Theology Doctrine of God Art Kohl

Noel Merrick

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Theology Doctrine of God Introduction..................................................................

I. The Existence of God ................................................

A. It is assumed .......................................................

B. Acknowledgments of God’s existence ................

II. The Natural Attributes of God ................................

A. Transcendent .....................................................

B. Immanent ..........................................................

C. Eternal ...............................................................

D. Infinite ................................................................

E. Immutable ..........................................................

F. Omniscient ..........................................................

G. Omnipresent ......................................................

H. Omnipotent .......................................................

III. His Moral Attributes ............................................

A. Holiness .............................................................

B. Justice ................................................................

C. Righteousness ....................................................

D. Love ...................................................................

E. Mercy ................................................................

F. Grace .................................................................

G. Truth .................................................................

IV. The Titles of God ..................................................

Introduction:

The word “theology” comes from 2 Greek words:

“theos,” meaning “God,” and “logos,” meaning “word” or “doctrine.”

Thus “theology” is the teaching, doctrine, or study of God.

In a broad sense, the word “theology” means the entire study of Bible doctrine, the study of the Creator and His creation.

In a more narrow sense it refers to the study of the doctrine of God, His attributes and works.

It is in the latter sense that we will study Theology: God, His nature, and His attributes.

Please note: this small study can come no where near describing and defining God.

Its purpose is to merely give you a taste of Who He is.

Become a student of God through His Word, and learn more on your own.

I. The Existence of God

A. Views Concerning God

* There are many varied views concerning the existence of God, and what kind of God exists. Here are some key views:

1. Atheism - There is no God.

2. Agnosticism - It is impossible to know whether or not there is a God.

If God exists, it is impossible to know Him.

3. Deism - There is a “God,” but he is not involved in the affairs of his creation.

He does not intervene in the lives of men.

He “wound up” the universe, but then he left it alone. (Voltaire, Thomas Jefferson)

4. Theism - There is a God and He is involved in the affairs of His creation.

5. Dualism - There are two equal and opposite forces or “Gods” - a good God and an evil God.

6. Polytheism - There are many gods of various levels of power and authority. (Idolatry, Greek & Roman religions, Hinduism, Zen Buddhism)

7. Pantheism - God is everything, and everything is god. God is in everything. (Hinduism, New Age beliefs, Star Wars’ “Force”)

8. Monotheism - There is only one true God. (Christianity, Judaism, Islam)

9. Trinitarianism - There is one true God Who exists in three Persons.

B. Proofs Of The Existence Of God - Apologetics

1. Definition * Apologetics is the field of study concerned with the defense of the faith.

There are two primary “schools” or approaches to apologetics:

a. Evidentiary apologetics provides arguments and proofs concerning the existence of God and the truthfulness of Scripture (e.g., Josh McDowell).

b. Presuppositional apologetics begins with the assumption (presupposition) that God exists and that the Bible is His Word.

Its approach is to “turn the Bible loose” to do its work (Rom 10:17; Lk 16:31).

Romans 10:17 KJV 1900

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Luke 16:31 KJV 1900

And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

2. Biblical Assumption

* The Bible does not set out to prove God’s existence.

Instead, His existence is assumed, or taken for granted, in Scripture - Gen 1:1; Ps 14:1; Rom 1:18-20; 2:14-15

Genesis 1:1 KJV 1900

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Psalm 14:1 KJV 1900

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, There is none that doeth good.

Romans 1:18–20 KJV 1900

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Romans 2:14–15 KJV 1900

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

* Charles Ryrie, however, states that passages such as Ps 19 do provide arguments for God’s existence.

Psalm 19 KJV 1900

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, And night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, Where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, And his circuit unto the ends of it: And there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: And in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me: Then shall I be upright, And I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, And the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

He concludes, “So the Bible does argue for as well as assume the existence of God” (A Survey of Bible Doctrine, Moody Press, 1972, pg. 15).

Most texts on Bible doctrine disagree with Ryrie.

3. Classical Philosophical Arguments For The Existence Of God

* Over the centuries, theologians and philosophers have tried to “prove” the existence of God.

None of these arguments is decisive, but taken together they offer strong support for the fact that God exists.

However, they also do not prove exactly what kind of God exists!

Here are some of the more well-known arguments:

a. Intuitional Argument - There is a worldwide, intuitive belief in all cultures of some type of God.

Man, by nature and without being taught, believes in some type of a God.

b. Cosmological Argument - The argument from cause and effect. The universe exists.

It must have had a cause.

c. Teleological Argument - The argument from design.

The universe exhibits a purposeful and orderly design, so there must have been a designer (creator).

d. Ontological Argument - The argument from being.

Man has an idea of an infinite and perfect Being.

We could not have come up with this concept on our own.

Therefore, such a Being must exist.

e. Anthropological Argument - The argument from morality.

Since humans exist with intellectual self-awareness and a moral nature, there must be a Creator who also has these qualities.

B. It is assumed “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1).

Genesis 1:1 KJV 1900

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

God never argues His existence.

He expects us to accept the fact that He exists.

He simply states His existence in His Word.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6).

Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

C. Acknowledgments of God’s existence It cannot be proven there is no God.

To prove there is no God, one would have to go to every corner of the universe and look under every rock to show that He is not there.

Man does not have the capability of doing this, and never will.

We can believe there is a God because of:

1. The Word of God

(Hebrews 1:1-3). Heb 11:6

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV 1900)

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 1:1–3 KJV 1900

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

We must accept by faith that God has given us His Word.

Without it we would not know how to be saved nor how to have fellowship with Him.

Apart from God’s revelation, man drifts along on a meaningless existence without purpose or goals.

2. Intuition It is natural for man to believe there is a God.

The abnormal mind is the only one that cannot accept the fact of God’s existence.

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.”

(Psalm 14:1a).

Psalm 14:1a KJV 1900

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, There is none that doeth good.

William Evans once said, “All the evidence points to the conclusive fact that this universal faith in the existence of God is innate in man and comes from rational intuition.”

3. Tradition It has been the common characteristic of peoples throughout history to believe there is a God and a life after death.

History proves that man is a religious creature.

After a detailed study of some of the remote tribes of Africa, David Livingstone concluded that all people have a conception of God which they have passed on from generation to generation.

It is not uncommon for missionaries to go to people who have never been reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to see those people worshipping a Supreme Being of some sort.

4. Reason By looking all around us, it seems obvious that Someone with intelligence created, ordered, and organized this marvelous universe.

Everything exists in perfect order.

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”

(Romans 1:20). “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”

Romans 1:20 KJV 1900

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

(Psalm 19:1). 2 “For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.”

Psalm 19:1 KJV 1900

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament sheweth his handywork.

(Hebrews 3:4).

Hebrews 3:4 KJV 1900

For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

Reason tells us that such perfect design demands a Designer.

God has assisted man’s reason by showing Himself to man in His general revelation.

5. Nature “And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things?

We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”

(Acts 14:15-17). “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:3-4).

Acts 14:15–17 KJV 1900

And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

Psalm 8:3–4 KJV 1900

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him?

6. His Son God revealed Himself to reasonable men by a special revelation: He came to this world in the form of a baby.

(I Timothy 3:16).

1 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

The best ways God could show Himself to mankind are:

1. Show Himself, and

2. Write it down (the safest form of communication!).

This is what the Lord has done.

He has revealed Himself to this earth (as a human being in the form of Jesus Christ) and has left man with a written record (the Bible).

Man is without excuse.

(Romans 1:20).

Romans 1:20 KJV 1900

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

II. THE NATURE OF GOD

A. Spirituality - God Is A Spirit

* God is a Spirit Being, not a physical (material) Being - Jn 4:24

John 4:24 KJV 1900

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

* As Spirit, God does not have a physical or material body - Lk 24:39

Luke 24:39 KJV 1900

Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

* As Spirit, God is invisible by nature - I Tim 1:17; Col 1:15; Jn 1:18

1 Timothy 1:17 (KJV 1900)

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Colossians 1:15 (KJV 1900)

Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

John 1:18 (KJV 1900)

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

~ “God is above sensuous perceptions” (William Evans, The Great Doctrines of the Bible, Moody Press, 1939, pg. 19)

~ God has, at times, taken on a visible form to interact with men

- Gen 3:8 (Adam & Eve) ;

Genesis 3:8 (KJV 1900)

And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.

Gen 12:7 (Abraham);

Genesis 12:7 (KJV 1900)

And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.

Exo 33:18-23 (Moses)

Exodus 33:18–23 (KJV 1900)

And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:

And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:

And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

B. Personality - God Is A Person

* Even though He is an invisible Spirit Being, God is still a true Person.

He is not simply a force or influence. He has the characteristics of personhood, including intellect, emotions, and will.

~ Intellect - Isa 40:12-14, 28; Rom 11:33-34

Isaiah 40:12–14 (KJV 1900)

Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, And meted out heaven with the span, And comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, And weighed the mountains in scales, And the hills in a balance?

Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, Or being his counseller hath taught him?

With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, And taught him in the path of judgment, And taught him knowledge, And shewed to him the way of understanding?

Isaiah 40:28 KJV 1900

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, That the everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding.

Romans 11:33–34 (KJV 1900)

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller?

~ Emotions

- Love (I Jn 4:16);

1 John 4:16 (KJV 1900)

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Hatred (Pr 6:16-20);

Proverbs 6:16–20 (KJV 1900)

These six things doth the Lord hate: Yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

A proud look, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood,

An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, Feet that be swift in running to mischief,

A false witness that speaketh lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren.

My son, keep thy father’s commandment, And forsake not the law of thy mother:

Anger (Ps 79:5)

Psalm 79:5 KJV 1900

How long, Lord? wilt thou be angry for ever? Shall thy jealousy burn like fire?

~ Will - Eph 1:11; Heb 2:4; Jas 1:18

Ephesians 1:11 (KJV 1900)

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Hebrews 2:4 (KJV 1900)

God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

James 1:18 (KJV 1900)

Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

C. Self-Existence - God Is Not Dependent Upon Anything

* God is the uncaused Cause - nothing (no one) brought Him into existence.

He is not dependent upon anything or anyone.

He is self-sufficient. He needs nothing or no one - Exo 3:13-15; Rom 11:33-36

Exodus 3:13–15 (KJV 1900)

And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

Romans 11:33–36 (KJV 1900)

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller?

Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

D. Infinity - God Is Limitless

* God exists without limitations or boundaries.

His Being, and all His attributes, are without end - Ps 147:5; Job 11:7-9; I Kings 8:27

Psalm 147:5 (KJV 1900)

Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite.

Job 11:7–9 (KJV 1900)

Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? Deeper than hell; what canst thou know?

The measure thereof is longer than the earth, And broader than the sea.

1 Kings 8:27 (KJV 1900)

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

E. Unity - There Is Only One God

* The Old Testament clearly teaches there is only one true God - Deut 6:4; Deut 4:35; Isa 46:9

Deuteronomy 6:4 (KJV 1900)

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:

Deuteronomy 4:35 (KJV 1900)

Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the Lord he is God; there is none else beside him.

Isaiah 46:9 (KJV 1900)

Remember the former things of old: For I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

* The New Testament clearly teaches there is only one true God - I Cor 8:4-6; Jas 2:19

1 Corinthians 8:4–6 (KJV 1900)

As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

James 2:19 (KJV 1900)

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

F. Trinity - One God Exists In Three Persons

1. The word “Trinity” is not found in Scripture.

This doctrine was developed because of two clear teachings found in the Bible:

a. There is only one true God

b. Three distinct Persons are known as God - The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

2. Scriptural evidences of the deity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:

a. The Trinity is implied in the Old Testament:

(1) Elohim, one of the primary names for God, is plural - Gen 1:1

Genesis 1:1 (KJV 1900)

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

(2) Plural pronouns (“us / our”) are used of God - Gen 1:26; 3:22; Isa 6:8

Genesis 1:26 (KJV 1900)

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Genesis 3:22 (KJV 1900)

And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

Isaiah 6:8 (KJV 1900)

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

(3) Plural titles are used of God - “Creator” (Eccl 12:1) and “Maker” (Isa 54:5) are plural.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 (KJV 1900)

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

Isaiah 54:5 (KJV 1900)

For thy Maker is thine husband; The Lord of hosts is his name; And thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

(4) There are indications of the Son in the Old Testament - Ps 2:7, 12; Isa 9:6-7

* The “Angel of the Lord” normally refers to Christ - Gen 22:11-15; Exo 3:2

Psalm 2:7 (KJV 1900)

I will declare the decree: The Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; This day have I begotten thee.

Psalm 2:12 (KJV 1900)

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, And ye perish from the way, When his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Isaiah 9:6–7 (KJV 1900)

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, To order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice From henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Genesis 22:11–15 (KJV 1900)

And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.

And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,

Exodus 3:2 (KJV 1900)

And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

(5) There are indications of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament - Gen 1:2; Isa 11:1-2

Genesis 1:2 (KJV 1900)

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Isaiah 11:1–2 (KJV 1900)

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and might, The spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;

(6) There are indications of all three Persons of the Trinity in one passage - Isa 63:7-10

Isaiah 63:7–10 (KJV 1900)

I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, According to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, And the great goodness toward the house of Israel, Which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, And according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.

For he said, Surely they are my people, Children that will not lie: So he was their Saviour.

In all their affliction he was afflicted, And the angel of his presence saved them: In his love and in his pity he redeemed them; And he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: Therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.

* The Lord - vs. 7 (Father)

* The angel of his presence - vs. 9 (Son)

* His holy Spirit - vs. 10 (Holy Spirit)

b. The Trinity is clearly taught in the New Testament

(1) The three Persons of the Trinity are each recognized as being God.

* Father - Jn 6:27; I Pet 1:2

John 6:27 (KJV 1900)

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

1 Peter 1:2 (KJV 1900)

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

* Son - Jn 1:1, 14; Jn 20:28

John 1:1 (KJV 1900)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 (KJV 1900)

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 20:28 (KJV 1900)

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

* Holy Spirit - Acts 5:2-4; II Cor 3:17

Acts 5:2–4 (KJV 1900)

And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

2 Corinthians 3:17 (KJV 1900)

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

(2) The attributes of God are applied to all three Persons (Lewis Sperry Chafer, Chafer’s Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, Dallas Seminary Press, 1947, pp. 304-305)

Father Son Spirit Eternity Ps 90:2 Rev 1:8 Heb 9:14

Psalm 90:2 KJV 1900

Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Revelation 1:8 (KJV 1900)

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Hebrews 9:14 (KJV 1900)

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Infinite power I Pet 1:5 II Cor 12:9 Rom 15:19

1 Peter 1:5 (KJV 1900)

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV 1900)

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Romans 15:19 (KJV 1900)

Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Omniscience Jer 17:10 Rev 2:23 I Cor 2:11

Jeremiah 17:10 (KJV 1900)

I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Revelation 2:23 (KJV 1900)

And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

1 Corinthians 2:11 (KJV 1900)

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

Omnipresence Jer 23:24 Mt 18:20 Ps 139:7

Jeremiah 23:24 (KJV 1900)

Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.

Matthew 18:20 (KJV 1900)

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Psalm 139:7 (KJV 1900)

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

Holiness Rev 15:4 Acts 3:14

Revelation 15:4 (KJV 1900)

Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

Acts 3:14 (KJV 1900)

But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

“Holy Spirit” throughout Truth Jn 7:28 Rev 3:7 I Jn 5:6

John 7:28 (KJV 1900)

Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

Revelation 3:7 (KJV 1900)

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

1 John 5:6 (KJV 1900)

This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

Benevolence Rom 2:4 Eph 5:25 Neh 9:20

Romans 2:4 (KJV 1900)

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Ephesians 5:25 (KJV 1900)

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Nehemiah 9:20 (KJV 1900)

Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.

Disposition for Communion I Jn 1:3 I Jn 1:3 II Cor 13:14

1 John 1:3 (KJV 1900)

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:3 (KJV 1900)

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 13:14 (KJV 1900)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

3. Key Scriptures:

a. Mt 28:19 - All three Persons of the Trinity are mentioned, yet the word “name” is singular, not plural. This indicates oneness.

Matthew 28:19 (KJV 1900)

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

b. Mt 3:16-17 - All three Persons of the Trinity are present at the baptism of Christ.

Matthew 3:16–17 (KJV 1900)

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

c. II Cor 13:14 - The “Apostolic Benediction” includes all three Persons of the Trinity.

2 Corinthians 13:14 (KJV 1900)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

d. Jn 14:16, 26 - All three Persons of the Trinity are mentioned as Christ promises that the Father would send the Holy Spirit.

John 14:16 (KJV 1900)

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

John 14:26 (KJV 1900)

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

e. I Pet 1:2 - Peter mentions all three Persons of the Trinity in His greeting.

1 Peter 1:2 (KJV 1900)

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

4. Definition by B. B. Warfield: “The doctrine that there is one only and true God, but in the unity of the Godhead there are three eternal and co-equal Persons, the same in substance but distinct in subsistence.” (Quoted by Charles Ryrie in Understanding Bible Doctrine, pg. 42)

5. Errors to Avoid:

1. There are three separate individuals in the Godhead (Tritheism).

2. The Trinity is only one Person manifesting Himself in three ways (Modalism).

3. There is only one God. The Son and Holy Spirit are lesser beings created by God.

III. THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

A. Definitions

1. God’s attributes are those essential qualities or characteristics that make God Who He is.

2. God’s attributes have sometimes been categorized into groupings.

They are sometimes divided on the basis of those that are true of God alone, and those that can also be true of humans. Another way to categorize them is to divide those that are moral attributes from those that are attributes related to His essential being.

B. A Partial Listing Of God’s Attributes

1. Eternity: God had no beginning and He will have no end. He is not bound by time.

He is the “Eternal Now” - Ps 90:2, 4; Ps 102:24-27

Psalm 90:2 KJV 1900

Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Psalm 90:4 KJV 1900

For a thousand years in thy sight Are but as yesterday when it is past, And as a watch in the night.

Psalm 102:24–27 KJV 1900

I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: Thy years are throughout all generations. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: And the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: Yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; As a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, And thy years shall have no end.

2. Omniscience - God is literally “all-knowing.” He knows everything - Ps 139:1-6

Psalm 139:1–6 KJV 1900

O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, But, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, And laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain unto it.

* God’s knowledge covers all time - Acts 15:18

Acts 15:18 KJV 1900

Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

* God’s knowledge covers all creation

~ Inanimate creatures - Ps 147:4; Isa 40:28

Psalm 147:4 KJV 1900

He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names.

Isaiah 40:28 KJV 1900

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, That the everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding.

~ Animal creatures - Mt 10:29

Matthew 10:29 KJV 1900

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

~ Human creatures - Mt 6:8; Ps 139:2; Ps 94:11

Matthew 6:8 (KJV 1900)

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Psalm 139:2 (KJV 1900)

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off.

Psalm 94:11 (KJV 1900)

The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, That they are vanity.

* God’s knowledge covers all possibilities (what might have happened if . . .) - Mt 11:21, 23

Matthew 11:21 (KJV 1900)

Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Matthew 11:23 (KJV 1900)

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

~ “Open theism” is false!

2. Omnipresence - God is literally “all-present.”

Another way of phrasing it is that everything everywhere is in the presence of God - Ps 139:7-12; Jer 23:23-24

Psalm 139:7–12 KJV 1900

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; Even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; But the night shineth as the day: The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

3. Omnipotent - God is literally “all-powerful.” - Ps 139:13-19; Rev 19:6; Mt 19:26; Gen 18:14

Jeremiah 23:23–24:3 KJV 1900

Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord. I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal. The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord. Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord. And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden of the Lord? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the Lord. And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the Lord, I will even punish that man and his house. Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to his brother, What hath the Lord answered? and, What hath the Lord spoken? And the burden of the Lord shall ye mention no more: for every man’s word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the Lord of hosts our God. Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath the Lord answered thee? and, What hath the Lord spoken? But since ye say, The burden of the Lord; therefore thus saith the Lord; Because ye say this word, The burden of the Lord, and I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the Lord; Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence: And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten. The Lord shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the Lord, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon. One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. Then said the Lord unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.

Psalm 139:13–19 KJV 1900

For thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, When I was made in secret, And curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; And in thy book all my members were written, Which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: When I awake, I am still with thee. Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: Depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

Revelation 19:6 (KJV 1900)

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Matthew 19:26 (KJV 1900)

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Genesis 18:14 (KJV 1900)

Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

* He has power over nature - Ps 33:6-9; Hag 2:6

Psalm 33:6–9 (KJV 1900)

By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; And all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: He layeth up the depth in storehouses.

Let all the earth fear the Lord: Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

For he spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.

Haggai 2:6 (KJV 1900)

For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, And I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;

* He has power over humans - Jas 4:12-15

James 4:12–15 KJV 1900

There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

* He has power over angels - Dan 4:25

Daniel 4:25 (KJV 1900)

That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

* He has power over Satan - Job 1:12; 2:6; Rev 20:2, 10

Job 1:12 KJV 1900

And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

Job 2:6 KJV 1900

And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

Revelation 20:2 (KJV 1900)

And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

Revelation 20:10 (KJV 1900)

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

* He has power over death - Eph 1:19-21

Ephesians 1:19–21 (KJV 1900)

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

4. Immutability - God’s nature is absolutely unchangeable - Mal 3:6; Jas 1:17

Malachi 3:6 (KJV 1900)

For I am the Lord, I change not; Therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

James 1:17 KJV 1900

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

5. Freedom - God is independent of all His creatures - Isa 40:13-14; Rom 11:34-35

Isaiah 40:13–14 (KJV 1900)

Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, Or being his counseller hath taught him?

With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, And taught him in the path of judgment, And taught him knowledge, And shewed to him the way of understanding?

Romans 11:34–35 (KJV 1900)

For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller?

Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

6. Sovereignty - God is the supreme authority and power in the universe - Ps 2; Rom 9; Eph 1

Psalm 2 KJV 1900

Why do the heathen rage, And the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, And cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: The Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: The Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; This day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, And I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, And ye perish from the way, When his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Romans 9 KJV 1900

I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Ephesians 1 KJV 1900

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

* This is a difficult doctrine.

The Bible clearly teaches that God is sovereign - His will is always accomplished on earth.

However, the Bible also clearly teaches that God is not the Author of sin (Jas 1:13-14).

James 1:13–14 KJV 1900

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Therefore, we typically divide God’s permissive will (what He has chosen to allow) from His causal will (what He has chosen to actively do, or cause, Himself).

7. Holiness -

Negatively, God is totally separate from all evil and defilement.

Positively, God’s moral nature is the absolute standard of perfection and purity - I Jn 1:5; Exo 15:11; Lev 11:44-45; Isa 6:2-3; Isa 57:15

1 John 1:5 KJV 1900

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Exodus 15:11 KJV 1900

Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Leviticus 11:44–45 (KJV 1900)

For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

Isaiah 6:2–3 (KJV 1900)

Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: The whole earth is full of his glory.

Isaiah 57:15 KJV 1900

For thus saith the high and lofty One That inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, With him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

* Note: This is God’s most often mentioned attribute!

8. Justice or Righteousness - God’s holiness as applied to His dealings with others.

He treats everyone fairly and equitably. He always does what is right - Zeph 3:5; Ps 19:9

Zephaniah 3:5 KJV 1900

The just Lord is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: Every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; But the unjust knoweth no shame.

Psalm 19:9 KJV 1900

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

9. Truth - God’s holiness applied to His communication. God is consistent with Himself in everything He says and does - Rom 3:4; Jn 14:6

Romans 3:4 KJV 1900

God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

John 14:6 KJV 1900

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

10. Love - God seeks the highest good (His will) for humans, even at infinite cost - I Jn 4:8; Jn 3:16; Rom 5:8

1 John 4:8 KJV 1900

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

John 3:16 KJV 1900

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 5:8 (KJV 1900)

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

* God’s holiness demands that sin must be punished.

God’s love provides Christ to satisfy that demand.

11. Goodness - God is always good in His character and His actions.

He seeks the welfare of those He loves - Ps 145:9; Exo 33:19; Jas 1:17

Psalm 145:9 KJV 1900

The Lord is good to all: And his tender mercies are over all his works.

Exodus 33:19 KJV 1900

James 1:17 KJV 1900

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

12. Grace - God demonstrates unmerited favor toward those He loves - Exo 34:6; Eph 1:6-7; Tit 2:11

Exodus 34:6 KJV 1900

And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

Ephesians 1:6–7 KJV 1900

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Titus 2:11 KJV 1900

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

13. Merciful - God shows compassion and pity upon those in need - Exo 3:7, 17; Ps 103:13; Mt 9:36

Exodus 3:7 (KJV 1900)

And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

Exodus 3:17 (KJV 1900)

And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.

Psalm 103:13 KJV 1900

Like as a father pitieth his children, So the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

Matthew 9:36 (KJV 1900)

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

* Mercy - We don’t get what we deserve (judgment & hell) Grace - We get what we don’t deserve (eternal life & heaven . . .)

14. Faithfulness - God always keeps His promises - Num 23:19; I Thess 5:24; I Jn 1:9

Numbers 23:19 (KJV 1900)

God is not a man, that he should lie; Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

1 Thessalonians 5:24 (KJV 1900)

Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

1 John 1:9 (KJV 1900)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

II. The Natural Attributes of God Attributes are the qualities or characteristics of a person or thing.

Let us look at God’s natural attributes.

A. Transcendent God is transcendent to both time and place.

By this we mean He is above His creation.

(Isaiah 57:15).

Isaiah 57:15 (KJV 1900)

(John 3:13).

John 3:13 (KJV 1900)

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Jesus was in both places at the same time!

B. Immanent Immanence means that God is within His creation.

(Isaiah 57:15).

Isaiah 57:15 (KJV 1900)

(Ephesians 4:6).

Ephesians 4:6 (KJV 1900)

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

God is not only above and all around His creation, He is in His creation, especially dwelling within them who are believers in His Son.

C. Eternal God has no beginning nor ending.

There is no past, present nor future with God.

Only eternal present.

He is not limited by time.

(Psalm 90:2).

Psalm 90:2 (KJV 1900)

Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

D. Infinite God has no limitation in space.

All of His attributes are without limit. He cannot be limited, as seen in the following verses: (1 Kings 8:27).

1 Kings 8:27 (KJV 1900)

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

“Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” (Psalm 147:5)

Psalm 147:5 (KJV 1900)

Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite.

“Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord.

Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.” (Jeremiah 23:24).

Jeremiah 23:24 (KJV 1900)

Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.

E. Immutable God is unchangeable, invariable, and permanent.

He is not capable of, nor susceptible to, change.

“For I am the Lord, I change not;” (Malachi 3:6).

Malachi 3:6 (KJV 1900)

For I am the Lord, I change not; Therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

(James 1:17).

James 1:17 (KJV 1900)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Sometimes, God changes in His judgments and decisions towards an individual or nation based on their behavior (see Genesis 6:6; I Samuel 15:11).

Genesis 6:6 (KJV 1900)

And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

1 Samuel 15:11 (KJV 1900)

It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night.

But God never changes in his character.

For instance, God will always be holy. He will never become unholy for anyone.

F. Omniscient God is all knowing.

He knows the future as well as the past.

He knows all things, whether actual or merely possible.

He knows things immediately and spontaneously.

He knows the thoughts of man better than man knows himself.

“ (Isaiah 46:10).

Isaiah 46:10 (KJV 1900)

Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times the things that are not yet done, Saying, My counsel shall stand, And I will do all my pleasure:

(Psalm 147:5).

Psalm 147:5 (KJV 1900)

Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite.

(Hebrews 4:13).

Hebrews 4:13 (KJV 1900)

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

“O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.” (Psalm 139:1-4).

Psalm 139:1–4 (KJV 1900)

O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off.

Thou compassest my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word in my tongue, But, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

It should be duly noted here that God does not know evil nor does it come into His mind or heart (Jeremiah 7:31,19:5, 32:35).

Jeremiah 7:31 (KJV 1900)

And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart.

Jeremiah 19:5 (KJV 1900)

They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:

Jeremiah 32:35 (KJV 1900)

And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

G. Omnipresent God is everywhere, present in the universe.

(Psalm 139:7-10).

Psalm 139:7–10 (KJV 1900)

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me.

(Jeremiah 23:23-24).

Jeremiah 23:23–24 (KJV 1900)

Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off?

Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.

H. Omnipotent God is all powerful.

He is able to do any thing He desires.

(Job 42:1-2).

Job 42:1–2 (KJV 1900)

Then Job answered the Lord, and said,

I know that thou canst do every thing, And that no thought can be withholden from thee.

(Jeremiah 32:17).

Jeremiah 32:17 (KJV 1900)

Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

“ (Matthew 19:26).

Matthew 19:26 (KJV 1900)

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

(Revelation 19:6).

Revelation 19:6 KJV 1900

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

He is called the Almighty God:

(Genesis 17:1)

Genesis 17:1 (KJV 1900)

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

He is also called the Lord God Almighty: (Revelation 4:8).

Revelation 4:8 (KJV 1900)

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

III. His Moral Attributes Attributes are characteristics revealed through personal interaction with others. Some of God’s moral attributes include:

A. Holiness Holiness means “to be totally separated from sin and evil.”

It is the perfection of God whereby He abhors that which is evil and demands purity.

Because of God’s holiness, a sinful individual has no right to come into God’s presence.

For this reason, God turned His back on His own Son when Jesus “became sin for us.”

God is a Holy God (see 1 Peter 1:16).

1 Peter 1:16 KJV 1900

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

This is His greatest attribute.

All other attributes of God are subject to His holiness.

It is this holiness that is announced perpetually and eternally in Heaven: (Isaiah 6:3).

Isaiah 6:3 (KJV 1900)

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: The whole earth is full of his glory.

(Revelation 4:8).

Revelation 4:8 KJV 1900

B. Justice God is a just God. He exists eternally as a Judge who will mete out judgment.

A Judge must condemn the guilty or let the innocent go free.

As a Judge, God is remunerative (rewarding) and retributive (chastening).

Since God cannot act contrary to His laws, our crimes must be punished.

A person must suffer for his own sin or accept God’s plan of redemption.

God is the one who has been wronged by sin, therefore He is the only one who can determine how restitution is made.

God has determined that restitution be made by the shedding of innocent blood.

Only Christ’s blood is innocent, so Christ died for our sins and shed His blood to satisfy the Judge of all the universe.

A person who believes on God’s Son, Jesus Christ, as their personal Savior is then pardoned and justified from all of their sins as the Judge considers the payment to have been paid in full by His Son Jesus Christ.

(Acts 13:39).

Acts 13:39 (KJV 1900)

And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

C. Righteousness The attribute that causes God to always do right.

(Genesis 18:25).

Genesis 18:25 (KJV 1900)

That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

This wonderful attribute of God guarantees that He will always keep His promises.

It would be wrong for Him to not keep His word.

This is why the believer gains so much assurance by holding to the promises of God – God is righteous and will keep His Word.

(Daniel 9:16).

Daniel 9:16 (KJV 1900)

O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.

D. Love The world uses the word “love” so flippantly that many believers have a very shallow view of Biblical love.

Love is concern for the welfare of another even above one’s own welfare.

It’s giving sacrificially, expecting nothing in return.

The world’s idea of love is usually lust or, at best, selfishness.

Lust is getting.

Love is giving.

Lust can’t wait to get.

Love can’t wait to give.

As believers, we are commanded to love other believers, our enemies, and our Lord.

We are to show our love for God by keeping His commandments and for others by sacrificing our lives for them.

This is the type of love that was showed to us by God.

(1 John 4:16).

1 John 4:16 (KJV 1900)

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

(I John 3:16).

1 John 3:16 (KJV 1900)

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

E. Mercy Mercy is God’s compassion in not giving the sinner what he deserves.

(Micah 7:18).

Micah 7:18 KJV 1900

Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, And passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever, Because he delighteth in mercy.

“Mercy” is caring for someone who is completely helpless.

God cares for helpless people by His moral attribute of mercy.

F. Grace Grace is the unmerited goodness and love of God for those who have forfeited it.

Grace is God-given enablement and power.

(Ephesians 2:8).

Ephesians 2:8 (KJV 1900)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Whereas mercy is God not giving us what we deserve, grace is God giving us what we do not deserve.

Grace is when God gives us His enablement and power to become what we ought to be, to go where we ought to go, and to do what we ought to do.

Grace is God giving us all of His resources at every experience we have.

(God’s Resources At Christian’s Experience!) (Hebrews 4:16).

Hebrews 4:16 (KJV 1900)

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

G. Truth God is a God of truth.

He hates every lie.

(Numbers 23:19).

Numbers 23:19 (KJV 1900)

God is not a man, that he should lie; Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

(John 14:6).

John 14:6 KJV 1900

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

(John 17:17).

John 17:17 (KJV 1900)

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

(Hebrews 6:18).

Hebrews 6:18 (KJV 1900)

That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

These are just some of God’s moral attributes that He has revealed to us.

Study His Word to find more.

IV. The Titles of God

Here are some of the major titles of God found in the Bible.

These are what we would see if we read God’s Word in the original Hebrew and Greek:

A. Jehovah* Meaning, “The Self-Existent One.”

(Exodus 3:14).

Exodus 3:14 KJV 1900

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

God exists by Himself.

He does not need His creation to satisfy Himself.

This holy name of Jehovah was not uttered by Jews.

They would bathe their bodies and change their clothes before they would write this name on Holy Script. Four times in the King James Bible the word “Jehovah” is not translated, but is used exactly (Exodus 6:3; Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 12:2; and Isaiah 26:4).

Exodus 6:3 (KJV 1900)

And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

Psalm 83:18 (KJV 1900)

That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, Art the most high over all the earth.

Isaiah 12:2 (KJV 1900)

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: For the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.

Isaiah 26:4 (KJV 1900)

Trust ye in the Lord for ever: For in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

Any other time it is translated as “LORD” or “Lord”.

*This is the only actual name of God, besides Jesus.

All others are titles.

B. Adonai Meaning, “My Lord and my Master.”

“Ye call me Master and Lord [Adonai]: and ye say well; for so I am.” (John 13:13).

John 13:13 (KJV 1900)

Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

C. Elohim Meaning, “The strong One” or “the One to be feared.”

“In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1).

Genesis 1:1 KJV 1900

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

D. El-Shaddai Meaning “The All-sufficient One”

“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord [El-Shaddai] appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” (Genesis 17:1).

Genesis 17:1 (KJV 1900)

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

This is the One who can satisfy all.

Besides God, man needs nothing to fulfill him.

E. El-Elyon Meaning, “the Most High God.”

(Isaiah 14:13-14).

Isaiah 14:13–14 (KJV 1900)

For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

F. Theos Meaning, “God.”

(Acts 20:28).

Acts 20:28 (KJV 1900)

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

G. Kurious Meaning, “Lord.”

[Kurious].” (John 20:28).

John 20:28 (KJV 1900)

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. [Kurious].

H. Pater Meaning, “Father.”

“And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father [Pater] which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” (Luke 11:2).

Luke 11:2 (KJV 1900)

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

I. Emmanuel Meaning, “God with us.”

(Matthew 1:23).

Matthew 1:23 KJV 1900

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Here are some other Hebrew titles of God:

• El – The Strong One

• Elah – The One worthy of Adoration

• El-Roi – The Lord that sees me

• El-Elohe-Israel – The God of Jacob • El-Olam – God of Eternity

• Jah – The Independent One

• Jehovah-Elohim – The Majestic, Omnipotent God

• Jehovah-Hoseenu – The Lord our Maker

• Jehovah-Jireh – The Lord will provide

• Jehovah-Rophi – The Lord our Physician

• Jehovah-Nissi – The Lord our Banner

• Jehovah-M’Kaddesh – The Lord doth sanctify

• Jehovah-Eloheenu – Lord our God

• Jehovah-Eloheka – Lord thy God

• Jehovah-Elohay – Lord my God

• Jehovah-Shalom – The Lord our Peace

• Jehovah-Tsebaoth – The Lord of Hosts

• Jehovah-Rohi – The Lord my Shepherd

• Jehovah-Tsidkenu – The Lord our Righteousness

• Jehovah-Makkeh – The Lord that smites

• Jehovah-Gmolah – The God of recompense

• Jehovah-Shammah – The Lord is There Memorize and meditate on these.

If you have trusted in Christ as your Saviour, these are the names of your Heavenly Father!

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV 1900)

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

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Theology Doctrine of God Art Kohl

Theology Doctrine of God Introduction..................................................................

I. The Existence of God ................................................

A. It is assumed .......................................................

B. Acknowledgments of God’s existence ................

​

II. The Natural Attributes of God ................................

A. Transcendent .....................................................

B. Immanent ..........................................................

C. Eternal ...............................................................

D. Infinite ................................................................

E. Immutable ..........................................................

F. Omniscient ..........................................................

G. Omnipresent ......................................................

H. Omnipotent .......................................................

​

III. His Moral Attributes ............................................

A. Holiness .............................................................

B. Justice ................................................................

C. Righteousness ....................................................

D. Love ...................................................................

E. Mercy ................................................................

F. Grace .................................................................

G. Truth .................................................................

IV. The Titles of God ..................................................

​

Introduction:

The word “theology” comes from 2 Greek words:

“theos,” meaning “God,” and “logos,” meaning “word” or “doctrine.”

Thus “theology” is the teaching, doctrine, or study of God.

In a broad sense, the word “theology” means the entire study of Bible doctrine, the study of the Creator and His creation.

In a more narrow sense it refers to the study of the doctrine of God, His attributes and works.

It is in the latter sense that we will study Theology: God, His nature, and His attributes.

Please note: this small study can come no where near describing and defining God.

Its purpose is to merely give you a taste of Who He is.

Become a student of God through His Word, and learn more on your own.

I. The Existence of God

A. Views Concerning God

* There are many varied views concerning the existence of God, and what kind of God exists. Here are some key views:

1. Atheism - There is no God.

2. Agnosticism - It is impossible to know whether or not there is a God.

If God exists, it is impossible to know Him.

3. Deism - There is a “God,” but he is not involved in the affairs of his creation.

He does not intervene in the lives of men.

He “wound up” the universe, but then he left it alone. (Voltaire, Thomas Jefferson)

4. Theism - There is a God and He is involved in the affairs of His creation.

5. Dualism - There are two equal and opposite forces or “Gods” - a good God and an evil God.

6. Polytheism - There are many gods of various levels of power and authority. (Idolatry, Greek & Roman religions, Hinduism, Zen Buddhism)

7. Pantheism - God is everything, and everything is god. God is in everything. (Hinduism, New Age beliefs, Star Wars’ “Force”)

8. Monotheism - There is only one true God. (Christianity, Judaism, Islam)

9. Trinitarianism - There is one true God Who exists in three Persons.

B. Proofs Of The Existence Of God - Apologetics

1. Definition * Apologetics is the field of study concerned with the defense of the faith.

There are two primary “schools” or approaches to apologetics:

a. Evidentiary apologetics provides arguments and proofs concerning the existence of God and the truthfulness of Scripture (e.g., Josh McDowell).

b. Presuppositional apologetics begins with the assumption (presupposition) that God exists and that the Bible is His Word.

Its approach is to “turn the Bible loose” to do its work (Rom 10:17; Lk 16:31).

2. Biblical Assumption

* The Bible does not set out to prove God’s existence.

Instead, His existence is assumed, or taken for granted, in Scripture - Gen 1:1; Ps 14:1; Rom 1:18-20; 2:14-15

* Charles Ryrie, however, states that passages such as Ps 19 do provide arguments for God’s existence.

He concludes, “So the Bible does argue for as well as assume the existence of God” (A Survey of Bible Doctrine, Moody Press, 1972, pg. 15).

Most texts on Bible doctrine disagree with Ryrie.

3. Classical Philosophical Arguments For The Existence Of God

* Over the centuries, theologians and philosophers have tried to “prove” the existence of God.

None of these arguments is decisive, but taken together they offer strong support for the fact that God exists.

However, they also do not prove exactly what kind of God exists!

Here are some of the more well-known arguments:

a. Intuitional Argument - There is a worldwide, intuitive belief in all cultures of some type of God.

Man, by nature and without being taught, believes in some type of a God.

b. Cosmological Argument - The argument from cause and effect. The universe exists.

It must have had a cause.

c. Teleological Argument - The argument from design.

The universe exhibits a purposeful and orderly design, so there must have been a designer (creator).

d. Ontological Argument - The argument from being.

Man has an idea of an infinite and perfect Being.

We could not have come up with this concept on our own.

Therefore, such a Being must exist.

e. Anthropological Argument - The argument from morality.

Since humans exist with intellectual self-awareness and a moral nature, there must be a Creator who also has these qualities.