Bible Study Letters

Characteristics of the Word

[ Bottom of Page ] [ Words to the hymn, A Might Fortress Is Our God ]

Reaching forth...

Names of the Bible given in the Bible:

1. The Word

James 1:21-23
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
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:

1 Peter 2:2
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

2. The Word of God

Luke 11:28
28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

3. The Word of Christ

Colossians 3:16
16 Let the word of Christ 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.

4. The Word of Truth

James 1:18
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

5. The Holy Scriptures

Romans 1:12
12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

2 Timothy 3:15
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.

6. The Scripture of Truth

Daniel 10:21
21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

7. The Book

Psalms 40:7
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

Revelation 22:19
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 in this book.

8. The Book of the Lord

Isaiah 34:16
16 Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

9. The Book of the Law

Nehemiah 8:3
3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.

Galatians 3:10
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

10. The Law of the Lord

Psalms 1:2
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Isaiah 30:9
9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:

11. The Sword of the Spirit

Ephesians 6:17
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

12. The Oracles of God

Romans 3:2
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

1 Peter 4:11
11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Seven Things The Bible Is Likened Unto

1. A Flaming Sword

Genesis 3:24
24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

a. Only one way back to God, as the way that men left, by the way of the Flaming Sword, the Word of God

2. A Devouring Flame

Jeremiah 5:14
14 Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

3. A Crushing Hammer

Jeremiah 23:29
29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

4. A Life Giving Force

Ezekiel 37:7
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.

5. A Saving Power

Romans 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

6. A Defensive Weapon

Ephesians 6:17
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

a. Don’t defend the bible, let it defend itself. One can spend a life intellectually defending the Bible and yet be found never to have received the saving power.

7. A Piercing Sword

Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Word of God

Prov 30:5
5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Luke 4:4
4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

2 Tim 2:9-10
9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

The Word has been replaced in many places by what man calls equivalent. A few words are tossed about, claiming it is God’s message, but instead the commandments of men are being presented. Believers are begotten by the Word, and not by substitutes, for there is no other way. 

Maudlin, feigned behavior has been the replacement for sincere, godly feelings. The etymology of the word maudlin is alteration of Mary Magdalene; from her depiction as a weeping penitent. As the sinners prayer has been counterfeited, so has the behavior of the penitent one worshipping Christ. Those that worship must worship in spirit and in truth. His Word is truth (John 17:17). There is no alternate, to allow man their comforts. 

Their is a famine, the Word ignored as far as it being applied to men’s lives. The sinners prayer, “God be merciful to me a sinner” has been replaced with a few words said as man is made comfortable, and shown, encouraged in the false belief, that he is self sufficient, being made comfortable with himself, while promised life everlasting for there accomplishment. The Word of God is tossed about as merely academic. But what of the sins? The Lord is not to rule over man, or touch them about that.

Proverbs 1:29-30
29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

As it is explained, "I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing" (Hos. 8: 12). David says, "They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread (which speak peace to their neighbors, but mischief is in their hearts), and call not upon the Lord" (Ps. 14: 3-4; 28: 3). Those have nothing to do with His reproofs or correction, that say, "Who is lord over us?" (Ps. 12: 4). There fear of God is "taught by the precept of men" (Isa. 29: 13), and not by the Word of God.

Solomon explains, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Pr. 14: 12; 16: 25), and "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes" (Pr. 21: 2).

The One greater than Solomon says, "But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matt. 15: 9).

Luke 19:27
27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

Promising heaven, everlasting life, to the one remaining unrepentant, ungodly, is another counterfeit. Claiming Christ has redeemed each and every person, that is a great distortion, another gospel, presented to allow the unrepentant, ungodly entrance to heaven, and ever lasting life. Christ accomplished what he went about to do, and that is redeem His people from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Man likes to counterfeit, and if it were not of great value it would not be counterfeited. But God knows his own.

James 1:18
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

1 Peter 1:23
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Some have kept the Word,

John 17:6, 8
6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

Others have not,

Ezekiel 33:31-32
31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.
32 And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

Christ Jesus our Lord tells of some with feigned love, but yet far from Him, for the wicked think to fool God:

Matt 15:8
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Psalms 78:36-37
36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.
37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

The counsel of the Lord shall stand...

Isa 46:10
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Top of Page

“God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present Help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Words & Music: Martin Luther, 1529.

This song has been called the "Battle Hymn of the Reformation.”

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

Alternate translation:

A mighty fortress is our God, a trusty shield and weapon;
He helps us free from every need that hath us now overtaken.
The old evil foe now means deadly woe; deep guile and great might
Are his dread arms in fight; on Earth is not his equal.

With might of ours can naught be done, soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the Valiant One, Whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, Who is this? Jesus Christ it is.
Of Sabbath Lord, and there’s none other God;
He holds the field forever.

Though devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us.
We tremble not, we fear no ill, they shall not overpower us.
This world’s prince may still scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none, he’s judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.

The Word they still shall let remain nor any thanks have for it;
He’s by our side upon the plain with His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life, goods, fame, child and wife,
Let these all be gone, they yet have nothing won;
The Kingdom ours remaineth.

Come and hear, all ye that fear God,
and I will declare what He hath done for my soul.
Psalms 66:16

Send This Page Around The World
Tell A Friend About This Page

Bob Krajcik
[ Bible Study Letters ]
I Would Enjoy Hearing from You.
Your Name Will Not Be Shared.
Send Your Comments, Questions,
Praise Reports or Prayer Requests.
Bookmark this as a Favorite Page
Tell A Friend About This Site.

[ Home Page ] [ Main Site Map ] 

[ Top of Page ]