RRC - The Word of God

The Word of God is the center of our Worship Service. Teaching us to love one another as the Church and those who are our neighbors. A Spirit filled life is one goverened by the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments, as demonstrated and taught by our Lord Christ Jesus. It is this governing principle which draws us together teaching us to test the Spirit of the teachings we hear and are encouraged through.

The Word of God

It is a long held Faith based belief that the Word of God is just that- The Word of God. Why is it Faith based? Because God has chosen to reveal Himself using a method considered foolishness to the world in general. For many people receiving a communication from God should be (according to their understanding,) an experience which will WOW them; or an experience which, by the power of its intensity in the person or people receiving it, is undeniably from God or of God. In these terms the Word of God is foolishness to the unbeliever.

By Faith the Church holds to the Word of God as infallible. It is the actual Word of God, and not the traditions of men or the storytelling of a few, for the amusement of the masses. The Church holds to the Word of God as the only rule of life and faith for God’s people in this present life. It contains all of the revelation of God about Himself, teaching us of the immeasurable, unchanging, majestic nature which is God’s alone. Through its sacred pages we learn of Love, Service, Sacrifice, Judgment, Hope, Faith, Truth, and the entire complement of all God has intended to reveal to us as His people and members of His body, commonly referred to as the Church.

Many of the confessions written over the centuries have tried to state the simple yet magnificent truth defining the Holy Scriptures, in the RCUS we use the Belgic Confession of Faith which says of God’s Word:

Article III. The Written Word of God

We confess that this Word of God was not sent nor delivered by the will of man, but that men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit, as the apostle Peter says; and that afterwards God, from a special care which He has for us and our salvation, commanded His servants, the prophets and apostles, to commit His revealed word to writing; and He Himself wrote with His own finger the two tables of the law. Therefore we call such writings holy and divine Scriptures.
—Belgic Confession, The

Others, like the Westminster Confession of Faith in sections IX and X also express these truths in these words:

CHAPTER I. — Of the Holy Scripture

IX. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture, is the Scripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it may be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.
X. The Supreme Judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture.
—Westminster Confession of Faith (1646)

However, the Word of God is far more then the simple explanations exampled above. The Holy Writ says of its self:

(Hebrews 4:12 NKJV)
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

And-

(2 Timothy 3:13-17 NKJV)
13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

In the world today much of what is being taught as the Word of God simply is not the Word of God. From the pulpits of the churches across the globe Gods Word is violated and abused, both by the scholar and the unlearned. This is the direct result of the hardness of people’s hearts, as provided by God through His most wise providence. It is God’s providence which also provokes His church in faith to hold unwavering to His Word, espically in the fallen world around us.

Rehoboth Reformed Chapel holds to the simple and Faith testified TRUTH - the Word of God is the Word of God. All who understand this great truth, whether in Christian infancy or maturity are welcomed. Because it is God’s Word, and not ours, we are commanded to share, speak of, and encourage one another through the use of His Word, and we at Rehoboth Reformed Chapel struggle together in fear and trembling to do just that.

We believe Faith comes by hearing; hearing comes from the Word of God. (Romans 10)

Our mission is to serve God as He would be served through the faithful teaching and preaching of His Word, a common fellowship and bond in the love of Christ, and the use and practice of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as prescribed in His Word.

Matthew Davis
Webservant
Rehoboth Reformed Chapel