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"The WORD made flesh"
Scripture readings:
Day
1 2 Tim. 3:15-16
2 Eph. 2:20
3 Rev. 22:18-19
4 Isa. 8:20
5 Gal. 1:8-9
6 John 1:1
_____
What is the word of God?
The holy scriptures of the Old and
New Testament are the word of God,[1] the only rule of faith and
obedience.[2]
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Commentary:
The right understanding of this answer explains the entire system
of Reformed theology. One cannot but admire the simplicity of the
statement given to us from the reformers of the 17th
century.. It’s simplicity causes it to rise above the prose of
others through the ages. Yet the simple fact remains within these
twenty-one words rests the TULIP, the Reformed Principle of Worship,
our heritage, our hope, and our destiny.
The absence of adjectives proclaims the truth louder than a
volume of man’s rhetoric. Here is God’s Word. Though the last
seven words are part of the core doctrine of the Reformed faith, the
truth is, if one understands what the reformers have said in the
first fourteen words, the latter are not needed. How often do we
hear men speak of the infallible word of God? When was the last time
you had a serious debate without someone describing the Bible as an
inerrant word? These comments from well meaning saints pale in the
face of the simple statement of the reformers, "are the word
of God."
Accept this truth, and it needs no man to prop it up, it stands
because God said so. What trust in the sovereignty of God! Dare any
define the Reformed faith without first laying the foundation of
God’s sovereignty for it to rest upon? With sovereignty as its
foundation and Scripture as the guy lines, the Reformed faith dares
to soar to heights of piety and worship only glimpsed by the most
blessed ones prior to the birth of the reformation. From its lofty
heights it dared to stare into the eyes of the potentate of the
world and proclaim "Thus saith
the Lord God." From this
height, high not on new wine but the Spirit of God the standard of
all true worship of God was established upon the unmovable word of
God. Yet even as the Word an extension of God’s sovereignty became
a part of the foundation, as it continued to stabilize and support
this rebirth of the Gospel story in one of the darkest days of the
church since Christ proclaimed her birth and set her to work in the
world, it also spread its glorious light before these chosen of God.
Thus were they enabled to partake of the glory of this God of the
Bible and willingly march to the stake and lovingly embrace the
flames. What poet, what orator among men could inspire man’s heart
to embrace the unseen, as brazenly as if it were past history?
"Are the Word of God," was, is, and shall until
that faithful day, be the rallying cry of the Reformed church as she
marches forth to battle for her Lord.
How weak we moderns are compared to these martyrs of the past,
who knew they had God’s sure word before them. Yet, we quibble
over words, and it is the rare man indeed who doesn’t need the
scholars and wisdom of this world to prove this is God’s Word, who
also need the constant reminder that this is not only God’s Word,
but that it is infallible, it is inerrant, it will endure forever as
if the Word of God could have ever been less than this and so much
more.
Our fathers understood the Gospel of John and the Divine Logos,
God’s Word become flesh. They understood how the Bible being
God’s word was in this sense God and could not be parted from His
Holy Spirit. The Word was reverenced (not worshiped),
respected, loved, and then studied, for here was the wisdom man had
sought since his expulsion from the garden so long ago. Here was the
power needed to conquer this life, to over come death. Such wisdom
couldn’t be obtained from all the prophets of man past, present,
and future combined. Such power couldn’t be obtained by holding
sway over all the armies of the earth. This book graciously given to
man from the very hand of God, was no mere written record, but the
God breathed Word of God in the flesh, continuously watched over,
protected and illuminated by the Holy Spirit. Can we wonder then
that the writings of Calvin haven’t been surpassed among men? Can
we begin to see how the Puritans could devote so much time, energy,
and prayer into the development of their creeds? It was a time when
piety wasn’t a bad word used to heap coals upon the heads of foes,
but a way of life. A time when God had spoken to His people, and
they heard His voice and answered with their lives. It was a period
when the Reformed Principle of Worship wasn’t a cute phrase to
prove who was the most righteous, but was the rule of the Bible in
the life of God’s church. Our forefathers understood that God had
spoken and there was no option that would please God, other than
complete obedience to His Holy Word.
The Reformed Principle of Worship (RPW) you will hear it
discussed sometimes, but so seldom understood. Here as we lay the
foundation for the doctrine of the Scriptures, the Reformed
Principle of Worship was birthed. First it meant that Worship,
Doctrine, and Polity to please God,
must be revealed in the Bible, and thus directed by God. Any other
method, was to offer "strange fire" and invite the wrath
of God, not His eternal blessings. However, our forefathers were no
slackers either, for the Bible condemned such. They realized the
Christian faith was not passive, it demanded action. Thereby, they
took the Reformed Principle of Worship home from the church with
them and applied it to this life of Christian action by the constant
application of three other principles incorporated into the Reformed
Principle of Worship. Namely concerning the Bible they asked,
"What does it say? What does it mean? What am I going to do
about it?" With prayer, fasting, and study of the Word of God,
they then dared face death and proclaim to all this great truth, the
Bible is God’s Word. We need such understanding and faith today.
God has not changed, His word still stands despite all the efforts
of man to destroy or corrupt it. God has never asked anything from
us He did not first give us. Let us pray then for God to raise up
the next generation of Puritans, willing to die because they have
God’s Word. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but every
word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew
4:4).
The Reformed Principle of Worship has become a divisive
issue in the church. This must not be! In its interpretation many
say that if God does not command something in the Bible to be used
in worship, then such is forbidden in the worship of God. Martin
Luther moved to another extreme and said whatever God did not
specifically forbid, the same was permitted. I believe the truth
lies somewhere between these two extremes. I would point the
believer to the definition of the use of gifts by Paul in First
Corinthians fourteen. Paul does not forbid anything in the church at
worship there, but does say all should be done decently and in
order. I find the reformers left such latitude in their creeds and
it was only when the church had moved well into the eighteenth
century we find the Reformed Principle of Worship taking on
the appearance of being another set of rules for worship such as the
Pharisees of Christ’s day were condemned for.
Let us not then throw out the baby with the wash water and deny
there is an Reformed Principle of Worship as such. However we
do need to constantly evaluate what we do in the worship of God in
His church and not add ritual, ceremony, nor tradition that detract
from the revelation of God to His people, and the pure worship of
God as the Sovereign of the universe. To be a bit silly and speak as
a man, this says we will not invite the children to bring the family
pet for show and tell, or to bless them during the worship of God.
I have seen the argument over many theological questions all
point to the way worship is made manifest in the church. For example
if I believe you cannot have musical instruments or sing anything
but Psalms, I am going to be very upset at what most churches call
worship and leave the service feeling resentment that someone could
offend God by such unholy action. There is nothing that will placate
me and I can only move on to find a group of people that agree with
how I see worship.
While the church is so divided into denominations today, I do not
think this is the best God has for us and such divisions should not
exist. The church is the body of Christ, and Christ cannot be
divided. While the two letters in the Bible addressed to the church
at Corinth address many things that church is doing that are
improper, the main concern and
reason given for the letters was the
fact there was division in the church. While I agree the Bible is
God’s Word and is the only guide for faith and practice, we need
to learn we are of one body, even Christ’s and where possible
co-exist in the harmony of the Holy Spirit. This says that it is
okay for us to have differences, even drastic ones concerning the
trappings around the worship service. Such as time, place, mode of
baptism, some practices in how the table is served, what we sing,
the raising of hands, and this list can continue forever. I do
believe that the trappings can contain elements so all
present can have a part in the worship, as long as these don’t
violate God’s Word and are done decently and in order. The common
touch stone for all will be the clear preaching of the Gospel. When
the preaching of the Word and the benediction end the service,
elements other than the actual sacraments should not carry the
weight to divide a church for any of us. You wear your head covering
and I will follow tradition and wear my business suit while not
placing a bond on the conscience of my son who thinks it is okay not
to wear a suit or tie. You sing your Psalms while I quietly pray for
you, knowing when I sing my favorite hymn you will be praying for
me. I can and will praise God for the opportunity to worship Him
alone in truth and Spirit, leaving the rest for Christ to bring to
order when He returns for His bride.
Further thought: Looking ahead to next week, how many things
can you think of that point to the fact the Bible is the Word of
God? What would you say to the person who asked you why you believe
a book this old can still have value today.
Further study: Does your church claim one of the early creeds
for her own? Which one? Does this creed disagree with what you have
learned here? Many churches that claim they have no creed actually
do, though it may not be recognized as such. For example The
Apostle’s Creed is recited by many churches that say they have
no creed. What purpose do you think having creeds serves in the
church?
__________
[1] 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 AV)
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well
that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place,
until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing
this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private
interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of
man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy
Ghost. {in old time: or, at any time} (2 Peter 1:19-21 AV)
[2] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
(Ephesians 2:20 AV)
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the
prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God
shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 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 in this
book. {out of the book...: or, from the tree of life} (Revelation
22:18-19 AV)
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to
this word, it is because there is no light in them.
{no...: Heb. no morning} (Isaiah 8:20 AV)
Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let
them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went
unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If
they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be
persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:29-31 AV)
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 1:8-9 AV)
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. All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:15-16 AV)
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