The Word is not merely spoken language but the eternal, creative expression of God's being and will. It involves divine presence, revelation, and redemptive action entering human history. This is revealed through the incarnation, where God's character takes human form to bring light, truth, and grace directly to humanity.
The Eternal Word
Understanding the Word as the source of all creation and the very essence of God.
✔ Recognize the Word as existing from the beginning, with God, and being God
✔ See the Word as the active agent through whom all things were made
✔ Understand that in the Word is life, and this life is the light of all people
✔ Acknowledge that this light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it
✔ Receive the Word not as a concept, but as a person—Jesus, the Son of God
The Incarnate Word
Embracing the mystery of divinity taking on human nature to dwell among us.
✔ Believe that the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us
✔ See Jesus as full of grace and truth—the complete revelation of God's character
✔ Understand that no one has ever seen God, but the only Son has made him known
✔ Recognize Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world
✔ Receive from his fullness grace upon grace—one blessing after another
The Invitation of the Word
Responding to the offer of new identity and relationship with God through Christ.
✔ Receive Jesus and believe in his name to become a child of God
✔ Understand this birth comes not from human decision, but from God himself
✔ Recognize that to all who receive him, he gives the right to become God's children
✔ Enter the Kingdom of God by being born of water and the Spirit
✔ Believe in the Son to have eternal life, not condemnation
The Authority of the Word
Acknowledging Jesus's divine knowledge, power, and timing in all things.
✔ Trust that Jesus knows all people and what is in human hearts
✔ Submit to his timing, understanding that he operates according to divine purpose
✔ See his miracles as signs pointing to his identity as the Messiah
✔ Recognize his devotion to God's house and his mission
✔ Accept that he is greater than all and has been placed above all
The Revelation of the Word
Understanding that Jesus completes and fulfills what came before him.
✔ See that while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus
✔ Recognize Jesus as the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit
✔ Understand that he speaks of what he knows and testifies to what he has seen
✔ Accept that whoever believes his message certifies that God is truthful
✔ Know that the Father has placed all things in his hands
The Response to the Word
Choosing between light and darkness, belief and rejection.
✔ Come into the light so that your deeds may be seen as done in God
✔ Understand that judgment comes because people loved darkness instead of light
✔ Rejoice at the bridegroom's voice, like the friend who stands and listens
✔ Accept that no one can receive anything unless it is given from heaven
✔ Believe that whoever disobeys the Son will not see life
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