BIBLE DOCTRINES

the doctrine
of

GOD This material is

copyrighted and
used by
permission.
by
H. L. Willmington,
William Evans and others
edited by
Melvyn and Carol Brown

B.A.M.A. Bible Institutes

(Baptist Asian Missions Association)
133 Isarog Street, LaLoma, Quezon City 1114 R.P.
 Table of Contents
I. The Existence of God. 1 F. God is omnipotent (all-powerful). 10
A. Some arguments for the existence of God. 1 G. God is omniscient (all-knowing). 11
B. Scriptural arguments for the existence of God. 2 H. God is wise. 13
II. The Definition of God. 2 I. God is immutable 13
J. God is sovereign 13
III. The Names of God. 2
K. God is incomprehensible 14
A. Elohim 2
L. God is inscrutable. (unsearchable) 15
B. El 2
M. God is holy 15
C. Adonai 3
N. God is righteous and just. 17
D. Jehovah 4
O. God is true 19
IV. The Nature of God. 5
P. God is faithful. 19
A. God is Spirit. 5
Q. God is Light. 21
B. God is a Person 5
R. God is good 22
C. God is One. 6
S. God is merciful 22
D. God is a Trinity 6
T. God is gracious. 23
V. The Attributes of God 9 U. God is Love. 24
A. God is self-existent. 9
VI. God as Father. 25
B. God is self-sufficient. 9
A. He is the Father of all life. 25
C. God is eternal. 9
B. He Is the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ. 26
D. God is infinite 10
C. He Is the Father of All Believers. 29
E. God is omnipresent. (everywhere present) 10

STUDY QUESTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS BLOCK:

1. Read all the material for this block.
2. Look up and read all the verses in the material as you read through the material.
3. Fill in the answers to your STUDY QUESTIONS ahead of time so you will be better
prepared for the EXAM during the final hour.
4. T-H-I-N-K as you read this material. It will be a blessing to you.
It will also change your life.
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
I. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. Newton (1642-1727). Sir Isaac had a
The greatest and most profound idea the human miniature model of the solar system
mind can ever conceivably entertain concerns the made. A large golden ball representing the
possibility of the existence of a personal God. The sun was at its center and around it
sheer importance of man's response to this idea cannot revolved smaller spheres, representing the
be exaggerated, for it will not only govern his life planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars,
down here but also determine his ultimate destiny. Jupiter, and the others. They were each
Unless one satisfactorily answers the who question, he kept in an orbit relatively the same as in
cannot possibly solve the how, why, when, and where the real solar system. By means of rods,
problems of his own existence. cogwheels, and belts they all moved
A. Some philosophical arguments for the around the center gold ball in exact
existence of God. precision. A friend called on the noted man
1. The universal belief argument: one day while he was studying the model.
All mankind has some idea of a supreme The friend was not a believer in the biblical
Being. This argument has often been doctrine of divine creation. According to
challenged but never refuted (proven reports, their conversation went as
wrong). While the concepts of God found follows:
Friend: 'My, Newton, what an
among many cultures and civilizations differ
exquisite thing! Who made it for you?'
greatly on the number, name, and nature of
Newton: 'Nobody.'
this supreme Being, nevertheless the idea
remains. A classic example of this is the Friend: 'Nobody?'
amazing story of Helen Keller (1880-1968). Newton: 'That's right! I said nobody! All of
From the age of two, Miss Keller was blind, these balls and cogs and belts and gears just
deaf, and without the sense of smell. After happened to come together, and wonder of
wonders, by chance they began revolving in
months of agonizing and fruitless attempts
their set orbits with perfect timing!'
on the part of her teacher to communicate
with this young girl, a miracle occurred. One Of course, the visitor understood the
day Helen suddenly understood the concept unexpressed argument: 'In the beginning,
and meaning of running water! From this God created the heaven and the earth.'"
humble foundation Miss Keller built a lofty (The Living God, pp. 29, 30)
tower of thought, including the ability to use 3. The ontological argument:
her voice in speaking. She became an "Man has an idea of a Most Perfect Being.
educated and articulate human being. This idea includes the idea of existence,
Sometime after she had progressed to the since a being, otherwise perfect, who did not
point that she could engage in conversation, exist would not be as perfect as a perfect
she was told of God and his love in sending being who did exist. Therefore, since the
Christ to die on the cross. She is said to have idea of existence is contained in the idea of
responded with joy, "I always knew he was the Most Perfect Being, the Most Perfect
there, but I didn't know his name!" Being must exist." (C. C. Ryrie)
2. The cosmological argument: 4. The anthropological argument:
Every effect must have an adequate cause. The conscience and moral nature of man
Robert Culver writes: demands a self-conscious and moral Maker.
"One of the great names of British science, This built-in barometer supplies no
mathematics, and philosophy is Sir Isaac information, and the information on which it
passes judgment may be incorrect. But
1 nevertheless, conscience tells us we ought to
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
do what is right regarding the information II. THE DEFINITION OF GOD.
we have. Robert Culver writes: "There is but one only living and true God, who
"This sense of duty may be weak is infinite (no limits) in being and perfection, a most
(1 Cor. 8:12), good (1 Pet. 3:16), defiled pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions,
(1 Cor. 8:7), seared (1 Tim. 4:2), strong or immutable (unchangeable), immense, eternal,
pure (1 Cor. 8:7, 9). But it is never absent. incomprehensible (cannot be understood), almighty,
The only adequate explanation is that the most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute,
great Moral Being, who created us all, working all things according to the counsel of his own
planted the moral sense in us. No other immutable and most righteous will, for his own glory;
explanation is adequate." most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering,
(The Living God, p. 31) abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity,
B. Scriptural arguments for the existence of transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that
God. None. diligently seek him; and withal most just and terrible in
The Bible simply assumes the existence of God. his judgments; hating all sin, and who will by no means
Psalm 14:1: "The fool hath said in his heart, clear (pardon) the guilty." (Westminster Catechism)
There is no God. They are corrupt, they have III. THE NAMES OF GOD.
done abominable works, there is none that A. Elohim
doeth good!" Used 2,570 times, it refers to God's power
Hebrews 11:6: "But without faith it is and might.
impossible to please him; for he that cometh to Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning God created the
God must believe that he is, and that he is a heaven and the earth."
rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Psalm 19:1: "The heavens declare the glory of
Clark Pennock aptly summarizes all this when God; and the firmament (sky) sheweth his
he writes: handiwork."
"For the Scriptures then, the existence of God is B. El
both a historical truth (God acted into history), Four compounds of his name. There are two
and an existential (based on existence) truth significant places where this name was used in
(God reveals himself to every soul). His the Old Testament. One came from the lips of
existence is both objectively (facts, logic) and Jerusalem's first sovereign, and the other from
subjectively (feelings, morals) evident. It is history's first sinner.
necessary logically because our assumption of 1. Elyon: The strongest strong One.
order, design, and rationality rests upon it. It is a. Jerusalem's first sovereign (Melchizedek)
necessary morally because there is no Genesis 14:17-20: "And the king of
explanation for the shape of morality apart from Sodom went out to meet him after his
it. It is necessary personally because the return from the slaughter of
exhaustion of all material possibilities still Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were
cannot give satisfaction to the heart. The with him, at the valley Shaveh, which is
deepest proof for God's existence apart from the king's dale. And Melchizedek king of
history is just life itself. God has created man Salem brought forth bread and wine: and
in his image, and man cannot elude (avoid) the he was the priest of the most high God.
implications (results) of this fact. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be
Everywhere their identity pursues them." Abram of the most high God, possessor
(Set Forth Your Case, p. 77) of heaven and earth: And blessed be the
most high God, which hath delivered thine
2
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
enemies into thy hand. And he gave him and second advent (coming) of Christ. He
tithes of all." then contrasts the awesome power of the
b. History's first sinner (Satan) true God with the miserable impotence of all
Isaiah 14:13, 14: "For thou hast said in idols. But carnal Israel had trouble accepting
thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will all this, wondering just how these wonderful
exalt my throne above the stars of God: I events could transpire to answer their
will sit also upon the mount of the doubts. Isaiah declares:
congregation, in the sides of the north: I Isaiah 40:28-31: "Hast thou not known? hast
will ascend above the heights of the thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the
clouds; I will be like the most High. Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth,
2. Roi: The strong One who sees. fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no
In Genesis 16 an angered and barren Sarai searching of his understanding. He giveth
had cast into the wilderness her pregnant power to the faint; and to them that have no
and arrogant handmaiden Hagar. When all might he increaseth strength. Even the
hope for survival had fled, this pagan youths shall faint and be weary, and the
Egyptian girl was visited and ministered to young men shall utterly fall: But they that
by El Roi himself--the strong God who sees. wait upon the Lord shall renew their
Genesis 16:13: "And she called the name of strength; they shall mount up with wings as
the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and
seest me: for she said, Have I also here they shall walk, and not faint."
looked after him that seeth me?"
NaMES OF GOD
3. Shaddai: The breasted One.
Elohim
Used forty-eight times in Old Testament.
The Hebrew word shad is often used to El
designate the bosom of a nursing mother. Adonai
Genesis 17:1: "And when Abram was ninety Johova
years old and nine, the Lord appeared to
Abram, and said unto him, I am the C. Adonai: Master, Lord.
Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou God owns all his creation. Malachi 1:6: "A son
perfect."' honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if
then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if
This revelation of God came to Abraham at
I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord
a much needed time in his life. His sin in
of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my
marrying Hagar (Gen. 16) had doubtless
name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised
prevented that full and unhindered
thy name?" The Hebrew Old Testament name
fellowship which had previously flowed
Adonai and its Greek New Testament
between him and God. In addition, he
counterpart Kurios describe the relationship
now was an old man, nearly 100, humanly
between master and slave. Adonai thus carries
unable to father the long-anticipated heir.
with it a twofold implication.
Psalm 91:1: "He that dwelleth in the secret 1. The master has a right to expect obedience.
place of the most High shall abide under the Robert Lightner writes:
shadow of the Almighty."
"In Old Testament times the slave was the
4. Olam: The everlasting God. absolute possession of his master, having no
Isaiah 40 is usually regarded as one of the rights of his own. His chief business was to
greatest Old Testament chapters. The carry out the wishes of his master. The slave
prophet begins by predicting both the first 3 had a relationship and responsibility different
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
from that of the hired servant. The hired their pitched battle against the fierce
servant could quit if he did not like the Amalekites.
orders of his master. But not so with the 3. Shalom: The Lord is Peace.
slave; he could do nothing but obey Judges 6:24: "Then Gideon built an altar
(cf. Gen. 24:1-12). there unto the Lord, and called it
(The God of the Bible, p. 116) Jehovah-shalom: unto this day it is yet in
2. The slave may expect provision. Ophrah of the Abiezrites."
Again, to quote Lightner: As one studies the thrilling account of
"The slave had no worry of his own. It was Gideon he reads how Jehovah-shalom did
the master's business to provide food, indeed bring peace to Israel over the
shelter, and the necessities of life. Since the Midianites through this warrior and his 300
slave was the possession of the master, his trumpet-blowing soldiers.
needs became the master's. Obedience was 4. Sabaoth: The Lord of hosts.
the only condition for this provision. This Sabaoth is derived from the Hebrew word
truth was marvelously displayed in Paul, tsaba, meaning "host." The Lord of hosts is
who was himself a bond slave, when he a reference to the captain of heaven's
assured the Philippians that God would armies. These armies are said to be
supply all their needs (Phil. 4:19). Only the composed of angels. (See Ps. 68:17; 104:4;
obedient slave can expect this from his 148:2; Mt. 26:53.) Christ himself is their
master." (Ibid. p. 117) leader. (See Josh. 5:14.) The great prophet
D. Jehovah. Isaiah describes his vision during which he
God's most common name. It occurs 6,823 was allowed to see Jehovah of hosts.
times. The self-existent One, the God of the Isaiah 6:1-3: "In the year that King Uzziah
covenant (Gen. 2:4). Nine compound names of died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a
Jehovah are: throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled
1. Jireh: The Lord will provide. the temple. Above it stood the seraphims:
Genesis 22:13, 14: "And Abraham lifted up each one had six wings; with twain he
his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him covered his face, and with twain he covered
a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and his feet and with twain he did fly. And one
Abraham went and took the ram, and cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy,
offered him up for a burnt offering in the holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is
stead of his son. And Abraham called the full of his glory."
name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said 5. Maccaddeschcem: The Lord thy Sanctifier.
to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall Exodus 31:13: "Speak thou also unto the
be seen." children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths
2. Nissi: The Lord, my Banner. ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and
Exodus 17:15: "And Moses built an altar, you throughout your generations; that ye
and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi.'' may know that I am the Lord that doth
This passage is significant, for it marks the sanctify you."
first battle and subsequent victory of This great name for God, first mentioned in
Israel on its march after leaving Egypt. The Exodus, appears many times in the following
great lawgiver Moses mounted a hill and book, Leviticus. To be sanctified is to be set
with outstretched arms prayed for the apart, and that is what God desired to do for
Israelite armies, headed up by Joshua, in his people--to set them apart for special
4 service.
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
6. Rohi (Raah): The Lord my from all temporal limitations."
Shepherd. (Elemental Theory, p. 23)
Psalm 23:1: "The Lord is my Jesus made this clear when he told the
shepherd; I shall not want." Samaritan woman: "God is a Spirit; and they
Of all the compound names of that worship him must worship him in Spirit and
Jehovah, this is at once the most in truth" (Jn. 4:24). Some have been disturbed,
easily understood title-- that however, as they compare this statement with
good, and great, and chief Shepherd God. certain Old Testament expressions which speak
7. Tsidkenu: The Lord our Righteousness. of God's arms (Deut. 33:27), his eyes
Jeremiah 23:6: "In his days Judah shall be (Ps. 33:18), ears (2 Ki. 19:16), and mouth
saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this (Isa. 58:14). However, these terms are simply
is his name whereby he shall be called, THE anthropomorphic expressions. An
LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." anthropomorphic expression is a term which is
used to explain some function or characteristic
According to Jeremiah the official name for
of God by using words descriptive of human
the Messiah during the future millennium
elements. Robert Lightner writes: "Such
will be Jehovah-Tsidkenu.
expressions do not mean that God possesses
8. Shammah: The Lord who is present. these physical parts. He is Spirit (Jn. 4:24).
Ezekiel 48:35: "It was round about eighteen Rather, they mean since God is spirit and
thousand measures: and the name of the city eternal, He is capable of doing precisely the
from that day shall be, The Lord is there." functions which are performed by these physical
In this passage Ezekiel describes for us the properties in man." (The God of the Bible, p. 67)
dimensions of the millennial temple and then B. God is a Person.
gives us the new name for Jerusalem during Again, to quote from Robert Lightner:
earth's golden age: Jehovah-shammah. "Personality involves existence with the power
9. Rapha: The Lord our Healer. of self-consciousness and self-determination. To
Exodus 15:26: "And said, If thou wilt be self-conscious means to be able to be aware
diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord of one's self among others. It is more than mere
thy God, and wilt do that which is right in consciousness. Even animals possess something
his sight, and wilt give ear to his which makes them aware of things around them.
commandments, and keep all his statutes, I The brute, however, is not able to objectify
will put none of these diseases upon thee, himself. Man, in contrast to the brute, possesses
which I have brought upon the Egyptians: both consciousness and self-consciousness.
for I am the Lord that healeth thee." Self-determination has to do with the ability to
By this new name God introduced to Israel look to the future and prepare an intelligent
the terms of his heavenly "medi-care" course of action. It also involves the power of
health plan while they were on their way to choice. The brute also has determination, but he
Canaan. If only they had accepted this does not have self-determination--the power to
gracious policy. act from his own free will and to thus determine
his acts. It is usually admitted that there are
IV. THE NATURE OF GOD. three elements of personality--intellect, emotion,
A. God is Spirit. and will." (Ibid., p. 65)
Emory Bancroft has written: Thus, as a Person, God exhibits all those
"God as Spirit is incorporeal (no body), elements involved in personality.
invisible, without material substance, without
physical parts or passions and therefore free
5
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
1. He creates. 7. He hates.
Genesis 1:1: "In the Proverbs 6:16: "These six things doth the
beginning God created the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination
heaven and the earth." unto him."
2. He destroys. 8. He grieves.
Genesis 18:20; 19:24, 25: Genesis 6:6: "And it repented the Lord that
"And the Lord said, Because the cry of he had made man on the earth, and it grieved
Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because him at his heart."
their sin is very grievous.... Then the Lord 9. He loves.
rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah John 3:16: "For God so loved the world,
brimstone and fire from the Lord out of that he gave his only begotten Son, that
heaven. And he overthrew those cities, and whosoever believeth in him should not
all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the perish, but have everlasting life."
cities, and that which grew upon the C. God is One.
ground." Deuteronomy 6:4, 5: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord
3. He provides. our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the
Psalm 104:27-30: "These wait all upon thee; Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all
that thou mayest give them their meat in due thy soul, and with all thy might."
season. That thou givest them they gather: 1 Kings 8:60: "'That all the people of the earth
thou openest thine hand, they are filled with may know that the Lord is God, and that there
good. Thou hidest thy face, they are is none else."
troubled: thou takest away their breath, they Isaiah 44:6-8: "Thus saith the Lord the King of
die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest Israel, and his Redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am
forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou the first, and I am the last; and beside me there
renewest the face of the earth." is no God. And who, as I, shall call, and shall
4. He promotes. declare it, and set it in order for me, since I
Psalm 75:6, 7: "For promotion cometh appointed the ancient people? and the things
neither from the east, nor from the west, nor that are coming, and shall come, let them show
from the south. But God is the judge: he unto them. Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have
putteth down one, and setteth up another." not I told thee from that time, and have declared
5. He cares. it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God
1 Peter 5:6, 7: "Humble yourselves therefore beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not
under the mighty hand of God, that he may any."
exalt you in due time: Casting all your care Isaiah 45:5, 6: "I am the Lord, and there is none
upon him; for he careth for you." else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee,
6. He hears. though thou hast not known me: That they may
Psalm 94:9, 10: "He that planted the ear, know from the rising of the sun, and from the
shall he not hear? He that formed the eye, west, that there is none beside me. I am the
shall he not see? He that chastiseth the Lord, and there is none else."
heathen, shall not he correct? He that Isaiah 46:9: "Remember the former things of
teacheth man knowledge, shall not he old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am
know?" God, and there is none like me."
Ephesians 4:4-6: "There is one body, and one
Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your
calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one
6
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
God and Father of all, who is above all, and examples are as follows. The first four are
through all, and in you all." totally unscriptural, while the final three
1 Timothy 2:5: "For there is one God, and one possess some limited possibilities.
mediator between God and men, the man Christ a. a three-leaf clover
Jesus." b. the three states of water
D. God is a Trinity. (liquid, vapor, and solid)
C.C. Ryrie writes: "There is
c. the threefold nature of man
only one God, but in the
(body, soul, spirit)
unity of the Godhead there
are three eternal and d. the three parts of an egg
co-equal Persons, the same in substance, but (shell, white, yolk)
distinct in subsistence." e. the nature of light, consisting of three
Robert Culver writes: "Two expressions have kinds of rays
been traditionally employed to designate certain (1) chemical rays--rays that are invisible,
inner relations between the Father and the Son, and can neither be felt nor seen
and the Father and the Son with the Spirit. (2) light rays--rays that are seen, but
These two expressions are the eternal cannot be felt
generation of the Son by the Father and the (3) heat rays--rays that are felt, but
eternal spiration (or procession) of the Spirit never seen
from the Father and the Son. They began to be f. The dimensional example: A book has
employed about the time of the council of Nicea height, width, and length. These three
(A.D. 325). They expressed in scriptural cannot be separated, yet they are not the
language the idea that the Son and the Spirit same.
were eternally with the Godhead. John 1:14 g. a triangle
refers to our Lord as the 'only begotten' of the 3. Old Testament passages regarding the
Father. And John 14:16, 26 and 15:26 speak of Trinity.
the Spirit as 'proceeding from the Father and the a. The first name used for God: Elohim
Son.'" (The Living God, p. 96) (Gen. 1:1). This name is plural in form but
1. False views concerning the Trinity. is joined to a singular verb.
There are two serious errors about the b. The creation of man.
doctrine of the Trinity. Genesis 1:26: "And God said, Let us make
a. The error of tri-theism. This says that the man in our image, after our likeness: and
Trinity consists of three separate (but let them have dominion over the fish of the
co-operating) Gods. sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over
b. The error of modalism. According to this the cattle, and over all the earth, and over
view there is but one God who simply every creeping thing that creepeth upon
reveals himself through three different the earth."
modes, or roles. For example, a particular c. The expulsion from Eden.
man could be considered a husband to his Genesis 3:22: "And the Lord God said,
wife, a father to his children, and an Behold, the man is become as one of us, to
employee to his boss. know good and evil: and now, lest he put
2. Proposed illustration demonstrating the forth his hand, and take also of the tree of
Trinity. life, and eat, and live forever.
Throughout church history various d. The confusion at Babel.
illustrations have been offered to
demonstrate the Trinity. Seven such 7
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
Genesis 11:7: "Go to, let us go down, and Psalm 2:1-9: "Why do the heathen rage,
there confound their language, that they and the people imagine a vain thing? The
may not understand one anther's speech." kings of the earth set themselves, and the
e. The usage of the same word, echad, in rulers take counsel together, against the
Genesis 2:24 and in Deuteronomy 6:4. Lord, and against his Anointed, saying, Let
Echad is Hebrew for "one." These us break their bands asunder, and cast
passages teach that God is one, as away their cords from us... Yet have I set
husband and wife are one. my King upon my holy hill of Zion. I will
f. The teachings of King Agur. declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto
Proverbs 30:4: "Who hath ascended up me, Thou art my Son; this day have I
into heaven, or descended? who hath begotten thee."
gathered the wind in his fists? who hath Psalm 45:6-8: "Thy throne, O God, is for
bound the waters in a garment? who hath ever and ever: the scepter of thy kingdom
established all the ends of the earth? what is a right scepter. Thou lovest
is his name, and what is his son's name, if righteousness, and hatest wickedness:
thou canst tell?" therefore God, thy God, hath anointed
g. The plural forms used in thee with the oil of gladness above thy
Ecclesiastes 12:1 and Isaiah 54:5. fellows".
(1) "Remember now thy Creator in the Psalm 110:1-5: "The Lord said unto my
days of thy youth . . ." Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I
(Eccl. 12:1). In the original this is make thine enemies thy footstool .... The
literally "thy creators." Lord hath sworn, and will not repent,
(2) "For thy Maker is thine husband..." Thou art a priest for ever after the order of
(Isa. 54:5). Here "maker" should be Melchizedek. The Lord at thy right hand
translated "makers." shall strike through kings in the day of his
h. The triune conversations in Isaiah. wrath."
Isaiah 6:8: "Also I heard the voice of the 4. New Testament passages regarding the
Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who Trinity.
will go for us? Then said I, Here a. The baptism of Christ.
am I; send me." Matthew 3:16, 17: "And Jesus, when he
Isaiah 48:16: "Come ye near unto me, hear was baptized, went up straightway out
ye this; I have not spoken in secret from of the water: and, lo, the heavens were
the beginning; from the time that it was, opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit
there am I: and now the Lord God, and his of God descending like a dove, and
Spirit, hath sent me." lighting upon him: And lo a voice from
Isaiah 63:9, 10: "In all their affliction he heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in
was afflicted, and the angel of his presence whom I am well pleased."
saved them: in his love and in his pity he b. The temptation of Christ.
redeemed them; and he bare them, and Matthew 4:1: "Then was Jesus led up of
carried them all the days of old. But they the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted
rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: of the devil."
therefore he was turned to be their enemy, c. The teachings of Jesus.
and he fought against them." John 14:16: "And I will pray the Father,
i. The conversation between the Father and and he shall give you another Comforter,
Son in the Psalms. that he may abide with you for ever."
8
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
The Greek word here translated "another" attributes of which we know nothing and which
is allos, meaning another of the same kind. can have no meaning for us, just as the
Heteros is the Greek word for another of a attributes of mercy and grace can have no
different kind. It is never used in referring personal meaning for seraphim or cherubim.
to the Trinity. These holy beings may know of these qualities
John 14:26: "But the Comforter, which is in God but be unable to feel them
the Holy Ghost, whom the Father Will sympathetically for the reason that they have not
send in my name, he shall teach you all sinned and so do not call forth God's mercy and
things, and bring all things to your grace. So there may be, and I believe there
remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto surely are, other aspects of God's essential being
you". which He has not revealed even to His
d. The baptismal formula. ransomed and Spirit-illuminated children."
Matthew 28:19, 20: "Go ye therefore, and (Ibid, p. 52).
teach all nations, baptizing them in the Finally, it must be concluded that there are
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of hidden facets of God's nature wholly unknown
the Holy Ghost: Teaching them (and perhaps unknowable) by any created being,
to observe all things whatsoever I have even angels. They are known only by Jehovah
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you God himself.
alway, even unto the end of the world. We now consider some twenty-one attributes or
Amen." perfections of God.
e. The apostolic benediction. A. God is self-existent.
2 Corinthians 13:14: "The grace of the Exodus 3:13, 14: "And Moses said unto God,
Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel,
and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be and shall say unto them, The God of your
with you all. Amen." fathers hath sent me, What is his name? what
5. A scriptural summary of the Trinity. shall I say unto them? And God said unto
Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus
a. The Father is God shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM
(Jn. 6:44-46; Rom. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:2). hath sent me unto you."
b. The Son is God (Isa. 9:6; Jn. 1:1; 20:28; Lehman E. Strauss writes: "Hardly a person has
1 Tim. 3:16; Titus 2:13; Heb. 1:8). not been baffled by this passage when reading it
c. The Spirit is God (Acts 5:3, 4; Heb. 9:14). for the first time in the English Bible. Exactly
what did God mean? He simply wanted to be
known by His name, "I AM." In the divine
V. THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD. vocabulary there is no past or future tense. With
Reduced to its simplest definition, an attribute of
God there is no "was" or "will be," but always
God is whatever God has in any way revealed as being
the "now," the present. "I AM" is God's name
true of himself. Some theologians prefer the word
and indicates His absolute and essential being,
"perfection" to that of attribute. A. W. Tozer has
His self-existence and eternalness. The New
written:
Standard Dictionary defines the word "am" to
"If an attribute is something true of God, it is
mean "present permanent existence."
also something that we can conceive as being
(The First Person, p. 52).
true of him. God being infinite, must possess
We have already discussed the existence of
attributes about which we can know nothing."
God, but one of his attributes is self-existence.
(The Knowledge of the Holy, p. 19)
This is simply to say (with staggering
"In the awful abyss of the divine being may lie
9 implications) that God exists because he exists.
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
He is not dependent upon anything or anyone Psalm 90:2: "Before the mountains were
for his thoughts (Rom. 11:33, 34), his will brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the
(Rom. 9:19; Eph. 1:5), his power (Ps. 115:3), earth and the world, even from everlasting to
or his counsel (Ps. 33:10, 11). everlasting, thou art God."
B. God is self-sufficient. D. God is infinite.
Psalm 50:10-12: "For every beast of the forest God has no limitations. He is bounded only by
is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I his own nature and will.
know all the fowls of the mountains: and the 1 Kings 8:22, 23, 27: "And Solomon stood
wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all
hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his
mine, and the fullness thereof." hands toward heaven: And he said, Lord God of
This attribute is closely connected to the Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven
attribute of self-existence, but carries it a step above, or on earth beneath, who keepest
further. This means God has never had in covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk
eternity past, nor can ever have in the ages to before thee with all their heart. But will God
come, a single need for which his own divine indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven
nature has not already provided. and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how
much less this house that I have builded?"
Jeremiah 23:24: "Can any hide himself in secret
I AM THAT I AM places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord.
Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.
C. God is eternal. E. God is omnipresent.
Simply defined, this means God is absolutely The great theologian A. H. Strong defines this
free from the tyranny of time. In him there is no attribute as follows:
past or future, but one always and never-ending "God, in the totality of His essence, without
present. He is neither conditioned nor confined diffusion or expansion, multiplication or
by time. division, penetrates and fills the universe in all
Deuteronomy 33:27: "The eternal God is thy its parts." (Systematic Theology, p. 279)
refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: The omnipresence of God thus means he is
and he shall thrust out the enemy from before present everywhere with his whole being at the
thee: and shall say, Destroy them." same time. The great danger to avoid in rightly
Psalm 102:11, 12: "My days are like a shadow understanding this attribute is the grievous error
that declineth; and I am withered like grass. But of pantheism, which says that God is
thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever; and thy everywhere, and everything is God. This is
remembrance unto all generations." totally false. Two aspects should be kept in
During one of his dialogues with the wicked mind as one studies the omnipresence of God.
Pharisees, the Son of God made reference to his 1. God's immanence. This speaks of God being
attribute of eternity. Note his declaration: in the world, acting within and through his
John 8:56, 57: "Your father Abraham rejoiced creation.
to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 2. God's transcendence. This affirms that God
Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet is above and beyond his creation.
fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?" It Psalm 139:7-12: "Whither shall I go from
should be observed that he did not say, "before thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy
Abraham was, I was," but "before Abraham presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou
was, I am" (Jn. 8:58). art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold,
10 thou art there. If I take the wings of the
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of 2. Over men.
the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, Daniel 4:30-32: "The king spake, and said,
and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built
Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the for the house of the kingdom by the might of
night shall be light about me. Yea, the my power, and for the honour of my
darkness hideth not from thee; but the night majesty? While the word was in the king's
shineth as the day: the darkness and the light mouth, there fell a voice from heaven,
are both alike to thee." saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is
Matthew 18:20: "For where two or three are spoken; the kingdom is departed from thee.
gathered together in my name, there am I in And they shall drive thee from men, and thy
the midst of them." dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field:
F. God is omnipotent (all-powerful). they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen,
Genesis 18:14: "Is any thing too hard for the and seven times shall pass over thee, until
Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thou know that the most High ruleth in the
thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah kingdom of men, and giveth it to
shall have a son." whomsoever he will."
Revelation 19:6: "And I heard as it were the 3. Over angels.
voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of Psalm 103:20: "Blessed the Lord, ye his
many waters, and as the voice of mighty angels, that excel in strength, that do his
thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God commandments, hearkening unto the voice
omnipotent reigneth". of his word."
This means God can do anything if it can be 4. Over Satan (Job 1:12; 2:6).
done and if it does not contradict his own The first two chapters of Job deal with
nature. To illustrate these two things: God Satan's accusations against the patriarch
cannot create a rock so heavy that he couldn't before God. The devil then subjects Job to
lift it, because the very nature of this act would various fierce and fiery trials, but not before
be impossible to perform. God cannot lie, or being granted the needed specific permission
steal, for these things would contradict his own from the omnipotent God himself.
nature. Here are some areas in which God's William Evans writes: "Satan has no power
omnipotence is clearly seen. over any of God's children saving as God
1. Over nature. permits him to have. This fact is clearly
a. He separates light from darkness established in the case of Job (1:12 and 2:6),
(Gen. 1:4). and Peter (Luke 22:31, 32), in which we are
b. He separates the waters by the firmament told that Satan had petitioned God that he
(space) (Gen. 1:7). might sift the self-righteous patriarch and the
c. He separates the seas from the dry land impulsive apostle. Finally Satan is to be
(Gen. 1:10). forever bound with a great chain
d. He measures oceans in his hands (Rev. 20:2). God can set a bar (limit) to the
(Isa. 40:12). malignity (evil) of Satan just as he can set a
e. He weighs mountains in his scale bar to the waves of the sea."
(Isa. 40:12). (The Great Doctrines of the Bible; p. 33).
f. He regards nations as a drop in the bucket 5. Over death.
(Isa. 40:15). Hebrews 2:14, 15: "Forasmuch then as the
g. He looks upon the islands as small children are partakers of flesh and blood, he
particles of dirt (Isa. 40:15). also himself likewise took part of the same;
11
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
that through death he might destroy him that Psalm 44:21: "Shall not God search this
had the power of death, that is, the devil; out? For he knoweth the secrets of the
and deliver them who through fear of death heart."
were all their lifetime subject to bondage." b. Our words.
G. God is omniscient (all-knowing). Psalm 139:4: "For there is not a word in
God possesses (without prior discovery of my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest
facts) complete and universal knowledge of all it altogether."
things past, present, and future. This includes c. Our deeds
not only the actual, but also the possible. This (Ps. 139:3; Rev. 2:2, 9, 13, 3:1, 8, 15).
total and immediate knowledge is based on his Psalm 139:2a: "Thou knowest my
eternity (he has always, and will always exist), down-sitting and mine uprising."
and his omnipresence (he has been, is, and will d. Our sorrows.
always be everywhere at the same time). Exodus 3:7: "And the Lord said, I have
Psalm 147:5: "Great is our Lord, and of great surely seen the affliction of my people
power: his understanding is infinite." which are in Egypt, and have he. their cry
Isaiah 40:13, 14: "Who hath directed the Spirit by reason of their taskmasters; for I know
of the Lord, or being his counselor hath taught their sorrows."
him? With whom took he counsel, and who e. Our needs.
instructed him, and taught him in the path of Matthew 6:32: "(For after all these things
judgment, and taught him knowledge and do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly
showed to him the way of understanding?" Father knoweth that ye have need of all
Hebrews 4:13: "Neither is there any creature these things."
that is not manifest in his sight: but all things f. Our devotion.
are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with Genesis 18:17-19: "And the Lord said,
whom we have to do." Shall I hide from Abraham that thing
Psalm 104:24: "O Lord, how manifold are thy which I do . . . For I know him, that he
works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: the will command his children and his
earth is full of thy riches." household after him, and they shall keep
1. He sees all things. the way of the Lord, to do justice and
Proverbs 15:3: "The eyes of the Lord is in judgment; that the Lord may bring upon
every place, beholding the evil and the Abraham that which he hath spoken of
good." him."
2. He knows all things (the big and small of his Genesis 22:11, 12: "And the angel of the
universe). Lord called unto him out of heaven, and
Psalm 147:4: "He telleth the number the said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said,
stars; he calleth them all by their names. " Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand
upon the lad, neither do thou any thing
Matthew 10:29, 30: "Are not two spar-
unto him: for now I know that thou fearest
rows sold for a farthing? and one of the shall
God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy
not fall on the ground without your Father.
son, thine only son from me."
But the very hairs of your head are all
2 Chronicles 16:9: "For the eyes of the
numbered.
Lord run to and fro throughout the whole
3. He knows mankind. earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf
a. Our thoughts. of them whose heart is perfect toward him.
Psalm 139:2b: "Thou understandest my Herein thou hast done foolishly: Therefore
thought afar off." from henceforth thou shalt have wars."
12
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
g. Our frailties. (weaknesses) space, time, life, death, good, evil, heaven,
Psalm 103:14: "For he knoweth our frame; and hell." (The Knowledge of the Holy, p. 62)
he remembereth that we are dust." H. God is wise.
h. Our foolishness. We have already noted God's omniscience (all
Psalm 69:5: "O God, thou knowest my knowledge) is based upon his eternity and
foolishness; and my sins are not hid from omnipresence (everywhere present). We may
thee." now suggest his wisdom is grounded upon his
i. He knows his own. omniscience. Robert Lightner writes:
John 10:14: "I am the good shepherd, and "Though very closely related, knowledge and
know my sheep, and am known of mine." wisdom are not the same. Nor do they always
2 Timothy 2:19: "Nevertheless the accompany each other. No doubt we have all
foundation of God standeth sure, having known those who had acquired a great deal of
this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are facts but who lacked the ability to use them
his. And, Let every one that nameth the wisely. Both knowledge and wisdom are
name of Christ depart from iniquity." imperfect in man but perfect and perfectly
4. He knows the. past, present, and future. related to each other in God. Only He knows
Acts 15:18: "Known unto God are all his how to use His infinite knowledge to the best
works from the beginning of the world." possible end. Through His wisdom God applies
5. He knows what might or could have been. His knowledge to the fulfillment of His own
Matthew 11:23: "And thou, Capernaum, purposes in ways which will bring the most
which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be glory to Him." (The God of the Bible, p. 99)
brought down to hell: for if the mighty Following are but a few of the passages which
works, which have been done in thee, had declare the wisdom of God.
been done in Sodom, it would have Psalm 136:5: "To him that by wisdom made the
remained until this day." heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever."
A. W. Tozer has written: "God perfectly Proverbs 3:19: "The Lord by wisdom hath
knows Himself and, being the source and founded the earth; by understanding hath he
author of all things, it follows that He knows established the heavens.
all that can be known. And this He knows 1 Corinthians 2:7: "But we speak the wisdom of
instantly and with a fullness of perfection God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom,
that includes every possible item of which God ordained before the world unto our
knowledge concerning everything that exists glory."
or could have existed anywhere in the 1 Timothy 1:17: "Now unto the King eternal,
universe at any time in the past or that may immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be
exist in the centuries or ages yet unborn. honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
God knows instantly and effortlessly all Jude 1:25: "To the only wise God our Saviour,
matter and all matters, all mind and every be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both
mind, all spirit and all spirits, all beings and now and ever. Amen."
every being, all creature-hood, and all I. God is immutable. (unchangeable)
creatures, every plurality and all pluralities, In a sentence, this says that God never differs
all law and every law, all relations, all from himself. He may on occasion alter his
causes, all thoughts, all mysteries, all dealings with men in a dispensational sense, but
enigmas, all feeling, all desires, every his divine character remains constant. This is a
unuttered secret, all thrones and dominions, vital attribute of God, without which he could
all personalities, all things visible and not be God. For example, a person may only
invisible in heaven and in earth, motion, 13 change in two directions. He may go from
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
better to worse or from worse to better. But it the world. The good Ormazd made all good
is unthinkable that God could travel down either things and the evil Ahriman made the rest. It
of these roads. was quite simple. Ormazd had no
Hebrews 1:10-12: "And, Thou, Lord, in the sovereignty to worry about, and apparently
beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; did not mind sharing his prerogatives
and the heavens are the works of thine hands: (privileges) with another."
They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they (The Knowledge of the Holy, p. 117)
all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a This explanation is of course totally
vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall unscriptural. The only positive statement in
be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years our present ignorance is that the sovereign
shall not fail." God has indeed allowed for (but not
James 1:17: "Every good gift and every perfect arranged for) sin to enter this universe, that
gift is from above, and cometh down from the through it all he might receive the most
Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, glory (Rev. 4:11) and that the elect
neither shadow of turning." (Rom. 8:28) might receive the most good.
Acts 1:11: "Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, 2. If God is sovereign, how do we reconcile
why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same the responsibility and freedom of man?
Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, Again, to quote from A. W. Tozer: "Here is
shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him my view: God sovereignly decreed that man
go into heaven." should be free to exercise moral choice, and
"Jesus Christ man from the beginning has fulfilled that
the same yesterday, decree by making his choice between good
and evil. When he chooses to do evil, he
and to day,
does not thereby countervail the sovereign
and for ever." will of God but fulfills it. Inasmuch as the
Hebrews 13:8 eternal decree decided not which
choice the man should make but that he
J. God is sovereign. should be free to make it." (Ibid, p. 118)
This means that God is the absolute and sole Psalm 135:6: "Whatsoever the Lord pleased,
ruler in the universe. To be truly sovereign that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the
demands that one have the total freedom, seas, and all deep places."
power, knowledge, wisdom, and determination Isaiah 46:9-11: "Remember the former
to carry out a predetermined course of action. things of old: for I am God, and there is
God possesses all these in infinite measure and none else; I am God, and there is none like
is thus sovereign. me, declaring the end from the beginning,
Two ancient problems usually surface during and from ancient times the things that are
any discussion of the sovereignty of God. not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand,
1. If God is sovereign, how do we explain the and I will do all my pleasure: calling a
presence of sin and evil? ravenous bird from the east, the man that
A. W. Tozer writes: "The Zend Avesta, executeth my counsel from a far country:
sacred book of Zoroastrianism, loftiest of yes, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to
the great non-biblical religions, got around pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it."
this difficulty neatly enough by postulating
(assume without proof) a theological
dualism. There were two gods, Ormazd and
Ahriman, and these between them created 14
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
K. God is incomprehensible. thousands of times more than the combined
By this it is stated that no one except God total of all the grains of sand on all the
himself can even remotely understand and seashores of the earth. But this number simply
comprehend God. marks his first one hundred years, How much
Job 5:7-9: "Yet man is born unto trouble, as the knowledge-doubling will he have experienced at
sparks fly upward. I would seek unto God, and the end of his first one million years? This
unto God would I commit my cause; Which staggering figure cannot even be comprehended
doeth great things and unsearchable; marvelous by the mortal mind, but whatever it is, and
things without number." however many zeros it represents, it will double
Job 11:7-9: "Canst thou by searching find out itself the very next year!
God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto The point of all the above is simply this:
perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst Throughout the untold and unnumbered trillions
thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou and trillions of years in timeless eternity, each
know? The measure thereof is longer than the child of God can double his or her learning
earth, and broader than the sea." about the Creator each year and yet never even
Psalm 35:5,6: "Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the remotely exhaust the awesome height, depth, or
heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the length to be known of the person of God.
clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great L. God is inscrutable. (unsearchable)
mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O "How unsearchable are his judgments, and his
Lord, thou preservest man and beast." ways past finding out" (Rom. 11:33).
Romans 11:33: "O the depth of the riches both This attribute refers to the inexplicable
of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how (unexplainable) and mysterious ways of God. It
unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways raises the most painful question of all: Why does
past finding out!" a loving and wise God allow certain terrible
To illustrate this attribute, consider the tragedies to occur? As an example, here is a
following: Let us suppose in heaven we are able young, spirit-filled pastor. He has spent a
to double our learning each year concerning the number of years diligently preparing for the
person and attributes of God. This is not at all ministry. His wife has sacrificed to help put him
an unreasonable assumption, for the Christian through school. But now all this is paying off.
will possess a sinless and glorified body, along His church is experiencing an amazing growth.
with a holy and tireless desire to know more Souls are saved weekly. New converts are
about Jesus. So here is a believer who begins baptized each Sunday. Additional Sunday
eternity with X amount of knowledge about school buses are purchased and a new building
God. At the beginning of the second year he has is planned. A skeptical community slowly finds
doubled this, the third year he learns four times itself being profoundly influenced by this vibrant
as much, the fourth year, eight times as much, and exciting pastor and his people. Suddenly,
etc. By the end of his eleventh year he will have without any warning, the minister is killed in a
increased his knowledge concerning God freak accident. Shortly after the funeral the still
1000-fold. At the conclusion of year number confused and stunned congregation extends a
twenty-one the figure jumps to one million. At call to another man. But the new minister shows
the end of the thirty-first year the number leaps little compassion and less leadership ability.
to one billion. Following the forty-first year it Soon the flock is scattered and the once thrilling
reaches one trillion! As he finishes his first testimony of a growing and glowing work is
century in eternity his knowledge of God all but stilled. How many times since Abel's
(doubling each year) would reach 1/30 (one martyrdom at the dawn of human history have
followed by 30 zeros)! This figure is 15 similar tragedies taken place? One need only
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
change the names, places, and rearrange some Psalm 99:9: "Exalt the Lord our God, and
of the details. But the searing and searching worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is
question remains: Why does God permit such holy."
terrible things? A clue (and only a clue) to this 1 Peter 1:15: "But as he which hath called you
question is seen in Revelation 10:7: "But in the is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he conversation."
shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should A. W. Tozer writes: "Holy is the way God is.
be finished, as he hath declared to his servants To be holy He does not conform to a standard.
the prophets." He is that standard. He is absolutely holy with
But until the sound of that blessed trumpet, the an infinite, (unending) incomprehensible (not
perplexed child of God can arrive at no better able to be understood) fullness of purity that is
conclusion than once offered by Abraham: incapable of being other than it is. Because He
"Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" is holy, all His attributes are holy; that is,
(Gen. 18:25). whatever we think of as belonging to God must
This sublime statement is amplified on at least be thought of as holy.
three other biblical occasions. God is holy and He has made holiness the moral
1. By Moses: condition necessary to the health of His
"He is the Rock, his work is perfect; for all universe. Sin's temporary presence in the world
his ways are justice; a God of truth and only accents this. Whatever is holy is healthy;
without iniquity, just and right is he" evil is a moral sickness that must end ultimately
(Deut. 32:4). in death. The formation of the language itself
2. By Job: suggests this, the English word holy deriving
"Naked came I out of my mother's womb, from the Anglo-Saxon halig, hal, meaning
and naked shall I return thither. The Lord "well, whole."
gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed Since God's first concern for His universe is its
be the name of the Lord" (1:21). "Though he moral health, that is, its holiness, whatever is
slay me, yet will I trust in him" (13:15). contrary to this is necessarily under His eternal
3. By a Galilean crowd in Jesus' day: displeasure. To preserve His creation God must
"He hath done all things well..." (Mk. 7:37). destroy whatever would destroy it. When He
arises to put down iniquity and save the world
M. God is holy.
from inseparable moral collapse, He is said to be
Without a doubt the most prominent attribute of
angry. Every wrathful judgement in the history
God as presented by both Old and New
of the world has been a holy act of preservation.
Testament Scriptures is his holiness. This one
The holiness of God, the wrath of God, and the
single perfection would perhaps come closer to
health of the creation are inseparably united.
describing the eternal Creator than any other
God's wrath is His utter intolerance of whatever
characteristic he possesses. It has been
degrades and destroys. He hates iniquity as a
suggested that his holiness is the union of all
mother hates the polio that would take the life
other attributes, as pure white light is the union
of her child. (The Knowledge of the Holy, p. 113)
of all the colored rays of the spectrum. Note but
In the Bible God underlines his holiness by
a few biblical references:
direct commands, objects, personal visions, and
Leviticus 19:2: "Speak unto all the congregation
individual judgments.
of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye
1. The direct commandments.
shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy."
a. the moral law (Ten Commandments)
(Ex. 10:10-25; 20:1-17)
16
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
b. the spiritual law (feasts and offerings) his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream
(Ex. 35-40; Lev. 1-7, 23) issued and came forth from before him:
c. the ceremonial law (diet, sanitation, etc.) thousand thousands ministered unto him,
(Lev. 11-15) and ten thousand times ten thousand stood
2. The objects. The main object was the before him: . . .yet their lives were
tabernacle itself. prolonged for a season and time. I saw in
3. Personal visions. the night visions, and, behold, one like the
a. Moses' vision. Son of man came with the clouds of
Exodus 33:18-23: "And he said, I beseech heaven, and came to the Ancient of days,
thee, shew me thy glory. . . . And he said, and they brought him near before him. And
Thou canst not see my face: for there shall there was given him dominion, and glory,
no man see me, and live. And the Lord and a kingdom, that all people, nations,
said, Behold, there is a place by me, and and languages, should serve him: his
thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall dominion is an everlasting dominion,
come to pass, while my glory passeth by, which shall not pass away, and his
that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, kingdom that which shall not be
and will cover thee with my hand while I destroyed."
pass by: And I will take away mine hand, d. John's vision.
and thou shalt see my back parts: but my Revelation 4:8-11: "And the four beasts
face shall not be seen." had each of them six wings about him; and
they were full of eyes within: and they rest
Holy, Holy, Holy not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God Almighty Lord God Almighty, which was, and is,
and is to come. And when those beasts
b. Isaiah's vision. give glory and honour and thanks to him
Isaiah 6:1-5: "In the year that king Uzziah that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever
died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a and ever, the four and twenty elders fall
throne, high and lifted up, and his train down before him that sat on the throne,
filled the temple. Above it stood the and worship him that liveth for ever and
seraphim: each one had six wings; with ever, and cast their crowns before the
twain he covered his face, and with twain throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord,
he covered his feet, and with twain he did to receive glory and honour and power:
fly. And one cried unto another, and said, for thou hast created all things, and for thy
Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the pleasure they are and were created."
whole earth is full of his glory... Then said 4. Individual judgments.
I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I a. Upon Nadab and Abihu, for offering
am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in strange fire (Lev. 10:13).
the midst of a people of unclean lips: for b. Upon Korah, for rebellion
mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of (Num. 16:4-12, 31-33).
hosts." c. Upon Uzziah, for intruding into the office
c. Daniel's vision. of the priest (2 Chron. 26:16-21).
Daniel 7:9-14: "I beheld till the thrones d. Upon Herod, for blasphemy
were cast down, and the Ancient of days (Acts 12:20-23).
did sit, whose garment was white as snow, e. Upon Christ, for the sins of the world
and the hair of his head like the pure wool: (Isa. 53:1-10; Ps. 22:1; Heb. 2:7;
his throne was like the fiery flame, and 17 1 Pet. 2:21-25; 3:18).
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
5. Our responsibility in light of God's holiness. have sinned this time: the Lord is righteous,
First, we should approach God, with and I and my people are wicked."
'reverence and godly fear' Ezra 9:15: "O Lord God of Israel, thou art
Hebrews 12:28: "Wherefore . . . let us have righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is
grace, whereby we may serve God this day: behold, we are before thee in our
acceptably with reverence and godly fear." trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee
In the story of Moses' approach to the because of this."
burning bush, the smiting of the men at Nehemiah 9:8: "And foundest his heart
Bethshemesh, the boundary set about Mr. faithful before thee, and madest a covenant
Sinai, we are taught to feel our own with him to give the land . . . to give it, I
unworthiness. There is too much hilarity in say, to his seed, and hast performed thy
our approach unto God. Eccl. 5:1-3 words; for thou art righteous."
inculcates (teaches) great care in our address Daniel 9:14: "Therefore hath the Lord
to God. watched upon the evil, and brought it upon
Second, we shall have right views of sin us: for the Lord our God is righteous in all
when we get right views of God's holiness. his works which he doeth: for we obeyed
Isaiah, the holiest man in all Israel, was cast not his voice."
down at the sight of his own sin after he had 2. The legislative righteousness and justice of
seen the vision of God's holiness. The same God.
thing is true of Job. Psalm 67:4: "O let the nations be glad and
Job 40:3, 4: "Then Job answered the Lord, sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people
and said, Behold, I am vile; what shall I righteously, and govern the nations upon
answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my earth. Selah."
mouth." Psalm 7:9 "Oh let the wickedness of the
We confess sin in such easy and familiar wicked come to an end; but establish the
terms that it has almost lost its terror for us. just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts
Third, that approach to a holy God must be and reins."
through the merits of Christ, and on the Psalm 96:10: "Say among the heathen that
ground of a righteousness which is Christ's the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be
and which naturally we do not possess. established that it shall not be moved: he
Herein lies the need of the atonement." shall judge the people righteously."
(William Evans; The Great Doctrines of the Psalm 119:137: "Righteous art thou, O
Bible; p. 40). Lord, and upright are thy judgments."
N. God is righteous and just. a. Rewarding the good.
Righteousness can be defined as moral equity 2 Timothy 4:8: "Henceforth there is laid up
(fairness). Justice is the illustration of this moral for me a crown of righteousness, which the
equity. In righteousness God reveals his love for Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at
holiness. In justice God reveals his hatred for that day: and not to me only, but unto all
sin. The Scriptures present this twin attribute in them also that love his appearing."
a threefold light. It should be pointed out, however, that
1. The intrinsic (real, genuine) righteousness while God's righteousness guarantees
and justice of God. rewards, it does not bestow them. A. W.
Exodus 9:27: "And Pharaoh sent, and called Strong writes:
for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I "Neither justice or righteousness bestows
18 reward. This follows from the fact that
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
obedience is due to God, instead of being 1 Peter 2:24: "Who his own self bare our
optional or a gratuity (gift, donation). No sins in his own body on the tree, that we,
creature can claim anything for his being dead to sins, should live unto
obedience. If God rewards, He rewards in righteousness: by whose stripes ye were
virtue of His goodness and faithfulness, healed."
but not in virtue of His justice or His O. God is true.
righteousness." Titus 1:1, 2: "Paul, a servant of God, and an
(Systematic Theology, p. 293) apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of
b. Punishing the evil. God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth
2 Timothy 4:14: "Alexander the which is after godliness; in hope of eternal life,
coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord which God, that cannot lie, promised before the
reward him according to his works. world began."
Revelation 16:5-7: "And I heard the angel John 17:3: "And this is life eternal, that they
of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O might know thee the only true God, and Jesus
Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, Christ, whom thou hast sent."
because thou hast judged thus. For they 1 Thessalonians 1:9: "For they themselves show
have shed the blood of saints and prophets, of us what manner of entering in we had unto
and thou hast given them blood to drink; you, and how ye turned to God from idols to
for they are worthy. And I heard another serve the living and true God."
out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Romans 3:4: "God forbid: yea, let God be true,
Almighty, true and righteous are thy but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou
judgments." mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest
3. The imputed (taken from one and given to overcome when thou art judged ."
another) righteousness of God. "By truth we mean that attribute of the divine
Romans 4:3: "For what saith the scripture? nature in virtue of which God's being and God's
Abraham believed God, and it was counted knowledge eternally conform to each other."
unto him for righteousness." (A. W. Strong, Systematic Theology, p. 260)
Romans 4:6-8: "Even as David also Truth is therefore anything factual about God.
describeth the blessedness of the man, unto The child of God may well say, "I speak (or
whom God imputeth (gives, reckons) serve) the truth," but only the Son of God can
righteousness without works, Saying, say, "I am the truth!" (Jn. 14:6). Again to quote
Blessed are they whose iniquities are from A. W. Strong: "Since Christ is the truth of
forgiven, and whose sins are covered. God, we are successful in our search for truth
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will only as we recognize Him. Whether all roads
not impute sin." lead to Rome depends upon which way your
Philippians 3:7-9: "But what things were face is turned. Follow a point of land out into
gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. the sea, and you find only ocean. With the back
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss turned upon Jesus Christ all following after
for the excellency of the knowledge of truth leads only into mist and darkness."
Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have (Ibid, p. 262)
suffered the loss of all things, and do count God is the ultimate and only source and
them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be standard of truth. This is why the Bible
found in him, not having mine own describes the "God that cannot lie"
righteousness, which is of the law, but that (Titus 1:2), and concludes that it is utterly
which is through the faith of Christ, the "impossible for God to lie," (Heb. 6:18).
righteousness which is of God by faith." 19
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
This may be taken a step farther and stated that Colossians 1:17: "And he is before all things,
he not only cannot lie, but that he need not lie. and by him all things consist."
A lie is almost always resorted to by human 2. In keeping his promises to his friends.
beings to get out of a tight spot, to impress a. Adam.
someone, to gain an advantage, etc. But Galatians 4:4: "But when the fulness of the
almighty God never finds himself in any of time was come, God sent forth his Son,
these situations. In the Psalms he speaks to us made of a woman, made under the law."
concerning this. b. Abraham.
Psalm 50:10-12; "For every beast of the forest Genesis 15:4: "And, behold, the word of
is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I the Lord came unto him, saying, This
know all the fowls of the mountains: and the shall not be thine heir; but he that shall
wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were come forth out of thine own bowels shall
hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is be thine heir."
mine, and the fullness thereof." Genesis 18:14: "Is any thing too hard for
P. God is faithful. the Lord? At the time appointed I will
Deuteronomy 7:9: "Know therefore that the return unto thee, according to the time of
Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, life, and Sarah shall have a son."
which keepeth covenant and mercy with them Genesis 21:1, 2: "And the Lord visited
that love him and keep his commandments to a Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did
thousand generations." unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah
Psalm 36:5: "Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his
heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the old age, at the set time of which God had
clouds." spoken him."
Psalm 89:1, 2: "1 will sing of the mercies of the c. Moses.
Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make Exodus 3:21: "And I will give this people
known thy faithfulness to all generations. For I favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it
have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy shall come to pass, that when ye go, ye
faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very shall not go empty."
heavens." Exodus 12:35, 36: "And the children of
Lamentations 3:22, 23: "It is of the Lord's Israel did according to the word Moses;
mercies that we are not consumed, because his and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels
compassions fail not. They are new every of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:
morning: great is thy faithfulness." and the Lord gave the people favour in the
God's faithfulness refers to his self-loyalty and sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent
to that of his entire creation. He will not unto them such things as they required.
(indeed, cannot) change his character nor fail to And they spoiled the Egyptians."
perform all he has promised. God's faithfulness d. Joshua.
is seen in many areas. Joshua 1:15: "Now after the death Moses
1. In nature. the servant of the Lord it came to pass,
Psalm 119:90: "Thy faithfulness is unto all that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of
generations: thou hast established the earth, Nun, Moses' minister saying, Moses my
and it abideth." servant is dead now therefore arise, go
Genesis 8:22: "'While the earth remaineth, over this Jordan, thou, and all this people,
seed-time and harvest, and cold and heat, unto the land which I do give to them,
and summer and winter, and day and night even to the children of Israel.... There shall
shall not cease." 20 not any man be able to stand before thee
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
all the days of thy life: as I was with 1 Kings 22:34-38: "And a certain man
Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail drew a bow at a venture, and smote the
thee, nor forsake thee." king of Israel between the joints of the
Joshua 23:14: "And, behold, this day I am harness: . . . So the king died, and was
going the way of all the earth: and ye brought to Samaria; and they buried the
know in all your heart and in all your king in Samaria. And one washed the
souls, that not one thing hath failed of all chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the
the good things which the Lord your God dogs licked up his blood; and they washed
spake concerning you; all are come to pass his armour; according unto the word of the
unto you, and not one thing hath failed Lord which he spake."
thereof." b. Jezebel
e. David. 1 Kings 21:23: "And of Jezebel also spake
2 Samuel 7:12, 13: "And when thy days be the Lord, saying, The dogs shall eat
fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel."
fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, 2 Kings 9:35-37: "And they went to bury
which shall proceed out thy bowels, and I her: but they found no more of her than
will establish his kingdom. He shall build the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her
an house for my name, and I will stablish hands. And he said, This is the word of the
the throne of his kingdom for ever." Lord, which he spake by his servant Elijah
Luke 1:31-33: "And, behold, thou shalt the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of
conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel"
son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He 4. In times of temptation.
shall be great, and shall called the Son of 1 Corinthians 10:13: "There hath no
the Highest: and Lord God shall give unto temptation taken you but such as is common
him the throne of his father David: And he to man: but God is faithful, who will not
shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; suffer you to be tempted above that ye are
and of his kingdom there shall be no end." able; but will with the temptation also make
f. Hezekiah. a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear
2 Kings 19:32-34: "Therefore thus saith it."
the Lord concerning the king of Assyria, 5. In chastening his children.
He shall not come into this city. . .For I Psalm 119:75: "1 know, O Lord, that thy
will defend this city, to save it, for mine judgments are right, and that thou in
own sake, and for my servant David's faithfulness hast afflicted me."
sake." Hebrews 12:6: "For whom the Lord loveth
3. In keeping his promises to his enemies. he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son
a. Ahab. whom he receiveth."
1 Kings 21:17-19: "And the word of the
6. In forgiving our sins.
Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is
Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in
cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
the vineyard of Naboth . . . And thou shalt
speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the 7. In answering our prayers.
Lord, In the place where dogs licked the Psalm 143:1: "Hear my prayer, O Lord, give
blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness
even thine." answer me, and in thy righteousness."
21
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
8. In keeping the saved saved. in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge
1 Corinthians 1:8,9: "Who shall also confirm of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
you unto the end, that ye may be blameless 1 Timothy 6:16: "Who only hath immortality,
in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is dwelling in the light which no man can approach
faithful, by whom ye were called unto the unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to
fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." whom be honour and power everlasting.
1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24: "And the very Amen."
God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray James 1:17: "Every good gift and every perfect
God your whole spirit and soul and body be gift is from above, and cometh down from the
preserved blameless unto the coming of our Father of lights, with whom is no variableness,
Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth neither shadow of turning."
you, who also will do it." 1 John 1:5: "This then is the message which we
2 Thessalonians 3:3: "But the Lord is have heard of him, and declare unto you, that
faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."
from evil." R. God is good.
9. In defending his people. A. W. Strong defines goodness as follows:
Psalm 89:20: "I have found David my "Goodness is the eternal principle of God's
servant; with my holy oil have I anointed nature which leads Him to communicate of His
him." own life and blessedness to those who are like
Him in moral character."
Psalm 89:24: "But my faithfulness and my
(Systematic Theology, p. 289)
mercy shall be with him: and in my name
A. W. Tozer writes in similar fashion: " The
shall his horn be exalted."
goodness of God is that which disposes Him to
1 Samuel 12:22: "For the Lord will not be kind, cordial, benevolent, and full of good
forsake his people for his great name's sake: will toward men. He is tenderhearted and of
because it hath pleased the Lord to make quick sympathy, and His unfailing attitude
you his people." toward all moral beings is open, frank, and
2 Timothy 2:13: "If we believe not, yet he friendly. By His nature He is inclined to bestow
abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself." blessedness and He takes holy pleasure in the
Q. God is Light. happiness of His people." (The Knowledge of
He is both the source and strength of all the Holy, p. 88)
illumination. This refers not only to those Psalm 107:8: "Oh that men would praise the
golden beams of energy radiating from the sun Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful
and stars, but also to moral, mental, and works to the children of men!"
spiritual rays of information and inspiration. Psalm 23:6: "Surely goodness and mercy shall
1 Peter 2:9: "But ye are a chosen generation, a follow me all the days of my life: and I will
royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."
people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Romans 2:4: "Or despisest thou the riches of his
him who hath called you out of darkness into his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering;
marvellous light." not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth
1 John 1:7: "But if we walk in the light, as he is thee to repentance?"
in the light, we have fellowship one with S. God is merciful.
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son "Mercy is that eternal principle of God's nature
cleanseth us from all sin." which leads Him to seek the temporal good and
2 Corinthians 4:6: "For God, who commanded eternal salvation of those who have opposed
the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined 22 themselves to His will, even at the cost of
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
infinite self-sacrifice." that fear him and his righteousness unto
(A. W. Strong, Systematic Theology, p. 289) children's children."
God's mercy is optional, in that he is in no way Hebrews 8:8, 12: "For finding fault with
obligated to save sinners as he is to punish them, he saith, Behold, the days come saith
sinners. But he chooses to do so. the Lord, when I will make a new covenant
The Old Testament speaks four times as much with the house of Israel and with the house
about the mercy of God as does the New of Judah. For I will be merciful to their
Testament. It is mentioned twenty-six times in unrighteousness, and their sins and their
Psalms 136 alone. Mercy then, among other iniquities will I remember no more."
things, is not getting what we deserve, namely, 3. The example of Jonah.
hell. Jonah 4:2: "And he prayed unto the Lord
1. The example of David (Ps. 51). and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this
This is the confessional Psalm prayed by my saying, when I was yet in my country.
David after his shameful sin with Bathsheba, Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I
which included both adultery and murder. knew that thou art a gracious God, and
He begins by pleading for mercy and ends by merciful, slow to anger, and of great
acknowledging that no animal sacrifice could kindness, and repentest thee of the evil."
clean his sin. He then bypasses the Levitical
4. The example of Paul.
offerings and throws himself completely
1 Timothy 1:13, 16: "Who was before a
upon mercy of God.
blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious:
Mercy is not but I obtained mercy, because I did it
ignorantly in unbelief. Howbeit for this
getting what cause I obtained mercy, that in me first
we deserve. Jesus Christ might shew forth all
long-suffering, for a pattern to them which
should hereafter believe on him to life
2. The example of Israel.
everlasting."
Psalm 103:8-17: "The Lord is merciful and
gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in T. God is gracious.
mercy. He will not always chide neither will The very simplest definition of this beautiful
he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt attribute is unmerited favor. It is helpful at this
with us after our sins; nor rewarded us point to contrast mercy with grace. God's mercy
according to our iniquities For as the heaven allows him to withhold merited (deserved)
is high above the earth so great is his mercy punishment. God's grace allows him to freely
toward them that fear him. As far as the east bestow unmerited favor. Mercy is not getting
is from the west, so far hath he removed our what we deserve, namely, hell. Grace is getting
transgressions from us. Like as a father what we do not deserve, namely, heaven.
pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them Psalm 111:4: "He hath made his wonderful
that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious
remembereth that we are dust. As for man, and full of compassion."
his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, Psalm 116:5: "Gracious is the Lord, and
so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over righteous ..."
it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall 1 Peter 2:3: "If so be ye have tasted that the
know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord Lord is gracious."
is from everlasting to everlasting upon them 1 Peter 5:10: "But the God of all grace . . ."
23
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
1. God's grace is seen through all 6. God's grace was displayed at Calvary.
dispensations (time periods) in history. Hebrews 2:9: "But we see Jesus, who was
It is first mentioned on the eve of the first made a little lower than the angels for the
universal world destruction (Gen. 6:8) and suffering of death, crowned with glory and
the last reference occurs in Scripture's final honour; that he by the grace of God should
verse (Rev. 22:21). taste death for every man."
7. God's grace makes the sinner what he is
Grace is getting (2 Cor. 12:9).
1 Corinthians 15:10: "But by the grace of
what we do not God I am what I am: and his grace which
deserve. was bestowed upon me was not in vain . . .
but the grace of God which was with me."
2. God's grace is always a free gift. Hebrews 4:16: "Let us therefore come
Romans 3:24: "Being justified freely by his boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may
grace through the redemption that is in obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time
Christ Jesus." of need."
Ephesians 2:8,9: "For by grace are ye saved 8. God's grace was perhaps the attribute which
through faith; and that not of yourselves: it prompted him to create the world in the first
is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any place (see Eph. 2)
man should boast." U. God is Love.
3. God's grace always precedes his peace. This is at once the most universally known and
Romans 1:7: "To all that be in Rome, universally misunderstood attribute of all.
beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to Millions have simply equated love with God,
you and peace from God our Father, and the thus weakening or totally denying his other
Lord Jesus Christ." perfections. A man and woman may have an
This little phrase, "Grace to you and peace," affair hidden from their spouses and justify their
a common salutation in that day, is found adulterous relationship by their great "love" for
many times in the New Testament, but each other. But God's love cannot be separated
always in this order--never, "peace and or isolated from his holiness and hatred for sin.
grace." It is also spiritually true that one Having said all this, however, it must be
cannot experience God's peace until he has admitted that of all his attributes, God's love is
first appropriated his grace. probably more quickly seized upon by seeking
sinners than any other perfection. The smallest
4. God's grace was incarnate (in the flesh) in
child can sing with great understanding: "Jesus
Christ (Jn. 1:17).
John 1:14: "And the Word was made flesh, loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so!"
and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his Two definitions of love may be offered at this
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of point:
the Father,) full of grace and truth." Love is unselfish concern about
Titus 2:11: "For the grace of God that another's welfare.
bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men." Love is that act of one person
5. God's grace is greater than man's sin. seeking the highest good for
Romans 5:20: "Moreover the law entered, another person.
that the offence might abound. But where
sin abounded, grace did much more Of all the 21 attributes presented in this
abound." 24 study, the final three (mercy, grace, and
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
love) will probably be the most difficult to 2 Peter 3:9: "The Lord is not slack
explain to angels who have never concerning his promise, as some men count
experienced them. It would be like slackness; but is longsuffering to usward,
attempting to explain the breathtaking not willing that any should perish, but that
majesty of the Grand Canyon during a all should come to repentance."
magnificent sunset and the glorious sound 3. God loves the church.
coming from a nearby symphony orchestra Ephesians 5:25-32: "Husbands, love your
to a friend who had been born blind and wives, even as Christ also loved the church,
deaf. Following are a few objects of God's and gave himself for it . . . For no man ever
love. yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and
1. God loves Israel. cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church;
Deuteronomy 7:7,8: "The Lord did not set for we are members of his body, of his flesh,
his love upon you, nor choose you, because and of his bones. . . . This is a great mystery:
ye were more in number than any people; for but I speak concerning Christ and the
ye were the fewest of all people. But church."
because the Lord loved you, and because he 4. God loves the sinner.
would keep the oath which he had sworn Romans 5:8: "But God commendeth his love
unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you toward us, in that, while we were sinners,
out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you Christ died for us."
out of the house of bondmen, from the hand 5. God loves the spiritual Christian.
of Pharaoh king of Egypt." Galatians 2:20: "I am crucified with Christ:
Isaiah 49:15: "Can a woman forget her nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ
sucking child, that she should not have liveth in me: and the life which now live in
compassion on the son of her womb? yea, the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of
they may forget, yet will I not forget thee." God, who loved me, and gave himself for
Jeremiah 31:3: "The Lord hath appeared of me."
old unto me, saying, Yea I have loved thee 6. God loves the carnal Christian (Lk. 15:12-24).
with an everlasting love: therefore with 7. God loves his Son.
lovingkindness have I drawn thee." John 3:35: "The Father loveth the Son and
Hosea 11:1: "When Israel was a child, then I hath given all things into his hand.
loved him, and called my son out of Egypt." John 10:17: "Therefore doth my Father love
Malachi 1:2: "I have loved you, saith the me, because I lay down my life, that might
Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved take it again."
us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the John 15:9: "As the Father hath loved me, so
Lord: yet I loved Jacob. have I loved you: continue ye my love."
2. God loves the world. John 17:23, 24: "I in them, and thou in me,
John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that they may be made perfect in one and
that he gave his only begotten Son, that that the world may know that thou hast sent
whosoever believeth in him should not me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved
perish, but have everlasting life." me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou
1 Timothy 2:3, 4: "For this is good and hast given me, be with me where I am; that
acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; they may behold my glory, which thou hast
who will have all men to be saved, and to given me: for thou lovedest me before the
come unto the knowledge of the truth." foundation of the world."
25
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
Matthew 3:17: "And lo a voice from heaven,
saying, This is my beloved Son in whom I He is spirit (Jn. 4:24).
am well pleased." He is omnipotent (Mt. 19:26).
He is omniscient (Mt. 10:29).
Matthew 17:5: "While he yet spake, hold, a
He is holy (Jn. 17:11).
bright cloud overshadowed them and behold
He is righteous (Jn. 17:25).
a voice out of the cloud which said, This is
He is loving (Jn. 3:16; 17:23).
my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased;
hear ye him." He is good (Mt. 6:26, 28-30; 10:29, 30).
8. God loves the cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7: "Every man according as W. Graham Scroggie writes: "But the outstanding
he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not truth which Christ taught about God is that He is
grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a Father. This term, applied to Him, occurs 189 times-in
cheerful giver." Matthew, 44; in Mark 4; in Luke, 17; and
(includes material from Willmington's Guide in John, 124." (A Guide to the Gospels, p. 560)
To the Bible; D. L. Willmington; A. He is the Father of all life.
pp. 591-608 and The Great Doctrines of the "For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light
Bible; William Evans; pp. ,33, 40). shall we see light" (Ps. 36:9).
VI. GOD AS FATHER. "For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he
Imagine yourself among a group of Christians given to the Son to have life in himself"
who have been given a biblical test with but three essay (Jn. 5:26).
questions on it. Here are the questions, "God that made the world and all things therein
# 1 Put down everything you know about the Person ... he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things"
and work of Jesus Christ, the second Person in the (Acts 17:24, 25).
Trinity. (Probably most of the group could fill several "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord,
pages of material about the Savior in a reasonable that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles
amount of time. So far, so good!) walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the
# 2 Put down everything you know about the Person understanding darkened, being alienated from
and work of the Holy Spirit, the third Person in the the life of God through the ignorance that is in
Trinity. (Now the pens do not move as rapidly or as them, because of the blindness of their heart"
confidently as before. There are long pauses between (Eph. 4:17, 18).
sentences. At the end of the given time period the "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the
average believer has probably written at least one-half firmament sheweth his handiwork" (Ps. 19:1).
page or more.) "Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all
# 3 Put down everything you know about the Person his hosts. Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise
and work of God the Father, first Person in the Trinity. him, all ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heavens
(Oh, how silent the room now becomes! Finally, one of heavens, and ye waters that be above the
statement is written: "He is the Father of Jesus Christ." heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord:
But what can be added to this? It is my opinion that for he commanded, and they were created"
precious few in that group of Christians would be able (Ps. 148:2-5). See also Colossians 1:16.
to write even one-half dozen lines about the Father.) 1. He tends and cares for vegetation.
This all but universal ignorance about the Father is "He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle,
inexcusable, for he is mentioned by the Savior alone and herb for the service of man: that he may
well over 200 times during his earthly ministry. Our bring forth food out of the earth.... The trees
Lord taught the following about him: of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of
26
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
Lebanon, which he hath planted" giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the
(Ps. 104:14, 16). hoarfrost like ashes. He casteth forth his ice
"And why take ye thought for raiment? like morsels: who can stand before his cold?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they He sendeth out his word, and melteth them:
grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters
And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon flow" (Ps. 147:8,16,18).
in all his glory was not arrayed like one of "Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy
these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass wind fulfilling his word" (Ps. 148:8).
of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is 4. He tends and cares for the seasons.
cast into the oven, shall he not much more "While the earth remaineth, seedtime and
clothe you, O ye of little faith?" (Mt. 6:28-30). harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and
2. He tends and cares for brute nature. winter, and day and night shall not cease"
"He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, (Gen. 8:22).
and herb for the service of man: that he may "Nevertheless he left not himself without
bring forth food out of the earth.... The trees witness, in that he did good, and gave us
of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling
Lebanon, which he hath planted; where the our hearts with food and gladness"
birds make their nests: as for the stork, the (Acts 14:17).
fir trees are her house. The high hills are a
B. He Is the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for
During his earthly ministry Jesus spoke more
the conies. . . . Thou makest darkness, and it
about the Father than any other subject.
is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest
1. The Father sent his Son.
do creep forth. The young lions roar after
"Then said Jesus to them again, peace be
their prey, and seek their meat from God....
unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even
These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest
so send I you" (Jn. 20:21).
give them their meat in due season"
(Ps. 104:14, 16, 18, 20,21,27). "As the living Father hath sent me, and I live
by the Father" (Jn. 6:57).
"Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow
not, neither do they reap, nor gather into "The Father that sent me beareth witness of
barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth me," (Jn. 8:18).
them. Are ye not much better than they? ... "But when the fulness of the time was come,
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? God sent forth his Son, made of a woman"
and one of them shall not fall on the ground (Gal. 4:4).
without your Father" "And we have seen and do testify that the
(Mt. 6:26; 10:29). Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the
3. He tends and cares for the weather. world" (1 Jn. 4:14; see also Jn. 3:16; 8:16;
"Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in 12:49).
heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep 2. The Father commanded the angels to
places. He causeth the vapours to ascend worship his Son.
from the ends of the earth; he maketh "And ... when he bringeth in the first
lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind begotten into the world, he saith, And let all
out of his treasuries" (Ps. 135:6, 7). the angels of God worship him" (Heb. 1:6;
"Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who see also Lk. 2:8-15).
prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh
grass to grow upon the mountains.... He
27
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
3. He sealed his Son. hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the
"Labour not for the meat which perisheth, poor; he hath sent me to heal the
but for that meat which endureth unto brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the
everlasting life, which the Son of man shall captives, and recovering of sight to the
give unto you: for him hath God the Father blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
sealed" (Jn. 6:27). To preach the acceptable year of the Lord ...
4. He honored (and honors) his Son. And he began to say unto them, This day is
"Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my this scripture fulfilled in your ears"
hour is nothing: it is my Father that (Lk. 4:16-21).
honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is "For he whom God hath sent speaketh the
your God" (Jn. 8:54). words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit
5. He bore witness to his Son (Jn. 8:18). by measure unto him" (Jn. 3:34).
6. He loved (and loves) his Son. 10. He delighted in his Son.
"Therefore doth my Father love me, because "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine
I lay down my life, that I might take it again" elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have
(Jn. 10:17). put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth
7. He glorified his Son. judgment to the Gentiles" (Isa. 42:1).
"Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is
say? Father, save me from this hour: but for my beloved Son, in whom I am well
this cause came I unto this hour. Father, pleased" (Mt. 3:17).
glorify thy name. Then came there a voice "While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud
from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, overshadowed them: and behold a voice out
and will glorify it again" (Jn. 12:27, 28). of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved
"These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye
eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour him" (Mt. 17:5).
is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also "For he received from God the Father
may glorify thee.... And now, O Father, honour and glory, when there came such a
glorify thou me with thine own self with the voice to him from the excellent glory, This is
glory which I had with thee before the world my beloved Son, in whom I am well
was" (Jn. 17:1, 5). pleased" (2 Pet. 1:17).
8. He taught his Son. 11. He listened to his Son.
"Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have "Then they took away the stone from the
lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know place where the dead was laid. And Jesus
that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank
but as my Father hath taught me, I speak thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew
these things" (Jn. 8:28). that thou hearest me always: but because of
9. He anointed his Son. the people which stand by I said it, that they
"And he came to Nazareth, where he had may believe that thou hast sent me"
been brought up: and, as his custom was, he (Jn. 11:41, 42).
went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I
and stood up for to read. And there was say? Father, save me from this hour: but for
delivered unto him the book of the prophet this cause came I unto this hour. Father,
Esaias. And when he had opened the book, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice
he found the place where it was written, The from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it,
Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he 28 and will glorify it again," (Jn. 12:27, 28).
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
"Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy "Far above all principality, and power, and
sword into his place: for all they that take might, and dominion, and every name that is
the sword shall perish with the sword. named, not only in this world, but also in
Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my that which is to come" (Eph. 1:21).
Father, and he shall presently give me more 16. He makes his Son head of the church.
than twelve legions of angels?" "And hath put all things under his feet, and
(Mt. 26:52, 53). gave him to be the head over all things to the
12. He offered his Son. church" (Eph. 1:22).
"Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy 17. He commits judgment unto his Son.
sword into the sheath: the cup which my "The Father loveth the Son, and hath given
Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?" all things into his hand" (Jn. 3:35).
(Jn. 18:11). "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath
"He that spared not his own Son, but committed all judgment unto the Son. . . .
delivered him up for us all, how shall he not And hath given him authority to execute
with him also freely give us all things?" judgment also, because he is the Son of
(Rom. 8:32). man," (Jn. 5:22, 27).
"In this was manifested the love of God Lewis Chafer writes the following
toward us, because that God sent his only concerning the relationship between the
begotten Son into the world, that we might Father and the Son: "The relationship of the
live through him. Herein is love, not that we second person to the first person has from
loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his all eternity been that of a Son, and, like all
Son to be the propitiation for our sins" else, related to the God-head, is not only
(1 Jn. 4:9, 10). eternal but is unchangeable He did not
13. He was totally satisfied by his Son. become a Son of the Father, as some say
"And he that sent me is with me: the Father that He did, by His incarnation, or by His
hath not left me alone; for I do always those resurrection, nor is He a Son by mere title,
things that please him" (Jn. 8:29). nor is He temporarily assuming such a
14. He raised his Son. relationship that He may execute His part in
"Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by the covenant of Redemption.
man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the He was the only begotten of the Father from
Father, who raised him from the dead)" all eternity, having no other relation to time
(Gal. 1:1). and creation than that He is the Creator of
"Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised them.
him from the dead, and set him at his own It is probable that the terms Father and Son,
right hand in the heavenly places" as applied to the first and second persons in
(Eph. 1:20). the Godhead, are somewhat
15. He. exalts his Son. anthropomorphic (use of human terms to
"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted describe God) in character. That sublime and
him, and given him a name which is above eternal relationship which existed between
every name: That at the name of Jesus every these two persons is best expressed to
knee should bow, of things in heaven, and human understanding in the terms of Father
things in earth, and things under the earth; and Son but wholly without implication that
and that every tongue should confess that the two Persons, on the divine side, are not
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the equal in every particular."
Father" (Phil. 2:9-11). 29 (Systematic Theology, Vol. I; pp. 313-315)
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
C. He Is the Father of All Believers. "Receiving the end of your faith, even the
While God is the Creator of all men salvation of your souls" (1 Pet. 2:9).
(Gen. 1:27; Eccl. 12:1; Acts 17:24-26), he is the 4. He gave all the elected believers to Christ.
Father only of believers. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath me; and him that cometh to me I will in no
bestowed upon us, that we should be called the wise cast out" (Jn. 6:37).
sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us "No man can come to me, except the Father
not, because it knew him not" (1 Jn. 3:1). which hath sent me draw him: and I will
1. He foreknew the believer (Rom. 8:29; raise him up at the last day" (Jn. 6:44).
1 Pet. 1:2 ).
"My Father, which gave them me, is greater
2. He predestinated (to decree, destine before
than all; and no man is able to pluck them
hand) the believer.
out of my Father's hand" (Jn. 10:29).
"For whom he did foreknow, he also did
predestinate to be conformed to the image of "Jesus knowing that the Father had given all
his Son, that he might be the firstborn things into his hands, and that he was come
among many brethren" (Rom. 8:29). from God, and went to God" (Jn. 13:3).
"In whom also we have obtained an 5. He called the believer (Rom. 8:30).
inheritance, being predestinated according 6. He conforms the believer to the image of
to the purpose of him who worketh all Christ (Rom. 8:29).
things after the counsel of his own will" 7. He redeemed the believer.
(Eph. 1:11). "In whom we have redemption through his
blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to
"And when the Gentiles heard this, the were
the riches of his grace" (Eph. 1:7).
glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and
as many as were ordained to eternal life 8. He justified the believer (Rom. 8:33).
believed" (Acts 13:48). 9. He indwells the believer.
"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man
3. He elected the believer.
love me, he will keep my words: and my
"According as he hath chosen us in him be-
Father will love him, and we will come unto
fore the foundation of the world, that we
him, and make our abode with him"
should be holy and without blame before him
(Jn. 14:23).
in love" (Eph. 1:4).
10. He sealed the believer with the Holy Spirit.
"But we are bound to give thanks always to
"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard
God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord,
the word of truth, the gospel of your
because God hath from the beginning chosen
salvation: in whom also after that ye
you to salvation through sanctification of the
believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit
Spirit and belief of the truth"
of promise" (Eph. 1:13).
(2 Thess. 2:13).
"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,
"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the whereby ye are sealed unto the day of
strangers scattered throughout Pontus, redemption" (Eph. 4:30).
Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
It was, of course, the Father who sent the
elect according to the foreknowledge of God
Holy Spirit at the request of Christ to the
the Father, through sanctification of the
believer in the first place.
Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the
See John 14:16, 26; 15:26.
blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and
peace, be multiplied (1 Pet. 1:1, 2).
30
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
11. He keeps the believer. 16. He sanctifies the believer.
"My Father, which gave them me, is greater "Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and
than all; and no man is able to pluck them brother of James, to them that are sanctified
out of my Father's hand" (Jn. 10:29). by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus
"And now I am no more in the world, but Christ, and called" (Jude 1).
these are in the world, and I come to thee. "Now they have known that all things
Holy Father, keep through thine own name whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee"
those whom thou hast given me, that they (Jn. 17:17).
may be one, as we are" (Jn. 17:11). 17. He bestows peace upon the believer.
12. He honors the believer. (See Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3; Gal. 1:3;
"If any man serve me, let him follow me; and Eph. 1:2; Phil. 1:2; Col. 1:2; 1 Thess. 1:1;
where I am, there shall also my servant be: if 2 Thess. 1:2; Titus 1:4.)
any man serve me, him will my Father 18. He is glorified when the believer bears
honour" (Jn. 12:26). fruit.
13. He blesses the believer. "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples"
Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all (Jn. 15:8).
spiritual blessings in heavenly places in 19. He reveals truth to the believer.
Christ" (Eph. 1:3). "At that time Jesus answered and said, I
14. He loves the believer. thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and
"Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and earth, because thou hast hid these things
God, even our Father, which hath loved from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed
us, and hath given us everlasting consolation them unto babes" (Mt. 11:25).
and good hope through grace" "And Jesus answered and said unto him,
(2 Thess. 2:16). Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh
"He that hath my commandments, and and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but
keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he my Father which is in heaven" (Mt. 16:17).
that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and
and I will love him, and will manifest myself said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven
to him" (Jn. 14:21). and earth, that thou hast hid these things
15. He comforts the believer. from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and seemed good in thy sight" (Lk. 10:21).
the God of all comfort" (2 Cor. 1:3). "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
"And God shall wipe away all tears from Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit
their eyes; and there shall be no more death, of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge
neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall of him" (Eph. 1:17).
there be any more pain: for the former things 20. He supplies the needs of believers.
are passed away" (Rev. 21:4). "(For after all these things do the Gentiles
"Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth
God, even our Father, which hath loved us, that ye have need of all these things. But
and hath given us everlasting consolation seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
and good hope through grace" righteousness; and all these things shall be
(2 Thess. 2:16). added unto you" (Matt.. 6:32,33).
31
 THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
21. He seeks the worship of believers. 24. He will someday gather all believers in
"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the Christ
true worshippers shall worship the Father in "That in the dispensation of the fulness of
spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh times he might gather together in one all
such to worship him" (Jn. 4:23). things in Christ, both which are in heaven,
22. He chastens believers. and which are on earth; even in him"
"And ye have forgotten the exhortation (Eph. 1:10).
which speaketh unto you as unto children, 25. He will someday reward all believers.
My son, despise not thou the chastening of "Take heed that ye do not your alms before
the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have
him: For whom the Lord loveth he no reward of your Father which is in
chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom heaven." (Mt. 6:1).
he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God "But without faith it is impossible to please.
dealeth with you as with sons; for what son him; for he that cometh to God must believe
is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them
ye be without chastisement, whereof all are that diligently seek him" (Heb. 11:6).
partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown
Furthermore we have had fathers of our of righteousness, which the Lord, the
flesh which corrected us, and we gave them righteous judge, shall give me at that day:
reverence: shall we not much rather be in and not to me only, but unto all them also
subjection unto the Father of spirits, and that love his appearing" (2 Tim. 4:8).
live? For they verily for a few days
26. He will someday glorify all believers.
chastened us after their own pleasure; but he
"Moreover whom he did predestinate, them
for our profit, that we might be partakers of
he also called: and whom he called, them he
his holiness" (Heb. 12:5-10).
also justified: and whom he justified, them
23. He restores the believer. he also glorified" (Rom. 8:30).
"He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the
Willmington's Guide to the Bible;
paths of righteousness for his name's sake"
D. L. Willmington; pp. 636-640
(Ps. 23:3).
The study of the Doctrines of God can have no end.
"Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; Indeed, this does not even scratch the surface of all
and uphold me with thy free spirit" that may be known about Him. We might say it is but
(Ps. 51:12). the end of the introduction to the study of God. We
"And the son said unto him, Father, I have shall, without doubt, continue to learn of Him through
sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, am all eternity.
no more worthy to be called thy son. But the
father said to his servants, Bring forth the
best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring
on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring
hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us
eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead,
and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.
And they began to be merry"
(Lk. 15:21-24).

32
 Study Questions for THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
1. Give the scriptural argument for the existence of God.____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

2. What document outside Scripture gives us a definition of God? .____________________________________

3. List the four (4) basic names of God. _____________, _____________, _____________, _____________,

4. List the compound names of El and give the meaning of each. ______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

5. List four (4) things about the nature of God.___________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

6. List ten (10) of the attributes of God. _____________, _____________, _____________, _____________,
_____________, _____________, _____________, _____________, _____________, _____________

7. Without doubt the most prominent attribute of God as presented by both the Old and New Testaments is his
___________.

8. The most universally known and misunderstood attribute of God is ________________

9. List eight (8) things that God loves. _____________, _____________, _____________, _____________,
_____________, _____________, _____________, _____________

10. In what three major ways is God a father? _____________, _____________, _____________

11. List five (5) things that God as Father does for the believer. _____________, _____________,
_____________, _____________, _____________

12. I have read ______% of the printed notes.

13. I have looked up _____% of the Scripture references.

 Test Questions for the Doctrine of God
Student's Name:____________________ Teacher's Name:________________ Date: / /

1. Give the scriptural argument for the existence of God.____________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

2. What document outside Scripture gives us a definition of God? .____________________________________

3. List the four (4) basic names of God. _____________, _____________, _____________, _____________,

4. List the compound names of El and give the meaning of each. ______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

5. List four (4) things about the nature of God.___________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

6. List ten (10) of the attributes of God. _____________, _____________, _____________, _____________,
_____________, _____________, _____________, _____________, _____________, _____________

7. Without doubt the most prominent attribute of God as presented by both the Old and New Testaments is his
___________.

8. The most universally known and misunderstood attribute of God is ________________

9. List eight (8) things that God loves. _____________, _____________, _____________, _____________,
_____________, _____________, _____________, _____________

10. In what three major ways is God a father? _____________, _____________, _____________

11. List five (5) things that God as Father does for the believer. _____________, _____________,
_____________, _____________, _____________

12. I have read ______% of the printed notes.

13. I have looked up _____% of the Scripture references.

 For Teacher ONLY
1. None - the Bible assumes the existence of God.

2. The Westminster Catechism.

3. Elohim - El - Adonai - Jehovah

4. Elyon - the strongest strong One

Roi - the strong One who sees
Shaddai - the breasted One
Olam - the everlasting God

5. God is a spirit - a person - One - a Trinity

6. God is self-existent, self-sufficient, eternal, infinite, omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, wise, immutable,
sovereign, incomprehensible, inscrutable, holy, righteous and just, true, faithful, light, good, merciful,
gracious

7. His holiness

8. His love

9. God loves: Israel, the world, the church, the sinner, the spiritual Christian, the carnal Christian, his Son, the
cheerful giver,

10. God is the Father of all life, of our Lord Jesus Christ, of all believers.

11. God does for the believer: He foreknew him, predestinated him, elected him, gave him to Christ, called him,
conforms him, redeemed him, justified him, indwells him, seals him, keeps, honors and blesses him, loves
him, comforts, sanctifies and bestows peace upon him, glorifies him, reveals truth to him, supplies his needs,
seeks his worship, chastens him, restores him, will gather and reward him and someday glorify him.

12. I have read _____% of the printed notes.

13. I have looked up _____% of the Scripture references.

For Teacher ONLY