. The Word Of God. . . What is God's word and how important is it? Let's dig right in and find out what God himself says about it. Deuteronomy 4:2 & Revelation 22:18-20 We must not add to nor take from God's Word. Unfortunately, the word has suffered this over the years. When making a new Bible version, enough text must be changed so not to infringe upon copyright laws. For example, the KJV is my personal default Bible and there are those which actually have a hatred for it, and as such they go on about the addition of added words in italics. The italics are there for sentence grammar as the text was translated from Greek to English. There are those which strain at the KJV gnat while overlooking the later versions which omitted entire passages. For example, open your NIV and turn to Matthew 17:21 ... not there? That's OK, we can read it in the KJV. St. John 17:17 God's Word is TRUTH. 14:6 Jesus is the Way, the TRUTH and the Life. 1:14 God's Word became flesh. 1:1 God and His WORD are one and the same. The word says this about Jesus... 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. Hebrews 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; We will get more into this in study #2: The Testimony of Jesus: Who is HE? We must love and embrace TRUTH ( 2 Thessalonians 2:9-15), or God Himself will send us a "strong delusion" that will cause us to believe a lie and perish for having not loved and embraced TRUTH. In chapter 11 verse 10-15 we learn false prophets can appear as ministers of light. This is why it is so important for us to be able to "try" the spirits whether they be of God, in order to know what is genuine and what is counterfeit. Jesus gives a solemn warning in Matthew 7:13-27 concerning false prophets who will appear as sheep, but are really wolves on the inside (an EXTREMELY important point to keep in mind for later). As sure as there is a genuine, there is a counterfeit! False prophets will produce a fruit, which will allow us to be able to recognize them. Verses 24-27 go on to explain that those who hear and do the sayings of Jesus (which was the WORD of the Apostles) would be like the man who built his house upon a rock. But, any who hear and do not build upon this rock would be like the man who built his house on sand. Which house endured the storm? The one built upon the rock, or course! NOTE: Let me pause here for a moment. Is it possible for a person be mistaken or wrong even though they are as sincere as they can be? Has this ever happened to you? You are driving down a street looking for a certain place, thinking you are on the right street, then you realize that you are not on the right street? Were you sincere? Yes. Were you wrong? Yes. Is that bad? No, unless you continue down the wrong street anyway. That's exactly what is going on out there in the religious world today. The two houses we talked about a minute ago could have looked the same on the outside but there was one MAJOR difference, one was built on a "rock" and the other on the sand. Well, what is the sand, you may ask? It is this: It is the fruit whereby we can distinguish between the false prophets and the true servants of God. Today, things are being taught and preached that look good and sound good, but is NOT the WORD of the Apostles, who were the "footprint followers" of our Lord Jesus Christ. A wolf in sheep's clothing (false prophet) will not preach the PRECISE word of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. It will be changed in some way or to some degree. If a message or belief does not harmonize with what the Apostles believed and taught then it is built upon the sand. Jesus said in Matthew 7:14 that the way which leadeth unto life is strait and narrow, and only a FEW there be that find it. However, in the preceding verse (13) He had said that the way to destruction was wide, and many there be which go in thereat. If you do not remember anything else I say here, PLEASE remember this: THE CROWD IS WRONG! We learn in Matthew 23:13 not only will a false prophet change, alter or refuse to preach and teach the Apostles' DOCTRINE, but he will also prevent anyone else from embracing it if he can. It is truly amazing how many "so called" preachers will do everything in their power to discourage anyone from entering that strait and narrow gate once they have found it. We are to "mark" them which teach something other than what the Apostles taught (Romans 16:17-18). They aren't serving God. They are serving their own belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. The Apostle Paul admonished Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1-4 to "preach the WORD," as the day was coming when men would not endure sound DOCTRINE. In St. John 17:17-20 Jesus prayed for those who would come to believe on Him as a result of the WORD of the Apostles. He had said in verse 8 of this same chapter that He had given them (the Apostles) the WORD of God and they had received it, and believed that Jesus was sent from Heaven. Now, here in verse 20, is where Jesus actually prayed for you and me, IF WE BELIEVE THE WORDS OF THE APOSTLES (If we believe them, we will OBEY them). Jesus said that He would build His Church upon a "Rock" and the gates of Hell would NOT prevail against it (Matthew 16:18-19). Notice He didn't say that the gates of Hell would not attack or fight against His Church, but that the gates of Hell would NOT PREVAIL against it. Also, notice that Jesus gave Peter the "keys" of the Kingdom of Heaven, and was told that whatsoever he bound on earth would be bound in Heaven and whatsoever he loosed on earth would be loosed in Heaven. By the way, the "rock" that Jesus' Church is built upon is the REVELATION OF WHO HE IS (see St. John 16:17-18). This is another EXTREMELY important thing to remember for later. Ephesians 2:18-22 backs this up. In order for us to build our house upon the "rock" we must build upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets (Jesus being the chief corner stone). God's WORD became their WORD, their WORD became their DOCTRINE, and their DOCTRINE became the GOSPEL or Good News! It is that simple. The believers in Acts 8:4 went everywhere preaching the WORD. The WORD of the Apostles (which was their DOCTRINE) which also became known as the Gospel, OR Good News! The Apostle Paul gave a stern warning against any man or even an angel who communicates something other than the WORD of the Apostles. He said they are "accursed" (Galatians 1:6-12). Pretty serious business, wouldn't you say? Yet another solemn warning in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 against those who do not know God, nor obey the Gospel (WORD of the Apostles). Doesn't sound like disobedience is going to "get by" does it? NOTE: No where in the Bible does it even suggest that the WORD-DOCTRINE-GOSPEL of the Apostles would be changed in any manner between Pentecost and that long awaited sound of the Trumpet of God! However, in 325 A.D. a doctrine of man was introduced to the world. People have been so misled by this doctrine that it is almost impossible to even talk to them about it because they get so defensive. The Apostles are of God. He that is of God hears them. But remember, we must not only "hear" them but we must also "obey" them to build upon the "rock." The Apostles were NOT handling the WORD of God deceitfully. If the Apostles' WORD-DOCTRINE-GOSPEL is hid, "it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world (satan) 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." Can a person be blind who has sight? Yes! One reason for the vast deception today is the way TRUTH is being mishandled by some who claim to be "born again." If their DOCTRINE is different from that of the APOSTLES, they are LIARS - plain and simple! If I told someone who wanted to drive from Tampa, Florida to Los Angeles, California to take I-75 north, I would not have spoken a lie. However, if that is all I told them, they may never make it to Los Angeles, California. People need TRUTH, but they need TRUTH in its ENTIRETY in order to make it to Heaven! Many churches today are built upon the sand and teach only the PARTS of TRUTH that they like, or the parts that conform to their particular beliefs. It may sound good, look good and even give people the warm fuzzy feeling of "belonging," but keep in mind the two gates: one wide and the other narrow. Neither Jesus; nor his Apostles; nor their message; was popular. However, they were not trying to win any popularity contests either! . When you hear talk like: "It really doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you are sincere." "The Apostles' DOCTRINE does not apply to us today. That was only for them." "Just repeat the sinners prayer after me, and you'll be saved." "All you have to do is just 'believe' on the Lord and you're saved (POOF, THAT'S IT)." "We're save by grace, not by works, so it doesn't matter how or if you are baptized." "God can't or doesn't work miracles anymore. All of that has already ended." You should mark that individual and, according to Romans 16:17, you should avoid them. God does not NEED me, you or anyone today. As a matter of fact, if there was not a soul on planet Earth serving God today, He already has a people ready, who have paid the price and are just waiting for that long awaited trumpet to sound! However, I am certainly glad He called me, forgave me, cleansed me and filled me with His Spirit before He "closes the Gentile door" (once closed, you can hang it up). There is much, much more that could be said concerning God's WORD and the APOSTLES' DOCTRINE (and much will be said later). But for now I hope I have given you enough Bible to be convinced that God's WORD became the APOSTLES' WORD-DOCTRINE-GOSPEL, AND that it is of GREAT importance to us today. It is the ONLY authority to base our beliefs on. Man's way never has worked and never will. We MUST do things God's way if we expect His Divine favor and blessings. Remember, the fruit of a false prophet is that he will NOT build upon the "rock" (revelation) of who Jesus is, but will change it to some degree. Deception causes an illusion in the minds of people, which can actually cause one to believe or see something which is NOT there. When the Holy Spirit (operating in the heart of an honest person who diligently seeks TRUTH and studies the WORD of God) reveals the "fulness" of what I am sharing in this study, IT IS AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE! It does NOT necessarily come by teaching and indoctrination. It comes by Revelation to God's Word! I am just not intelligent enough or capable enough to instill Revelation in the heart of any one else. It is a work of God. Remember, though, that Jesus said in Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled." WHAT A PROMISE! One last thing before I go on to UNDENIABLE BELIEF # 2. To be "tuned" in to the Spirit of God is much like that of tuning a radio. We've just got to be on the correct frequency to hear from God. If we are off, even a slight amount, our reception will be impaired. Static and distortion may be the result (which is where many people are in the religious world today). If we are totally off we will receive any one of a variety of completely different messages. I am saying this from experience. I have been off a slight amount, and I have been off totally, but I am so thankful that one day I finally found that correct frequency, and it made all the difference in the world to me. Never had I known such true inner peace, joy and contentment. No more was I plagued with the misery and guilt of hiding behind a facade. John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. . Bobby G. Richardson. My Mailbox Back to main . Study # 2: The testimony of Jesus: Who is HE? Study # 3: Repentance: What does it mean to repent? Study # 4: Baptism: How important is it? Study # 5: The new birth: What does it mean to be born again? Study # 6: Sanctification: What is sanctification? Study # 7: Miracles and healing: Are they for us today?
Bible Studies: . # 2: The testimony of Jesus: Who is HE? # 3: Repentance: What does it mean to repent? # 4: Baptism: How important is it? # 5: The new birth: What does it mean to be born again? # 6: Sanctification: What is sanctification? # 7: Miracles and healing: Are they for us today? Reference Library menuN