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."

  1. 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.
  2. He is "The Word who became flesh" (John 1:14). The manifestation of God to man, the Revealer of the Father (John 17:26).
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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!