THE WORD POWER OF GOD

(Acts 11:14.) 

IN this century of the world's existence science con- 
tradicts itself. Ideas that were advanced as scientific 
fifty years ago have been altogether changed in the 
light of modern discoveries. Science, at its best, is 
merely man's attempt to fathom the laws of God. 
As man grows in the understanding of natural law, 
the Bible and science harmonize more and more. When 
man approaches a full knowledge of natural law, if 
that thing is possible, science and the Bible will be 
harmonious. 

At this time we are studying the word power of 
God. A careful scrutiny of the Scriptures will reveal 
the fact that God has always done things through 
the agency of His word. 

Words are expressions of ideas. Taken together, 
they constitute the intelligible expression of thought. 
The word of God is the expression of infinite thought 
in terms of human comprehension. Let us see what 
God has done by means of His word. 

1. The worlds were brought into existence through 
the agency of the Word. We find the phrase "And 
God said" nine different times in the first chapter 
of Genesis; and always the thing said came to pass. 
By the power of His word He brought the universe 
out of chaos (Ps. 33: 6-9). 

2. The universe is sustained by the same power. 
Things do not move by chance. Note the marvelous 
regularity and symmetry of the solar system. What 
maintains all of this order in nature? (Heb. 1:1-3; 
2 Pet, 3:7.) 

3. The miracles of the Old Testament were per- 
formed by the same Word power. 

a. Moses speaks to the rock (Num. 20: 8). 
h. Joshua speaks to the sun (Josh. 10:12). 

4. The Word became flesh (John 1:1-14). Christ 
as the Word of God. There is nothing so close to a 
man as his own thoughts. Christ was the ideal of 
God. He was the exponent of God's word. He bore 
the same nearness to God as God's own thoughts 
(John 14:9; 1 John 1:1). The babe in the manger 
was God's power clothed in flesh and blood. No wonder 
that he received the adoration of the Magi! 

5. Jesus performed miracles by the same Word 
power. 

a. Feeding the multitudes (Matt. 14:19). 

b. Stilling the tempest (Matt. 8:26). 

c. Healing the sick (Matt. 8:3; 8:8; John 4:50). 

d. Casting out demons (Matt. 8:32; Mark 1:25). 

e. Raising the dead (Luke 7:14; John 11:43). 

6. When Christ returned to the Father, the Spirit 
brought this Word power to the apostles, on the day 
of Pentecost (Luke 24:49; John 16:13; Acts 2:4). 
Peter's sermon (Acts 2:14-36). The effect of this 
Word preached by Peter upon the multitude (Acts 

7. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation. 
He has embodied this Word power in the gospel. 

a. Ps. 19 : 7. It converts the soul. 

b. Isa. 2:3; Mic. 4:2. This Word was to go forth 
from Jerusalem. 

c. Mark 16 : 15. The gospel to be preached, and 
to be preached first at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47). 

d. Rom. 1 : 16. Not a power, nor one of the powers, 
but the power. 

8. The apostles performed miracles through the 
same power. 

a. The lame man at the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:6). 

b. Aeneas at Lydda (Acts 9:34). 

c. Tabitha in the city of Joppa (Acts 9:40). 

9. The Word, whether written or spoken, makes 
believers (John 2:22; 6:63; 17:20; 20:30, 31). 

10. All conversions resulted from the preaching 
of the Word. 

a. The three thousand (Acts 2:14-37). 

b. The Samaritans (Acts 8:5-12). 

c. The eunuch (Acts 8:30-35). 

d. Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9: 6; 22: 10). 

e. Cornelius and his house.(Acts 11:14; 10: 
34-43). 

f. Lydia and her household (Acts 16: 14, 15). 

g. The jailor and his household (Acts 16:32). 

h. The Corinthians (Acts 18:8). 

The Word is irresistible by material things (John 
1:1; Heb. 1 : 3 ; 2 Pet. 3:5). The control of mind over 
matter. 

But the Word can be resisted by man (Eom. 13: 
1, 2). It can be neglected by man (Heb. 2:1-4). To 
resist the Word is to nullify the power of God. The 
fate of those who resist the Word (2 Thess. 1:8; 
1 Pet. 4:17). Let us obey the gospel of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, and enjoy its wonderful promises (Heb. 
5:9).