Appendix 1
What the Bible Tells Us about the Word of God
1. The Word of God:
– Has created all things: Gen 1:3,6,9,11,14,20,24,26; Ps 33:6-9; Wis 9:1; Jn 1:3; Heb 11:3.
– Sustains the universe: Sir 43:26; Heb 1:3; 2 Pt 3:5.
– Fulfills God’s commands: Is 11:4, 55:10-11; Wis 18:14-16; Ps 147:15.
– Is very near to human beings: Dt 30:11-14; Rom 10:8-10.
– Is cordial and sincere: Ex 33:11.
– Is joy and happiness: Jer 15:16.
– Proclaims the faithfulness of God: Ps 89:2.
– Calls us together: Bar 5:5.
– Is living and effective: Heb 4:12.
– Gives life: Ps 119:50; Bar 4:1.
– Is the sword of the Spirit: Eph 6:17.
– Acts effectively in the faithful: 1 Thes 2:13.
– Is sown: Mt 13:1-9,18-23 (= Mk 4:1-9,13-20 = Lk 8:4-8, 11-15).
– Regenerates: 1 Pt 1:23-25; 1 Jn 3:9.
2. The words of the Law of the Lord:
– Are written down by Moses: Ex 24:4; 34:27-28.
– Each one must fix them in his heart and in his soul: Dt 6:6-9; 11:18-21; 32:46-47.
– God will engrave them in our hearts: Jer 31:33.
3. The prophets announce the words of the Lord:
– The prophets proclaim them: Dt 18:18-19; Is 51:16; Jer 1:9.
4. Who the Word is:
– The Word existed from the beginning: Jn 1:1.
– The Word was made flesh: Jn 1:14.
5. The Scriptures are fulfilled in Jesus:
– Mt 1:22-23; 2:15,17,23; 4:14-16; 5:17; 8:17; 12:17; 13:35; 21:4-5; 26:54-56; 27:9; Mk 14:49; Lk 4:21; 18:31-33; 21:22; 22:37-38; 24:25-27,44-47; Jn 12:38; 13:18; 15:25; 17:12; 19:24,28,30,36; Acts 2:16-21,29-31; 3:17-18.
6. Jesus, by his word:
– Delivers from evil: Mt. 4:23-24; 8:9 (and parallels); delivers from death: Lk 7:14-17; Jn 11:1-44.
– Stills the storm: Mk 4:39 (and parallels).
– Jesus heals: Mt 8:5-13 (= Lk 7:1-10 = Jn 4:43-54).
– Expels evil spirits: Mt 8:16.
7. Jesus announces:
– The words that God has given to him: Jn 3:34; 8:47; 12:50; 14:24; 17:8,14.
– The word: Mk 2:2; 4:14,33.
– The Kingdom of God: Mt 4:17 (= Mk 1:14-15); Lk 4:43-44; 8:1.
– The gospel of peace: Acts 10:36; Eph 2:17.
– Salvation to all who believe in him: Jn 12:44-50.
8. The words of Jesus:
– Are spirit and life: Jn 6:63.
9. God makes his word known:
– By the ministry of the apostles: Lk 1:2; Titus 1:3; Heb 13:7
10. The Word of God in the origins of the Church:
– Acts 4:29,31; 6:2,4,7; 8:4,14,25; 10:36; 11:1,19; 12:25; 13:5,7,44,48-49; 14:12,24; 15:7,35-36; 16:6,32; 7:11,13; 18:5,11; 19:10,20; 20:7,18-35.
11. Man lives on the Word of God:
– Dt 8:3; Wis 16:26; Mt 4:4 (= Lk 4:4); Jn 5:24; 6; 8:51-52.
12. Christians:
– Hear and keep the Word: Mt 7:24-27 (= Lk 6:47-49) 13:23 (= Mk 4:20 = Lk 8:15); Lk 8:21; 10:39; 11:28; Jn 5:24-25; 8:31-32,47,51-52; 14:23-24; 17:6-8; Jas 1:22-25; 1 Jn 2:5,7.
– Receive the Word: Acts 8:14; 11:1; 17:11; 1 Thes 1:6; 2:13.
– Believe in the Word: 1 Pet 2:8; 3:1.
13. How should we read the Scriptures?
– For our instruction: Rom 15:4.
– For salvation: 2 Tim 3:14-16.
– Read and interpreted in “community”: 2 Pet 1:20; 3:16.
14. The “words” are summed up in the Word:
– They testify concerning Christ: Jn 5:39.
– “To see whose voice it was that spoke to me” (Rev 1:12).
15. Five attitudes regarding the Word:
– Hear: Lk 1:26-33; 10:39.
– Receive: Lk 1:34-38.
– Keep: Lk 2:19,51.
– Practice: Lk 11:28.
– Proclaim: Lk 1:39-45 (Magnificat).
