The Bible says about the stoning of Stephen by the religious rulers in Acts chapter seven, “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth…” (v.54) What things did they hear from Stephen that cut them to the heart? He had just quoted to these lost religious zealots what the Jewish Scriptures had prophesied of them, how they had murdered the Just One, of course, speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Word of God cuts to the heart and actually even beyond the heart! What do we mean that the Word of God cuts even beyond, or deeper than the heart? The Bible says of itself, “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb.4:12) When we come to a study of the Word of God, it is unlike any other book in the world. The Bible truly speaks to our hearts and goes right to the spirit, the deepest part of us and forces us to a decision: will we deal with what the Word has pinpointed in our lives, or will we do as the religious leaders did with Stephen and shut our ears to its piercing message?

This is why a study of the Word of God is unlike any other study that can be done. The Word of God not only cuts our hearts with its piercing message, it also can help us to see the distinction between a mere emotional response and a genuine response of faith to the Word! It cuts … even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit…

If the study of Scripture stopped at only showing us our need, however, it would leave us without any hope. Thankfully this is not the case! Jesus Himself said about His Word, “…the Words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (Jn.6:63b) He also said to those that had believed His Word, “Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.” (Jn.15:3) The Bible Broadcasting Network is concerned that the Word of God be available for all that desire to study it. We have 102 Bible courses that are free of charge and will be helpful in getting God’s Word into the student’s heart and life. Some of the courses offered in the BBN BI are number 00100, The Basics of the Christian Faith, number 00300, Introduction to the Bible and number 00500, Survey of the Bible among many others. If the Lord has spoken to your heart and you see the need to study God’s Word, please go to www.bbnbi.org and begin studying the Book that is unlike any other! But, be warned, deep cuts likely!