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.
So, are Jesus’ words more important than other Scripture?
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 them.1 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 through the words of God (and it was the same with the prophets — speaking God’s literal word). All disciples, regardless of who taught them,2,3 are to continue in God’s word.
For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.
God gave words to Jesus who in turn gave them to his disciples. They received them, resulting in them knowing “truth” and believing “that you sent me.”
Jesus’ prayer in his final hours on earth, sometimes referred to as the “High Priestly Prayer.” He further states in vs 14, “I have given them your word” and in vs 20 as He transitions from praying specifically for the apostles to praying for all believers, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word”.
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.
Does it apply? Yes
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Christians were devoted to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship (collective) activities of breaking bread and prayer.
Immediately following the mass conversion (3,000) on the Day of Pentecost, the saints began meeting together and established what became known as the church in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1, 11:22).
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.
Does it apply? Yes
To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
He [God] called you by “our gospel” in order that you may obtain glory shared with our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore brethren, remember and continue in the traditions (teachings) of the apostles (“us”), whether what we spoke or sent by letter.
Paul refers to the things they had been taught as from the apostles.
Does it apply? Yes
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If you know of some other verses or you have something to add to the verses already listed for this question please leave a comment below! We welcome the public discussion and will incorporate your input into the Framework above. We have nothing to hide and invite your help in considering all that God’s word has to say.
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