THE BIBLE AS THE WORD OF GOD

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE AS THE WORD OF GOD
Presented by Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

                                   Devotional Text: Ezek. 3:1-3; 2 Tim. 2:15

INTRODUCTION:

The Bible is the WORD of GOD (1 Thess. 2:13), and the WORD of GOD is the Word of Life (Phil. 2:16), which the Apostle Peter also refers to as the WORD of Eternal Life, (John 6:68). In His own assertion, JESUS says, the WORD of GOD is Life and Spirit designed to build up the lives of those who receive it (vs. 63), and this, concretises the importance of the WORD. Furthermore, the WORD of GOD is a cleansing agent (John 15:3) capable of purifying someone who pays attention to it (Psalm 119:9), as well as equips those who study it for the work of the ministry (2 Tim. 2:15).

GENERAL REMARKS

(i)              The WORD of GOD is quick and powerful, (Heb. 4:12)

(ii)            The WORD of GOD has been with GOD from the beginning, (John 1:1-2)

(iii)           The WORD of GOD is GOD, personified in CHRIST JESUS, (vs. 1-2)

(iv)           The WORD of GOD is the means of all creation, (v. 3-4)

THE WORD OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

The WORD of the LORD to prophet Ezekiel, ... “eat this scroll, then, go and speak to the house of Israel (Ezek. 3:1) portrays the biblical truth that GOD wants HIS people to equip themselves with HIS WORD before engaging in ministration. According o Adams Clarke, the cited portion of the Scripture simply means, “receive MY WORD, and let it enter your soul, digest it, as well as let it be your (Spiritual) nourishment. Let it equally serve as meat and drink to your soul –to enable you do the will of your Father who is in heaven. “This, the prophet responded to, as he says, “so I opened my mouth and HE gave me the scroll to eat” (vs. 2), which implies that, it is the prerogative of the LORD to feed or give HIS people the word(s) or message(s) they are to minster to others. Again, the LORD said to Ezekiel, “son of man, eat this scroll which I am giving to you and fill your stomach with it”... so I ate it” ... (vs. 3); which therefore, becomes a biblical yardstick that: 

(i)                    A religious message is not the WORD of GOD when it is not initiated or given by the LORD, as such a message or word amounts to misinformation, resulting from falsehood, (Ezek. 3:1-3)

(ii)                  It is the duty of the receiver of the word or message of the LORD to assimilate or digest it for appropriate purposes, (vs. 3)

(iii)                 Also, in Christian Faith today we should learn to study and meditate on GOD’s WORD, as we have in the Bible, for the nourishment of our souls, as well as for preaching purposes,(vs. 1; 2 Tim. 2:15)

THE WORD OF GOD IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

The WORD of GOD in the New testament is linked to that of the Old testament, since most of the New Testament prophets, apostles, Evangelists, pastors or teachers quoted the Old Testament Scriptures in their ministerial acts, (see 1 Cor. 9:8-9). And, even our LORD and GREAT SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST quoted the Law, Prophets and Psalms in HIS preaching (Luke 24:44-45), which shows that there is no difference between the Old Testament Scriptures and that of the New Testament. This makes the concept in some religious quarters that certain divisions of the Bible are more scriptural than others a baseless one, since the WORD of GOD is the same forever, (Psalms 119:89). Also, note that no other book of religion apart from the Bible is, or should be regarded as the WORD of GOD, as none of these books has the seal of the Holy Spirit, which is the unique mark of the Bible, (2 Tim. 3:16). Having cited the above, now establish the biblical fact that GOD’s WORD in the New Testament Scripture carries the same power and efficacy as that of the Old Testament. To this end, this lesson cites that as the WORD of GOD is cited as:

(i)              The means of creation in the Old Testament (Gen. 1:1-2), so it is in the New Testament, (John 1:3-4)

(ii)             The means of Divine Healing in the Old Testament (Psalm 107:20), so it is in the New Testament, (Matt. 8:5-13)

(iii)           GOD’s means of keeping away from sin in the Old Testament (Psalm 119:11) so it is in the New Testament, (John 17:17), etc.

THE WORD OF GOD AND THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

The Gospel of JESUS CHRIST is GOD’s platform for the propagation of HIS WORD. And, if the Gospel must produce GOD’s results, it must be centred on the undiluted preaching of the WORD, and not human tales or quotes from great writers/philosophers of the world, since the LORD only confirms HIS WORD (nor ideology) with signs and wonders following, (Mark 16:20). In other words, GOD’s fingerprint can only be impressed in the Gospel when it is purely Word –based. This, therefore implies that as the WORD of GOD is the WORD of Life (Phil. 2:16), the Gospel of CHRIST should be the Gospel of Life, giving life to the spirit, soul and body of the individuals who receive it, and where it is not so, it becomes questionable if the real gospel had been presented. In this connection, this lesson asserts that the Gospel of CHRIST should:

(i)        Present the WORD of GOD and not fiction, (2 Tim. 4:2)

(ii)      Stir in recipients word-based faith and not human ideology, (Rom. 10:17)

(iii)     Come with practical demonstration of the POWER of GOD and not enticing words, (1 Cor.2: 4-5)

In conclusion, this lesson has, indeed re-enacted the biblical truth that GOD’s WORD is the same in both the Old and New Testament Scriptures and carries no less power in any of the testaments. Also, in the preaching of the Gospel of CHRIST, the lesson strictly advocates the need to make it a word-based gospel, against the baseless presentation of tales informed by human ideology or philosophy, which carries no efficacy or power, and so, holds out the need to “Preach the Word, in season and out of season, (2 Tim. 4:2), JESUS IS LORD!