Lesson 3: What We Believe About God

A. THE NATURE OF GOD – TOWARD A DEFINITON OF GOD.

1. God is Spirit (John 4:24).

a. The word "spirit" means incorporeal being.

b. Spirit means life.

2. God is person.

a. Self-awareness (Ex. 3:14).

b. Self-determination (Job 23:13).

c. Intelligence (Gen. 18:19).

d. Emotion (Ex. 3:7-8).

e. Volition or will (John 4:23).

3. God is life. "The Living God" (I Sam. 17:26).

4. God is self-existent. "I am that I am" (Ex. 3:13-15).

5. God is immutable or unchanging.

a. Since God is perfect (Psa. 102:25-27), any changes in His being would make Him less than perfect.

6. God is not limited by time and space, i.e., infinity.

7. God is "one Lord" (Deut. 6:4), a reflection of His unity.

B. THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD-THE DESCRIPTION OF GOD.

1. The absolute attributes of God (found exclusively in God).

a. Omniscience (Psa. 139:1-6).

b. Omnipresence (Psa. 139:7-11).

c. Omnipotence (Psa. 139:12-16).

2. The comparative attributes of God (true to a much lesser extent in people).

a. God is holy (Psa. 111:9).

b. God is love (I John 4:8,16).

c. God is good (Mark 10:18).

C. THE LAW OF GOD.

1. The law of God is the extension of His nature and attributes.

2. The natural law of God is the means by which He chooses to govern the world He created (Gen. 8:22).

3. God expresses His will concerning moral issues in the moral law of God.

4. The expression of God’s will concerning relationships is called the social law of God.

5. The spiritual law of God is the expression of God’s will relating to a person’s relationship with Him.

D. THE WORK OF GOD-HIS METHOD OF DOING THINGS.

1. God consistently works out His eternal plan by guiding and overseeing all things by His wise and holy purpose.

2. The works of God fit into a single eternal and unchangeable plan.

3. The work of God is based upon God’s sovereignty.

a. Salvation begins with the initiative of God, yet people are also responsible to respond.

b. God’s work is based on His wisdom.

c. The work of God is consistent with His nature.

d. The work of God is committed to glorify God.

e. The work of God is both active and passive.

E. THE TRINITY.

1. God is a Trinity, which means He exists in unity in three eternal persons.

2. Each member of the Trinity is equal in nature, yet distinct in person and submissive in duties.

3. The Trinity explained by negatives.

a. The Trinity is not equivalent to three gods (tritheism).

b. The Trinity is not three manifestations of God.

c. The Trinity does not teach that the Father created either the Son or the Holy Spirit.

d. The Bible does not describe the Son or the Holy Spirit as mere attributes of the Father.

4. The proofs of the Trinity.

a. The Old Testament plural name for God is Elohim.

b. A Trinitarian formula in the worship of God (Isa. 6:3).

c. Describing three distinct persons as God (Gen. 19:24; Isa. 9:6; Gen. 1:2).

d. The Trinity was apparent at the baptism of Jesus.

e. Jesus spoke of sending the Holy Spirit from the Father.

f. The apostolic benediction (II Cor. 13:14) and the baptismal formula (Matt. 28:19).

5. The names of God.

a. Elohim (translated "God") is the creative or strong name.

b. Jehovah (translated Lord) is called the covenant name of God.

c. Adonai (primary name of God) means Lord of Master.

d. The Father is the personal name of God.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.