The Attributes of God:

The Attributes of God.

A. Def. of attributes-

The attributes of God are those distinguishable characteristics of the divine nature which are inseparable from the idea of God and which constitute the basis and ground for His various manifestations to His creatures.

B. The relation of the divine attributes to the divine essence of God.

1. The attributes have an objective existence.

They are not mere names for human conceptions of God.

They are qualities objectively distinguishable from the divine essence and from each other.

2. The attributes inhere in the divine essence. They are not separate existences. They are attributes of God.

3. The attributes belong to the divine essence as such.

a. All of the attributes belong to each of the Persons. (referring to the Godhead)

b. The relations which God sustains to the world are not to be denominated attributes. God would be God if He had never created.

4. The attributes manifest the divine essence.

a. The essence is revealed only through the attributes.

b. Apart from the attributes it is unknown and unknowable.

C. Rational method.

This is simply the inductive method applied to the facts with regard to God revealed in the scriptures.

l. The way of negation.

2. The way of climax.

3. The way of causality.

D. Classification of the attributes.

(2 classes) Def.-

By absolute or immanent attributes we mean attributes which respect the inner being of God, which are involved in God’s relations in Himself, and which belong to His nature independently of His connection with the universe.

By relative or transitory attributes we mean the attributes which respect the outward relations of God’s being, which are involved in Gods relation to the creation, which are exercised in consequence of the existence of the universe and its dependence upon Him.

1. Absolute or immanent attributes.

a. Spirituality and attributes therein involved. (Jn 4:24 “God is a ________;” Ro 1:20; I Tim 1:17; Col 1:15)

John 4:24 KJV 1900

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

Romans 1:20 KJV 1900

20 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:

1 Timothy 1:17 KJV 1900

17 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

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

1) Life- the scriptures represent God as a living God. (Jer 10:10; I Thess 1:9; Jn 5:26, 14:6, Heb 7:16; Rev 11:11)

Jeremiah 10:10 KJV 1900

10 But the Lord is the true God, He is the living God, and an everlasting king: At his wrath the earth shall tremble, And the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

1 Thessalonians 1:9 KJV 1900

9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

John 5:26 KJV 1900

26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

John 14:6 KJV 1900

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

Hebrews 7:16 KJV 1900

16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

Revelation 11:11 KJV 1900

11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

2) Personality- the scriptures represent God as a personal being. By personality we mean the power of self-consciousness and self-determination.

b. Infinity and the attributes therein involved.

By infinity we mean the divine nature has no limits or bounds. (Ps 145:3; Job 11:7-9 & chs. 40 & 41; Is 66:1; I Ki 8:27; Ro 11:33) In explanation of the term infinity we may notice:

Psalm 145:3 KJV 1900

3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; And his greatness is unsearchable.

Job 11:7–9 KJV 1900

7 Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? 8 It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? Deeper than hell; what canst thou know? 9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, And broader than the sea.

Isaiah 66:1 KJV 1900

1 Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: Where is the house that ye build unto me? And where is the place of my rest?

1 Kings 8:27 KJV 1900

27 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?

Romans 11:33 KJV 1900

33 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!

1) That infinity can only belong to but one being, and therefore cannot be shared with the universe.

2) That the infinity of God does not involve His identity with the all. (Ps 113:5, 6, 78:41)

Psalm 113:5 KJV 1900

5 Who is like unto the Lord our God, Who dwelleth on high,

Psalm 113:6 KJV 1900

6 Who humbleth himself to behold The things that are in heaven, and in the earth!

Psalm 78:41 KJV 1900

41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel.

3) That the infinity of God is to be conceived of as intensive rather than extensive.

4) of the attributes involved in infinity we mention:

a) Self existence- God has the ground of existence in Himself. (Ex 3:14, 6:3)

Exodus 3:14 KJV 1900

14 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.

Exodus 6:3 KJV 1900

3 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.

b) Immutability- The nature, attributes and will of God are exempt from all change. (Ps 102:27; Mal 3:6; Jas 1:17) The passages of scripture which seem at first sight to ascribe change to God are to be explained in three ways:

Psalm 102:27 KJV 1900

27 But thou art the same, And thy years shall have no end.

Malachi 3:6 KJV 1900

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

James 1:17 KJV 1900

17 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.

(1) As an illustration of the very methods in which God manifests His immutable truths and wisdom in creation.

(2) As anthropomorphic representations of the revelation of Gods unchanging attributes in the changing circumstances and varying moral conditions of creatures. ( Of Gen 6:6; Num 23:19; I Sam 15:11,29)

Genesis 6:6 KJV 1900

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

Numbers 23:19 KJV 1900

19 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 Samuel 15:11 KJV 1900

11 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.

1 Samuel 15:29 KJV 1900

29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.

(3) As describing executions in time of purposes eternally existing in the mind of God. c) Unity- The divine nature is undivided and indivisible. (Deut 6:4; Is 44:6; Mk 12:29; Jn 17:3; I Cor 8:4; I Tim 1:17, 6:15; Eph 4:5,6)

Deuteronomy 6:4 KJV 1900

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

Isaiah 44:6 KJV 1900

6 Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, And his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; And beside me there is no God.

Mark 12:29 KJV 1900

29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

John 17:3 KJV 1900

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

1 Corinthians 8:4 KJV 1900

4 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.

1 Timothy 1:17 KJV 1900

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

1 Timothy 6:15 KJV 1900

15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

Ephesians 4:5 KJV 1900

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Ephesians 4:6 KJV 1900

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

c. Perfection and the attributes involved therein.

By perfection we mean not mere quantitative completeness but qualitative completeness. The attributes involved in perfection are moral. (Mt 5:48; Ro 12:2; Ps 18:30, 19:7; Deut 32:4)

Matthew 5:48 KJV 1900

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Romans 12:2 KJV 1900

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Psalm 18:30 KJV 1900

30 As for God, his way is perfect: The word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

Psalm 19:7 KJV 1900

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

Deuteronomy 32:4 KJV 1900

4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: For all his ways are judgment: A God of truth and without iniquity, Just and right is he.

1) Truth- Deut 32:4; Jn 14:6, 17:3; Eph 4:21; I Jn 5:20

Deuteronomy 32:4 KJV 1900

4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: For all his ways are judgment: A God of truth and without iniquity, Just and right is he.

John 14:6 KJV 1900

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

John 17:3 KJV 1900

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Ephesians 4:21 KJV 1900

21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

1 John 5:20 KJV 1900

20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

2) Love- Jn 17:24; Ro 15:30; I Jn 3:16, 4:8

John 17:24 KJV 1900

24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

Romans 15:30 KJV 1900

30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

1 John 3:16 KJV 1900

16 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.

1 John 4:8 KJV 1900

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

3) Holiness- Father (Is 41:14), Son, (Acts 3:14), Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30)

Isaiah 41:14 KJV 1900

14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, And thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Acts 3:14 KJV 1900

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

Ephesians 4:30 KJV 1900

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

2. Relative or transitive attributes.

a. Attributes having relation to time and space.

1) Eternity- By this we mean that God's nature is without beginning or end, is free from all succession of time and contains in itself the cause of time. (God is an atemporal being.)

2) Immensity- By this we mean that God's nature is without extension, is subject to no limitations of space; and contains in itself the cause of space.

b. Attributes having relation to creation.

1) Omnipresence- God, in the totality of His essence, without diffusion or expansion, multiplication or division, penetrates and fills the universe in all its parts.

2) Omniscience- God's perfect and eternal knowledge of all things which are objects of knowledge, wether they be actual or possible, present or future.

3) Omnipotence - The power of God to do all things which are objects of power whether with or without the use of means. (Gen 17:1)

Genesis 17:1 KJV 1900

1 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.

c. Attributes having relation to moral beings.

1) Veracity and faithfulness, or transitive truth. (Ps 138:2; Jn 3:33; Ro 1:25, 3:4; Jn 14:17; I Jn 5:6; I Cor 1:9; I Thess 5:24; I Pet 4:19; II Cor 1:20; Num 23:19; Titus 1:2; Heb 6:18)

Psalm 138:2 KJV 1900

2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, And praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

John 3:33 KJV 1900

33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

Romans 1:25 KJV 1900

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Romans 3:4 KJV 1900

4 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 14:17 KJV 1900

17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

1 John 5:6 KJV 1900

6 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.

1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV 1900

9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 KJV 1900

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

1 Peter 4:19 KJV 1900

19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

2 Corinthians 1:20 KJV 1900

20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Numbers 23:19 KJV 1900

19 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?

Titus 1:2 KJV 1900

2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Hebrews 6:18 KJV 1900

18 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:

2) Mercy and goodness, or transitive love. (Titus 3;4; Ro 2:4, 8:32; Mt 6:44, 45; Jn 3:16; II Pet 1:3; I Jn 4:10

Titus 3 KJV 1900

1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. 9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. 12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. 13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. 14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. 15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Romans 2:4 KJV 1900

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

Romans 8:32 KJV 1900

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

John 3:16 KJV 1900

16 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.

2 Peter 1:3 KJV 1900

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

1 John 4:10 KJV 1900

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

3) Justice and righteousness, or transitive holiness. (Gen 18:25; Deut 32:4; Ps 5:5, 7:9-12, 18:24-26; Mt 5:48; Ro 2:6; I Pet 1:16)

Genesis 18:25 KJV 1900

25 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?

Deuteronomy 32:4 KJV 1900

4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: For all his ways are judgment: A God of truth and without iniquity, Just and right is he.

Psalm 5:5 KJV 1900

5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

Psalm 7:9–12 KJV 1900

9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: For the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. 10 My defence is of God, Which saveth the upright in heart. 11 God judgeth the righteous, And God is angry with the wicked every day. 12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; He hath bent his bow, and made it ready.

Psalm 18:24–26 KJV 1900

24 Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight. 25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; With an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; 26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; And with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.

Matthew 5:48 KJV 1900

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Romans 2:6 KJV 1900

6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

1 Peter 1:16 KJV 1900

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

The Attributes of God:

What Are the Attributes of God?

The Solitariness of God

THE TITLE of this article is perhaps not sufficiently explicit to indicate its theme.

This is partly due to the fact that so few today are accustomed to meditate upon the personal perfections of God.

Comparatively few of those who occasionally read the Bible are aware of the awe-inspiring and worship-provoking grandeur of the divine character.

That God is great in wisdom, wondrous in power, yet full of mercy, is assumed by many to be almost common knowledge; but, to entertain anything approaching an adequate conception of His being, His nature, and His attributes, as these are revealed in Holy Scripture, is something which very, very few people in these degenerate times have attained unto.

God is solitary in His excellency. “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (Exo 15:11).

Exodus 15:11 KJV 1900

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

Before all else

“In the beginning God” (Gen 1:1).

Genesis 1:1 KJV 1900

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

There was a time, if “time” it could be called, when God, in the unity of His nature (though subsisting equally in three divine persons), dwelt all alone.

“In the beginning God.” There was no heaven, where His glory is now particularly manifested. There was no earth to engage His attention.

There were no angels to hymn His praises; no universe to be upheld by the word of His power.

There was nothing, no one, but God; and that, not for a day, a year, or an age, but “from everlasting.”

During eternity past, God was alone: self-contained, self-sufficient, self-satisfied; in need of nothing.

Had a universe, had angels, had human beings been necessary to Him in any way, they also had been called into existence from all eternity.

The creating of them when He did, added nothing to God essentially. He changes not (Mal 3:6), therefore His essential glory can be neither augmented nor diminished.

Malachi 3:6 KJV 1900

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

1. SELF-EXISTENT:

God has no cause; He does not depend on anything for his continued existence.

I AM WHO I AM (Ex. 3:14; see John 8:58)Life in Himself (John 5:26)First and Last, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End; as the Beginning, God has no cause (Isa. 41:4; 44:6; 48:12; Rev. 1:8, 17; 2:8; 3:14; 21:6; 22:13)No God before or after Yahweh (Isa. 43:10)

Exodus 3:14 KJV 1900

14 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.

John 8:58 KJV 1900

58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

John 5:26 KJV 1900

26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

Isaiah 41:4 KJV 1900

4 Who hath wrought and done it, Calling the generations from the beginning? I the Lord, the first, And with the last; I am he.

Isaiah 44:6 KJV 1900

6 Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, And his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; And beside me there is no God.

Isaiah 48:12 KJV 1900

12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.

Revelation 1:8 KJV 1900

8 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.

Revelation 1:17 KJV 1900

17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Revelation 2:8 KJV 1900

8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

Revelation 3:14 KJV 1900

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Revelation 21:6 KJV 1900

6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Revelation 22:13 KJV 1900

13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Isaiah 43:10 KJV 1900

10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, And my servant whom I have chosen: That ye may know and believe me, And understand that I am he: Before me there was no God formed, Neither shall there be after me.

2. TRANSCENDENT:

God is entirely distinct from the universe, as the carpenter is distinct from the bench; excluding pantheism (God in all) and animism (everything is a god).

Separate from the world (Isa. 66:1-2; Acts 17:24)Contrasted with the world (Psa. 102:25-27; I John 2:15-17)Implied by doctrine of creation (Gen. 1:1; Isa. 42:5)

Isaiah 66:1–2 KJV 1900

1 Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: Where is the house that ye build unto me? And where is the place of my rest? 2 For all those things hath mine hand made, And all those things have been, saith the Lord: But to this man will I look, Even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, And trembleth at my word.

Acts 17:24 KJV 1900

24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

Psalm 102:25–27 KJV 1900

25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: And the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26 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: 27 But thou art the same, And thy years shall have no end.

1 John 2:15–17 KJV 1900

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Genesis 1:1 KJV 1900

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Isaiah 42:5 KJV 1900

5 Thus saith God the Lord, He that created the heavens, and stretched them out; He that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; He that giveth breath unto the people upon it, And spirit to them that walk therein:

3. IMMANENT:

Though transcendent, God is present with and in the world; excluding deism (God is out there but not here).

God is near, so He can be known (Deut. 4:7; Jer. 23:23; Acts 17:27)Bound up with God’s omnipresence (Psa. 139:7-10; Jer. 23:24; Acts 17:28)

Deuteronomy 4:7 KJV 1900

7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?

Jeremiah 23:23 KJV 1900

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

Acts 17:27 KJV 1900

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

Psalm 139:7–10 KJV 1900

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me.

Jeremiah 23:24 KJV 1900

24 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.

Acts 17:28 KJV 1900

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

4. IMMUTABLE:

God is perfect in that He never changes nor can He change with respect to His being, attributes, purpose, or promises; excluding process theology, Mormon doctrine of eternal progression.

Unchangeable (Psa. 102:26-27; Isa. 51:6; Mal. 3:6; Rom. 1:23; Heb. 1:11-12; James 1:17; Heb. 13:8)God’s relations with changing men spoken of as God changing (Ex. 32:9-14; Psa. 18:25-27)

Psalm 102:26–27 KJV 1900

26 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: 27 But thou art the same, And thy years shall have no end.

Isaiah 51:6 KJV 1900

6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, And look upon the earth beneath: For the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, And the earth shall wax old like a garment, And they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: But my salvation shall be for ever, And my righteousness shall not be abolished.

Malachi 3:6 KJV 1900

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

Romans 1:23 KJV 1900

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Hebrews 1:11–12 KJV 1900

11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; 12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

James 1:17 KJV 1900

17 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.

Hebrews 13:8 KJV 1900

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Exodus 32:9–14 KJV 1900

9 And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: 10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. 11 And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? 12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. 14 And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

Psalm 18:25–27 KJV 1900

25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; With an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; 26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; And with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward. 27 For thou wilt save the afflicted people; But wilt bring down high looks.

5. ETERNAL:

God is perfect in that He transcends all time and temporal limitations, and is thus infinite with respect to time.

Duration through endless ages (Ps. 90:2; 93:2; 102:12; Eph. 3:21)Unlimited by time (Psa. 90:4; 2 Pet. 3:8)Creator of the ages ( i.e., of time itself; Heb. 1:2; 11:3)Implied by doctrines of transcendence, self-existence, and immutability

Psalm 90:2 KJV 1900

2 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 93:2 KJV 1900

2 Thy throne is established of old: Thou art from everlasting.

Psalm 102:12 KJV 1900

12 But thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever; And thy remembrance unto all generations.

Ephesians 3:21 KJV 1900

21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 90:4 KJV 1900

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

2 Peter 3:8 KJV 1900

8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

Hebrews 1:2 KJV 1900

2 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;

Hebrews 11:3 KJV 1900

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

6. OMNIPRESENT:

God is perfect in that He transcends all space and spatial limitations, and is thus infinite with respect to space, with His whole Being filling every part of the universe and being present everywhere (not diffused through the universe, but present at each point in His fullness).

The universe cannot contain God (1 Kings 8:27; Isa. 66:1; Acts 7:48-49)Present everywhere (Psa. 139:7-10; Acts 17:28; of Christ, Matt. 18:20; 28:20)Fills all things (Jer. 23:23-24; of Christ, Eph. 1:23; 4:10; Col. 3:11)Implied by doctrine of transcendence

1 Kings 8:27 KJV 1900

27 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?

Isaiah 66:1 KJV 1900

1 Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: Where is the house that ye build unto me? And where is the place of my rest?

Acts 7:48–49 KJV 1900

48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, 49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

Psalm 139:7–10 KJV 1900

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me.

Acts 17:28 KJV 1900

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

Matthew 18:20 KJV 1900

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

Matthew 28:20 KJV 1900

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Jeremiah 23:23–24 KJV 1900

23 Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? 24 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.

Ephesians 1:23 KJV 1900

23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Ephesians 4:10 KJV 1900

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Colossians 3:11 KJV 1900

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

7. OMNIPOTENT:

God is perfect in that He can do all things consistent with the perfection of His being. God cannot do the self-contradictory (e.g., make a rock He cannot lift), nor can He do that which is contrary to His perfect nature (e.g., He cannot change, He cannot lie, etc.).

Nothing too difficult (Gen. 18:14; Jer. 32:17, 27; Zech. 8:6; Matt. 3:9)All things possible (Job 42:2; Psa. 115:3; Matt. 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 1:37; 18:27; Eph. 1:11)God cannot lie, be tempted, deny Himself, etc. (2 Tim. 2:13; Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:18; James 1:13)

Genesis 18:14 KJV 1900

14 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.

Jeremiah 32:17 KJV 1900

17 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:

Jeremiah 32:27 KJV 1900

27 Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

Zechariah 8:6 KJV 1900

6 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, Should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the Lord of hosts.

Matthew 3:9 KJV 1900

9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Job 42:2 KJV 1900

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

Psalm 115:3 KJV 1900

3 But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

Matthew 19:26 KJV 1900

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

Mark 10:27 KJV 1900

27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Luke 1:37 KJV 1900

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Luke 18:27 KJV 1900

27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Ephesians 1:11 KJV 1900

11 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:

2 Timothy 2:13 KJV 1900

13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Titus 1:2 KJV 1900

2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Hebrews 6:18 KJV 1900

18 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:

James 1:13 KJV 1900

13 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:

8. OMNISCIENT:

God is perfect in that He knows all things, including events before they happen.

Perfect in knowledge, Job 37:16Knows the heart (1 Sam. 16:7; 1 Chr. 28:9, 17; Psa. 139:1-4; Jer. 17:10a)Knows all events to come (Isa. 41:22-23; 42:9; 44:7)

Job 37 KJV 1900

1 At this also my heart trembleth, And is moved out of his place. 2 Hear attentively the noise of his voice, And the sound that goeth out of his mouth. 3 He directeth it under the whole heaven, And his lightning unto the ends of the earth. 4 After it a voice roareth: He thundereth with the voice of his excellency; And he will not stay them when his voice is heard. 5 God thundereth marvellously with his voice; Great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. 6 For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; Likewise to the small rain, And to the great rain of his strength. 7 He sealeth up the hand of every man; That all men may know his work. 8 Then the beasts go into dens, And remain in their places. 9 Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: And cold out of the north. 10 By the breath of God frost is given: And the breadth of the waters is straitened. 11 Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: He scattereth his bright cloud: 12 And it is turned round about by his counsels: That they may do whatsoever he commandeth them Upon the face of the world in the earth. 13 He causeth it to come, whether for correction, Or for his land, or for mercy. 14 Hearken unto this, O Job: Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. 15 Dost thou know when God disposed them, And caused the light of his cloud to shine? 16 Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, The wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge? 17 How thy garments are warm, When he quieteth the earth by the south wind? 18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, Which is strong, and as a molten looking glass? 19 Teach us what we shall say unto him; For we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness. 20 Shall it be told him that I speak? If a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up. 21 And now men see not the bright light Which is in the clouds: But the wind passeth, and cleanseth them. 22 Fair weather cometh out of the north: With God is terrible majesty. 23 Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, And in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict. 24 Men do therefore fear him: He respecteth not any that are wise of heart.

1 Samuel 16:7 KJV 1900

7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

1 Chronicles 28:9 KJV 1900

9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

1 Chronicles 28:17 KJV 1900

17 Also pure gold for the fleshhooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basons he gave gold by weight for every bason; and likewise silver by weight for every bason of silver:

Psalm 139:1–4 KJV 1900

1 O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, But, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

Jeremiah 17:10a KJV 1900

10 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.

Isaiah 41:22–23 KJV 1900

22 Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: Let them shew the former things, what they be, That we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; Or declare us things for to come. 23 Shew the things that are to come hereafter, That we may know that ye are gods: Yea, do good, or do evil, That we may be dismayed, and behold it together.

Isaiah 42:9 KJV 1900

9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, And new things do I declare: Before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Isaiah 44:7 KJV 1900

7 And who, as I, shall call, And shall declare it, and set it in order for me, Since I appointed the ancient people? And the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.

9. INCORPOREAL:

God has no body or parts, and is immaterial, being a simple and infinite being of spirit; excluding the Mormon doctrine of God as an exalted man.

God is spirit (John 4:24)God is not a man (Num. 23:19; 1 Sam. 15:29)Implied by doctrines of self-existence, transcendence, omnipresence, and creation.

John 4:24 KJV 1900

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

Numbers 23:19 KJV 1900

19 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 Samuel 15:29 KJV 1900

29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.

10. ONE:

God is a perfectly unique and simple being, existing as one infinite Being called God. There is therefore only one God, who is called Yahweh in the Old Testament, and who reveals Himself in the persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the New Testament; thus excluding polytheism, tritheism (belief in three gods), and subordinationism (in which Christ is a lesser god subordinate to the Almighty God).

Only one God (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 43:10; 44:6, 8; 45:5-7, 21-22; Zech. 14:9; 1 Cor. 8:4-6; Gal. 3:20; Eph. 4:5-6; 1 Tim. 2:5; James 2:19)All other “gods” are only “so-called,” (1 Cor. 8:4-6; 2 Thess. 2:4)Moses was “as God,” not God or divine (Ex. 4:16; 7:1)Satan, idols, and the belly are all false gods (Psa. 96:4-5; 1 Cor. 10:20; 2 Cor. 4:4; Phil. 3:19)Wicked judges called “gods” in irony, not to describe nature (Psa. 82:1, 6; John 10:34-36)Yahweh is Elohim (Gen. 2:4; Deut. 4:35, 39; Psa. 100:3 [thus excluding the view of Mormonism that Jehovah and Elohim are distinct beings])Implied by the doctrines of self-existence, transcendence, and omnipotence

Deuteronomy 6:4 KJV 1900

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

Isaiah 43:10 KJV 1900

10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, And my servant whom I have chosen: That ye may know and believe me, And understand that I am he: Before me there was no God formed, Neither shall there be after me.

Isaiah 44:6 KJV 1900

6 Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, And his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; And beside me there is no God.

Isaiah 44:8 KJV 1900

8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: Have not I told thee from that time, And have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? Yea, there is no God; I know not any.

Isaiah 45:5–7 KJV 1900

5 I am the Lord, and there is none else, There is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, That there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. 7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.

Isaiah 45:21–22 KJV 1900

21 Tell ye, and bring them near; Yea, let them take counsel together: Who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? Have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; A just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. 22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: For I am God, and there is none else.

Zechariah 14:9 KJV 1900

9 And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: In that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.

1 Corinthians 8:4–6 KJV 1900

4 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. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 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.

Galatians 3:20 KJV 1900

20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

Ephesians 4:5–6 KJV 1900

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

1 Timothy 2:5 KJV 1900

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

James 2:19 KJV 1900

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

1 Corinthians 8:4–6 KJV 1900

4 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. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 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.

2 Thessalonians 2:4 KJV 1900

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Exodus 4:16 KJV 1900

16 And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.

Exodus 7:1 KJV 1900

1 And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.

Psalm 96:4–5 KJV 1900

4 For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the nations are idols: But the Lord made the heavens.

1 Corinthians 10:20 KJV 1900

20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV 1900

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Philippians 3:19 KJV 1900

19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Psalm 82:1 KJV 1900

1 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; He judgeth among the gods.

Psalm 82:6 KJV 1900

6 I have said, Ye are gods; And all of you are children of the most High.

John 10:34–36 KJV 1900

34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

Genesis 2:4 KJV 1900

4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,

Deuteronomy 4:35 KJV 1900

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

Deuteronomy 4:39 KJV 1900

39 Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.

Psalm 100:3 KJV 1900

3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

11. CREATOR:

God is the One through whom all things have come into existence; by His unbounded power and knowledge He created finite existence ex nihilo and formed the universe as it now is.

Created all things (Gen. 1:1; Psa. 33:6; 102:25; John 1:3; Rom. 11:36; Heb. 1:2; 11:3)Made all things by Himself (Isa. 44:24)Implied by doctrine of self-existence

Genesis 1:1 KJV 1900

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Psalm 33:6 KJV 1900

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

Psalm 102:25 KJV 1900

25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: And the heavens are the work of thy hands.

John 1:3 KJV 1900

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Romans 11:36 KJV 1900

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

Hebrews 1:2 KJV 1900

2 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;

Hebrews 11:3 KJV 1900

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Isaiah 44:24 KJV 1900

24 Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, And he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; That stretcheth forth the heavens alone; That spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

12. PERSONAL:

God, as the author of personhood in the created universe, cannot be less than personal Himself; thus He experiences relationships with other persons, or self-conscious beings. Note that God may be more than personal, indeed, His infinite nature suggests that He must be.

Scripture everywhere assumes the personhood of God in the use of personal pronouns, in recording Him speaking and acting willfully, etc. (e.g., Gen. 1:3, 26; Heb. 1:1-2; etc.)God gives Himself a name (Yahweh), and says “I am” (Exod. 3:14)Implied by doctrine of creation

Genesis 1:3 KJV 1900

3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

Genesis 1:26 KJV 1900

26 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.

Hebrews 1:1–2 KJV 1900

1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 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;

Exodus 3:14 KJV 1900

14 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.

13. INCOMPREHENSIBLE:

God is incomprehensible, not in the sense that the concept of God is unintelligible, but in the sense that God cannot be fully and directly known by finite creatures, because of His uniqueness and His infinitude.

None like God (Ex. 8:10; 9:14; 15:11; 2 Sam. 7:22; 1 Chr. 17:20; Psa. 86:8; 1 Kgs. 8:23; Isa. 40:18, 25; 44:7; 56:5, 9; Jer. 10:6-7; Micah 7:18)Analogical language necessary to describe God (Ezek. 1:26-28; Rev. 1:13-16)God cannot be comprehended as He really is (1 Cor. 8:2-3)God can only be known as the Son reveals Him (John 1:18; Matt. 11:25-27)

Exodus 8:10 KJV 1900

10 And he said, To morrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the Lord our God.

Exodus 9:14 KJV 1900

14 For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.

Exodus 15:11 KJV 1900

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

2 Samuel 7:22 KJV 1900

22 Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

1 Chronicles 17:20 KJV 1900

20 O Lord, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

Psalm 86:8 KJV 1900

8 Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; Neither are there any works like unto thy works.

1 Kings 8:23 KJV 1900

23 And he said, Lord God of Israel, There is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:

Isaiah 40:18 KJV 1900

18 To whom then will ye liken God? Or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

Isaiah 40:25 KJV 1900

25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.

Isaiah 44:7 KJV 1900

7 And who, as I, shall call, And shall declare it, and set it in order for me, Since I appointed the ancient people? And the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.

Isaiah 56:5 KJV 1900

5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls A place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

Isaiah 56:9 KJV 1900

9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, Yea, all ye beasts in the forest.

Jeremiah 10:6–7 KJV 1900

6 Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; Thou art great, and thy name is great in might. 7 Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: Forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.

Micah 7:18 KJV 1900

18 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.

Ezekiel 1:26–28 KJV 1900

26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. 27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. 28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

Revelation 1:13–16 KJV 1900

13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

1 Corinthians 8:2–3 KJV 1900

2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

John 1:18 KJV 1900

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

Matthew 11:25–27 KJV 1900

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

14. MORALLY PERFECT:

The following are the moral attributes of God; they are listed here together because God’s moral nature is perfectly unified, with no tension between His wrath and His love, for example.

GOOD: God is morally excellent, and does only good (Gen. 1:31; Deut. 8:16; Psa. 107:8; 118:1; Nahum 1:7; Mark 10:18; Rom. 8:28)

Genesis 1:31 KJV 1900

31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Deuteronomy 8:16 KJV 1900

16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

Psalm 107:8 KJV 1900

8 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psalm 118:1 KJV 1900

1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: Because his mercy endureth for ever.

Nahum 1:7 KJV 1900

7 The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; And he knoweth them that trust in him.

Mark 10:18 KJV 1900

18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

Romans 8:28 KJV 1900

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

HOLY: God is morally transcendent, utterly separated from all evil, and perfectly pure (Ex. 3:5; Lev. 19:2; Psa. 5:4-6; 99:5; Isa. 6:3; 8:13; Hab. 1:12-13; 1 Pet. 1:14-19)

Exodus 3:5 KJV 1900

5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

Leviticus 19:2 KJV 1900

2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.

Psalm 5:4–6 KJV 1900

4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: Neither shall evil dwell with thee. 5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquity. 6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: The Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

Psalm 99:5 KJV 1900

5 Exalt ye the Lord our God, And worship at his footstool; For he is holy.

Isaiah 6:3 KJV 1900

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

Isaiah 8:13 KJV 1900

13 Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; And let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.

Habakkuk 1:12–13 KJV 1900

12 Art thou not from everlasting, O Lord my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O Lord, thou hast ordained them for judgment; And, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. 13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, And canst not look on iniquity: Wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, And holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?

1 Peter 1:14–19 KJV 1900

14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

RIGHTEOUS: God is perfectly moral in all that He does, doing everything right ( Isa. 45:21; Zeph. 3:5; Rom. 3:26)

Isaiah 45:21 KJV 1900

21 Tell ye, and bring them near; Yea, let them take counsel together: Who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? Have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; A just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.

Zephaniah 3:5 KJV 1900

5 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.

Romans 3:26 KJV 1900

26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

TRUE: God is perfectly truthful, and cannot lie (John 17:17; Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:18)

John 17:17 KJV 1900

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Titus 1:2 KJV 1900

2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Hebrews 6:18 KJV 1900

18 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:

LOVING: God’s moral character is pure love, sacrificial giving for the true benefit of another (Deut. 7:7-8; Jer. 31:3; John 3:16; Heb. 12:6)

Deuteronomy 7:7–8 KJV 1900

7 The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: 8 But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Jeremiah 31:3 KJV 1900

3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: Therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

John 3:16 KJV 1900

16 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.

Hebrews 12:6 KJV 1900

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

WRATHFUL: God’s moral perfection requires Him to show displeasure against anything which seeks to act contrary to its moral purpose, to judge that which rebels against His authority as Creator and Lord (Psa. 103:8-9; Rom. 2:5; 11:22; Heb. 10:31)

Psalm 103:8–9 KJV 1900

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: Neither will he keep his anger for ever.

Romans 2:5 KJV 1900

5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

Romans 11:22 KJV 1900

22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

Hebrews 10:31 KJV 1900

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD: APPLICATION

On the left are listed various attributes of God.

On the right are listed various lessons which can be learned from those attributes.

In the space provided in the left column, place the letter of the lesson which applies to that attribute.

God’s Attributes

Lessons Learned

_____1. self-existent

a. God can be depended on to be consistent

_____2. transcendent

b. God is able to do whatever is needed

_____3. immanent

c. We owe our very existence to God

_____4. immutable

d. We must separate ourselves from the practice of evil

_____5. eternal benefit

e. We must not try to force God into something we can picture

_____6. omnipresent

f. We cannot do anything for God’s benefit

_____7. omnipotent

g. God knows our future

_____8. omniscient

h. We can never accuse God of being unfair

_____9. incorporeal

i. We can have a personal relationship with God

_____10. one

j. God is involved in our world

_____11. creator

k. Our loyalty and fear is to be toward God alone

_____12. personal

l. No matter how bad things look, God is working them out for good

_____13. incomprehensible

m. We must relate to God through our spiritual inner person

_____14.good

n. God is not a part of this world, so He is not “stuck” along with us in our problems with us

_____15. holy

o. Whatever God tells us, we should believe

_____16. righteous

p. God sees everything we do

_____17. true

q. God will certainly punish sin

_____18. loving

r. We never have to ask God to be with us

_____19. wrathful

s. We cannot out-give God

1.f   2.n   3.j   4.a   5.g   6.r   7.b   8.p   9.m   10.k   11.c   12.i   13.e   14.l   15.d   16.h   17.o   18.s   19.q