The Word of God - What Saith the Scriptures
Harold S. Paisley
In the present day, when many treat the precious Word of God
with little or no reverence, it is of unspeakable importance to
all the Lord's people to have correct conceptions of the
Scriptures according to the Divine estimate. Only thus shall we
be delivered from "man's profane and vain babblings and
opposition of science (knowledge), falsely so called."
The essential connection between "The Living Word,"
Christ, and "The Written Word," the Scriptures, cannot
be too deeply pondered.
The Living Word
The Living Word is "Jesus Christ, the Son of God."
- He is "The Word" (John 1:1) from eternity. The
full perfect expression of God's eternal purposes and
hence the Creator (v. 3). Compare with wisdom in Proverbs
8:22-31.
- He is "The Word who became flesh" (John 1:14).
The manifestation of God to man, the Revealer of the
Father (John 17:26).
- He is "The Word of Life" (John 1: 1-2) which
John states was from the beginning. His pathway here
below: "We have heard
" He was audible!
"We have seen..." He was visible. Over the
period of His earthly ministry to the place called
Calvary. John was among those also who looked upon Him
and handled Him during the forty days following His
glorious resurrection. He was intelligible. He was
tangible. He was the Word of Life.
- He was the "Word of the Cross" (I Cor. 1:18).
In this expression it is not the preaching of the message
of the cross, but the Word (Logos) as the one who is the
sacrifice. To the world of perishing men this is
worthless. To us, believers, it is our joy and cause for
worship. It is God's power and exceeds the limitations of
human comprehension.
- He is also "The Word of God" of the future
(Rev. 19:13). As the final accomplisher of all God's
purposes, He is seen coming out of heaven, having His
name "The Word of God.' This illustrates the meaning
of the appellation, "Alpha and Omega." He is
the first and last letter of the Divine alphabet,
"The Divine Logos."
The Living Word opened the written Word (Luke 24:27-32) as He
also came to fulfil them (Matt. 5:17, John 19:36). He also
testified that the "Scriptures cannot be broken" (John
10:35) and that not one jot or tittle can pass away (Matt. 5:18)
and that all things must be fulfilled (Luke 24:44). The Written
Word also testifies of the Living Word (John 5:39).
The Written Word
- It is designated "The Scriptures" that is
"The Writings" showing the preeminence of the
Word. The Holy Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:15) are sacred, when
applied to persons, places and events pertaining to God,
in contrast to that which is 'profane" as belonging
to man.
- The Scriptures of Truth, the Word of Truth, the Word of
Faith, the Engrafted Word, the Oracles of God (Deut.
10:21; James 1:18,21; Rom. 10:8, etc.). These are some of
the God-given names of the Written Word of God.
- It is also recorded as one whole and is spoken of as
"The Book"' (Deut. 31:26; Heb. 10:7). As the
Law, the prophets and the Psalms (Luke 24:44). By which
threefold division the Old Testament was known by the
Jews.
In 2 Peter 3:16 it is most important to notice that the
apostle unites Paul's epistles to the "other
Scriptures" as forming a part of the Divine Canon.
This view of God's most precious Word as one whole is of vital
importance, for while "at sundry times and in divers
manners" God hath spoken, the revelation is one. God has
given an unbroken record of His dealings with man, from Eden to
eternity. The foundation is laid in five books by Moses. The
Topstone of the building is finished in five writings of John. Of
Moses the Lord Jesus said "He wrote of me." This is
equally true of John. Every whit of the book speaks of Christ.
What a divine treasure that God in His divine love and grace
has given to man!