Authority is not innate in any person or thing on earth, in my opinion. The era of kings is almost over. Authority has to be given. The bible cannot be an authority for me just because you say, and others shout over and over that it's "God's Word." I should give in to such shoutings and insistence and say, "OK, ok, since you have shouted that over and over and over, I guess I'll give in and give it authority too"? It's a sell job. On the other hand, no Urantia believer that I know of has ever been "sold" or convinced (the way preachers do) of the truth of The Urantia Book unless they read it for themselves and decided for themselves that it is what IT says it is. It's a whole different dynamic for coming to belief and giving it authority.

FJO is right for once. Authority does have to be given. All authority ultimately comes from God.

*
The bible, or The Urantia Book, or the Koran, etc., only have the authority that people give them, that believers give them. They do not have authority in and of themselves.

There are a couple of different words used that are translated as "word" in English.

You have "Logos":

"? 3056. logos ?
Strong's Concordance
logos: a word (as embodying an idea), a statement, a speech
Original Word: ?????, ??, ?
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: logos
Phonetic Spelling: (log'-os)
Short Definition: a word, speech, divine utterance, analogy
Definition: a word, speech, divine utterance, analogy."

As you can see it is not confined to just written words.

And then there is Rhema :

4487. rhéma ?
Strong's Concordance
rhéma: a word, by impl. a matter
Original Word: ??µa, at??, t?
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: rhéma
Phonetic Spelling: (hray'-mah)
Short Definition: a thing spoken
Definition: a thing spoken, (a) a word or saying of any kind, as command, report, promise, (b) a thing, matter, business.


John 1:1

Young's Literal Translation
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God;

In the case of John 1:1, the word used was Logos. And this is what Mathew Henry said about it:

Commentary
Matthew Henry Commentary
1:1-5 The plainest reason why the Son of God is called the Word, seems to be, that as our words explain our minds to others, so was the Son of God sent in order to reveal his Father's mind to the world. What the evangelist says of Christ proves that he is God. He asserts, His existence in the beginning; His coexistence with the Father. The Word was with God. All things were made by him, and not as an instrument. Without him was not any thing made that was made, from the highest angel to the meanest worm.


So "word" or "Logos" means when you look at Strongs, the: embodying of an idea, or in this case, Jesus is the sum of Gods message to man.

I read where this verse sums up the "word".


Colossians 1:19 Young's Literal Translation

because in him it did please all the fulness to tabernacle,

So, how many ways can he be manifested as the "word", or rather Logos?

-You have the written word, which can be the "Logos" with Prayer:

1 Timothy 4:5 ?
Verse
New International Version
because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

And this is supported by Jesus him self :

? John 5:39 ?

New International Version
You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,

-then you have an example of when "Rhena" is used:

? Matthew 4:4 ?

New International Version
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

And God speaks to us in many ways:

-Through his Creation:

Psalm 19:1 ?

New International Version
For the director of music. A psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

- through the Holy Spirit :

? John 16:13 ?

New International Version
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

- through scripture :

Hebrews 4:12 ?

New International Version
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

- through Jesus him self

? John 14:9 ?

New International Version
Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

I got much of this from here :How can Jesus and the Bible both be the Word of God? - Got Questions?
https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-Bible-Word-God.html

So what and who is the word of God?

Any way that God speaks to us, as "Logos logos: a word (as embodying an idea)".

Wow! I said that ages ago!

Are you telling me Lud & FJO agree with me on something?

I'd better archive this.

FJO writes:

But Jesus DOES do much worse.