1 Concerning God

PART I--Concerning God.

A. HIS BEING,

I. Attributes.

1. Self-existence. Life in Himself; underived; inexhaustible. Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God." Exodus 3:14, "I AM." Psalms 36:9. Isaiah 41:4. John 5:26. Acts 17:24-25. Romans 11:35-36.

2. Spirituality. God is a Spirit. Genesis 1:2. Deuteronomy 4:15-19, (R.V.) Psalms 139:7. Isaiah 60:1. Ezekiel 37:14; Ezekiel 39:29. Joel 2:28-29. John 4:24. Acts 17:28, with Hebrews 12:9. Romans 8:9; Romans 8:15-16. 1 Corinthians 2:11. 2 Corinthians 3:17.

3. Unity. The only God. Exodus 20:3. Deuteronomy 4:35; Deuteronomy 4:39; Deuteronomy 6:4. 1 Samuel 2:2. 2 Samuel 7:22. 1 Kings 8:60. 2 Kings 19:15. Nehemiah 9:6. Psalms 86:10. Isaiah 44:6-8; Isaiah 45:22. Jeremiah 10:10. Joel 2:27. Zechariah 14:9. Mark 12:29. John 17:3. Romans 1:21-23. 1 Corinthians 8:4-6. Galatians 3:20. Ephesians 4:6. 1 Timothy 2:5.

4. Eternity. Unlimited by time. Genesis 21:33. Exodus 15:18. Deuteronomy 32:40. 1 Chronicles 16:36, (R.V.) Nehemiah 9:5. Psalms 90:1-4. Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 48:12; Isaiah 57:15. Jeremiah 10:10. Lamentations 5:19. Daniel 4:3; Daniel 4:34. Micah 4:7. Habakkuk 1:12. Romans 1:20; Romans 16:26. 1 Timothy 1:17. Hebrews 1:10-12. 2 Peter 3:8. Revelation 4:8-10.

5. Immutability. Unchangeable in nature, or purpose. Exodus 3:15. Numbers 23:19. 1 Samuel 15:29. Psalms 33:11. Proverbs 19:21. Ecclesiastes 3:14. Isaiah 14:24. Ezekiel 24:14. Malachi 3:6. Romans 11:29. Hebrews 6:17-18. James 1:17.

6. Omnipresence. Unlimited by space. Genesis 28:15-16. Deuteronomy 4:39. Joshua 2:11. 1 Kings 8:27. Psalms 139:7-10. Proverbs 15:3; Proverbs 15:11. Isaiah 66:1. Jeremiah 23:23-24. Amos 9:2-4; Amos 9:6. Acts 7:48-49; Acts 17:27-28 (Immanence). Ephesians 1:23.

7. Omniscience. Cognizant of all things. Genesis 18:18-19; Genesis 25:23. Exodus 3:19. Deuteronomy 31:21. 1 Samuel 2:3. 1 Kings 8:39. 2 Kings 8:10; 2 Kings 8:13. 1 Chronicles 28:9. Psalms 94:9; Psalms 94:11; Psalms 139:1-16; Psalms 147:4-5. Proverbs 15:3; Proverbs 15:11. Isaiah 29:15-16; Isaiah 40:28. Jeremiah 1:4-5; Jeremiah 16:17. Ezekiel 11:5. Daniel 2:22; Daniel 2:28. Hosea 7:2. Amos 4:13. Nahum 1:7. Zechariah 4:10. Matthew 6:4; Matthew 6:6; Matthew 6:8; Matthew 6:18. Luke 16:15. Acts 15:8; Acts 15:18. Romans 8:27; Romans 8:29. 1 Corinthians 3:20. 2 Timothy 2:19. Hebrews 4:13. 1 Peter 1:2. 1 John 3:20.

8. Wisdom. God realizes the best designs by the best possible means. Psalms 104:24. Proverbs 3:19. Isaiah 28:29, (R.V.) Jeremiah 10:12. Daniel 2:20-21. Romans 11:33. 1 Corinthians 1:24-25; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Corinthians 2:6-7. Ephesians 3:10. Colossians 2:2-3. (See R.V., margin.)

9. Omnipotence. In the truest sense nothing is impossible. Genesis 1:1; Genesis 17:1; Genesis 18:14. Exodus 15:7. Deuteronomy 3:24; Deuteronomy 32:39. 1 Samuel 14:6. 1 Chronicles 16:25. 2 Chronicles 20:6. Job 40:2; Job 40:9; Job 42:2 (Read together.) Psalms 33:9; Psalms 135:6, seq. Isaiah 40:12-15. Jeremiah 32:17. Ezekiel 10:5. Daniel 3:17; Daniel 4:35. Amos 4:13; Amos 5:8. Zechariah 12:1. Matthew 19:26. Mark 10:27. Luke 1:37; Luke 18:27. Romans 1:20. Ephesians 1:19; Ephesians 3:20. Colossians 1:16-17. Revelation 15:3; Revelation 19:6.

10. Holiness. Absolute moral purity. Can neither sin nor tolerate sin. Exodus 15:11. Leviticus 11:44-45; Leviticus 20:26. Deuteronomy 32:4. Joshua 24:19. 1 Samuel 2:2. 2 Samuel 22:31. Ezra 9:15. Psalms 5:4; Psalms 111:9; Psalms 145:17. Isaiah 6:3; Isaiah 43:14-15. Jeremiah 23:29. Ezekiel 39:7. Daniel 9:7; Daniel 9:14. Habakkuk 1:13. Zechariah 8:8. Malachi 2:17. Matthew 5:48. Luke 1:49. John 17:11. James 1:13. 1 Peter 1:15-16. 1 John 1:5; 1 John 3:3. Revelation 4:8; Revelation 15:3-4.

11. Justice. Demands righteousness of his creatures and deals righteously toward them. Genesis 18:23-32. Exodus 20:5-6. Deuteronomy 7:9-10; Deuteronomy 10:17-18; Deuteronomy 24:16. 2 Chronicles 19:7. Nehemiah 9:23. Psalms 9:8; Psalms 9:16; Psalms 89:14. Proverbs 24:12. Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 45:21. Jeremiah 17:10; Jeremiah 32:19. Lamentations 1:18. Ezekiel 18:1-32; Ezekiel 33:18-20. Daniel 9:7; Daniel 9:14. Nahum 1:3. Zephaniah 3:5. Luke 12:47-48. Acts 10:34-35; Acts 17:31. Romans 11:2; Romans 11:5-11; Romans 3:26. Galatians 2:6; Galatians 6:7-8. Ephesians 6:8-9. Colossians 3:25. Hebrews 6:10. 1 Peter 1:17. 2 Peter 2:9. 1 John 1:9. Jude 1:14-15. Revelation 16:17.

12. Goodness. "Includes benevolence, love, mercy, grace."--Hodge. Genesis 19:16. Exodus 34:6-7. Numbers 14:18. Deuteronomy 4:31; Deuteronomy 7:7-8. Judges 2:18. 1 Kings 8:23. 2 Kings 13:23. 1 Chronicles 16:34. 2 Chronicles 30:9. Nehemiah 9:17; Nehemiah 9:31. Psalms 23:1-6; Psalms 25:8-10; Psalms 86:5; Psalms 86:15. Proverbs 22:23. Isaiah 63:9. Jeremiah 3:12; Jeremiah 31:3. Lamentations 3:22-23. Ezekiel 33:11. Daniel 9:9. Hosea 11:1-4; Hosea 11:8-9. Joel 2:13. Jonah 4:2; Jonah 4:10-11. Micah 7:18-20. Nahum 1:7. Zephaniah 3:17. Zechariah 9:17. Malachi 1:2. Matthew 5:45; Matthew 19:17. Luke 1:50; Luke 6:36. John 3:16. Acts 14:17. Romans 2:4; Romans 5:8; Romans 8:38-39. 2 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 13:11. Ephesians 2:4, Ephesians 2:7. 2 Thessalonians 2:16. Titus 2:11; Titus 3:4-5. James 5:11. 1 Peter 1:3. 2 Peter 3:9. 1 John 3:1; 1 John 4:7-10; 1 John 4:16.

13. Faithfulness. Absolutely trustworthy. His words will not fail. Exodus 34:6. Numbers 23:19. Deuteronomy 4:31; Deuteronomy 31:7; Deuteronomy 31:9. Joshua 21:43-45; Joshua 23:14. 1 Samuel 15:29. 2 Samuel 7:28. 1 Kings 8:24; 1 Kings 8:56. Psalms 105:8; Psalms 119:89-90. Isaiah 25:1; Isaiah 49:7. Jeremiah 4:28. Lamentations 3:23. Ezekiel 12:25; Ezekiel 16:60; Ezekiel 16:62. Daniel 9:4. Micah 7:20. Luke 18:7-8. John 3:33. Romans 3:4; Romans 15:8. 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13. 2 Corinthians 1:20. 1 Thessalonians 5:24. 2 Thessalonians 3:3. 2 Timothy 2:13. Titus 1:2. Hebrews 6:18; Hebrews 10:23. 1 Peter 4:19. 2 Peter 3:9; 2 Peter 3:13. (Read with verses 2 Peter 3:3-4, 2 Peter 3:8) 1 John 1:9. Revelation 15:3.

II. The Trinity.

By the Trinity is meant the unity of three persons in one Godhead; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Representing God as one, the Scriptures also ascribe divinity to Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

COURSE OF THE ARGUMENT.

1. God is one. Unity is ascribed to God.
2. The Father is divine: a distinct person.
3. The Son is divine: a distinct person.
4. The Holy Spirit is divine: a distinct person.
5. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are classed together, separately from all other beings.

1. God is one. See passages cited under Attributes, Unity.

2. The Father is divine and a distinct person. The word "Father" is used in the Scriptures in a two-fold sense in relation to the Godhead: sometimes as equivalent to God, sometimes to the first person of the Trinity.

a. Passages where "Father" is used as equivalent to God, not implying personal distinctions. Deuteronomy 32:6. 2 Samuel 7:14. 1 Chronicles 29:10. Psalms 89:26. Isaiah 63:16. Jeremiah 3:19. Malachi 2:10. Matthew 6:9. Mark 11:25. Luke 12:30. John 4:21; John 4:23-24. 2 Corinthians 6:18. Php 4:20. James 1:17. 1 John 2:15-16.

b. Passages applied to God in contrast with Christ, denoting a special relation to Christ as Son in His office of Redeemer. Psalms 2:1-12. Matthew 11:27; Matthew 25:34. Mark 8:38; Mark 14:36. John 5:18-23; John 5:26-27; John 10:15; John 10:30; John 17:1. Acts 2:33. Romans 15:6. 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 Corinthians 15:24. 2 Corinthians 11:31. Galatians 1:1-4. Ephesians 1:2-3; Ephesians 4:5-6. Php 1:2. 1 Thessalonians 3:11, 1 Thessalonians 3:13. 2 Thessalonians 2:16. 1 Timothy 1:2. 2 Timothy 1:2. Titus 1:4. Philemon 1:3. 1 Peter 1:2-3. 2 Peter 1:17. 1 John 1:3; 1 John 4:14. Jude 1:1. Revelation 3:21.

3. The Son divine, a distinct person from the Father.

a. Christ pre-existent. Existed as a distinct person before He came into the world. Micah 5:2. John 8:56-58; John 17:5. 1 Corinthians 15:47. Php 2:6-7. Colossians 1:17. 1 John 1:1. Revelation 22:13, (Read with Revelation 22:16).

b. Not merely pre-existent, but pre-eminent, above all things except the Father, co-eternal with the Father. Matthew 11:27; Matthew 28:18. Luke 20:41-44. John 3:13; John 3:31. Acts 10:36. Romans 14:9. Ephesians 1:20-22. Php 2:9-10. Colossians 1:15; Colossians 1:17-18. Hebrews 1:4-6. 1 Peter 3:22. Revelation 1:5; Revelation 3:14.

c. Creator of the universe. John 1:3. Colossians 1:16. Hebrews 1:2; Hebrews 1:10.

d. Divine attributes ascribed to Him.

(1) Omnipotence. Isaiah 9:6. Matthew 28:18. John 10:17-18; John 11:25. 1 Corinthians 1:24. Php 3:21. Colossians 2:10. 2 Timothy 1:10. Hebrews 1:3. Revelation 1:8.

(2) Omnipresence. Matthew 18:20; Matthew 28:20. Ephesians 1:23.

(3) Eternity. Micah 5:2. John 1:1. Revelation 1:8.

(4) Omniscience. Matthew 11:27. Luke 10:22. John 2:24-25; John 21:17. Acts 1:24. Colossians 2:3. Revelation 2:23.

e. The divine name is applied to Him as to no other being except the Father, implying supreme divinity. Psalms 102:24-25, (See Hebrews 1:8-10). Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6. Malachi 3:1. Matthew 1:23. John 1:1; John 20:28. Acts 20:28. Romans 9:5. Ephesians 5:5. Php 2:6. Colossians 2:9. Titus 1:3; Titus 2:13, (R.V.). Hebrews 1:8-10, (See Psalms 102:24-25). 2 Peter 1:1. 1 John 5:20. Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16.

f. Exhibited in the Scriptures as the object of religious worship. Matthew 2:11; Matthew 14:33; Matthew 15:25. Luke 24:52. John 5:23. Acts 7:59-60. 1 Corinthians 1:2. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9. Galatians 1:5. Php 2:10. 1 Thessalonians 3:11-12. 2 Timothy 4:18. Hebrews 1:6 (Psalms 97:7). 2 Peter 3:18. Revelation 5:13.

4. The Holy Spirit is divine and a distinct person from the Father and the Son.

a. The Holy Spirit is divine. Called the Spirit of the Father, the Spirit of the Son, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of life. Genesis 1:2; Genesis 6:3. Nehemiah 9:30. Isaiah 63:10. Ezekiel 36:27-28. (Cf. Acts 2:16-17). Joel 2:28. Matthew 10:20. Luke 12:12. John 14:16-17; John 15:26. Acts 5:3-4; Acts 28:25. Romans 8:14. 1 Corinthians 3:16. Galatians 4:6. Ephesians 1:13. 1 Thessalonians 4:8. Hebrews 2:4. 1 Peter 1:2.

b. Is distinct from Father and Son, and is personal. The personal pronoun He applied to Him; personal acts ascribed to Him. Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19. Mark 1:10-11. Luke 3:21-22. John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:13. Acts 13:2; Acts 13:4; Acts 15:28. Romans 8:26, (R.V.). 1 Corinthians 12:11.

c. Converting, regenerating influence ascribed to Him. Nehemiah 9:20. Isaiah 44:3. Ezekiel 36:26-27; Ezekiel 37:14. Joel 2:28. Matthew 3:11. John 3:5-6; John 14:26. Acts 9:31. Romans 8:9; Romans 8:11; Romans 8:14. 1 Corinthians 6:11. 2 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:5. Galatians 4:6; Galatians 5:22. Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 3:16. 1 Thessalonians 1:6. 2 Thessalonians 2:13. Titus 3:5. 1 Peter 1:2. 1 John 3:24. Revelation 22:17.

5. The Father, Son, and Spirit are classed together, separately from all other beings, as divine. Matthew 28:19. Romans 8:9; Romans 8:14-17. 2 Corinthians 13:14. 1 Peter 1:2. Jude 1:20-21.

Result of the Biblical evidence in respect to the divinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

(1) That the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are personally distinguished from each other. There is recognized throughout a personal relation of the Father and Son to each other. So of the Holy Spirit to both.
(2) They each have divine names and attributes.
(3) Yet there is only one God.--H. B. Smith.


B. HIS WORKS.

I. Creation.

1. The Scriptures represent God as the Creator of the universe. Genesis 1:1. 2 Kings 19:15. 1 Chronicles 29:11. Nehemiah 9:6. Job 38:4. Psalms 33:6; Psalms 96:5; Psalms 102:25; Psalms 146:5-6. Proverbs 3:19. Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 51:13. Jeremiah 10:12; Jeremiah 32:17. Amos 5:8; Amos 9:6. Zechariah 12:1. John 1:1-3. Acts 4:24; Acts 17:25. Romans 11:36. Ephesians 3:9. Colossians 1:16-17. Hebrews 3:4; Hebrews 11:3. 2 Peter 3:5. Revelation 4:11.

2. Creation voluntary on God’s part. The universe the product of His will. The First Cause is Mind. Genesis 1:3-4; Genesis 1:31. Psalms 33:6; Psalms 33:9. Ephesians 1:11. Hebrews 11:3. Revelation 4:11.

II. Providence.

"This term, in its widest application, signifies the Divine Presence in the world as sustaining, controlling, and guiding to their destination all things that are made. The will of God determines the end for which His creatures exist; His wisdom and His goodness appoint the means by which that end is attained: in the conservation of the frame of nature, in the care of all creatures that have wants, in the government especially of intelligent and probationary beings; and His power ensures the accomplishment of every design."--Pope.

1. The universe as such is the object of conservation. What God has brought into being is continued in existence by His omnipresent agency. Nehemiah 9:6. Psalms 36:6; Psalms 66:9. Isaiah 63:9. Acts 17:28. Colossians 1:17. Hebrews 1:3.

2. That part of creation which is the subject of wants is the object of ceaseless providential care. Genesis 48:15. 2 Samuel 22:2-3. Psalms 23:5; Psalms 147:9. Proverbs 16:9. Matthew 5:45; Matthew 6:26; Matthew 6:30. Luke 12:6-7. Acts 14:17. 1 Peter 5:7.

3. That part of creation which consists of intelligent or probationary creatures is the object of providential government. Psalms 37:23; Psalms 66:12. Proverbs 16:7; Proverbs 16:9. Isaiah 33:22. Daniel 4:17. Matthew 6:33; Matthew 7:24-27. Mark 10:29-30. Luke 6:47-49. Acts 5:38-39. Romans 8:28. James 4:12.

III. Angels.

1. Existence and nature. Spiritual beings, created before man, high in intelligence and mighty in power.

a. Genesis 18:19. Genesis 32:1-2.

b. Genesis 3:1-24. Job 38:7. Revelation 12:9.

c. Psalms 103:20. Matthew 13:41; Matthew 24:36; Matthew 25:31. 1 Corinthians 13:1. 2 Thessalonians 1:7.

2. Orders. There appear to be various orders of angels. Daniel 10:13; Daniel 12:1. Luke 1:19. Ephesians 1:21. 1 Thessalonians 4:16. Jude 1:7. Revelation 12:7.

3. Number. Exceedingly great. Deuteronomy 33:2. Psalms 68:17. Daniel 7:10. Matthew 26:53. Luke 2:13. Hebrews 12:22. Revelation 5:11.

4. Employment.

a. Adore the presence of God, serve him, and are happy in His service. Matthew 18:10. 1 Peter 1:12. Revelation 5:11.

b. Employed in works of providence and in greater work of redemption.

(1) Genesis 28:12. Psalms 34:7; Psalms 91:11-12. Matthew 18:10. Acts 5:19; Acts 12:7; Acts 27:23. Hebrews 1:13-14.

(2) Acts 7:53. Galatians 3:19. Hebrews 2:2.

(3) 2 Kings 19:35. 1 Chronicles 21:16. Acts 12:23.

(4) Luke 2:10-11. Mark 1:13. Luke 22:43. Matthew 28:2-4. John 20:12. Acts 1:10-11.

(5) Matthew 13:49-50; Matthew 24:31; Matthew 25:31. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. 2 Thessalonians 1:7.

5. Character. As to moral character, divided into two great classes.

a. The good. Psalms 103:20. Luke 9:26. 1 Timothy 5:21.

b. The bad. Matthew 12:24-27. Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 6:12. 1 Timothy 4:1.

6. Satan, the chief of the fallen angels.

a. Names applied to him. Satan. 1 Chronicles 21:1. The devil. Matthew 4:1; Matthew 4:5; Matthew 4:8. The tempter. Matthew 4:3. Prince of the devils. Mark 3:22. Murderer and liar. John 8:44. Prince of this world. John 12:31; John 14:30. God of this world. 2 Corinthians 4:4. Prince of the power of the air. Ephesians 2:2. Adversary. 1 Peter 5:8. Apollyon. Revelation 9:11. The old serpent, the deceiver. Revelation 12:9. The accuser. Revelation 12:10. The dragon. Revelation 20:2.

b. Personality. Matthew 4:1-11. John 8:44. 2 Corinthians 11:3; 2 Corinthians 11:14.

c. Other evil angels subordinate to him. Matthew 12:24-28. Luke 10:18. Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 6:12. Revelation 9:11; Revelation 20:2.

d. Power and work of Satan and his angels.

(1) Matthew 4:1-11. 1 Corinthians 5:5. 2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Corinthians 11:14. Ephesians 6:11-12. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10. 1 Timothy 3:7. Hebrews 2:14. Revelation 12:9.

(2) Prominent examples of temptation. Adam and Eve, David, Christ, Judas, Ananias and Sapphira.

(3) Demoniacs were persons possessed of demons, agents of Satan.

7. Cherubim and Seraphim.

a. Some hold that the cherubim are real, personal creatures; others that they are ideal beings. The term "living creature" is applied to the same beings. May be regarded as symbolical of the highest properties of creature life and typical of redeemed manhood. Genesis 3:24. Exodus 25:22. 1 Samuel 4:4. Ezekiel 1:5-25; Ezekiel 10:1-22. Revelation 4:6-9; Revelation 5:6-14; Revelation 6:1-7.

b. Seraphim. Mentioned only in Isaiah 6:1-13. Probably the same as cherubim.