Misunderstanding

Misunderstanding

It’s pretty sad how things that used to mean something important lose that significance and value because time and tradition change the original meaning. Take for example the word “church” (ekklesia), which means “called out” in the Greek. Throughout the scripture it refers to a group of people sometimes collectively as a whole and sometimes specifically to an area like Galatia, who are called out and follow the ways and teachings of Jesus, but it never referred to a building. You may think this a little thing, but the meaning of church has become someplace you go to get, instead of something you are to give. I think that difference is huge.
Another misunderstanding is the meaning of the phrase “the word of God” as it appears in much of the New Testament. It has come to mean what we know as the Bible, which is traditioanlly what we've all been taught, but we need to ask a simple question, how could the statement “word of God” refer to something that did not yet exist when the phrase was written? In other words, when Paul wrote “Preach the word” how could he mean the “Bible” (as we have today) when there was no “Bible” yet to preach? Yet I have heard so many quote scripture after scripture using the phrase “word of God” to support how they teach when that’s not what those very verses they quote mean.
Now I have to make this point clear so that people don’t come to the wrong conclusion about what I have just said. I believe that all scripture (the manuscripts that make up both Testaments) is “God Breathed” I believe all scripture is profitable and that Peter gives support that Paul’s writings were to be included in "all" of scripture as written in his epistle. I believe that the Cannon of the New Testament scripture is valid because of it’s preservation and circulation when the church (collective body of Christian believers) was formed. I believe that the scriptures or what is called the Bible is indeed God’s revelation of Himself and His will for all mankind and should be taught completely. In fact I just wrote to a friend and encouraged them to read the scriptures daily for help because I believe that they are the primary way that God speaks to us. What I don’t believe is that it’s ok to pull out a phrase and use it to support the traditions of men usually to exalt yourself above others.
So what does it mean when in scripture when we read phrases like “the word of God” or “preach the word”? Well I think it would be worth finding out, don’t you?
So here’s our homework, look up the phrase word of God (specifically in the New Testament) and see if there is a common theme in the context of the passages that will help our understanding on the subject, I believe it will add a great deal of light and be a help to the church,

...oh, but not the building.