You’ve probably seen the red-letter Bible — in fact, you probably own one. These Bibles place all of Jesus’ words in prominent red letters in order to stand out from all the other recorded words in Scripture. This is obviously a man-made introduction to Scripture, along with the chapter/verse breaks and chapter/paragraph headings.
Jesus was the Son of God. It’s understandable that reading Jesus’ words – what our Savior actually said – might garner special attention or cause one to sit up and take notice. However, maybe it was for that very reason that Jesus never wrote anything down? That is an interesting fact. Imagine the homage that might be paid to a Gospel or Epistle written in Jesus’ own hand?
There could be some other unintended consequences with emphasis on Jesus’ words as in the Red Letter Bible. A few of these are called out in this external post, “The Problem with Red Letter Bibles” from the Gentleman Theologian. For example, creating a canon within a canon.
How Scripture answers "Are Jesus’ words (Red Letter Bible) more important than other Scripture?"
The words of Scripture are in fact the words of God – all of them, regardless of who spoke them1,4,6. It’s not that Jesus or the apostles were speaking/teaching something different from person to person, but that they all were united in, and messengers of, the words of God (and it was the same with the prophets — speaking God’s literal word). All disciples, regardless of who taught them2,3,4,5, are to continue in God’s word. Jesus Himself5 removes any doubt that we are to give special “weight” to who spoke them.
Answer built on scripture-blocks below
1
Jesus Himself acknowledges that the words He spoke were from God. He was, in a sense, the conduit and passed the words on to the apostles.
2
Jesus having ascended at this point, it’s interesting that “Jesus’ words” or “Jesus’ teaching” isn’t emphasized by the author, Luke. Instead, he calls it the “apostles’ teaching”. This is especially poignant since Jesus’ ascension was “not many days” prior (Acts 1:5) and his absence still very much felt by the disciples.
3
Paul refers to the things they had been taught as from the apostles.
4
Paul is rebuking those that elevate any preacher/teacher of the gospel above another, even listing Christ. Obviously, Jesus Christ is who they all followed and taught, but the message was one.
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