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BACK TO THE BIBLE Let’s Look at the Bible Together: The Ancient Church in the Modern World by JOSH MANNING When Micah spoke prophetically of the church, he identified a characteristic of the LORD’s people in this way, “Many nations shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Micah 4:2). God’s people are identified as those who are taught by Him and who walk in His paths. If one were to ask, “What was being taught?” or “What does it mean to walk in God’s paths?”, thankfully the verse ends with an explanation: “For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” Notice how “law” and “word” are found as synonymous ideas that help us answer our questions. Those who Micah saw as coming together to form the Messiah’s kingdom (the church) would be those instructed by God’s word and who lived according to His law. The New Testament expounds on this prophetic idea by repeatedly teaching that Christians experience true godly unity through a shared faith. And according to the New Testament, faith cannot be separated from God’s word. Let’s explore this by looking at the words of Jesus in John 17 (we will highlight “word” as it appears). Beginning in Verse 14, Jesus said, “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” Then in Verse 17, He said, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” Finally, in verses 20 and 21, He said, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” Christian unity is created by the authority and direction of God’s word. The East Wood Church of Christ cares about you! 800 E. Wood St. • 642-2861