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Advent Lessons

Lesson 1 · December 31, 1892

The Word of God

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Notes

Before attempting to answer the questions asked upon any text, read the text carefully several times, noticing the connection.

1. Questions on 1 Thess. 2:13

  1. 1.With what is the word of God contrasted?
  2. 2.How much difference is there between the two?
  3. 3.What does the word of God do?
  4. 4.Upon what condition does it work?
  5. 5.Does it make any difference how we receive the word? How much?

2. Questions on Isa. 55:8-11

  1. 1.What are words intended to convey?
  2. 2.How much difference is there between God's thoughts and man's thoughts?
  3. 3.How much difference, then, will there be between God's word and man's word?
  4. 4.What definite results are produced by rain and snow?
  5. 5.What comparison is made between these agencies and God's word?
  6. 6.How must the word be received in order that it may accomplish such results?

3. Questions on Heb. 4:12, Revised Version

  1. 1.What characteristics of God's word are here mentioned?
  2. 2.Are these true of man's word? Show the difference quite fully.

4. Questions on John 1:1-4

  1. 1.Who is meant by the Word?
  2. 2.Why is He called the Word?
  3. 3.What is found in Him?

Notes

1. Paul knew whom he had believed (), and was aware that it made a great difference how the word was received (). The difference between God's word and man's word is just as great as the difference between God and man, which is simply infinite. See ; ; . God's word works in those who believe it as God's word. The gospel "is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth" (), and the word of the Lord is preached by the gospel (), but it must be believed in order to be of profit ().

2. Man puts his own thoughts into words (), and what one man has thus clothed with language, another man can study out, and so exhaust his meaning. Not so with God's word. His words contain a depth of meaning which only his Spirit can reveal to us (), and for this purpose was the Spirit promised (; ). As rain and snow are sent upon the earth to accomplish definite results, so God sends his word (; ). It is sent to bring salvation (; ), and it will accomplish this for all who receive it. As the land is made fruitful by receiving the rain (), so God will cause righteousness to spring forth (). When spoken faithfully the word will have a powerful effect (), and it is able to build up () those who receive it.

3. The Revised Version of is as follows: "For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart." The words of God are not only living words, but they are spirit and life () to those who believe them. Life seems to belong to everything that is associated with God. He not only has life in himself () but his throne is a living throne (). Besides this we have the word of life (), the breath of life (), the bread of life (), the river of life, and the tree of life (). The word is the sword of the Spirit (), for the Spirit dwells in the word (compare Peter 1:23 with ), and so it is said of Christ, who spoke for God (), that a sharp two-edged sword went out of his mouth ().

  1. 4.Christ is called the Word of God (), not only because he spake the words of God (; ), but also because he was a living proclamation to the world of the character of God (; ). The mystery of the incarnation, God with us (), divinity veiled in humanity, is repeated in the word in which the divine Spirit dwells in human language. "The union of the divine and the human, manifest in Christ, exists also in the Bible. The truths revealed are all 'given by inspiration of God;' yet they are expressed in the words of men, and are adapted to human needs. Thus it may be said of the Book of God, as it was of Christ, that 'the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.' And this fact, so far from being an argument against the Bible, should strengthen faith in it as the word of God. Those who pronounce upon the inspiration of the Scriptures, accepting some portions as divine, while they reject other parts as human, overlook the fact that Christ, the divine, partook of our human nature, that he might reach humanity. In the work of God for man's redemption, divinity and humanity are combined." As Christ is a personal Saviour (), so God's word is given to each one as an individual. "The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul for whom he gave his beloved Son." His word is to be regarded by each one as though he were the only one to whom God had thus spoken.

Suggestive Questions

  1. 1.How should the Bible be studied?
  2. 2.Should the Bible be studied daily? Why?
  3. 3.Can the unlearned receive help from God's word? Why?
  4. 4.Can the educated exhaust it? Why?
  5. 5.Who will receive the greatest benefit from the word of God?

Bible texts in this lesson

1 Thessalonians 2:13 · Isaiah 55:8-11 · Hebrews 4:12 · John 1:1-4 · 2 Timothy 1:12 · 1 Corinthians 2:4 · 1 Corinthians 2:5 · Psalms 146:3 · Isaiah 26:4 · 1 Corinthians 1:25 · Romans 1:16 · 1 Peter 1:25 · Hebrews 4:2 · Luke 6:45 · 1 Corinthians 2:11 · 1 Corinthians 2:12 · John 16:13 · 1 Corinthians 2:10 · Psalms 107:20 · Matthew 8:8 · Acts 13:26 · James 1:21 · Hebrews 6:7 · Isaiah 61:11 · Jeremiah 23:28 · Jeremiah 23:29 · Acts 20:32 · John 6:63 · John 5:26 · Ezekiel 1 · Philippians 2:16 · Genesis 2:7 · John 6:48 · Revelation 22:1 · Revelation 22:2 · Ephesians 6:17 · James 1:18 · James 1:1 · John 3:5 · John 3:34 · Revelation 1:16 · Revelation 19:11-13 · Deuteronomy 18:18 · John 17:8 · 2 Corinthians 5:19 · John 14:9 · John 14:10 · Matthew 1:23 · Galatians 2:20

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