Book of Acts assignment

Randall Q. Lawrence
Faith Bible College
Book of Acts
Dr. W.
10/4/2010

Book of Acts: what you got out of reading Acts

One thing that really stuck out to me regarding the book of Acts was the use of “word” and “Word of God”. “Word of God” is usually used to refer to the Bible, but since the New Testament canon was not written until well after this period and not set as a canon for 200+ years then Luke must mean something else with the use of “word”. He uses it 39 times with both Greek words Logos (3056) and Rhema (4487). Logos as “Word” is the one predominantly used (36 times) over Rhema (3 times).

References to “word” include Acts 2:41, 4:4, 4:29, 4:31, 6:2, 6:7, 8:4, 8:14, 8:25, 10:36, 10:44, 11:1, 11:19, 12:24, 13:5, 13:7, 13:15, 13:26, 13:44, 13:46, 13:48, 13:49, 14:3, 14:25, 15:7, 15:35, 15:36, 16:6, 16:32, 17:11, 17:13, 18:11, 19:10, 19:20, 20:32, 22:22. These are all the references to Logos (3056). This means to speak, intelligence, a word as expression of intelligence, speech with intended meaning, speak exactly God’s utterance---those of God understand; those not of God do not understand, Jesus as Word—first immaterial intelligence. This “Word” (3056) is also found in John 1:1-- “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” This is also found in Revelation 19:13 “And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.”

Additional references to “word” in the Book of Acts include Acts 10:37, 11:16, 28:25. These references are to Rhema (4487). This means to speak, a word spoken or uttered, a speech or sentence consisting of several words, a word, command denoting the operative or all-powerful word or command of God. This “word” (4487) is also found in Ephesians 6:17 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”

I often hear “Word of God” used in reference to the Holy Bible (fundamental view) and Scriptures or I hear it in reference to preaching. Realizing that the Bible did not exist at this time as we know it, “Word of God” seems to point to prophetic (Spirit-filled) preaching and testifying with boldness and courage in the face of persecution.

Some good examples from the Book of Acts include 6:4—“But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to ministry of the word.” which describes the role of the Apostles in the early Christian church in relation to the temporal (material) role of the early deacons such as Stephen and Phillip. Another example comes from preaching/teaching by Peter unto the household of Cornelius in Acts 10:36—“The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) A third example would be the ministry of Paul at Corinth in Acts 18:11—“And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”

I have briefly looked at the Rhema references in Acts, but I do not understand the difference in use from the Logos references. It would make for an interesting comparison in another paper.