Speak The Word Only

Genesis 1:5 — And God Called the Light Day “And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.” — Genesis 1:5 (KJV) Genesis 1:5 brings the first day of creation to its completion. In the previous verses, God spoke light into existence and divided the light from the darkness. Now God does something equally significant: He names them and establishes their appointed times. The verse reveals God's authority over light, darkness, time, order, and the boundaries of creation. “And God Called the Light Day” The Hebrew word translated “called” is קָרָא — qārāʾ , meaning to call, proclaim, name, or designate . In Scripture, naming can express authority and identification. God does not ask creation what it wishes to be called. The Creator gives creation its identity and purpose. God calls the light: Day — יוֹם ( yom ) Here, yom identifies the period associated with light. This establishes an important biblical principle: Creat...

2 Chronicles 14 — Zerah the Cushite Zerah appears only briefly in Scripture, but his appearance in 2 Chronicles 14:9–15 is significant because Scripture specifically identifies him by his Cushite identity .  Who was Zerah? 2 Chronicles 14:9 (KJV): “And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.” The Hebrew expression is זֶרַח הַכּוּשִׁי — Zeraḥ ha-Kûšî , meaning: “Zerah the Cushite.” The KJV translates Kûšî as “Ethiopian.” This is the same biblical Cush associated genealogically with Cush, the son of Ham, in Genesis 10:6 . However, Scripture does not call Zerah “king of Ethiopia.” That distinction is important. Zerah is presented as the leader of an enormous Cushite military force, but Chronicles does not give him a royal title. His precise historical identity remains uncertain. We should therefore distinguish: Biblical certainty: Zerah was a Cushite military leader who invaded Judah...

In His Image - Genesis Bible Study Back to the Beginning - Chapter by Chapter, Verse by Verse Genesis Chapter 1 - In the Beginning Genesis Chapter 1 takes us to the beginning of God's revealed account of creation. Before the generations of mankind, before the nations, before Abraham, Israel, the Law, or the prophets, Scripture opens by declaring God as Creator In this chapter, we will slow down and examine the creation account carefully, paying attention to what the text actually says, the order of creation, God's spoken commands, the repeated expressions throughout the chapter, and mankind's creation in the image and likeness of God.  Genesis 1:1 (KJV) "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."  Observation  The Bible begins with God. Genesis does not begin by attempting to prove that God exists; it begins with the declaration of what God did: "In the beginning God created." The opening verse immediately establishes three foundational trut...

Open Your Bible. Study the Word. Grow in Understanding Welcome to Speak The Word Only , a place dedicated to the careful study, teaching, and understanding of the Word of God. Our desire is to help believers grow in their knowledge of Scripture through biblical exposition, verse-by-verse study, and practical application of God's Word. We believe that understanding Scripture requires more than simply reading the words on the page. We study the Word in context, compare Scripture with Scripture, examine biblical history and word meaning, and depend upon the Holy Spirit to give understanding of the things of God. Begin With Genesis Our In His Image - Genesis Bible Study takes us back to the beginning, where many of the foundational truths of Scripture are first revealed Together, we will journey through Genesis chapter by chapter and verse by verse , examining the biblical text, asking questions, studying important words and historical context, comparing Scripture with Scripture, and c...

Matthew 7:14 — “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way…” Jesus is describing the entrance into and the walk of the Kingdom of God . “Strait is the gate” — strait means restricted, confined, or difficult to enter through . The gate is not broad enough for us to bring everything with us. Entrance requires repentance, faith, and submission to Christ. Jesus Himself identifies the true entrance: “I am the door” (John 10:9). “Narrow is the way” — after entering the gate, there is a way to walk . The Christian life is not simply making a confession; it is continuing in the path of obedience and discipleship. Christ calls His disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). Notice the progression: The Gate → The Way → Life Christ brings us through the gate, and then we are called to walk in Him . The narrowness does not mean salvation is earned by human effort; it means the life of Christ cannot be mixed with every competing path, desire, doctri...

John 14:12 — “Greater Works Than These Shall He Do” Jesus said: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” — John 14:12 KJV Jesus was preparing His disciples for what would happen after His departure. His return to the Father did not mean that His work on earth would cease. Rather, His ministry would continue through those who believe in Him, empowered by the Holy Ghost. The words “greater works” should be understood in connection with Christ's statement, “because I go unto my Father.” His going to the Father would be followed by the sending of the Holy Ghost (John 14:16–17; 16:7). After Pentecost, the gospel moved beyond the immediate earthly ministry of Jesus and began spreading through His disciples to nations and multitudes. Acts gives us a powerful example. Peter preached Christ, and about three thousand souls were added in one day (Acts 2:41). The ap...