NO GREATER SUBJECT CAN OCCUPY the mind than the study of God and of man’s relationship to Him.
I THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
1. The Bible does not seek to prove the existence of God. The fact that there is a God is assumed throughout the Scriptures. The first verse of the Bible is an example. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” God’s existence is presented as a statement of fact that needs no proof. The man who says that there is no God is called a fool in Psalm 14:1.
2. However, even apart from the Bible, there are certain evidences for the existence of God. (1) Mankind has always believed in a universal being. (2) Creation must have a creator. The universe could not originate without a cause. (3) The wonderful design which we see in creation demands an infinite designer. (4) Since man is an intelligent, moral being, his creator must have been of a much higher order in order to create him.
II THE NATURE OF GOD
1. God is a spirit (John 4:24). This means that God does not have a body. He is invisible. However, He can reveal Himself to man in visible form. In the person of Jesus Christ, God came into the world in a body of flesh. John 1:14, 18; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3.
2. God is a person. Personal names are in reference to Him. Exodus 3:14. Matthew 11:25. Personal characteristics are ascribed to Him, such as (1) knowledge, Isaiah 33:9-10; (2) emotions, Genesis 6:6; and (3) will, Joshua 3:10.
3. The Unity of God. Scripture clearly teaches that there is one God, 1 Timothy 2:5 (Read this verse). The false teaching that there are many gods is contrary to reason. There can be only one Supreme Being.
4. The Trinity. The Bible teaches not only that there is one God, but also that there are three persons in the Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is a mystery to the human mind, but although it cannot be understood, it can be believed because God’s Word says it is so. The word “trinity” is not found in the Bible, but the truth is found in following passages.
(1) Baptism of Jesus, Matthew 3:16-17.
(2) The great commission, Matthew 28:19.
(3) The benediction of 2 Corinthians 13:14.
The Father is called God in Romans 1:7. The Son is called God in Hebrews 1:8. The Holy Spirit is called God in Acts 5:3-4.
III THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
It is difficult to define God. One of the best ways is to describe certain of His qualities or characteristics. These are known as His attributes.
1. God is omnipresent. This means that God is present everywhere at the same time. Jeremiah 23:24.
2. God is omniscient. In other words, He knows all things. He knows every thought and deed of man. Proverbs 15:3. He knows every death of a sparrow, Matthew 10:29. “Though limitless the universe, and gloriously grand, He knows the eternal story of every grain of sand”.
3. God is omnipotent. He has all power. He created the universe, and now controls it by His power. There is nothing that He cannot do. Matthew 19:26.
4. God is eternal. He never had a beginning, and He will never cease to exist. Psalm 90:2.
5. God is unchangeable. “I am the Lord, I change not” Malachi 3:6.
6. God is holy. He is absolutely pure and sinless. He hates sin and loves goodness. Proverbs 15:9, 26. He must separate Himself from sinners, and must punish sin. Isaiah 59:1, 2.
7. God is just. Everything He does is right and fair. He fulfills all His promises. Psalm 119:137.
8. God is love. Although God hates sin, yet He loves sinners. John 3:16 (Read this verse).
Note: In speaking to God in prayer, we use the words “Thou” and “Thee”. The purpose of this is to show reverence for God. It is not proper to address Him in the same way we would speak to our fellow-men.
What Christians Believe
Chapter 2: God
Copyright, 1949, 1951, by Emmaus Bible School
Chicago, Illinois
I THE EXISTENCE OF GOD1. The Bible does not seek to prove the existence of God. The fact that there is a God is assumed throughout the Scriptures. The first verse of the Bible is an example. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” God’s existence is presented as a statement of fact that needs no proof. The man who says that there is no God is called a fool in Psalm 14:1.
2. However, even apart from the Bible, there are certain evidences for the existence of God. (1) Mankind has always believed in a universal being. (2) Creation must have a creator. The universe could not originate without a cause. (3) The wonderful design which we see in creation demands an infinite designer. (4) Since man is an intelligent, moral being, his creator must have been of a much higher order in order to create him.
II THE NATURE OF GOD
1. God is a spirit (John 4:24). This means that God does not have a body. He is invisible. However, He can reveal Himself to man in visible form. In the person of Jesus Christ, God came into the world in a body of flesh. John 1:14, 18; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3.
2. God is a person. Personal names are in reference to Him. Exodus 3:14. Matthew 11:25. Personal characteristics are ascribed to Him, such as (1) knowledge, Isaiah 33:9-10; (2) emotions, Genesis 6:6; and (3) will, Joshua 3:10.
3. The Unity of God. Scripture clearly teaches that there is one God, 1 Timothy 2:5 (Read this verse). The false teaching that there are many gods is contrary to reason. There can be only one Supreme Being.
4. The Trinity. The Bible teaches not only that there is one God, but also that there are three persons in the Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is a mystery to the human mind, but although it cannot be understood, it can be believed because God’s Word says it is so. The word “trinity” is not found in the Bible, but the truth is found in following passages.
(1) Baptism of Jesus, Matthew 3:16-17.
(2) The great commission, Matthew 28:19.
(3) The benediction of 2 Corinthians 13:14.
The Father is called God in Romans 1:7. The Son is called God in Hebrews 1:8. The Holy Spirit is called God in Acts 5:3-4.
III THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
It is difficult to define God. One of the best ways is to describe certain of His qualities or characteristics. These are known as His attributes.
1. God is omnipresent. This means that God is present everywhere at the same time. Jeremiah 23:24.
2. God is omniscient. In other words, He knows all things. He knows every thought and deed of man. Proverbs 15:3. He knows every death of a sparrow, Matthew 10:29. “Though limitless the universe, and gloriously grand, He knows the eternal story of every grain of sand”.
3. God is omnipotent. He has all power. He created the universe, and now controls it by His power. There is nothing that He cannot do. Matthew 19:26.
4. God is eternal. He never had a beginning, and He will never cease to exist. Psalm 90:2.
5. God is unchangeable. “I am the Lord, I change not” Malachi 3:6.
6. God is holy. He is absolutely pure and sinless. He hates sin and loves goodness. Proverbs 15:9, 26. He must separate Himself from sinners, and must punish sin. Isaiah 59:1, 2.
7. God is just. Everything He does is right and fair. He fulfills all His promises. Psalm 119:137.
8. God is love. Although God hates sin, yet He loves sinners. John 3:16 (Read this verse).
Note: In speaking to God in prayer, we use the words “Thou” and “Thee”. The purpose of this is to show reverence for God. It is not proper to address Him in the same way we would speak to our fellow-men.
What Christians Believe
Chapter 2: God
Copyright, 1949, 1951, by Emmaus Bible School
Chicago, Illinois
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1 comments:
Greetings Francis John Valmonte
On the subject of the Trinity,
I recommend this video:
The Human Jesus
Take a couple of hours to watch it; and prayerfully it will aid you to reconsider "The Trinity"
Yours In Messiah
Adam Pastor
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