Content of God's Word

The Content of God’s Word Is Completed
from Kingdom Dynamics*,New Spirit-Filled Life Bible
Jack W. Hayford, Executive Editor

Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, less He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. – Proverbs 30:5-6

The word “canon” is the term used to describe the completed number of the books of the Bible – the closed canon of the 66 books of the Holy Scriptures. It is derived from the ancient words meaning “measuring stick” and is applied here to designate those books that meet the requirements of being acknowledged as divinely inspired.

The Bible warns against either adding to or subtracting from its contents. Revelation 22:18 makes a conclusive statement, positional in God’s providence and wisdom, at the Bible’s end. While it refers directly to the Book of Revelation, most Bible scholars also provide a finalizing footnote on this subject: “Add to or subtract from the Bible at your own risk.” (A classic study of the judgment for “taking away” from God’s Word is seen in Jeremiah 36:20-32.)

In this regard, we are wise to understand terms. When we refer to the “revelation of the Scriptures,” it is important that we distinguish this consummate order of divine revelation from any other use of the term, however sacred. There are many today who do not know the difference between a “revelation” (an insight or an idea that may be of God, of man, or of the Devil) and the revelation of God, which is the closed canon of the Scriptures.

Because there are many books that claim to be divinely given, a casual or gullible attitude toward them can result in confusion and eventual destruction. It is interesting to note that even in Jesus’ time, several books held by some today to be intended for the OT were in existence then. Yet, in the 64 times Jesus quotes from the OT, not once does He quote from any of those books. The Bible is complete, completely trustworthy, and sufficient to completely answer anything we need to know for eternal salvation or practical wisdom concerning our relationships, morality, character, or content.

– Jack W. Hayford

* “Kingdom Dynamics” is a term derived from abounding biblical and experiential evidence that verifies proven biblical principles and values as essential for the dynamic spread and effective advance of the “gospel of the kingdom” Jesus commissioned to be “preached in all the world as a witness” (Matt. 24:14). Kingdom Dynamics articles are among the study resources included in the recently published New Spirit-Filled Life Bible(Copyright © 2002 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.).