Discovering the Gospel: Worksheet 1 - The
Word
Discovering the Gospel is a series of teachings preparing the saints for the work of evangelism. It is
entirely based on God’s word but that requires some explanation beforehand because of how nonpentecostal bible translators have rendered biblical terms which are key to understanding the gospel, its
method of delivery and what it produces.
Understanding the Difference between Logos and Rhema
In the Greek bible there are three words used to describe God’s word. The first is logos, which talks
about the content of the word. The second is graphe, which is the logos in written form. The third is
rhema, which is logos/graphe in spoken form. The scriptures in English translate both logos and rhema
as “word,” which is technically correct but obscures important instructions the bible gives us for
presenting the gospel.
Logos
graphe
rhema
There are a lot of ideas in various sectors of biblical Christianity as to what the “word” means for us
today. These center around diverse interpretations of the term “rhema.” The term in its Greek form
started appearing in Charismatic circles in the seventies as a special speaking of the Holy Spirit to a
believer out of the scriptures for guidance or information. The word of faith folks appear to believe that
if you speak out the scriptures, it becomes a creative force at your direction. They also believe that the
written word is logos and that rhema is the inspired meaning of a particular scripture. The noncharismatic evangelicals, however, apparently make no distinction between rhema and logos, that is
between mode and content.
Rhema by itself is not the whole of either the logos or the scriptures; Therefore the words are not
interchangeable. The word rhema is used when the content is meant to be spoken. This is important in
Copyright © 2010-2013 by John St. Clair, Rhemapower.org p 1
the gospel since faith for salvation comes by hearing and hearing by the rhema of Christ. When the
gospel message is orally presented, it is rhema and is empowered by the Holy Spirit to convey faith for
salvation.
Isaiah 55:10-11 “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but
watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to
the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it
shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
Romans 10:8 “But what saith it? The word (rhema) is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart:
that is, the word (rhema) of faith, which we preach;”
Romans 10:17 “for faith comes from hearing and hearing through the rhema of Christ.”
Who is authorized to speak the rhemas of God and for what purposes?
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What do you understand to be the meaning of “the rhema of Christ?”
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What effect does preaching the gospel have according to the scriptures?
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When you are preaching the gospel, you arm yourself according to Paul in the sixth chapter of
Ephesians, and you speak forth scriptures as the Spirit prompts you in order to support the gospel
message.
Ephesians 6:17 “And take … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word (rhema) of God:”
Read Ephesians 6:10-17. What do you see in these verses that has to do with soul-winning? Do you see
the full armor of God as primarily offensive or defensive?
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Copyright © 2010-2013 by John St. Clair, Rhemapower.org p 2