The Beginning

Who would have guessed that a book of the Bible would start with a riddle, but it seems the Gospel of John does, with verses 1 and 2.  Look at it:

In the beginning was the Word, 

and the Word was with God, 

and the Word was God. 

He was with God in the beginning.

► The question is, what or who is the "Word".  To find the answer, read John 1:1-18 and follow the pronouns and other terms that describe the Word (Light, Life).  Based on this passage, who do you think is the "Word"?

A note about Bible references

• The Bible is a library of 66 books.

• Each book has one or more chapters.

• Each chapter has several verses.

• To find a place in the Bible, we use a reference like this:
  John 3:16-18

• That refers to the book of John, chapter 3, verses 16 through 18.

• A list of the books of the Bible can be found at the front of your Bible, in the Table of Contents.  Chapter and verse numbers are imbedded within the text of each book.

Suggested Bible study resources are listed HERE. 

The Beginning

(Genesis 1:1–2; Hebrews 11:1–3)

1 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. 4In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[1] it. 

~Footnotes~

[1] 1:5 Or comprehended

~Copyright~

The Word of God, Jesus Christ

<1>What I’m about to tell you is the most exciting story, the most dramatic event, in the whole of human history. Before time began, the Word, Jesus Christ, already existed. In fact, he has always existed in the closest presence of God the Father. Jesus Christ himself, fully God, is the Word of God. He perfectly expresses and reveals God’s mind. <2>The Word, Jesus Christ, is distinct from the Father. I cannot say it too often, he has always existed from eternity in the intimate and joyful presence of God. <3>Everything was made by him; nothing that has been made was made without him. He is the reason behind all we can see and all we cannot see. <4>The full, overflowing life of God has always been present in the Word of God. He gives and sustains every kind of life, both physical and spiritual. His life has lit up all humanity. <5>The light continues to shine out brightly in this world’s darkness, even though people refuse to accept the light. The darkness cannot put the light out or dim it at all. 

~Copyright~