The Role of Scripture

 

Who or what is the Word of God?

 

It has become common practice amongst evangelicals to call the scriptures the Word of God. This practice has lead to some confusion within the Church as to the application of Scripture. The Lord challenged me many years ago about what He thought about the subject. This led me on a search to determine the answer.

 

There are two words translated from the Greek into English that are translated into word; logos and rhema. I found that everywhere the word Logos was found it appeared to refer to the Lord. I could with some convoluted logic try to make it refer to the Bible but it just didn't fit right. The texts were consistent if it referred to the Lord, or His counsel. The word rhema clearly referred to the spoken words. So the conclusion was that Yeshua, the Logos, spoke or speaks the rhema. The John 1:1-4 passage, a parallel passage to Genesis 1:1 certainly says that the Word (logoz) was with God and was God at the beginning of creation. Since this was at the very beginning of creation it cannot refer to the written texts that we call the Bible, it had not yet been written nor collected together. This text clearly states the Word was a man by using the masculine tense. The passage then states that the “Word became flesh and dwelt amongst men” John 1:14 obviously was not referring to the scriptures either. It seems pretty straight forward that Yeshua is the Word (logoz) of God and what He speaks in the other Word (rhma) of God.

 

This still leaves the question of: is Scripture the word of God? Following basic hermeneutics, let the text interpret itself, I found that the II Tim 3:15 holds the key. Here Paul used the phrase iera grammata, when translated means the sacred writings. So we have the Scriptures referring to itself as the sacred writings and the Word of God as Yeshua. This brought new light to my understanding of the various texts referring to the Word of God.

 

I continued to search to find anywhere the Scripture called itself the word of God...I could not find one. I suppose that you could argue that the sacred writings were once spoken and therefore were the rhema, but that is a very weak argument, especially in light of the passage that says "faith comes by hearing and hearing by every word (rhma) that proceeds from the mouth of God". Obviously much of the Old and New Testaments are recording of words and events pertaining to men, not the words of God, unless God dictated the scriptures to the writers. The implications of this passage with the understanding that it is referring to the words that Yeshua speaks, that is that faith come from the Lord actively speaking to us, turns the "Word of Faith" thinking on its ear. You cannot just claim a Scripture verse as the Word of God and then magically have the faith to attain the promise; He must speak to you the promise. I actually tried the former approach for a while...with very little success, until I learned to wait until He spoke to me. Then my success rate went up considerably.

 

I've attached at the end of this article all of the scriptures that use the words; "word" and "scripture" for a reference. There are several observations that can be made from these passages.

 

First of all, if the words in the Greek for "scripture" and "word of God" were synonymous then you would expect to find them used interchangeably and you would also expect to find a verse or two that equates them. So if we find a verse that uses them both without equating them then they would not be synonymous, and thus the scripture is not the word of God. There are three such verses.

 

JOH 2:20  Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt you rear it up in three days? 21)  But he spake of the temple of his body. 22)  When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Yeshua had said.

 

Here there is a clear distinction between the scriptures (Law and Prophets) and the word (not words) that Yeshua spoke. However, since they believed both, this is not sufficient to make them the same.

 

JOH 10:34  Yeshua answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, you are gods? 35)  If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 36)  Say you of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, you blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

 

Here the word of the God came to one who recorded what was given. The word of God is singular not plural. It came to the individual implying that it was a being not a writing.  Clearly these do not mean the same thing.

 

ACT 17:11

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.

 

The word, again singular, is presented and the receivers compared what was given against the scriptures (Law and Prophets), to see how they compared. Again scriptures and the word were not the same. What is also note worthy here is that these are the only passages that mention the scriptures and the word or word of God in the same sentence, and none of the three say that they are the same, but in fact they are treated as separate, one a being and the other a thing.

 

If these conclusions are true that there should be a consistency in the remaining texts. They can be read at the end of this article.

 

The following verse is useful in this search. This verse is talking about Yeshua and Him speaking to the people.

 

LUK 5:1

 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

 

The question here is who or what is the word of God, singular? Is it Yeshua? Is it the Scriptures? Is it the words or concepts presented by Yeshua?  Part of the answer is in the verse below:

 

ACT 13:44

 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

 

Clearly it is not referring to Yeshua in person. He was dead and resurrected by then. (Of course He is alive and living within the disciples.) So that leaves us with the last two; the Scriptures or the concepts taught by Yeshua. The next three verses eliminate the Scriptures:

 

ACT 19:20

 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

ACT 12:24

 But the word of God grew and multiplied.

ACT 13:5

 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

 

The Scriptures did not grow and multiply as they had already been identified as the Law and the Prophets. There is no indication that the Gospels nor the epistles had been written nor had they been codified for another 200 years yet so it is unlikely that the text is referring to them.  Also there was no need to preach the Scriptures to the Jews in the synagogues, as the only copies of the Scriptures at that time resided in the synagogues. So the word of God must be the concepts taught by Yeshua or else Yeshua Himself speaking those concepts through the disciples.

 

LUK 3:2

 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

 

This passage indicated that a being came to John just like the Word of God (or the Word of the Lord) came to the prophets of old. This clearly is not referring to the scriptures.

 

HEB 11:3

 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

PE2 3:5

 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

 

REV 19:13  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

 

PE1 1:23

 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

 

Then first two texts refers to the John 1:1 text which describe Yeshua as the Word of God. The third text clearly states that Yeshua is the word of God. The forth passage states that He, Yeshua, lives and abides forever again referring to John 1:1. JOH 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

 

The conclusion of this simple study shows that the word of God is Yeshua and/or His concepts or Yeshua dwelling within the believer.

Which books are Scripture:

Throughout the Old Testament and New Testament texts the Scriptures are refer to as the writings or the sacred writings. It’s obvious that it is referring to something that was previously written that has been accepted as having come from God. When the Scriptures refer to themselves by the word scripture (writing) what books are they referring to? (Clearly the New Testament was not written nor collected together yet. The collection together of the Gospels and Epistles and their designation as “sacred” was more than 250 years later by Constantine.) The Gospel texts where Yeshua uses the word “Scripture” or “it is written” can be examined. Since He taught His disciples it is reasonable to assume that they too followed His understanding of what was Scripture. An examination of those texts (i.e. LUK 24:25-32) shows that He was referring to the Law and the Prophets, that is the Pentateuch and the Prophets. Torah - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Prophets - Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.

Another way to test what is meant by Scripture is to examine the actual texts that Yeshua quoted and where they are found in Scripture. There are twelve of the Old Testament books that He did not mention either by name or by quotation. Yeshua quoted from 21 of the OT books and often referred to the Law and the Prophets, which is the first five books and the prophetic books. He quoted verses from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Psalms, Isaiah, Daniel, Zechariah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, 1& 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, Haggai, Micah, Jonah, Joel, Habakkuk and Malachi. These books are clearly considered Scripture by Yeshua. The NT letter writers seldom quoted Yeshua, Paul never did but they did quote some additional OT books: Nehemiah, Proverbs, Amos, Enoch, and 2 Kings. The disciples considered those books as part of the inspired writings. The books not quoted are: Joshua, Judges, Chronicles, Song of Solomon, Ruth, Esther, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Obadiah, Nahum, Zephaniah, and Ezra.

This can also be examined historically. The historic documents from that era indicate that the Septuagint, which was a Greek translation of the earliest Hebrew texts in 200 BC, were used by the early believers.

In The Bible in Greek Christian Antiquity, a new book released in 1997 from Notre Dame University, Paul Lamarche writes:

"In what version was the Old Testament used and commented on by early Christians? ... it is the Septuagint, the Greek translation which, directly or indirectly, was fundamentally for all writings of the early Christian centuries, and even after Jerome it is the text which the Greek Fathers, including the Antiochenes, customarily used."

The current Septuagint (~300 AD) consists of 46 books of the Old Testament, 7 of which were not found in the Hebrew. What was considered Scripture at the time? Again the conclusion is Yeshua focused on the Law and the Prophets while the early church included additional texts. The Dead Sea Scrolls which dated approximately 200 years before Yeshua are the earliest Hebrew texts we have and consisted of the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible. The 24 books are: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, The Twelve, (Amos, Zechariah, Zephaniah, Nahum, Hosea, Haggai, Obadiah, Micah, Jonah, Joel, Habakkuk, Malachi), Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Esther, Ecclesiastes, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, Chronicles. They were most likely copied and preserved by the Essenes, a very pious group of Israelites.

Three variants of the Hebrew Bible texts were known before the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls: the "proto-masoretic" type (one that was a base for a later canonized text, earliest copy available is dated 895 A. D.), the type apparently underlying the Septuagint, and the one close to Samaritan Bible. Texts belonging to all three types were found in Qumranas as well as texts of mixed types, texts of types unknown before. Several important apocryphal documents in Hebrew and Aramaic were found, some of them previously unknown.

The current Greek Old Testament quotes match the Septuagint text but are different from the Masoretic texts and sometimes not even to be found in them. All of our modern day translations are from the Masoretic texts.

The following quote is from the The Jeremiah Dilemma by Farrell Till:

In Cave 4, 157 fragmentary biblical texts were retrieved, among which is every book of the Hebrew canon, save Esther (and Nehemiah, which at that time was considered as one book with Ezra). Eventually, these Cave 4 fragments revealed a different story about the copying and transmission of Old Testament writings. In some cases, especially 1-2 Samuel, Jeremiah, and Exodus, the fragments brought to light forms or recessions of biblical books that differed from the medieval Masoretic tradition. For instance, one text turned out to be a shorter Hebrew form of Jeremiah, previously known only in its Greek version in the Septuagint. It now seems that the fuller form of Masoretic tradition represents a Palestinian rewording of the book. Another from Cave 4, written in paleo-Hebrew script and dated from the early second century B.C., contains the repetitious expanded form of Exodus previously known only in Samaritan writings, ("The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible: After Forty Years," America, October 31, 1987, p. 302, emphasis added).”

This "different story" told by the discoveries in Cave Four at Qumran is a story that Bible inerrantists have been conspicuously silent about, probably because it puts to rest all notions of scrupulously meticulous ancient scribes who counted all the letters in the copies they made to be sure that no mistakes had occurred. The Cave Four discoveries tell us that mistakes were not only made but that textual changes were also made with probable deliberation.

“Analysis of the book of Jeremiah in the Masoretic Text and in the Greek Septuagint reveals two vastly different books, both in content and organization. Specifically, the Masoretic Text contains sections which are not in the Greek Septuagint and the Greek Septuagint contains portions which are not in the Masoretic Text. Those parts shared in common are found arranged differently, and various minor differences are found throughout the common portions. The four quotations of the book of Jeremiah in the New Testament, as expected, agree closely with the Septuagint, but have significant differences with the Masoretic Text.”

The Scrolls are for the most part, written in Hebrew, but there are many written in Aramaic. Aramaic was the common language of the Jews of Palestine for the last two centuries B.C. and of the first two centuries A.D. Prophecies by Ezekiel, Jeremiah and Daniel not found in the Bible are written in the Scrolls. The scrolls contain previously unknown stories about biblical figures such as Enoch, Abraham, and Noah. The story of Abraham includes an explanation why God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac.

The Old Testament as we know it was made official by the Pharisees under the leadership of Rabban Johanon in 90 AD about 60 years after Yeshua's resurrection. These books are included in the Old Testament by the Pharisees: Chronicles, Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra/ Nehemiah which were not in the Hebrew Codex as part of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

 

Origin of the New Testament:

 

The stories of Yeshua were passed around orally until about 100 AD, a couple of generations after Yeshua was crucified. Then some of the stories were written down. The earliest New Testament, 140 AD, was assembled by Marcion, a Roman businessman who did not believe that Yeshua was a Jew. He chose the 10 letters from Paul and 2/3 of Luke’s gospel as the New Testament. There were assorted listing for the New Testament for the next 8 generations until 320 AD, and the arrival of Flavius Valerius Constantinus, the emperor of the Roman empire. Constantine was a typical Roman Emperor, and ruled accordingly. He consolidated his power by building a religion for the empire based on Christianity with a tolerance for all religions. Thus he gave us Easter (based on the worship of Ishtar) and Christmas (based on the worship of the son of Zeus, Bracchus). These are pagan holy days that were converted to Christian holidays. He also moved the Sabbath from Saturday to the day of the Sun, Sunday. This is the day the Sun worshipers considered holy.

 

He commissioned the assembly of the various texts into the official Roman New Testament by Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea. He declared the, then recognized writings, as scripture and add the disputed texts; James; Jude; 2 Peter; 2 & 3 John to the New Testament. Revelation was excluded. The texts that were not included were ordered burnt and those people that were found with copies of them were executed. The New Testament that we have today was later listed in ~1650AD.

 

The following is a quote to give you an indication of the complexities of the New Testaments evolution:

 

“The first Christian text that did not become canonized but was respected as authentic is the first epistle of Clement of Rome, reasonably dated to 95 A.D.  (M 40), and contained in many ancient Bibles and frequently read and regarded as scripture in many churches (M 187-8).  This is relevant because even at this late date two things are observed: Clement never refers to any Gospel, but frequently refers to various epistles of Paul.  Yet he calls them wise counsel, not scripture--he reserves this authority for the OT ("Old Testament"), which he cites over a hundred times (M 41-3). On a few occasions he quotes Jesus, without referring to any written source. But his quotations do not correspond to anything in any known written text, although they resemble sayings in the Gospels close enough to have derived from the same oral tradition.  This suggests that the Gospels were not known to Clement.  Yet he was a prominent leader of the Church in Rome.  If they had been written by then, they must have not made it to Rome before 95. It is possible that they had not been written at all.  In the case of Mark, for example, it is often thought that he was writing for an audience in Rome, thus it is most remarkable that Clement would not know of this, supposedly the earliest, Gospel.  But it is also possible that he simply chose not to quote Mark, though knew the book--although why he would ignore Mark (even in his quotations of Jesus) and yet refer to numerous epistles of Paul is difficult to explain.

 

The next such text is the collection of letters by Ignatius.  However, these were added to and redacted in later centuries, making the reliability of even the "authentic" letters uncertain.  Ignatius wrote while on the road to his trial in 110 A.D.  and it is important to note that he appears not to have had references with him, thus any allusions or quotations in his work come from memory alone (M 43-4).  Thus, he borrows phrases and paraphrases from many Pauline epistles, yet never tells us this is what he is doing (he probably could not recall which letters he was drawing from at the time).  Likewise, he borrows phrases or ideas which are found in Matthew and John, and on one occasion something that appears to be from Luke, but again he never names his sources or even tells us that he is drawing from a source at all (M 45-7).  In no case does he name or precisely quote any NT ("New Testament") book, but again this may be due to the unusual circumstances in which he was writing.

Despite the difficulties, it seems plausible that the Gospels had been written by this date, although it is remotely possible that Ignatius is simply quoting oral traditions which eventually became recorded in writing, and also possible that this material was added or dressed up by later editors. Of greatest note is that in his letter to the Philadelphians, Ignatius recounts a debate he held with Judaizing Christians in which it is clear that only the OT was regarded as an authority (M 48-9).  Instead of referring to any NT writings as evidence, he simply says that Jesus Christ is the witness to the authority of the tradition.  This suggests that none of the NT was regarded even then as an authority.  Like Clement, Ignatius and other Christians probably regarded these texts as wise counsel or useful collections of their oral traditions, and not as "scripture" per se.

The Formation of the New Testament Canon (2000) by Richard Carrier.

"There are several texts that were not included that were written during the same time as the Gospels and were used by the early Church. There are portions of texts that have been recently uncovered that are not to be found anywhere. Some of the writings are still available such as; the Gospel of Thomas, the Book of Enoch, The Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles to name a few."

 

What version and who’s interpretation:

 

As most Christians know there are a multitude of versions of the Old and New Testaments; ranging from the King James Version to the Revised Standard to the New World Bible. There are significant differences in all of the translations. Why is that, if it is the Word of God? Because the translation depends upon who translated it and what their beliefs are. A man I’ve once met, Jack Deere, from Dallas Theological Seminary has a colleague there who did most of the translation for a new Bible several years ago. Jack read the translation. One morning while they were talking Jack asked his friend why he had translated the Hebrew as an evil spirit when the original Hebrew did not have evil in it. He was referring to the passage where God and sent a spirit to Saul. The man’s response was that everyone knew that God would not send a spirit that caused Saul to behave that way. Is this the basis for our translations, that is everyone knew. We also have the Jeremiah 8:8 { How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of Jehovah is with us? But, behold, the false pen of the scribes hath wrought falsely.} passage which says beware of the lying pen of the scribes, depending which translation you read. He we have Jeremiah warning about error intentionally introduced by the scribes. Have those errors been removed? Where were they and how extensive are they?

 

So which translation is the one without error, or put more accurately which one is the most like the original texts? The Old Testament earliest (original) texts are the Dead Sea Scrolls (which are copies), which so far have shown that the Septuagint is word for word. However, the New Testament is a horse of a different color. We have no original texts. All we have are copies of copies of copies. There are approximately 30000 copies of the New Testament texts all dating from a hundreds of years after the originals were presumably written. That about 1300 copies for each book, and they are not all the same. In fact they break down into three categories; liberal, moderate and conservative. At least all of our modern translations came from the same categories, the liberal.

 

It’s gets even more interesting when you start talking to “Christians” of different denominations. You soon discover that not only are there many translations, there are even many more interpretations, and they are not even consistent within the given denomination. I guess if you do not like the interpretation your denomination has you can always switch to another. So now what the Scriptures say depends on who you talk to. I think I’ll talk to the my Creator, the Scriptures author, thank you.

 

You know Yeshua could have solved this problem very easily by spending a year or so of His time from 18 to 30 years old writing down the New Testament in the original language by the original Author, the Word of God, absolutely without error. He was a rabbi and could certainly read and write well. Why did He not do this? Instead of handing out His New Covenant for His disciples to read and study, He chose to walk with men and love and teach them personally! Then after He resurrected He did not hand them a Book of what had just taken place but He sent them the Holy Spirit of God to love and lead them! Since Yeshua only did what He saw His Father do, it is safe to say that Father did not want Yeshua to write about His Kingdom but to demonstrate it instead and teach it by example to His disciples, not sending them to the Law and Prophets to study and learn, like the Pharisees. Obviously the Book was not sufficient to accomplish Father's intentions. Perhaps He though that we might do the same thing that the Pharisees did and grab a hold of the tangible writings instead of walking with the intangible God, like their for fathers did.

 

Purpose of the Scriptures:

 

So what is the purpose of the Scriptures? Again the II Timothy 3:15-16 passage is the key; they are “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

 

The Scriptures do not say they are good for anything else; such as salvation, direction, revelation, understanding, determining God's will etc. The Scriptures do give us clues where we are to get our direction...Rom 7, we are to be lead by the Holy Spirit. We are to ask our Father for faith, “if any man lacks faith let him ask…” Conviction comes from the Holy Spirit who came to convict the World of sin, and judgment. Revelation comes from Yahweh. Our understanding is to come from Yeshua, the "mind of Christ". The scriptures at best provide the principles of God, the skeleton if you will, the dry bones, His words spoken to us (rhema) provide the flesh, the life, the blood, and the beating heart.

 

This all makes sense when you consider all those who walked with God never having had the scriptures; Adam, Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Melkesideck, Moses, Aaron, etc. In fact the entire New Testament Church was birthed and matured without the New Testament Scriptures. The first letter was not written down until approximately 80 years later with the others following later. The work of birthing the Church was done by the Holy Spirit through men.

 

The real issue here is what is our relationship with God to be? The men listed above did not study some ancient text to know God, but instead “walked” with God. In fact Enoch walked so close to God that he walked off the earth and into Heaven one day. (I wonder when he noticed that he had left the earth.) The question arises; how did they “walk” with God. Did God become flesh so as to talk to them? I think not since the Word had not yet become flesh. So the only conclusion that can be drawn is that these men had found a way to communicate with God. This communication must have been extensive, not just a conversation now and then. How can you walk with God if you cannot perceive that He is there? So there must be some kind of sight involved, such as the Prophets often expressed, “I saw the Lord, He was high and lifted up…”, or the Word of the Lord came to me, or taste and see that He is good. These passages must refer to spiritual sight, hearing and taste. Again we have that conclusion amplified in the passage that Yeshua only did what “He saw His father do”. We also have Adam and Eve who walked and talked with God in the Garden. Obviously spiritual senses were involved there. So man was created with the capacity to perceive the spiritual realm, God’s Kingdom, from the beginning, created in God’s image. Fallen man practiced it in his walk with God and there is no reason to believe that God has removed the ability from man today especially since we are now born again of spirit. If so then how can we be expected to be lead by the Spirit if we cannot perceive Him? So why is it that most Christians cannot see or hear Him? He did give us the passage in Revelations that describes the Laodicean church as “poor, naked and blind” Rev 3:17, they are commanded to purchase eye suave from Him so that they can see. Why are we blind?

 

Could it be that we’ve reduced our relationship with God to the reading of a Book instead of the pursuit of a lover? Its as if we have gone with the Father, Son and Holy Bible! I would be very sad if my wife or children decided that everything that they needed to know about me was in an autobiography and they spent their time with me reading it and then asking me for the things they wanted me to do for them, and then going about their business. If they decided that they wanted to hear from me they went straight to the Book. Of course they could ask me to highlight some text for them so they could hear from me. What a poor way to have a relationship with my wife and children. So much for intimacy. There is a biological law at work in us; that which is not used, weakens and if never used is lost. I suspect that this is what has happened to the Laodicean church, they lost their wealth, works and sight through lack of use.

 

This is what happened to the Pharisees and Sadducees, JOH 5:37-42 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. You search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honor from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

 

They were the experts in Scripture. They had special training in understanding the Scriptures, the rabbinical schools. Yet Yeshua said that they had never heard His voice nor saw His shape and that His words did not abide in them, nor did they have the Love of God in them. They were deaf, blind and loveless. He then showed them the problem; you “search the Scriptures; for in them ye think that ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And you will not come to me, that ye might have life.” They were so caught up in their Scripture world that they could not hear or see their God nor recognize the Messiah that He had sent, even though He gave them the words of the Prophets of Old to study and then sent the Wisemen, the angels and shepherds at His birth, and finally, John the Baptist along with many signs and wonders to announce Him. In fact they did not even have any love for their God, Yahweh in them. Who or what did they love I wonder? Have we done any better? We certainly have out done the Sanhedrin, we have vacation Bible Schools, Bible Colleges, Bible studies, Bible Quiz teams, Bible Churches and hundreds of Bible translations. Where are the Yeshua or Yahweh schools, studies and quiz teams?

 

The Scriptures have their place, they are the best Book on earth, however, if you are to walk with God you’d better get your nose out of the Book and start searching for Him, and you’d best buy some eye suave if you cannot see or hear.

 

 

The Worship of Scripture:

 

There are some who say that the Bible was already written by God and with Him at creation. However, this interpretation requires that the Bible created the creation. How can an inanimate object create anything, obviously only God can create, otherwise the Bible would have to be God. I suppose those that believe this way could be making the Bible into God? If so, they have violated the first two of the 10 Commandments. Thou shall love the Lord your God with all thy heart, all thy soul and all thy mind. Mat 22:37. This is the first commandment. “Thou shall have no other gods before me”, clarifies the first commandment. Those that believe that the scripture is the Word of God run the risk of putting the Scriptures before God, that is, of loving the Bible more the Lord God. Loving the Lord God with all of your heart (spirit) takes care of the spiritual side of man. Loving Him with all of your soul, your personality, implies loving Him like a person, your spouse for example. Loving Him with all of your mind, is putting all our understanding and memory into loving Him, the person of God. Nowhere here does it speak of, or imply the Scriptures as the focus of our love. The word “all” is pretty self-explanatory, when you love with all you heart, there is nothing left. This is why the Mat 10:37 passage can be spoken, there is no room for loving your parents more than Him, even though the 5th commandment says we are to honor our parents.

 

If the Scriptures are elevated to par with God then we have an idolatry situation. Then the Scriptures would provide salvation. This is what happened to the Pharisees, they had committed idolatry by trying to find salvation in the Scriptures and missed Yeshua, did not know Father nor had Love in their hearts {John 5:24-40}. The base of the problem was that they believed that they could find salvation but Scripture study instead of knowing Father by revelation.

 

Where our heart is, there is where our treasure is. We defend what we love and treasure. Who do we defend Yeshua or the Bible. Do we make the most noise when someone attacks our Lord or our Bible?

 

The idea the John 1:1 refers to the Bible instead of the Lord is a sure indication that we have crossed the line and made the Scriptures, God. Once we’ve assigned the characteristics and actions of God to the Scriptures then we’ve made them God instead of the scared writings. The following is a test:

 

1)     Do you consider the Bible living?

2)     Do you believe that the Bible will save you?

3)     Do you believe that the Bible was there at creation?

4)     Do you believe there are no errors in your Bible?

5)     Do you believe that everything that God said or will say is in the Bible?

6)     Do you believe that God must obey the Bible?

7)     Do you have your faith in the Bible instead of Him?

8)     If the Bible was proven to be false would you lose your faith?

 

If you answered yes to these questions then you need to take a hard look at who you are worshipping, Yahweh or the Scriptures. He is a jealous God, it is Him alone or nothing at all.

 

George MacDonald, an 19th Century minister stated:

 

"Do not suppose that I believe in Jesus because it is said so-and-so in a book. I believe in him because He is Himself. The vision of Him in that book, and, I trust, His own living power in me, have enabled me to understand Him, to look Him in the face, as it were, and accept Him as my Master and Savior, in following Whom I shall come to the rest of the Father's peace. The Bible is to me the most precious thing in the world, because it tells me His story; and what good men thought about him who know Him and accepted Him. But, the common theory of the inspiration of the words, instead of the breathing of God's truth into the hearts and souls of those who wrote it, and who then did their best with it, is degrading and evil; and they who hold it are in danger of worshiping the letter instead of living in the Spirit, of being idolaters of the Bible instead of disciples of Jesus.... It is Jesus who is the Revelation of God, not the Bible; that is but a means to a mighty eternal end. The book is indeed sent us by God, but it nowhere claims to be His very word. If it were—and it would be no irreverence to say it—it would have been a good deal better written. Yet even it's errors and blunders do not touch the truth, and are the merest trifles—dear as the little spot of earth on the whiteness of the snowdrop. Jesus alone is The Word of God.

 

With all sorts of doubt I am familiar, and the result of them is, has been, and will be, a widening of my heart and soul and mind to greater glories of the truth—the truth that is in Jesus—and not in Calvin or Luther or St. Paul or St. John, save as they got it from Him, from whom every simple heart may have it, and can alone get it. You cannot have such proof of the existence of God or the truth of the Gospel story as you can have of a proposition in Euclid or a chemical experiment. But the man who will order his way by the Word of the Master shall partake of His peace, and shall have in himself a growing conviction that in Him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge...."

 

 

Both in the same verse:

 

JOH 2:22

 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Yeshua had said.

 

JOH 10:35

 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

 

ACT 17:11

 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.

 

 

Word of God:

 

MAR 7:13

 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which you have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

 

LUK 3:2

 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

 

LUK 4:4

 And Yeshua answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

 

LUK 5:1

 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

 

LUK 8:11

 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

 

LUK 8:21

 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

 

LUK 11:28

 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

 

ACT 6:2

 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

 

ACT 6:7

 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

 

ACT 8:14

 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

 

ACT 11:1

 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

 

ACT 12:24

 But the word of God grew and multiplied.

 

ACT 13:5

 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

 

ACT 13:7

 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

 

ACT 13:44

 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

 

ACT 13:46

 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing you put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eve

 

ACT 17:13

 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

 

ACT 18:11

 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

 

ACT 19:20

 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

 

ROM 9:6

 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

 

ROM 10:17

 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

CO1 14:36

 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

 

CO2 2:17

 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

 

CO2 4:2

 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's

 

EPH 6:17

 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

 

COL 1:25

 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

 

TH1 2:13

 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when you received the word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of

 

TI1 4:5

 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

 

TI2 2:9

 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

 

TIT 2:5

 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

 

HEB 4:12

 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

 

HEB 6:5

 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

 

HEB 11:3

 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

 

HEB 13:7

 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

 

PE1 1:23

 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

 

PE2 3:5

 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

 

JO1 2:14

 I have written unto you, fathers, because you have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and you

 

REV 1:2

 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of  Yeshua Christ, and of all things that he saw.

 

REV 1:9

 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Yeshua Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony

 

REV 6:9

 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

 

REV 19:13  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

 

REV 20:4

 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Yeshua, and for the word of God, and which had

 

Plural:

 

JOH 3:34

 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

 

JOH 8:47

 He that is of God heareth God's words: you therefore hear them not, because you are not of God.

 

ACT 4:31

 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

 

REV 17:17

 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

 

Words:

 

LUK 8:12

 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

 

LUK 8:13

 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

 

LUK 8:15

 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

 

LUK 9:26

 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

 

LUK 10:39

 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Yeshua' feet, and heard his word.

 

LUK 21:33

 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

 

LUK 22:61

 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, you shalt deny me thrice.

 

LUK 24:8

 And they remembered his words,

 

LUK 24:19

 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Yeshua of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

 

LUK 24:44

 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets,

 

JOH 4:41

 And many more believed because of his own word;

 

JOH 4:50

 Yeshua saith unto him, Go your way; your son liveth. And the man believed the word that Yeshua had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

 

JOH 5:24

 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth  on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

 

JOH 5:38

 And you have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him you believe not.

 

JOH 5:47

 But if you believe not his (Moses) writings, how shall you believe my words?

 

JOH 6:63

 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

 

JOH 6:68

 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? you hast the words of eternal life.

 

JOH 7:9

 When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.

 

JOH 8:20

 These words spake Yeshua in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.

 

JOH 8:30

 As he spake these words, many believed on him.

 

JOH 8:31

 Then said Yeshua to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;

 

JOH 8:37

 I know that you are Abraham's seed; but you seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

 

JOH 8:43

 Why do you not understand my speech? even because you cannot hear my word.

 

JOH 9:40

 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?

 

JOH 10:21

 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

 

JOH 12:47

 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

 

JOH 12:48

 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

 

JOH 14:10

 Believest you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

 

JOH 14:23

 Yeshua answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

 

JOH 14:24

 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

 

JOH 15:3

 Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

 

JOH 15:7

 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.

 

JOH 15:20

 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours

 

JOH 15:25

 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

 

JOH 17:1

 These words spake Yeshua, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify thee:

 

JOH 17:6

 I have manifested your name unto the men which you gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and you gavest them me; and they have kept your word.

 

JOH 17:8

 For I have given unto them the words which you gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that you didst send me.

 

JOH 17:14

 I have given them your word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

 

JOH 17:17

 Sanctify them through your truth: your word is truth.

 

JOH 18:1

 When Yeshua had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

 

ACT 2:41

 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

 

ACT 4:4

 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

 

ACT 4:29

 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto your servants, that with all boldness they may speak your word,

 

ACT 5:5

 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

 

ACT 5:20

 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

 

ACT 6:4

 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

ACT 8:4

 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

 

ACT 8:25

 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

 

ACT 10:36

 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Yeshua Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

 

ACT 10:37

 That word, I say, you know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

 

ACT 10:44

 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

 

ACT 11:14

 Who shall tell you words, whereby you and all your house shall be saved.

 

ACT 11:16

 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

 

ACT 11:19

 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

 

ACT 13:42

 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next  sabbath.

 

ACT 13:48

 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

 

ACT 13:49

 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

 

ACT 14:3

 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

 

ACT 14:25

 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

 

ACT 15:15

 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

 

ACT 15:35

 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

 

ACT 15:36

 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do.

 

ACT 16:6

 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

 

ACT 16:32

 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

 

ACT 18:15

 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look you to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

 

ACT 19:10

 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Yeshua, both Jews and Greeks.

 

ACT 20:32

 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.

 

ACT 20:35

 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Yeshua, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

 

ACT 20:38

 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

 

ROM 10:8

 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

 

CO1 12:8

 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

 

CO2 6:7

 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

 

CO2 10:11

 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.

 

GAL 5:14

 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; you shalt love your neighbour as thyself.

 

GAL 6:6

 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

 

EPH 1:13

 In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

 

EPH 5:26

 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

 

PHI 1:14

 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

 

PHI 2:16

 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

 

COL 1:5

 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

 

COL 3:16

 Let the word of the Messiah dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

 

1 Thes 1:5

 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as you know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

 

1 Thes 1:6

 And you became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.

 

1 Thes 1:8

 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

 

1 Thes 4:15

 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

 

2 Thes 2:2

 That you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of the Messiah is at hand.

 

2 Thes 2:15

 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

 

2 Thes  3:1

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

 

2 Thes 3:14

 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

 

1 Tim 4:6

 If you put the brethren in remembrance of these things, you shalt be a good minister of Yeshua Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto you hast attained.

 

1 Tim 5:17

 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

 

1 Tim 6:3

 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Yeshua Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

 

2 Tim 2:14

 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

 

2 Tim 2:15

 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

2 Tim  4:2

 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

 

TIT 1:3

 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

 

TIT 1:9

 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

 

HEB 1:3

 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand

 

HEB 4:2

 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

 

HEB 5:13

 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

 

HEB 12:19

 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them

any more:

 

HEB 12:27

 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

 

HEB 13:22

 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

 

JAM 1:18

 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

 

JAM 1:21

 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

 

JAM 1:22

 But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

 

JAM 1:23

 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:

 

PE1 1:25

 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

 

PE1 2:2

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

 

PE1 2:8

 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

 

PE1 3:1

 Likewise, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

 

PE2 3:2

 That you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

 

PE2 3:7

 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

 

JO1 1:10

 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

 

JO1 2:5

 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

 

1 Joh 2:7

 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you have heard from the beginning.

 

JUD 1:17

 But, beloved, remember you the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Yeshua Christ;

 

REV 3:8

 I know your works: behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it: for you hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

 

REV 3:10

 Because you hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

 

REV 12:11

 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

 

REV 22:19

 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.

 

 

Sword of His mouth:

 

REV 1:16

 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun

shineth in his strength.

 

REV 2:16

 Repent; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

 

 

 

Scripture:

 

MAT 21:42

 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous

 

MAT 22:29

 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

 

MAT 26:54

 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

 

MAT 26:56

 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

 

MAR 12:10

 And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

 

MAR 12:24

 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

 

MAR 14:49

 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.

 

MAR 15:28

 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.

 

LUK 4:21

 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

 

LUK 24:27

 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

 

LUK 24:32

 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

 

LUK 24:45

 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

 

JOH 2:22

 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

 

JOH 5:39

 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

 

JOH 7:38

 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

 

JOH 7:42

 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

 

JOH 10:35

 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

 

JOH 13:18

 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.

 

JOH 17:12

 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled

 

JOH 19:24

 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and

 

JOH 19:28

 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

 

JOH 19:36

 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

 

JOH 19:37

 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

 

JOH 20:9

 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

 

ACT 1:16

 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

 

ACT 8:32

 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

 

ACT 8:35

 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

 

ACT 17:2

 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

 

ACT 17:11

 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.

 

ACT 18:24

 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

 

ACT 18:28

 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

 

ROM 1:2

 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

 

ROM 4:3

 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

 

ROM 9:17

 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee,

and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

 

ROM 10:11

 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

 

ROM 11:2

 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God

against Israel saying,

 

ROM 15:4

 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures

might have hope.

 

ROM 16:26

 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made

known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

 

CO1 15:3

 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the

scriptures;

 

CO1 15:4

 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

 

GAL 3:8

 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham,

saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

 

GAL 3:22

 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

 

GAL 4:30

 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the

son of the freewoman.

 

1 TIm 5:18

 For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

 

2 TIm 3:15

 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which

is in Christ Jesus.

 

2 TIm 3:16

 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in

righteousness:

 

JAM 2:8

 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

 

JAM 2:23

 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was

called the Friend of God.

 

JAM 4:5

 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

 

2 Pet 2:6

 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth

on him shall not be confounded.

 

2 Pet 1:20

 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.