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The Word of God

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 19, 1905

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 42.

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The Word of God

By R. C. Porter

Our Strongholds—No. 1

The Word of God

R. C. PORTER
How expressive, how all-embracing, is the Word of God! It is so comprehensive in its relation to affairs in this world that when Christ came to live as man on earth, and also to reveal God to humanity, the greatest thing that could be said of him by inspiration was that “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . 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.”
Every utterance of that Word is worthy of the God who gave it, yet it is so simple, plain, and practical that the thoughtful child, guided by that Spirit by which it is given, may be able so fully to comprehend it as to be led into all truth.
Its own utterances, both prophetic and practical, are so heavenly that to read them understandingly is the strongest evidence that one is born of the Spirit from which they came. If one lacks faith, the practical appeal of that Word to the heart of the hearer is so direct that “faith cometh by hearing” it. It has been so fully revealed that “if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.” Not a word of that revelation can be spared, so perfect is it in every part. “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
None of it was given as a mere theory, but every word was so adapted to practical life that Christ said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
In giving the commission to his disciples, he promised that “all power . . . in heaven and in earth” should accompany those who would proclaim it according to the commission. What is the commission?—“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” “baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
This commission embraces a willingness on the part of those commissioned to carry it, to go with it into all the world. It insists that all things commanded be taught. It assures us that when this is done, all power in heaven and earth shall accompany the teaching, and these signs shall follow the believers. When thus carried, God has pledged, “My word . . . shall not return unto me void.”
This is our firm foundation. Do we want the promised power? Each of us possesses the key that unlocks God’sgreat storehouse of power. We must pray for it; but we must do more, we must receive every word of God.
Hamilton, Mo.