A Layman’s Commentary on the Gospel of John - Lesson II - Intro
By T.O.D. Johnston Origins of the Word In the first three verses of the Bible we are introduced to God. The word “God” is Elohim - the plural form, meaning more than one. The verb “created” is singular. This reveals the Trinity working as a single unit. God the Father, the conceiver and planner of the universe - from before the beginning until after the end of time as we know it. When God speaks - the Living Word of God (Jesus) becomes the spoken Word “God said”. When the spoken Word of God was recorded, it became the written “Word of God” - the Holy Scripture. Throughout the Old Testament, the Lord spoke to people, particularly the prophets. When they proclaimed their messages they began “Thus saith the Lord”. In the New Testament, John’s Gospel begins with the same words at the beginning of Genesis. We are told in dramatically simple terms who the Word of God is - Jesus is the Living Word of God. He brought into existence all of creation. He came into a world of the darkness of sin and death. He brought life and light. The world, and creatures He created did not recognize Him. They had turned each to his own way, choosing darkness, for their deeds were evil. Those who received Him, were given the adoption to become sons of God, joint heirs with Christ. The eternal Son who called into existence all that is, and maintains it by the Word of His Power, lowered Himself to be born as a human child. His purpose - to bring to all people the message of the true desires of the Heart of the Father, to show by word and deed what the Father offered the world - love, forgiveness, adoption, reconciliation, a new and eternal relationship with Him through the Gift of His Son as the Suffering Servant who would die the death we deserved, so that we might live. By means of the Spirit, the Living Word of God was recorded as the Written Word of God.Throughout time, God has made Himself known throughout the beauty and complexity of the created universe, and by working out His will throughout human history. But above all, He has exalted the recording and preservation and dissemination of His Written Word. Why? Because it reveals His heart of love through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. The greatest ministry of the Holy Spirit was to cause the Bible to be written. With the recording of the New Testament, the ministry became that of revealing Jesus to us through that Written Word - thereby making the Written Word spiritually discernable to people. The Holy Spirit imbues the Word with life and power. Jesus promises a life-union with anyone who keeps His words, by the Spirit of love which unites the Father and the Son. Chapter 15:7 - “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” Do you have confidence in prayer - you can - just as the body needs food every day - so also does the spirit need the nourishment of spiritual food, which is the Word of God. How do we abide in Christ - by spending time every day with Him in His Word, by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, this increases our knowledge, our understanding, our faith, our hope, and a deeper realization of how much God loves us. This should naturally lead us into a life that glorifies the Father, the bearing of much fruit. The above lesson was excerpted from the author’s online Layman’s Bible Commentaries. He enjoys spending his time at his art gallery on 118 Sauls St., Lake City, South Carolina. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=T.O.D._Johnston http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Laymans-Commentary-on-the-Gospel-of-John—Lesson-II—Intro&id=521055 buy tramadol cheap tramadol with fedex and no prescription buy tramadol cod buy ultram where
