The preachers quoted here describe the Word of God as God's own breath and voice, written through people but wholly his, with authority over everything. They say it is timeless, the source and keeping of salvation, an alarm that rouses, and that the Word is finally Jesus Christ himself.
Scripture uses "the word of God" for what God speaks.12 He created by it (Psalm 33:6), sent it by the prophets, and above all spoke in his Son: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ... And the Word was made flesh" (John 1:1, 14). The written Scriptures are God's word in permanent form, and they point to Christ: "they are they which testify of me" (5:39).
Their origin is God. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:21). The Thessalonians received the apostles' message "not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God" (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
Their authority follows from their author. The Westminster Confession states: "The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God (who is truth itself), the author thereof".3 The Shorter Catechism draws the practical point: "The Word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him."4
It is permanent and true. "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89). "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever" (Isaiah 40:8). Jesus prayed, "thy word is truth" (John 17:17).
It is living and effective. "The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword" (Hebrews 4:12). "Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:29). God says it "shall not return unto me void" (Isaiah 55:11). People are born again by it (1 Peter 1:23), and faith comes by hearing it (Romans 10:17).
It is to be received, lived on and obeyed. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105). "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:22).
- Strong's Hebrew 1697, dâbâr: "a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause".
- Strong's Greek 3056, lógos: "something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the...".
- Anonymous, Westminster Confession of Faith, "CHAPTER 1: The United Presbyterian Church".
- Westminster Assembly, Westminster Shorter Catechism, "What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy...".
In their own words
Each line below is quoted exactly from a sermon on this site. Follow the link to hear or read it where it was said.
The Word of God is perfect authority over man, perfect authority over Satan, and perfect authority over all of the spiritual world, both good and evil.
Russell Kelfer
in God's Truth About God's Word
Listen at 6:54
The Bible is the sole product of God using people to put it in writing.
Peet Botha
in Revelation and Inspiration of Gods Word
Listen at 19:07
The word of God is the Word, and the Word is Jesus Christ.
Erlo Stegen
in Everything Is Revealed Before the Word of God
Listen at 1:21
The word of God is the source of our salvation and the keeping of it.
Keith Daniel
in 16 Facets of the Word of God
Listen at 16:54
The Bible is timeless, or its message is timeless, in that its message is relevant to and is proved as God's redeeming word by people of every age.
J. Glyn Owen
in Here We Stand - the Bible Is the Word of God
Listen at 29:43
But the Word of God is an alarm clock, and God wants to arouse us.
Vance Havner
in Hearing and Doing God's Word - Part 1
Listen at 17:17
The word of God is the same as the breath which God breathed into Adam, the first man.
Carter Conlon
in Everything Is Servant to the Word of God
Listen at 18:15
What Scripture says
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 all scripture is given by inspiration of God
- Hebrews 4:12 the word of God is quick, and powerful
- Psalm 119:105 your word is a lamp to my feet
- Isaiah 40:8 the word of our God shall stand for ever
- James 1:22 be doers of the word, and not hearers only
How this page is made: the quotes are taken word for word from sermons on SermonIndex and checked against them by program before the page is published. The transcripts of audio and video sermons are machine-made, so follow the link to hear the words as they were spoken. The answer above the quotes is an overview with its sources listed; it is not a statement of doctrine by SermonIndex.