Rhema and Logos.

Based on teachings of:  Curry Blake & Bill Winston

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: [“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says “Lord, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing and hearing, by [the word: rhema] of God. [Romans 10:14-17]

But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name. He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. [John 14:26]

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench All the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is [the word: rhema] of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. [Ephesians 6:14-18]

For [the word: logos] of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and joints and marrow and it is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. [Hebrew 4:12]

Definition from [Strong’s Concordance]:

• Rhema: [a word(s)] a derivative from [Rheo: utterance meaning to utter to speak or say]: [General understanding of the term of Rhema as Ephesians 6:17 that the sword of the Spirit is the word of God [Rhema]. So makes the conclusion that Rhema is not speaking of the whole bible as such but to the individual scripture which the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need, [a prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with scripture.] Is not in keeping with text context or meaning.
• Logos: a word(s) a derivative from [lego: something said, the bringing together of words into a sentence.]  
  • An expression of a thought, embodying a conception an idea, a saying or statement, discourse, speech, of instruction, doctrine. 
  • The personal Word: the title of the Son of God [His eternal-hood, Godhead, Deity] from 1 John 1-18, Rev 19:13

• But I say to you that for every idle word [rhema] men speak they will give account of it on the day of judgment.  [Matthew 12:36]
• In-terms of Remembrance: two aspects to consider one if the person remembers word[s] uttered or spoken, or remembers a written word[s] or even word[s] expressions of concepts.  
  • Speech word[s] remembered = rhema [The effect of the Holy Spirit to convict, to teach, exhort]
  • Written word[s] remembered = logos or other ??
• Partnership: One of the mediums may it be the main one that the Holy Spirit uses to bring forth His work. That He works with us and through us to the building of His Church. This in respect of speech, testimony.

What sets apart Rhema from Logos?

Faith comes by hearing: and hearing by the word of God [rhema]. Romans 10:14-17 The word brings faith with it that is necessary for the hearer to believe and be saved. That is the preaching of the Gospel (Christ: Crucified, buried and Resurrected and Raised to the Righthand of God).

A Sent out Preacher: A practical illustration of the preacher in text is the one who gives breath [sound, voice] to the word of God, working with the Holy Spirit, who indwells in the one who speaks. As the word [Gospel] is spoken it brings faith to the one who hears. An example of this is [Acts 10:19-48]. Peter [the sent one] went to Cornelius’s house, as directed by the Holy Spirit. And as he preached Christ to the household, they believed and were filled with the Holy Spirit. In the evangelistic field the message is the same, the central and only message is Christ and His redeeming power. Here the Rhema is the gospel in the mouth of Peter.  That at the moment of our hearing faith is given by God: that is a faith that sees us through. [God has given a measure of faith.]

• For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

The Sword of the Spirit: which is the word of God [rhema]. The end of Ephesians describe an aspect of standing in battle against spiritual forces of wickedness in the evil day. The verses form 14-18 mentions all aspects the a believer must do as a soldier of Christ, that is to put on the whole armour of God: [against the tricks of the devil]

That is to gird your waist with the truth [with the word, know the truth, giving careful attention to doctrine, not to be swayed by every wind of doctrine], put on the breastplate of righteousness [with the heart one believes on to righteousness, that is the righteousness of faith.], shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace [always be ready to give answer for the hope that is in you]. Above all, take the shield of faith: to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one [extinguish: resist him]. And take the helmet of Salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God [rhema] Are all actions taken by believer.

• Question: if the Spirit is what makes the rhema how is the believer to prepare in it. The Holy Spirit does bring to our remembrance the words of Christ according to John 14:26. But for a believer to take up rhema then that means that individual must give breath to it.
• The Sword of the Spirit: is the weapon the Spirit makes use of: this are the words of our confession, the word of God by which we believe and live by. It is what we utter. The weapon the Holy Spirit makes use of in defence of us, against the enemy we can not see. Our healing is an example of this, a believer could know all the scripture that pertain to healing, and would not benefit him/her, if he/she is not prepared to exercise them [Note: Scripture stored in the heart is a means the Holy Spirit uses to communicate with us: bring to remembrance]. But if the believer believes and speaks out giving breath to the word it provides a weapon for the Holy Spirit to make use of, to appropriate the desired outcome. It is putting the Sword in His hands. Therefore Logos to Rhema through the action of the believer.

Helmet & Sword: Paul associates the Sword of the Spirit with a helmet of salvation, in the natural it would be shield and sword. But the helmet which covers the head contains the very weapon needed the mouth. With the mouth confession is made unto salvation. And every statement that follows that a believer ought to do from that point in the passage had to do with the mouth.

Paul exhort us to praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, an utterance of our mouth [praying in tongues]. Being watchful [be diligent, do not let up] to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

Logos [Utterance/Words]: Ephesians 6:19 Paul’s prayer is that Utterance [logos not Rheo?] be given to him that he might make the mystery of the Gospel known boldly for which he is suffering affliction. One translations puts it that words may be given him. If so why does he not ask for Rhema? If Paul wanted an effective word that would bring the truth of the gospel with a greater measure to those who hear it: according to the traditional translation he would have to ask for a Rhema to be given him and not just logos. But Paul asks that logos maybe be given him that he might open his mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel. For Paul knows the word of God in his mouth makes the Rhema. [How are words given to him, it is not in the way of speech [though it can be] but it is most likely be in revelations, knowledge. The gospel I preach I received it of no man but by revelation of Christ.]

The Two-Edged Sword: “out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword.” [Revelation 1:16] and “Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with sword of My mouth.” [Revelation 2:16] Here John describes the Lord as He saw Him in the Spirit. A feature He speaks of Him is that out of His mouth came a two edged sword. The concept being the word in His mouth is a sword. And we who are made like Him, “As He is so are we in this world.” The words of God in our mouth is the sword of the the Spirit, it is Rhema. The one who gives it power and makes use of it is the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, as we speak out His word appropriately.  

The effective use of the Sword of the Spirit: [Distinctive out comes recorded on an account of words, spoken or remembered] Which are the works of the Holy Spirit to enlighten to teach and give understanding and to convict of sin.

• Acts 2 [first sermon] Peter full of the Holy Spirit spoke and those who heard were cut to the heart. As a result 3000 people were saved. [Conviction of sin]
• Acts 8 [Stephan] in his address to the council spoke words of God and those who heard him were cut to the heart and gnashed their teeth at him, though the result was deferent the effect was the same which was conviction by the Holy Spirit. [Conviction of sin]

Words to Remembrance: “bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” [John 14:26] The word the Spirit brings to our remembrance its for correction, for edification, for understanding, for revelation. In times of our deepest need we can lean on Him to stand and be edified, be strengthened in faith and put back on our feet.

• And Peter remembered [the word] of the Jesus who said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly. [Matthew 26:75] [remembered a speech]
• Now when they have seen Him, they made widely known [the saying] which was told them concerning this Child. [Luke 2:17] [The speech of the angels, what was proclaimed to them] 
• But they did not understand this saying and it was hidden from them so they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about [this saying]. [Luke 9:45] [the Lord’s speech]
• But they could not catch Him in His [words] in the presence of the people. [Luke 20:26] [the words He spoke in answer]
• Acts 11:16 Then I remembered [the word] of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptised with water, but you shall be baptised with the Holy Spirit.’ [[remembered a speech ]  

Expression of Rhema in relation to Logos.

• Two mention of the words of the Lord in a speech. “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him. ” [as in His words that are spoken] then “the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day” [John 12:48] [the word, as in the truth, the content will judge him, e.g do not judge,”’ that is the teaching he heard and has rejected, based on what he heard he is judged.]
• and the sound of a trumpet and [the voice of words: rhema], so that those who heard it begged that [the word: logos] should not be spoken to them any more. (For they could not endure what was commanded: “….”) [Hebrew 12:20] [what was spoken and the word: as what is taught, the law, that was proclaimed: for they could not endure what was commanded.]

Rhema: Preached and Proclaimed.

• That you may be mindful of [the words: rhema] which were spoken by the holy [prophets], and of the commandment of us, [the apostles] of the Lord or saviour. [2 Peter 3:2] [spoken words: the holy prophets spoke as the Holy Spirit moved them. Not directly heard by those in the present, yet proclaimed. Even in writing the prophets are proclaiming the spoken words of God.]
• But you, beloved remember [the words] which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: [Jude 1:17] [Their spoken words: remembering the preaching of the apostles.]

Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word [Rhema] that proceeds forth from the mouth of God. [Matthew 4:4]

By Faith we know that the worlds were formed by the word of God [Rhema]. [Hebrew 11:3]

The Word of God gave sounds to the word which carried with it the breath of God to form all creation. Here the word of God is the word that is given breath. So in a general summary, in regards to Rhema as a Sword of Spirit to bring to remembrance to the believer is not in keeping with text: in the instance of [Ephesians 6:17] the actor is the Believer and not the Holy Spirit. Overall it is not scriptural or appropriate to ask God for a Rhema. We may as Paul did pray for words to be given us and the boldness to speak out those words [round about way] but it will only be Rhema when we act on it/ speak it out.

Practical Applications: The Logos to Rhema! The written word of God [logos] put into practice. The words by which a Christian is to live by. The Promises of God: All the promises of God are yes and amen [so be it] in Christ Jesus. To those who put them to practice. Specific commands: already given the only thing to do is what is required in our parts to act on those promises. [Curry Blake]

Mouth Confession Making use of Rhema in the believers life: speaking out the word of God with one another in agreement.

you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…Then because of this I charge you… Preach the word [2 Timothy 3:15-17 – 4:1-2]

Two separate units that make the one Rhema: if faith came by rhema and as a preacher Timothy ought to preach the word.