Changes

[[Image:Alphaomega.jpg|thumb|200px|God is the Alpha and Omega, the first and last, the beginning and the ending]]

[[Image:Alphaomega.jpg|thumb|200px|God is the Alpha and Omega, the first and last, the beginning and the ending]]

{{cquote|'''Genesis 1:1'''<br />In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.}}

{{cquote|'''Genesis 1:1'''<br />In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.}}

{{trinity}}'''God''' is the sovereign creator and eternal ruler of all things and beings that exist, whether in the physical [[universe]] or in the spiritual realm ([[Heaven]]).  Not only is God the creator and ruler of the things and beings within those two realms, but he is also the creator of the realms themselves. God created the physical universe, and before he acted in this creation, the universe did not exist. Likewise God did with the spiritual realm.

{{trinity}}'''God''' is the sovereign creator and eternal ruler of all things and beings that exist, whether in the physical [[universe]] or in the spiritual realm ([[Heaven]]).  Not only is God the creator and ruler of the things and beings within those two realms, but he is also the creator of the realms themselves. God created the physical universe, and before he acted in this creation, the universe did not exist. Likewise God did with the spiritual realm. WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW???

== God is Revealed: How we know about God ==

== God is Revealed: How we know about God ==

Other than creation itself, God is revealed in several ways, including conscience and special revelation (the bible, and prophets). Most importantly though, God is revealed in [[Jesus Christ]], who is the Son of God.

Other than creation itself, God is revealed in several ways, including conscience and special revelation (the bible, and prophets). Most importantly though, God is revealed in [[Jesus Christ]], who is the Son of God. WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW???

== Attributes or Character of God ==

== Attributes or Character of God ==

The attributes of God are things that describe who he is. Similar to the way one might describe a close friend to another individual, so too do these attributes describe God's character and nature. Attributes of God include but are not limited to [[Wisdom]], [[Infinitude]], [[Sovereignty]], [[Holiness]], [[Trinity]], [[Omniscience]], [[Faithfulness]], [[Love]], [[Omnipotence]], [[Self-existence]], [[Self-sufficiency]], [[Justice]], [[Immutability]], [[Mercy]], [[Eternal]], [[Goodness]], [[Gracious]], and [[Omnipresence]]. These attributes all work in complete and perfect harmony with one another.

The attributes of God are things that describe who he is. Similar to the way one might describe a close friend to another individual, so too do these attributes describe God's character and nature. Attributes of God include but are not limited to [[Wisdom]], [[Infinitude]], [[Sovereignty]], [[Holiness]], [[Trinity]], [[Omniscience]], [[Faithfulness]], [[Love]], [[Omnipotence]], [[Self-existence]], [[Self-sufficiency]], [[Justice]], [[Immutability]], [[Mercy]], [[Eternal]], [[Goodness]], [[Gracious]], and [[Omnipresence]]. These attributes all work in complete and perfect harmony with one another. WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW???

God exercises eternal and righteous judgment of the wicked in [[hell]], because of an inherent problem in the human heart, namely [[Sin]]. According to the [[Bible]], the sacrifice of [[Jesus Christ]] on the cross of [[calvary]] and then [[resurrection]], is God's merciful and gracious response to the problem of the human heart.

God exercises eternal and righteous judgment of the wicked in [[hell]], because of an inherent problem in the human heart, namely [[Sin]]. According to the [[Bible]], the sacrifice of [[Jesus Christ]] on the cross of [[calvary]] and then [[resurrection]], is God's merciful and gracious response to the problem of the human heart. WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW???

=== God is Triune ===

=== God is Triune ===

Although the Bible does not use the term, it is clear that God is a triune God, or three in one.

Although the Bible does not use the term, it is clear that God is a triune God, or three in one.

These are sometimes referred to as ''God the Father'', ''God the Son'' ([[Jesus Christ|Jesus]]), and the ''[[Holy Spirit]]''.

These are sometimes referred to as ''God the Father'', ''God the Son'' ([[Jesus Christ|Jesus]]), and the ''[[Holy Spirit]]''. WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW???

The first hint of the Trinity is in {{Bible ref|Genesis|1|26}} which relates God saying, "Let us make man in our image", indicating that God is a plurality.

The first hint of the Trinity is in {{Bible ref|Genesis|1|26}} which relates God saying, "Let us make man in our image", indicating that God is a plurality. WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW???

The three persons of God are treated as equivalents in these words of Jesus shortly after His resurrection:

The three persons of God are treated as equivalents in these words of Jesus shortly after His resurrection:

{{Bible quote|Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.|book=Matthew|chap=28|verses=19|version=NIV}}

{{Bible quote|Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.|book=Matthew|chap=28|verses=19|version=NIV}} WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW???

==== Jesus is God ====

==== Jesus is God ====

The first verse of the [[Gospel of John]], in which Jesus is referred to as the "Word", makes clear that Jesus is synonymous with God:

The first verse of the [[Gospel of John]], in which Jesus is referred to as the "Word", makes clear that Jesus is synonymous with God:

{{Bible quote|In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.|book=John|chap=1|verses=1|version=NIV}}

{{Bible quote|In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.|book=John|chap=1|verses=1|version=NIV}}

This verse not only says that "the Word" (Jesus) is synonymous with God, but also says that the Word was "in the beginning", which means that He existed before all else existed, something that is only true of God.

This verse not only says that "the Word" (Jesus) is synonymous with God, but also says that the Word was "in the beginning", which means that He existed before all else existed, something that is only true of God. WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW???

This is reinforced two verses later, in which Jesus is described as the creator.

This is reinforced two verses later, in which Jesus is described as the creator.

[[Genesis]] refers to God as being the Creator.

[[Genesis]] refers to God as being the Creator.

{{Bible quote|Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.|book=John|chap=1|verses=3|version=NIV}}

{{Bible quote|Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.|book=John|chap=1|verses=3|version=NIV}} WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW???

==== The Holy Spirit is God ====

==== The Holy Spirit is God ====

In the following passage, the Holy Spirit is referred to as God:

In the following passage, the Holy Spirit is referred to as God:

{{Bible quote|Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."|book=Acts|chap=5|verses=3-4|version=NIV}}

{{Bible quote|Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."|book=Acts|chap=5|verses=3-4|version=NIV}} WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW???

=== God is omniscient ===

=== God is omniscient ===

God knows everything:

God knows everything:

{{Bible quote|This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.|book=1_John|chap=3|verses=19-20|version=NIV}}

{{Bible quote|This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.|book=1_John|chap=3|verses=19-20|version=NIV}} WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW???

Because God is outside of [[time]], He can see and knows the [[past]] and the [[future]] as well as the present.

Because God is outside of [[time]], He can see and knows the [[past]] and the [[future]] as well as the present. WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW???

== "God" sometimes used to refer to God the Father ==

== "God" sometimes used to refer to God the Father ==

{{cquote|'''John 3:16''' (NASB)<br />For <u>God</u> so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten <u>Son</u>, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.}}

{{cquote|'''John 3:16''' (NASB)<br />For <u>God</u> so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten <u>Son</u>, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.}}

{{cquote|'''1 John 4:10''' (NASB)<br />In this is love, not that we loved <u>God</u>, but that He loved us and sent <u>His Son</u> to be the propitiation for our sins.}}

{{cquote|'''1 John 4:10''' (NASB)<br />In this is love, not that we loved <u>God</u>, but that He loved us and sent <u>His Son</u> to be the propitiation for our sins.}}

Notice how in each case, "Father" can be substituted for "God." For example, "For the ''Father'' so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son," and "not that we loved the ''Father'', but that He loved us and sent His Son."

Notice how in each case, "Father" can be substituted for "God." For example, "For the ''Father'' so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son," and "not that we loved the ''Father'', but that He loved us and sent His Son." WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW???

== Terminology ==

== Terminology ==

The Bible uses several different words to refer to God.

The Bible uses several different words to refer to God.

"God" itself is not a name, but an [[Old English]] word meaning ''supreme being, diety'',<ref>[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=god God] Online Etymology Dictionary.</ref> which the translators who translated the Bible in to English chose as the appropriate English word for the [[Hebrew]] ''elohim'' and the [[Greek]] ''theos'' used in the [[Old Testament]] and [[New Testament]] respectively.<ref name="DPK">Kruse, Dale P.,[http://www.layevangelism.com/advtxbk/sections/sect-10/sec10-9.htm More on the ''Names'' of God In the Bible], Advanced Training Program of Evangelism.</ref>

"God" itself is not a name, but an [[Old English]] word meaning ''supreme being, diety'',<ref>[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=god God] Online Etymology Dictionary.</ref> which the translators who translated the Bible in to English chose as the appropriate English word for the [[Hebrew]] ''elohim'' and the [[Greek]] ''theos'' used in the [[Old Testament]] and [[New Testament]] respectively.<ref name="DPK">Kruse, Dale P.,[http://www.layevangelism.com/advtxbk/sections/sect-10/sec10-9.htm More on the ''Names'' of God In the Bible], Advanced Training Program of Evangelism.</ref> WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW???

The other main term for God is the Hebrew ''adonai'', usually translated ''Lord''.

The other main term for God is the Hebrew ''adonai'', usually translated ''Lord''.

There are various compound words also used in the Bible, such as ''el shaddai'', which means ''God Almighty'' ("''el''" is a short version of ''elohim'').<ref name="DPK" />

There are various compound words also used in the Bible, such as ''el shaddai'', which means ''God Almighty'' ("''el''" is a short version of ''elohim'').<ref name="DPK" /> WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW???

''YHWH'' is given in the Bible as God's actual name.  In most English Bibles it is translated as <span style="font-variant:small-caps">''Lord''</span>, in small capitals.  The name has various other English versions, including Yehovah, Jehovah, and Yahweh.<ref>McHyde, Tim, [http://www.escapeallthesethings.com/yahweh.htm God’s Name: LORD, Yahweh, Yahveh, YHWH, YHVH, Jehovah or Yehovah?]</ref>

''YHWH'' is given in the Bible as God's actual name.  In most English Bibles it is translated as <span style="font-variant:small-caps">''Lord''</span>, in small capitals.  The name has various other English versions, including Yehovah, Jehovah, and Yahweh.<ref>McHyde, Tim, [http://www.escapeallthesethings.com/yahweh.htm God’s Name: LORD, Yahweh, Yahveh, YHWH, YHVH, Jehovah or Yehovah?]</ref> WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW???

==See also==

==See also==