Chapter Two
The Word of The Lord
Clearly something is wrong with the so-called "modern versions" of the Bible we esteem "Holy!" What is the root of this most serious problem?
Let’s start at the beginning. "In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word was God" (John 1:1).
Researching, I have found that the phrase "the Word of the LORD" is found in 32 of the 66 books of the scriptures, and cited dozens and dozens of times. Here are 3 examples of the use of this phrase:
The very first time this is used is in Genesis 15:1: "After these things the Word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." This phrase is first revealed to (the man who is later called) Abraham.
Next in Deuteronomy 5:5 we find a powerful use of this phrase, or name of God:
"And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them (v.1)…I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to show you the Word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount."
One more example is Psalm 33:4, 6: "For the Word of the LORD is right: and all his works are done in truth…By the Word of the LORD were the heavens made, and all the hosts of them by the breath of His mouth".
Now we know by these examples that "the Word of the LORD" is Jesus Christ as we were told by Paul in Colossians 1:15-17: "Who (Christ ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by Him were all things created… And He is before all things, and by Him all things Consist".
A New Testament example is found in I Peter 1:25 "…the Word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you." Not only does Peter identify "the Word of the Lord" as Christ, but establishes His purpose as being the foundation of the gospel message!
This very gospel of "the Word of the Lord," has been attacked and distorted as far back as in the Apostle Paul’s day. He wrote to the brethren in Galatia: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed! As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:6-9)!
Paul in pronouncing a "double curse" is very serious about this perversion! The root of the word "gospel" is "God spell" - literally meaning the Scriptures, which convey "Good News" or "Glad Tidings" about "…our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father" (Galatians 1:3b-4).
If you personally have not accepted Jesus Christ as your
Saviour then "…if you shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9).
Why? "For (because) He (God) hath made Him (Christ Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the Righteousness of God in Him" (II Corinthians 5:21).
Paul tells us how the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" should and should not be handled in II Corinthians 4:1-7: "...We have this ministry…not walking in craftiness, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid (hidden), it is hid ( hidden) 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. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord…For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the Light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure (the preaching of the true Gospel) in earthen vessels, that the Excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."
Copyright 2011 Stephen and Lola Lee Grisham. All Rights Reserved.
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