THE WORD

          The Bible, God's Word, shows that it is possible to really know Jesus and God the Father.

          Jesus praying to the Father said - "And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." Jn. 17:3

          "And here is how we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He who says, I know him, and doesn't keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. I Jn. 2:3,4

          "I write unto you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning." I Jn. 2:13

          "We are of God: he that knows God hears us; he that is not of God doesn't hear us. Here is how we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God. He that loves not does not know God; for God is love." I John 4:6-8

          "And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." I John 5:20

          "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." Hosea 6:3

          "But let him that glory glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who exercises loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD." Jer 9:24

          The Bible also explains how to really get to know Jesus and God the Father. Jesus is the Word of God made in the flesh, and one essential way to know Jesus better is to read and study God's Word, the Holy Bible. Two other essential ways are through prayer and by getting lots of good Christian fellowship (covered in their respective sections).

          "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." Jn. 1:1,14

          "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;" I John 1:1

          "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a garment dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God." Rev 19:11- 13

           The Bible claims that Jesus Christ is the Word of God made in the flesh, and yet the Bible itself is called the Word of God.

           "Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unpretended love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away: But the word of the Lord endures for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." I Pet 1:22 - 25

           "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Heb 4:12

           "Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Mat 11:28 - 30

            The Bible gives us a number of reasons why God gave His Word....

           "But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name." Jn. 20:31

          "For whatsoever things were written afore time were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Rom 15:4

           "And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full." I Jn. 1:4

           "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not." I Jn. 2:1

           "These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you." I Jn. 2:26 - a warning of false teachers and groups.

           "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." I John 5:13

           The Bible also expresses God's feelings about His Word and your reading of it.

           "I will worship toward your holy temple, and praise your name for your loving-kindness and for your truth: for you (God) have magnified (to promote, to make large in honor) your word above all your name." Ps. 138:2

           "Thus says the LORD... but to this man (person) will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word. Isa 66:1,2

           "Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." Rev 1:3

           God also explained the result of not studying His Word.

           "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you shalt be no priest to me: seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children."  Hosea 4:6

           "Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. Therefore hell has enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoices, shall descend into it Isa 5:13,14
Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Isa 5:24

            "Thus says the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeys not the words of this covenant, Jer 11:3

            Many, many people have complained that they have tried to read and study God's Word but couldn't understand it.

            Jesus said " the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." Jn. 6:63

          "But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Cor 2:14

          Jesus talking to His disciples and other followers.... "Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:" Mark 4:11 (also Mt.13:11, Lk. 8:10)

          Jesus said "He that is of God hears God's words: you therefore hear them not, because you are not of God." Jn. 8:47

          Jesus talking to His followers.... "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." Jn. 15:15

          Jesus said "If any man will do his (God's) will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." Jn. 7:17

          "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John. 8:31- 32

          "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law." Deut 29:29

        "I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, You seek me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. Isa 45:19

          Only God's people, those who are true Christians (those who are born again of the Holy Spirit), and are willing to do God's will can understand God's Word.

          What importance you give God's Word in your life will determine your understanding of it.

           "And he (Jesus) said unto them, Take heed what you hear: with what measure (value) you mete (measure), it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that has, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. Mk. 4:24,25 - Lk. 8:18

          It takes time to learn what God wants to teach you - it doesn't all come at once!

          "I still have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now." Jn.16:12

          "For precept (commandment or rule) must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: Isa 28:10

          The Lord wants us to read Scripture and gives a special blessing for reading not only Revelation, but all of Scripture.

          "Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." Rev 1:3

          Paul writing to Timothy (his son in the faith who latter became one of the first Bishops ) "Till I come, give attendance to reading...." I Tim. 4:13

          In order to get to know Jesus and God the Father better you should read the Word of God daily. In this manner you would be less likely to get in trouble with cults. (If you are just starting to read the Bible for the first time, we would suggest that you start with the Gospel of John and then read through all of the New Testament.) Not only should we read the Bible daily, Paul told Timothy.... "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." II Tim. 2:15

          Please re-read Hos. 4:6 and Isa. 15:13,14 above.

          Many people ask whether we should still use the Old Testament. (Much of the New Testament is directly quoted from the Old Testament.

          "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." II Tim 3:16, 17

          Jesus speaking, "Therefore every scribe (one who copied the Old Testament Scriptures very painstakingly to make more copies and was given the responsibility of teaching the people from God's Word) which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which brings forth out of his treasure things new and old." Mat 13:52

          Jesus speaking, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law (part of the Old Testament), or the prophets (another part of the Old Testament): I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For truly I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot (smallest Hebrew letter) or one tittle (small Hebrew accent mark) shall in no way pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Mat. 5:17,18

          Paul speaking, "And knowing his (God's) will, and approving the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; Rom 2:18

          "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. II Pet 1:20, 21

          However, God the Father showed His priority of the New Testament over the Old in the 17^th chapter of Matthew (we are to read and study the Old in light of the New). Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a mountain and was transfigured before them. Then Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (representing the prophets) appeared, talking to Jesus. Peter thought that this was fantastic and wanted to make three tabernacles (tents); one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. "While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; listen to him. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, except Jesus only." Mat 17:5,8 - So, we are to read and study the Old Testament in light of the New Testament!

          The Word of God is our spiritual food.

          "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby:" I Pet 2:2

          "...that he might make you know that man does not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD does man live." Deut. 8:3b

          "Your words were found, and I did eat them; and your word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by your name, O LORD God of hosts." Jer 15:16

          "Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that you find; eat this roll (of the book), and go speak unto the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. And he said unto me, Son of man, cause your belly to eat, and fill your bowels with this roll that I give you. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness." Ezek 3:1-3

          "And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which stands upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make your belly bitter, but it shall be in your mouth sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter." Rev 10:8-10

           In Exodus 16:14-31 we are given the story of God giving the children of Israel manna from heaven so they had food to eat in the desert between Egypt and the Promised Land. They had to gather each day's supply each morning before the sun came up or the manna melted. They couldn't get by with left-overs either, because it would spoil! They had to gather each day's supply fresh! So it is with God's Word in our lives. We need to get each day's supply - fresh - to feed our spirit to keep it growing strong.

          Paul speaking, "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (God's set-apart people - made holy)." - Acts 20:32

          If you read and study the Bible on your own, instead of just listening to another person's or group's teaching, you will be less likely to fall prey to cults or false teachers. You want to read and study the whole Bible to find out what God really says about different topics. Read it for what is there, don't try to read things into it that aren't there. (We would recommend a Bible concordance to find every usage of a particular word in the Bible and the Greek and Hebrew words which they are translated from.            FREE Bible with Strongs for notes in EXCEL
We would also recommend a topical Bible to find every reference of a particular topic in the Bible.)

          Some people tend to hold onto what they like in the Bible and neglect the rest. Others just sort of revise parts or add a little here or there in order to make it fit their way of thinking. " Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. "Don't you add unto his words, lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar." Prov 30:5,6

          "You shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish anything from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." Deut. 4:2; 12:32

          "For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." Rev 22:18,19

          When the whole Bible isn't take as a whole when studying a particular topic there is an imbalance.

          "...a false balance is not good." Prov. 20:23b

          "A false balance is abomination to the LORD:" Prov. 11:1

          The Bible explains in Gal. 6:5 that "every man (every person) will bear his own burden." In other words, no one will be able to say to the Lord at judgement that it was someone else's fault that their "beliefs" were wrong, because of what they were taught. That is why when talking about the Bereans in Acts.... "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Acts 17:11

          We not only want to read and study God's Word, but we also want to put it into action in our lives. Jesus speaking, "And why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever comes to me, and hears my sayings, and does them, I will show you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and dug deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that hears, and does not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great." Luke 6:46-49; Mt. 7:24-27

          "But you be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholds himself, and goes his way, and straightway forgets what manner of man he was. But whoso looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." James 1:22-25

          The Bible is our Rock and Truth which will last forever. "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." Mark 13:31; Mt. 5:18; Lk.16:17

          "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times made known his word through preaching," Titus 1:2,3a

          "The grass withers, the flower fades: but the word of our God shall stand for ever." Isa. 40:8

          "... all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. Ps. 111:7b,8

          "And also the Strength of Israel (God) will not lie nor repent (change His mind): for he is not a man, that he should repent." I Sam 15:29

          "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." Ps. 119:89

          Jesus speaking, "Truly, truly, I say unto you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24

          The Word of God gives us promises of what it can and will do in the lives of those who believe and apply it.

          "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." II Pet 1:2-4

          "My son, forget not my law; but let your heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to you." Prov 3:1,2

          "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." Ps. 107:20

          "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." Ps. 119:165

          "The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding unto the simple." Ps. 119:130 "You through your commandments have made me wiser than my enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for your testimonies are my meditation." Ps. 119:98,99

          Jesus speaking, "Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." John 15:3

          Jesus praying to God the Father for both His disciples and those who would believe on Him through the ages, "Sanctify them (make them holy) through your truth: your word is truth." John 17:17

          "The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times."  Ps. 12:6

          "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes." Ps. 19:7,8

          "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Eph 5:25-27

          "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not there, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isa 55:8-11

          "Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Ps. 119:105

          Jesus speaking, "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." John 15:11

          "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Rom 10:17

          "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures." James 1:18

          "Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unpretended love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away: But the word of the Lord endures for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." I Pet 1:22-25

          "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;..." Col 3:16a

          "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:..." II Thess. 3:1