Page 40 - Bible Writers Theology Original

24 ♦ BMe waters'Theology Chapter Three
saved. In the Bible, the plan of salvation unfolds. The apostle John said, "These things have I written unto you...that ye may know that ye have eter nal life..." (I John 5:13).Speaking of the power of the word, Paul declared, "For the preaching of the cross...unto us which are saved, it is the power
of God" (ICorinthians 1:18). Theword ofGod does good for its follower (Micah 2:7).
ForPeter,regenerationisonlymadepossible by the everlasting Word of God used as seed: "Being b o m again, n o t o f c o r r u p t i b l e s e e d , b u t o f i n c o r ruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. ... A nd this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you" (1 Peter 1:23,25). Jesus made it plain that the scriptures testify of Him, who is the source of eternal life Qohn 5:39). Surely, Christ has "the words of eternal life" (John 6:63,68). In the same way, Paul assures his disciple Timothy that
the holy scriptures can make him "wise unto salvation through faith which isinChnst Jesus" (II Timothy 3:15). Paul explains that hearing the word of God is a source of faith and leads to salvation (Romans 10:13,17). James exhorts us to be hearers and "doers of the word" which is able to save our
souls Games 1:21-22).
^ Christ's words are divine in their authority Qohn 12:49-50). That God was
^ Chnst, reconciling the world unto himself" (II Corinthians 5:19). Jesus warned his listeners that life only comes from His words (John 12:47-48).
Christ's words will endure (Luke 21:33; John 6:68), and are final (Hebrews 9:16-17). They are capable of salvation or damnation (Mark 16:15-16).
Not only does the Bible reveal the way to eternal life, it instructs its read ers how they ought to live. Jesus likened as "unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock", those who hear and do His words (Matthew 7:24). Discipleship is attained by abiding in His word Qohn 8:31).
Biblical truths must be grasped and applied. Paul counsels the Christian worker to be diligent in reading and teaching the Word of God, so that he may be able to save himself and his hearers (1 Timothy 4:13, 15-16; 11
Timothy 3:17). Scripture says, "the priesfs lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD ofhosts (Malachi2:7).Chnstsaid,"Manshallnotlivebybreadalone,but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth ofGod" (Matthew 4:4). The
wordofGodisthe swordoftheSpirit"(Ephesians6:17),mightyagainstsin andthedevil'sstrongholdsGICorinthians10:4). (SeealsoMatthew4:1-11).
The Bible declares. For the word of God is <]uiclc, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder