As clearly stated in Scripture, Jesus is the Word of God. In John 1:1, we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This same Word “became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). In Revelation 19:13, Jesus is explicitly named “the Word of God.” Hebrews 1:1-2 declares that while God previously spoke through prophets, in these last days, He speaks to us through His Son, the one through whom He made the universe, declaring Jesus as the final and fullest revelation of God.
However, there is a growing trend in some churches and denominations to abandon the authority of the Word of God, diluting its importance and power. Paul warns of this when he writes, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come some who, having a form of godliness, denying His power. Have nothing to do with such people (2 Timothy 3:1, 5).”
Rather than upholding Scripture as God’s revelation, those who love themselves and are lovers of money will become increasingly boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will be unholy, filled with hate, unforgiving, slanderous, and lacking all self-control. They will be brutal, opposed to what is good, treacherous, rash, and conceited. Instead of loving God, Jesus, and His Word, they will treat Scripture as the mere thoughts about God written by men for men and with the understanding that God’s word shifts with times and cultures. This drift away from the authority of Jesus raises critical questions about their commitment to Christ and his good news.
Here’s a breakdown of where some major denominations stand on the words of Jesus, the Word made flesh, particularly with regards to His authority, interpretation, and whether Scripture is considered the literal Word of God.
Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) holds that Scripture is God-breathed, and Jesus, as the Word made flesh, fully embodies that divine revelation. They believe in His literal interpretation, with all teachings being divinely inspired and authoritative on matters of faith and practice. And yet, despite their staunch defense of Scripture in their 2022 annual meeting the Southern Baptist Convention issued this statement: “The belief that Jesus’ sacrificial and atoning death grants believers health, wealth, and the removal of sickness… be it RESOLVED, that the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention denounce the teaching of the gospel.” https://sbcannualmeeting.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2022-SBC-Resolutions.pdf
Pentecostal (e.g., Assemblies of God) generally hold that Scripture is God-breathed, and Jesus, as the Word made flesh, fully embodies that divine revelation. They consider Scripture to be fully authoritative for belief and conduct.
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod affirms that Scripture is God-breathed, and Jesus, as the Word made flesh, fully embodies that divine revelation, with a literal interpretation of Scripture where possible. They adhere to a conservative understanding of biblical texts.
United Methodist Church (UMC) generally accepts most Scripture but interprets the Bible within the context of tradition, reason, and experience. Many within the denomination allow for more liberal interpretations, often emphasizing cultural context and non-literal interpretations. During its May 2024 General Conference delegates approved the proposed Revised Social Principles which read as follows:
“Human sexuality is a healthy and natural part of life that is expressed in wonderfully diverse ways from birth to death. It is shaped by a combination of nature and nurture: heredity and genetic factors on the one hand and childhood development and environment on the other. We further honor the diversity of choices and vocations in relation to sexuality such as celibacy, marriage and singleness. We support the rights of all people to exercise personal consent in sexual relationships, to make decisions about their own bodies and be supported in those decisions.”
“We honor the diversity of choices and vocations in relation to sexuality.” could be interpreted as an effort to affirm sexual vocations of all types, including prostitution (where legal) and work in the adult film industry. At the very least, “Human sexuality expressed in wonderfully diverse ways” stands in contrast to God’s commandments on sexual morality and fidelity in union “one with another.”
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) allows for historical-critical methods of interpretation of Scripture. They don’t require a literal reading of every passage.
The Episcopal Church views Scripture as containing all things necessary for salvation but allows for a wide range of interpretations. Many members accept modern critical approaches and do not hold to a strictly literal reading of Scripture.
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Scripture is divinely inspired but does not insist on a literal interpretation of every passage. Scripture is interpreted within the context of Church tradition and teachings, with the Magisterium (the Church’s teaching authority) guiding interpretations.
The Eastern Orthodox Church also believes in the Bible but places a strong emphasis on interpreting it within the context of Holy Tradition. They are cautious about individualistic interpretations and promote a spiritual reading of Scripture.
The United Church of Christ (UCC) often views the Bible as a historical document that reflects the cultural context of His time. They tend to emphasize a non-literal approach to Scripture, focusing on His moral and ethical teachings rather than His supernatural claims.
Unitarian Universalism does not hold that Scripture is the ultimate authority and regards it as one of many religious texts that contain wisdom. Scripture is seen as metaphorical and open to broad interpretation.
Many non-denominational churches, particularly those with an evangelical or Pentecostal leaning, treat that Scripture as God-breathed, and Jesus, as the Word made flesh, fully embodies that divine revelation. However, some non-denominational congregations may adopt a more flexible interpretation, especially if they align with progressive Christianity.
This breakdown shows the diversity of beliefs regarding that Jesus, the Word made flesh, within Christianity, ranging from literal inerrancy to viewing Scripture as a historical or metaphorical document. Jesus says, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).” What we feed on nourishes or poisons both our body and soul. We should be careful where we dine.
But God’s word is more than our daily bread. Scripture, the Bible, the words of Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit are the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered, and at its core is the Word of God. Jesus, the Word made flesh, demonstrated the divine power of God’s word. In Mark 4:11, Jesus declares that the secret of the Kingdom of God has been given to us, and at the heart of this secret is the Word:
“The seed is the Word of God” (Luke 8:11). Just as a man who sows to please the Spirit reaps life, so the words Jesus speaks are spirit and life (John 6:63). Everything in the Kingdom begins with a word from God, for by His word, all creation was made (Psalm 148:5).
In this Kingdom, the seed of God’s Word, when planted in good soil—an open and noble heart—produces a crop, multiplying life (Luke 8:15, Matthew 13:23). Jesus teaches that the Word of God, the seed, holds the power to transform and give life to our body and soul, bringing forth a harvest for those who hear, believe, and persevere (Matthew 13:3-8, Galatians 6:8).
As Isaiah 55:11 reminds us, God’s Word never returns empty but accomplishes His purposes. Jesus, the Word through whom all things were made (John 1:1-3), upholds the universe by His power (Hebrews 1:3), and in Him, all things hold together (Colossians 1:17). Through faith, we know that the universe itself was formed at God’s command, and what is seen was made from what is unseen (Hebrews 11:3).
This is the mystery of the Kingdom: God’s Word creates, sustains, and gives life. Jesus, the Word of God, reveals this secret to us. As one seed planted grows into the largest plant in the garden, so too does His Word grow, transforming and giving life abundantly (Mark 4:32).
If you want life, health, healing, shelter, purpose, protection, provision, abundance, blessings, and fellowship with Jesus and the Father, get into the Word of God. Get the Word of God in you. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak God’s Word to you as you read and meditate on it. This is how Jesus lived while He was with us, and it is how He expects us to live with Him.
Jesus is the Word and the final word on the Word. If the Word of God was good enough for Jesus, let it be good enough for us.
Introduction