God_1

Chapter 1

Understanding God

1. What does the word "God" mean?

According to Webster: "1. any of various beings conceived of as supernatural, immortal, and having special powers over the lives and affairs of people and the course of nature; deity." Note that the question is: What does the word God mean? Among those of the Christian faith, "God" is capitalized when speaking of the only true, living God of the Bible, while all other "gods" are not capitalized. This is also true of how it appears in the Bible. Because the word "god" is really generic (Hebrew = elohim, Greek = theos) and was used by other nations in the Old and New Testaments to indicate their gods, the Bible is usually careful to distinguish Israel's God by linking a number of descriptive terms with the word "God" such as God Almighty, etc. The Bible is clear about the fact that our God the only true God. He is the only one wise enough and strong enough to create and maintain the universe.

(Deuteronomy 4:39 NIV) Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.

(Isaiah 44:6 NIV) "This is what the LORD says-- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.

2. Is it possible to understand God?

Yes. God does not hide from His creation. He has provided answers - not all answers, but enough to satisfy our intellects and inspire our hearts. These answers He has provided in nature, in the Scriptures, and in the person of His Son.

God did not hide from His creation.

(Isaiah 45:9 NIV) I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in the land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob's descendants, 'Seek me in vain.' I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right.

Nature

(Psalm 19:1 NIV) For the director of music. A psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

(Romans 1:19-20) . . .since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

In the person of Jesus Christ:

(John 14:8-9 NIV) Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

3. Is it necessary for us to understand God?

Yes, What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. Man cannot rise above his understanding of God. God is what He is regardless of what we think about Him, yet we can limit God, in many cases, by not having a proper understanding of Him.

(Proverbs 9:10 NIV) "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

(Romans 1:22-23 NIV) Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

4. What is God?

God is Spirit. He is a personal being without flesh and blood and therefore invisible.

(John 4:24 NIV) God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

(1 Timothy 1:17 NIV) Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

5. Where is God?

God's home and throne is in a place called heaven, but He inhabits the whole earth. We cannot hide from God. His eyes see everything. We cannot escape God, for He is everywhere.

(Isaiah 66:1 NIV) This is what the LORD says: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?

(2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV) For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him". . . . .

(Proverbs 15:3 NIV) The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

(Psalm 139:7-8 NIV) Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

6. How big Is God?

God's size is UNLIMITED. He is bigger than the entire universe, larger than anyone can realize. There is no device known to man by which God's bigness can be measured.

(Isaiah 40:12 NIV) Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?

(Isaiah 40:15 NIV) Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.

7. What is the origin of God?

God has no origin. Origin is a word that can apply only to things created. God is self-existent, self-dependent, and self-sufficient. He existed before time began. In fact, it was God who created time. (Gen. 1:14)

(Psalm 90:1-2 NIV) A prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

(John 1:1-2 NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

(Colossians 1:16-17 NIV) For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

8. How can God be self-sufficient?

God is what He is in Himself and by Himself. All life is in and from God, whether it be the lowest form of unconscious life or of highly conscious, intelligent life. No creature has life in itself; all life is a gift from God.

(John 5:26 NIV) For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself.

(Job 38:4 NIV) "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand.

(John 1:3 NIV) Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

9. What attributes describe this infinite God?

God is:

A. Eternal - Everlasting. He has lived all our tomorrow's as He has lived all our yesterdays.

(Isaiah 46:9-10 NIV) Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.

B. Unchangeable - unaffected by time or circumstances. (Malachi 3:6 NIV) "I the LORD do not change.

C. Omnipotent - almighty, all powerful.

(Genesis 17:1 NIV) When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty ; walk before me and be blameless.

(Psalm 62:11 NIV) One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong,

(Matthew 19:26 NIV) Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

(Revelation 19:6 NIV) "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. (KJV For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns.)

D. Omniscient - all knowing.

(Psalm 139:4 NIV) Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.

(1 John 3:20 NIV) . . . For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

E. Omnipresent - present everywhere; unlimited by space.

(Jeremiah 23:24 NIV) Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the LORD.

F. Holy - sinless and hating sin; absolutely pure.

(Leviticus 19:2 NIV) "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.

G. Just - fair and impartial. Truth is the basis of His righteousness.

(Deuteronomy 32:4 NIV) He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.

H. Faithful - keeping His promises, absolutely trustworthy.

(2 Timothy 2:13 NIV) if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

I. Benevolent - Good, kind, desiring our welfare.

(Psalm 145:9 NIV) The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

J. Merciful - full of pity.

(Exodus 34:6-7 NIV) And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."

K. Gracious - showing undeserved kindness, forgiving.

(Exodus 22:27 NIV) . . . When he cries out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.

(Psalm 145:8 NIV) The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

(1 Peter 2:3 NIV) . . . now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

L. Love - He is our friend. We walk together and enjoy close fellowship.

(1 John 4:10 NIV) This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

(1 John 4:18 NIV) There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

(John 15:15 NIV) I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

(2 Corinthians 6:16 NIV) What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."

M. Infinite - limitless, knows no bounds or limitation in power or space.

(Romans 11:33 NIV) Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

10. What is the Holy Trinity?

The words "Trinity" and "Triune" never appear in Scripture although the term "Godhead" does. The basic word in the Old Testament that is translated "God" is elohim which is the plural form of "God." We have already seen that God Himself declares there is but one God. However, God makes Himself known in the Scriptures as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three separate personalities, three persons in one Godhead, but not three Gods. It is a trinity and not tri-theism. So with this usage we see three divine and distinct identities - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are in One God.

(Deuteronomy 6:4 NIV) Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

(Isaiah 44:6 NIV) This is what the Lord says - Israel's King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.

(John 10:30 NIV) (Jesus speaking) I and the Father are one."

(Colossians 2:9 NIV) For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, (NKJV) For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

11. Are the three identities distinct from one another?

Yes. The three identities are very distinct from one another, but at the same time they are inseparable, for they operate together in unity. We see it in:

Creation:

(Genesis 1:1 NIV) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. [God=elohim, plural]

(John 1:1 NIV) [Speaking of Jesus] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(Genesis 1:1 NIV) . . . and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

(Colossians 1:16-17 NIV) For by him [Jesus Christ] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

(Job 26:13 NIV) By his breath [Holy Spirit] the skies became fair; his hand pierced the gliding serpent.

Incarnation: - God becoming flesh, man in Jesus Christ.

(Luke 1:35 NIV) The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

NOTE: Only the Son became flesh to dwell among us.

Christ's Baptism:

(Matthew 3:16-17 NIV) As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Atonement: - reconciliation between God and man.

(Hebrews 9:14 NIV) How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Resurrection:

(John 10:17-18 NIV) The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

(Romans 1:4 NIV) and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Salvation:

(1 Peter 1:2 NIV) who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Indwelling Believers:

(John 14:16-17 NIV) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

(John 14:23 NIV) Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

12. How can three distinct identities be one?

Although the mystery of the Holy Trinity is beyond human comprehension, we can gain a satisfactory understanding of this mystery through the statements of the Bible and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. All three identities are of the same substance -Spirit, and they work together in unity as one.

(1 Timothy 3:16 NIV) Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

(John 17:11 NIV) I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one.

(John 1:1 NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

13. Has any man ever seen God?

No man has ever seen God, because God is Spirit and invisible, but He has revealed Himself to man in various forms.

(John 1:18 NIV) No one has ever seen God, but God the only Son, who is at the Father's side, has made Him known.

14. In what forms has God revealed Himself to man?

God has revealed Himself as:

A. The Rock.

(1 Corinthians 10:4 NIV) . . . and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.

B. The Pillar of Fire and The Cloud.

(Exodus 13:21-22 NIV) By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

C. An Image of God - His glory.

(Exodus 33:18-23 NIV) Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." Then the LORD said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen."

D. The Angel of the Lord.

(Exodus 3:2 NIV) There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight--why the bush does not burn up." When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am."

E. A man. (In the flesh as Jesus Christ.)

F. The Holy Spirit.

(2 Corinthians. 6:16 NIV) What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."

15. What is the Old Testament name for God?

The name of God is "JHVH" .... which means "I AM". Moses was the first man to whom God revealed His Name. Prior to this revelation He was known as "The True God" or "God Almighty".

(Exodus 3:13 NIV) Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

(Exodus 6:3 NIV) I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself known to them.

NOTE: The Hebrew word for God is composed of four letters, "JHVH", so it is called the "Tetragrammation" (the four lettered name). The "Tetragrammation" means "I AM" as translated in the Holy Bible.

16. Where did the word "Jehovah" come from?

In the year 1520, Bible translators combined the vowel points of "e", "o", and "A" with the JHVH and came up with the word JeHoVaH. Jehovah means "God is revealed".

NOTE: Wherever the original text of the Old Testament uses the name JHVH, you find "Lord" printed in capital letters.

17. How did Jesus come to be called "Lord"?

(Acts 2:36 NIV) Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.

(Philippians. 2:9-11 NIV) Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

18. How did Jesus come to be called "Christ"?

Jesus is identified with the Holy Spirit because of the Holy Spirit's activity in His life and ministry. The Holy Spirit is the anointing, meaning "the Christ". Jesus is called THE CHRIST. (The Anointed).

(Acts 2:36 NIV) "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

19. How do we approach God?

(1 Timothy. 2:4-6 Living Bible) For He (God) longs for all to be saved and to understand this truth: That God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus Himself man, is between them to bring them together, by giving His life for all mankind. This is the message which at the proper time God gave to the world.

(John 14:6 NIV) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

20. How can we learn to understand and know God?

We can learn about God by prayerfully reading the Bible. He reveals Himself to us through His Word.

(2 Timothy 3:15 NIV) and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

(Jeremiah 29:13 NIV) You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

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