Difference between revisions of "God"
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| − | + | <small>''This article is about the God of the [[Bible]]. For the term as used to refer to any divine being, see [[Other gods]]''</small> | |
| − | + | [[Image:Alphaomega.jpg|thumb|100px|God is the Alpha and Omega; the first and last<ref>{{bibleref|Revelation|22|13}}</ref>]] | |
| + | {{Christianity}} | ||
| + | {{cquote|'''John 1:1'''<br />In the beginning was the [[Word]], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.}} | ||
| + | {{cquote|'''Genesis 1:1'''<br />In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.<ref>Both of these quotes are from the [[ESV]].</ref>}} | ||
| + | '''God''' is the [[Sovereignty of God|sovereign creator]] and eternal ruler of all things and beings that [[Existence|exist]], whether in the physical [[universe]] or in the [[spiritual]] realm ([[Heaven]]). God created the physical [[universe]] out of [[chaos]], making the visible out of the unseen.<ref>{{bibleref|Hebrews|11|3}}</ref> | ||
| − | + | == God is Revealed: How we know about God == | |
| + | ''See also:'' [[Creationism]] and [[Young earth creationism]] | ||
| − | + | Other than [[creation]] itself, God is revealed in several ways, including theological reasoning, conscience, and special revelation (the [[Bible]], [[Bible prophecy|prophets]], and even individual epiphanies). Most importantly though, God is revealed in [[Jesus Christ]], who is the Son of God. | |
| − | + | [[File:Mezquita Catedral Cordoba.jpg|thumbnail|300px|center|[[Cathedral]] Cordoba, Spain.]] | |
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| − | + | == Attributes or Character of God == | |
| − | + | [[File:Rembrandt Ascension.jpg|thumb|[[Rembrandt]], Ascension.]] | |
| − | + | 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 of God|Sovereignty]], [[Holiness]], [[Trinity]], [[Omniscience]], [[Faithfulness]], [[Love]], [[Omnipotence]], Self-existence, Self-sufficiency, [[Justice]], [[Immutability]], [[Mercy]], [[Eternal]], [[Goodness]], Graciousness, and [[Omnipresence]]. These attributes all work in complete and perfect harmony with one another. | |
| − | God | ||
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| − | God is the | ||
| − | + | 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 is Triune === | |
| − | + | ''See also:'' [[Trinity]] and [[God the Father]] and [[Jesus Christ|God the Son]] and [[Holy Spirit]] | |
| + | {{trinity}} | ||
| + | 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]]''. | ||
| − | God is | + | 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 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 the Holy Spirit.|book=Matthew|chap=28|verses=19|version=NIV}} | ||
| − | + | ==== Jesus is God ==== | |
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| − | [ | + | 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}} | |
| + | 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 is reinforced two verses later, in which Jesus is described as 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}} | ||
| − | + | ==== The Holy Spirit is God ==== | |
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| + | 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}} | ||
| + | === God is omniscient === | ||
| + | {{main|omniscience}} | ||
| − | + | 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}} | |
| + | Because God is outside of [[time]], He can see and knows the [[past]] and the [[future]] as well as the present. | ||
| − | + | == "God" sometimes used to refer to God the Father == | |
| − | + | [[Image:Velasco Padre Eterno.jpg|thumb|left|180px|[[God the Father]] by [[Jose Maria Velasco]] (1840-1912).]] | |
| − | + | In the Bible, the word "God" (θεός) does not always refer to God's being as a whole, but more specifically refers to the Person of the Father (God the Father). Here are some verses that demonstrate this: | |
| − | + | {{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.}} | |
| − | + | 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." | |
| − | + | {{Clear}} | |
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| − | + | == Terminology == | |
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| − | + | The Bible uses several different words to refer to God. | |
| − | + | "God" itself is not a name, but an [[Old English]] word meaning ''supreme being, deity'',<ref>[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=god God] Online Etymology Dictionary.</ref> which the translators who translated the Bible into 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> | |
| − | + | The other main term for God is the Hebrew ''adonai'', usually translated as ''[[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" /> | |
| + | ''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> | ||
| − | + | == God of the Bible == | |
| − | + | [[File:Open-bible.jpg|thumb|350px|right|The Bible is the best-selling book of all time.<ref>[https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/best-selling-book-of-non-fiction The Bible is the best selling book of all time], Guinness Book of Word Record</ref> | |
| − | + | <br /> | |
| − | + | <br /> | |
| − | + | Between 5 to 7 billion Bibles have been published. ]] | |
| − | + | ''See also:'' [[Bible]] | |
| + | *[https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/stewart_don/faq/does-the-god-of-the-bible-exist/01-who-exactly-is-the-god-of-the-bible.cfm Who Exactly is the God of the Bible. What Can We Know About Him?], BlueLetterBible.com | ||
| − | + | *[https://bible.org/seriespage/4-god-bible The God of the Bible], Bible.org | |
| − | + | *[https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-who-god-is/ Bible Verses about Who God Is], BibleStudyTools.org | |
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| − | + | *[https://www.exploregod.com/articles/a-deeper-look-at-what-the-bible-says-about-who-god-is A Deeper Look at Who At What the Bible Says About Who God is] | |
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| − | + | === The Names of God in the Bible: Verses and Meaning === | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | Throughout the Bible, there God is referred to by many names. Sometimes these names of God were given in response to something God had done, other times they were to describe who he is. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | *[https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/what-are-all-the-names-of-god.html The Names of God in the Bible: Verses and Meaning], Christianity.com | |
| − | See | + | *[https://www.davidjeremiah.org/knowgod/the-names-of-god The Names of God and Why They Matter] by Dr. David Jeremiah |
| − | + | *[https://www.lwf.org/names-of-god Names of God Found in the Bible], Love Worth Finding Ministries | |
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| + | == God's judgment and sin == | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''See also:'' [[Judgment (theology)]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | God's judgment, in [[religion|religious]] contexts, refers to the idea that God punishes people in a just manner concerning their [[sin]]s and that He will also eventually judge humanity as a whole. God judges people based on their actions, inactions, thoughts and [[belief]]s. The concept of God's just judgments is central to many religions - including [[Christianity]], [[Islam]], and [[Judaism]]. And it frequently involves the idea of a final judgment. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Resources on becoming a Christian == | ||
| + | [[File:Hoffman Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane.jpg|thumbnail|225px||Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane by Heinrich Hofmann.]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''see also:'' [[Resources on becoming a Christian]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Below are some resources on becoming a [[Christian]]:''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[http://www.jesusfilm.org/film-and-media/watch-the-film Jesus film - free access] | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[http://www.thewordfortoday.org/?page=C2000 Free audio Bible and Bible audio streaming] | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://www.gotquestions.org/repentance.html Repentance] | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[http://www.allaboutgod.com/ AllAboutGod.com] | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[[Video testimonies of Christians]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Tips on choosing a Christian church:''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[http://www.allaboutreligion.org/choosing-a-christian-church-faq.htm Choosing a Christian Church] | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Spiritual growth as a Christian:''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[http://www.navpress.com/product/9781576839324/The-Pursuit-of-Holiness-Jerry-Bridges The Pursuit of Holiness] by Jerry Bridges | ||
| + | *[http://www.navpress.com/product/9780891099413/The-Practice-of-Godliness-Jerry-Bridges The Practice of Godliness] by Jerry Bridges | ||
| + | *[http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/529785.The_Complete_Book_of_Discipleship The Complete Book of Discipleship: On Being and Making Followers of Christ] | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Books == | ||
| + | |||
| + | *''Knowing God'' (Fiftieth Anniversary Edition) by J. I. Packer. IVP; Special Edition, 50th Anniversary (October 3, 2023) | ||
| + | |||
| + | *''Who Is God? And Can I Really Know Him?, Textbook.'' by John Hay and David Webb. Apologia Press; What We Believe, Volume 1 edition (September 1, 2009) | ||
| + | |||
| + | *''The Holiness of God'' by [[R.C. Sproul]]. Tyndale Momentum; Revised edition (July 1, 2000) | ||
| + | |||
| + | == See also == | ||
| + | [[Image:Pieta.jpg|thumb|270px|[[Pieta]], [[Michelangelo]].]] | ||
| + | *[[Other gods]] | ||
| + | *[[Atheism]] | ||
| + | *[[Christianity in Conservapedia]] | ||
| + | *[[Bible Art Gallery]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | == External links == | ||
| + | |||
| + | General articles about God: | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://answersingenesis.org/god/ God] at [[Answers in Genesis]] | ||
| + | *[http://www.theopedia.com/God Theopedia - God] | ||
| + | *[http://christiananswers.net/dictionary/god.html ChristianAnswers.net - God] | ||
| + | *[http://wikible.org/en/God Wikible.org - God] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Nature of God: | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://learn.ligonier.org/guides/the-nature-of-god The Nature of God], Ligonier Ministries | ||
| + | *[https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/15-amazing-attributes-of-god-what-they-mean-and-why-they-matter.html 15 Amazing Attributes of God: What They Mean and Why They Matter], BibleStudyTools.com | ||
| + | *[https://www.gotquestions.org/who-is-God.html Who is God?], [[Got Questions Ministries]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Specific issues: | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://answersingenesis.org/jesus-christ/jesus-is-god/10-biblical-reasons-jesus-is-god/ 10 Biblical Reasons Jesus Is God], by Simon Turpin at [[Answers in Genesis]], August 8, 2017 | ||
| + | |||
| + | == References == | ||
| + | {{Reflist}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category: Theology]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Christianity]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Divine Beings]] | ||
Latest revision as of 19:01, May 14, 2026
This article is about the God of the Bible. For the term as used to refer to any divine being, see Other gods
| “ | John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. |
” |
| “ | Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.[2] |
” |
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). God created the physical universe out of chaos, making the visible out of the unseen.[3]
God is Revealed: How we know about God
See also: Creationism and Young earth creationism
Other than creation itself, God is revealed in several ways, including theological reasoning, conscience, and special revelation (the Bible, prophets, and even individual epiphanies). Most importantly though, God is revealed in Jesus Christ, who is the Son 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, Graciousness, and Omnipresence. These attributes all work in complete and perfect harmony with one another.
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 is Triune
See also: Trinity and God the Father and God the Son and Holy Spirit
| The Godhead |
|---|
|
| God the Father God the Son God the Holy Spirit |
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), and the Holy Spirit.
The first hint of the Trinity is in Genesis 1:26 which relates God saying, "Let us make man in our image", indicating that God is a plurality.
The three persons of God are treated as equivalents in these words of Jesus shortly after His resurrection:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 (NIV)
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:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 (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 is reinforced two verses later, in which Jesus is described as the creator. Genesis refers to God as being the Creator.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. John 1:3 (NIV)
The Holy Spirit is God
In the following passage, the Holy Spirit is referred to as God:
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." Acts 5:3-4 (NIV)
God is omniscient
For a more detailed treatment, see omniscience.
God knows everything:
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. 1_John 3:19-20 (NIV)
Because God is outside of time, He can see and knows the past and the future as well as the present.
"God" sometimes used to refer to God the Father
In the Bible, the word "God" (θεός) does not always refer to God's being as a whole, but more specifically refers to the Person of the Father (God the Father). Here are some verses that demonstrate this:
| “ | John 3:16 (NASB) For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. |
” |
| “ | 1 John 4:10 (NASB) In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son 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."
Terminology
The Bible uses several different words to refer to God. "God" itself is not a name, but an Old English word meaning supreme being, deity,[4] which the translators who translated the Bible into English chose as the appropriate English word for the Hebrew elohim and the Greek theos used in the Old Testament and New Testament respectively.[5]
The other main term for God is the Hebrew adonai, usually translated as 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).[5]
YHWH is given in the Bible as God's actual name. In most English Bibles it is translated as Lord, in small capitals. The name has various other English versions, including Yehovah, Jehovah, and Yahweh.[6]
God of the Bible
Between 5 to 7 billion Bibles have been published.
See also: Bible
- Who Exactly is the God of the Bible. What Can We Know About Him?, BlueLetterBible.com
- The God of the Bible, Bible.org
- Bible Verses about Who God Is, BibleStudyTools.org
The Names of God in the Bible: Verses and Meaning
Throughout the Bible, there God is referred to by many names. Sometimes these names of God were given in response to something God had done, other times they were to describe who he is.
- The Names of God in the Bible: Verses and Meaning, Christianity.com
- The Names of God and Why They Matter by Dr. David Jeremiah
- Names of God Found in the Bible, Love Worth Finding Ministries
God's judgment and sin
See also: Judgment (theology)
God's judgment, in religious contexts, refers to the idea that God punishes people in a just manner concerning their sins and that He will also eventually judge humanity as a whole. God judges people based on their actions, inactions, thoughts and beliefs. The concept of God's just judgments is central to many religions - including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. And it frequently involves the idea of a final judgment.
Resources on becoming a Christian
see also: Resources on becoming a Christian
Below are some resources on becoming a Christian:
Tips on choosing a Christian church:
Spiritual growth as a Christian:
- The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
- The Practice of Godliness by Jerry Bridges
- The Complete Book of Discipleship: On Being and Making Followers of Christ
Books
- Knowing God (Fiftieth Anniversary Edition) by J. I. Packer. IVP; Special Edition, 50th Anniversary (October 3, 2023)
- Who Is God? And Can I Really Know Him?, Textbook. by John Hay and David Webb. Apologia Press; What We Believe, Volume 1 edition (September 1, 2009)
- The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul. Tyndale Momentum; Revised edition (July 1, 2000)
See also
External links
General articles about God:
Nature of God:
- The Nature of God, Ligonier Ministries
- 15 Amazing Attributes of God: What They Mean and Why They Matter, BibleStudyTools.com
- Who is God?, Got Questions Ministries
Specific issues:
- 10 Biblical Reasons Jesus Is God, by Simon Turpin at Answers in Genesis, August 8, 2017
References
- ↑ Revelation 22:13
- ↑ Both of these quotes are from the ESV.
- ↑ Hebrews 11:3
- ↑ God Online Etymology Dictionary.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Kruse, Dale P.,More on the Names of God In the Bible, Advanced Training Program of Evangelism.
- ↑ McHyde, Tim, God’s Name: LORD, Yahweh, Yahveh, YHWH, YHVH, Jehovah or Yehovah?
- ↑ The Bible is the best selling book of all time, Guinness Book of Word Record