The Bible is often referred to as the Word of God. And rightly so, for this is what it claims to be! The apostle Paul, for example, states: “We also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
The Bible is God’s self-revelation to humans
God speaks to humans. Sometimes He does so directly or in dreams, but God’s primary means of communication is through the Bible, as it is written down by inspired human authors. “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets…” (Hebrews 1:1). “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). God’s words were written down and transmitted to later generations. This process was guided by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Paul can claim that the Bible is written by God: “All Scripture is breathed out by God” (2 Timothy 3:16).
God’s Word is true
The Bible contains a lot of historical details, many of which have meanwhile been confirmed by other historical sources or archaeological discoveries. The Biblical records are trustworthy. Moreover, many historical facts were prophesied long before they happened! Hundreds of prophecies all through the Old Testament were fulfilled in the birth, life and death of Jesus. For example, in Micah 5:2 we read about Bethlehem as the birth place of a ruler “whose coming is from of old” — that fits perfectly with Jesus as the eternal God who was born as a human baby in Bethlehem. He would be the Son of David — and indeed his mother Mary and her man Joseph were “of the house of David” (Luke 1:27). And there are many more prophecies, not only about Jesus but also about other historical facts. This is very clear evidence that the Bible is God’s Word, since human authors could never have foreseen these details centuries before. They could only be written down by an Author who foreknew what would happen.
God’s Word is powerful
The Bible is not just a book. “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). It is no random force, but purposefully used by God: “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). Many Christians have already experienced this. The Bible is of life importance because it confronts us with our sins, it points us to Jesus, it teaches and encourages, it is food for the soul (Matthew 4:4). Countless lives have already been transformed by the supernatural power of God’s Word.
God’s Word is everlasting
The Bible has been written centuries ago, but it is still relevant and applicable. It will never become outdated. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8). That makes the Bible unique, not comparable to any other book. As Jesus told his hearers: “For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law [= the Torah, or even the complete Old Testament] until all is accomplished” (Matthew 5:18).
We should listen to God’s Word
The Scriptures contain all the information we need about ourselves, about God, and about our relationship with Him. This information is vitally important. We need it in order to find eternal life. “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). The Bible is like a light to our path, leading us to God (Psalm 119:105). Jesus Himself stressed this: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:28).
Jesus is God’s ultimate self-revelation
But not only the Bible is called ‘the Word of God’. The ultimate Word of God is a Person. It is God the Son. Let’s read the verse in Hebrews 1 again, but this time we read on: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (Hebrews 1:1-2). This Son of God through whom the world was created, is called ‘the Word’ in John 1:1-5 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” . This eternal Word of God became flesh, He was born as a human baby — called Jesus. He has made known the Father to us (John 1:18). Through the Bible, we learn about the life, death, and resurrection of this Word of God, but also about his miracles and teachings. That way, we too can get to know the Father.