Conversion & Calling, Student Workbook, SW01

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C O N V E R S I O N A N D C A L L I N G

This lesson highlights certain critical aspects of the creative power of the Word of God, objectively in the creation of the universe, and subjectively, in the creation of new spiritual life in the heart of the believer. In every sense, the notion of the Word of God is significant for understanding God’s work in the world, and throughout human history. The Holy Scriptures are the living and eternal Word of God. They are infused with God’s very own life through his inspiration of them, as well as identified directly with God’s person and his work. Because the Scriptures are so intimately associated with God’s person and work, they are therefore completely reliable and absolutely authoritative for all matters of faith in everything they assert and claim to be true. The entire universe and all life it contains was created “ ex nihilo ” (i.e., out of nothing) by the life-giving power of the Word of God, that is, by the words he spoke at the time of creation. In addition, God Almighty created all things through the Living Word, Jesus Christ (John 1.1-3; Col. 1.16). The Scriptures are the “propositional” Word of God, inspired by the Spirit, and includes both the Old Testament (i.e., the Hebrew Scriptures) and the New Testament (i.e., the Christian Scriptures). God identifies himself completely with the personal Word of God in Jesus Christ, through whom God reveals himself, redeems the world, and will restore the universe under his righteous rule. The Word of God, being authored by the Holy Spirit and therefore infused with God’s own life, is the critical instrument by which new life is created in those who believe in Jesus. The message of the Gospel is the spiritual seed that causes us to be born from above. The authentic sign of true discipleship in Christ is abiding in and continuing in the Word of Jesus, which liberates and sets believers free. God has granted to every believer the Holy Spirit in order that we might understand and grasp the meaning of the Scriptures that he inspired (1 Cor. 2.9-16 cf. 2 Pet. 1.21-22). The Holy Spirit teaches us that the ultimate purpose of the created universe is to glorify Almighty God (Isa. 43.7; Prov. 16.4; 1 Cor. 10.31). The Scriptures, the Word that creates, enable us through the Spirit to glorify God as we live under God’s rule.

Summary of Key Concepts

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