The word "Bible" comes from the Greek word Biblion, which means "book." The Bible, then, is the "book" of the church. This is an excellent description of its place and function in the Body of Christ. However, the Bible never uses this term to describe itself.
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, giving a true history of the creation of heaven, earth and humanity and containing a correct prophecy of past ages, this age and the ages to come.
The Bible as "the Word of God." The intent is to affirm and reinforce the divine inspiration of the Bible. "For the Word of God is living and active" (Heb. 4:12, NIV). God sends forth His Word, and it does not return to Him until it has accomplished its purpose (Isa. 55:10,11). The Word of God spreads on earth (Acts 6:7). We are "born again...through the living and enduring Word of God" (1 Pet. 1:23, NIV). The Word of God lives in us (1 John 2:14). Through God's Word all things were made (John 1:1-3). Jesus' name is the Word of God (Rev. 19:13). The Word of God, the revealed truth of God, is not a book, even though our book reveals many things about God. But the two are not synonymous.
Brief Bible References (The Word Is "User" Friendly)
Featured Article This Month
Books of Reference For Pastors
Rightly Dividing The Word of Truth
Dr. C. I. Scofield
The Preacher and His Preaching
Alfred P. Gibbs
Spiritual Leadership - Principles of Excellence for Every Believer
J. Oswald Sanders
Exploring The Pastoal Epistles - An Expository Commentary
John Phillips
Josephus: The Essential Writing
Flavius Josephus and Paul L. Maier
The Servant Leader
Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges
The Seed Principle
Saint Matthews Churches, Tulsa, OK 74121
Books of Reference For Bible Teachers
1. Training For Service - Bible Exploration - Orrin Root
2. The Word Aflame Publications - PWI, 8855 Dunn Road, Hazelwood, MO 63042
3. Higley Sunday School Commentaries
Books of Reference for Bible Scholars
1. The Bible Knowledge Key Word Study - The Gospels
Darrell L. Bock Editor
2. The New Strongs Exhaustive Concordance
Nelson
more reference links
Books of Reference
1. The God Chasers - Tommy Tenney
2. Becoming a Vessel of Honor - Rebecca Brown, MD
3. Prepare For War - Rebecca Brown, MD
4. Biblical Strategies For A Community in Crisis
Dr. Colleen Birchett, Editor
5. The Dream Giver
Bruce Wilkinson with David and Heather Kopp
6. Power Vs. Force
David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph. D.
7. The Purpose Driven Life
Rick Warren
8. A Divine Revelation of the Spirit Realm
Mary Baxter with Dr. T. L. Lowery
BOOK LIST FOR MASTERS SEMINIARY PROGRAM
http://www.tms.edu/LibraryBooklist.aspx
more reference links
The Word of God
This is your weapon, guide book, inspiration, food, milk, bread, comfort, knowledge...
The words of God are “bread,” “milk,” “spirit,” and “life” (Matt. 4:4; 1 Pet. 2:2; John 6:63).
We should “eat them” and “esteem the words of His mouth more than our (my) necessary food” (Jer. 15:16; Job 23:12).
The children of Israel gathered and ate manna in the wilderness every morning. Likewise, we should eat the words of God every morning.
The way to take in the Word for our enjoyment and nourishment is to pray with and pray according to what you read. Read and pray. Pray and read. Pray when reading. Read when praying. (Eph. 6:17-18)
All Rights Reserved
2011 |