Course 1 - Lesson 3: Who is God?

What is God? Throughout the centuries many have asked the question “Who is God?” Seldom do we focus upon the question of “What is God?” The Bible opens with an introduction to the creation of the world, but simply states that in this moment God was already present.

Genesis 1:1-2 KJV  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  (2)  And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Two things that we learn from these opening passages. First, God was there before anything was created. Second, God is a spirit. While it seems that these two characteristics of God seem insignificant, we will learn that the Devil has managed to attack even these fundamental truths.

What is God like unto? Can the finite adequately understand or describe the infinite God? As we read through the scriptures, we catch glimpses of the characteristics of God, penned by mortal men doing their best describe what they were witnessing.

Definition of Attribute - a quality, character, or characteristic ascribed to someone or something (Websters)

When speaking of the attributes of God, we are speaking of the characteristics that define who He is. Scripture details all of the characteristics which God has made known about himself. No ideology about “who God is” or “what God is like” can be derived from any other source.

There are many theories about where we and the world come from. Some speculate that we have evolved from nature and that nature is a result of a cosmic explosion. However, the Christian holds firm to the belief that God created all things. The scriptures declare that it was God who spoke everything into existence. It is important to note that this truth is the first recorded words of the Bible.

Psalms 24:1-2 KJV  A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.  (2)  For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

Many of the patriarchs and prophets acknowledged God as being the “Creator.” Even accepted science does not contradict this notion. The more that humanity learns about our race and our world, the more it becomes evident that we are intelligently formed. If we can believe this truth of God’s capabilities, we can believe Him for anything. Perhaps this is why the doctrine of creation has been under attack for centuries. If we relinquish our position on creation, how can we possibly hold our position of salvation?

When studying the nature of God, many describe Him as a “triune” God. When asked to explain the trinity, it gets very complicated. Many resort to simply believing that it is such a great mystery that we cannot understand it. But when speaking of the nature of God, or as some call it, the godhead; Paul says that God’s nature can be seen and understood.

Romans 1:20 KJV  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

 If the explanation is too difficult to understand, perhaps our definition is not in harmony with the scriptures. According to Duet 6, we can clearly see that God is one. According to John 3:4, He is a spirit, not a persons. Already, we see challenges in attempting to define God as three persons. According to traditional religious teachings of the trinity, He’s three persons. But according to the scriptures, He’s one Spirit.

Love is one of the many attributes of God that define who He is. John proclaimed that “God is love.” Not simply that He loves, but He IS love. We must be careful in applying our own concept of what love is when we are relating it to God. Love is defined in many ways in our world. Some will perform very heinous acts upon another person, yet say they love them. Some will allow others to abuse them and say they are permitting it because they love that person. These distorted views of love can cause us to misunderstand God’s love.

Is there anything that a person can do that God will not forgive them? Are there sins we can commit that God would not hear a cry for mercy? Much discussion has been made regarding Jesus’ meaning behind His statements to the Pharisees. (Matt 12:31-32) Many refer to this as the “eternal and unpardonable sin.” He clearly states that they are at risk of sinning beyond forgiveness. This seems to contradict the essence of the gospel and Jesus’ other messages of repentance.

Looking closely at who Jesus was addressing, He was warning these religious leaders that they were dangerously close to having a hardened heart. They were quickly reaching a place where their hearts were no longer capable of repenting. Jesus was not telling us that we could commit a specific sin and God would turn a deaf ear to our repentance. He was warning these hypocrites that they might “never have forgiveness” because they will never meet the simple, invaluable, softhearted condition for it: repentance. The one sin we are certain to never be forgiven of is the sin we will not humbly repent of.

What is God’s name? Reading through the scriptures we commonly see God addressed by many titles.

El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty), El Elyon (The Most High God), Adonai (Lord, Master), Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah), Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner), Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd), Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals), Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There), Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness), Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You), El Olam (The Everlasting God), Elohim (God), Qanna (Jealous), Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide), Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace), Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts).

All of these titles indicate attributes of God, none of these are His name. When Moses was being sent to Egypt, he wanted to know the name of the one who was sending him. (Ex 3:13) As Solomon began to write of God’s creative powers, he asked the same question. Only, he desired to know His name and the name of His son.

Proverbs 30:4 KJV  Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?

God desired for His name to be known, but hid it from humanity for ages. Thus, through the progressive use of titles, we begin to know God by His actions. Understanding the titles of God was wonderful, only they had no saving power. We did not know His saving name until He revealed it to Joseph. His name is Jesus!