of Salvation.