May 13, 2002
TOGETHER:
John's 'Word' is Jesus, not the Bible
___A preacher stood before the gathered crowd of young people and boldly declared as he held his Bible aloft: "This book is God's Word. This book is God!" He quoted John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." His enthusiasm for the Bible was admirable, but his theology was sadly in disarray.
___Since the statement was made at a Baptist General Convention of Texas youth event, I called the young preacher to discuss the matter. He said: "Oh, Brother Wade, I'm sorry about that. I know that what I said was not exactly right. I got carried away. I know that John 1:1 refers to Jesus and not to the Bible."
___Since that time, Ihave had other experiences where people mistakenly have cited John 1:1 as being about the written word instead of the living Word.
CHARLES WADE
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
___The deacons in one church asked me about the Baptist General Convention of Texas' commitment to the Bible. I was happy to express my personal commitment to the authority and trustworthiness of the Bible, and I gave them copies of BGCT resolutions affirming the Bible as God's inspired and authoritative word. In the process of explaining where their church stood in regard to Holy Scripture, the deacons cited wonderful verses that attest to the Bible's authority and trustworthiness. "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever" (Isaiah 40:8). "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). Then the deacons listed John 1:1. Clearly, they thought that verse referred to Scripture rather than to Christ.
___Then, a few days ago, I received a report from a mission trip to China. It was filled with marvelous stories about sharing the gospel message and bearing witness to the love of God through Jesus Christ. In the midst of the story was an account of providing Bibles to college students who were eager to have a copy of the Scriptures. And the writer referred to John 1:1, associating the "Word" in that verse with the Bible rather than with Jesus.
___John 1:1 provides a perfect example of a basic principle of interpretation: The Bible is its own best commentary. Read the entire first chapter of John's Gospel, and the matter is clarified. It shows that "the Word" in John 1:1 is Jesus, not the Bible.
___Consider the full text of John 1:1-3, 14: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made ... . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
___These great verses are John's way of telling the Christmas story. They are about Jesus being born so that "as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12). The Bible focuses on bringing us to Jesus Christ that we might be able to know God. The Bible tells us it is Jesus who saves.
___We are loved. Please pray for those who don't know that yet.
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