God is knowable. God is so great we cannot fully explain
Him.
The Problem: God defies definition.
The Westminster Confession gives this definition:
There is only one living and true God. Who is infinite in being and perfection,
a completely pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts or emotions,
unchangeable, immensely vast, eternal, limitless, almighty, completely wise,
completely holy, completely free, and completely absolute.
God has revealed himself through His attributes.
Attribute of God: Something that is true of God, a distinguishing characteristic. God's attributes distinguish Him from anyone else.
A Self-existent (Exodus 3: 14) - He was not created, there was no time when God started to exist God is dependent on no one for his existence. He exists by His own power.
B. Infinite (II Peter 3:8; I Kings 8:27) - God has no limits.
C. Eternal (Psalm 90:2) - God always existed and there will never be a time when He will not exist.
D. Immutable (James 1:17; Hebrews 1:12) - God never changes. He is consistent, God never stops being God. Nothing can be added to or subtracted from His perfect being.
E. Omnipotent (Revelation 19:6) - All powerful.
F. Omnipresent (Psalm 139: 7- 10) - God is present everywhere.
G .Omniscience (Matthew 11: 21) - God knows everything
H. Spirit (John 4: 24) - God is invisible and is not limited in any physical way to space or time. He does not have a body.
I. Holy (I John 1 :5; I Peter 1: 16) - Above and beyond anyone else.
J. Just (Acts 17 :31) - God is completely right and just in all His moral dealings. God will make things right No injustice will last through eternity. God is the ultimate Judge.
K. Merciful (Ephesians 2:4; Matthew 10: 29 - 30) - God provides what man needs.
L. Love (I John 4:8) - He seeks the best for the object of His affection.
M Faithful (Psalm 89: 1 - 2) - God keeps His promises. He is dependable.
N. Good (Psalm 57: 10) - God is morally pure and excellent
O. Patient (II Peter 3:9)
Can you think of other attributes of God?
A Jehovah - "self-existent one" Exodus 3:14
B. Elohim - "strong one" (Genesis 1: 1)
C. Adonai - "lord, master" (Isaiah 6: 1 - 8)
D. El Elyon - "most high" (Isaiah 14: 13 - 14 & 18 - 20)
E. El Roi - "the strong one who sees" (Genesis 13: 16
F. El Shaddai - "the almighty God" (Genesis 17: 1 - 20)
G. El Olan - "the everlasting God" (Genesis 21: 33, Isaiah 40:28)
H. Jehovah Jireh - "the Lord who provides" (Genesis 22: 13 -14)
I. Jehovah Nisse - "the Lord my Banner" (Exodus 7:15)
J. Jehovah Raah - "the Lord, my shepherd" Psalm 23
K. Jehovah Shammah - "the Lord who is present" (Ez. 48: 35)
L. Jehovah Tseaioth - "the Lord of Hosts" (Isaiah 44: 6)
M Jehovah Hoseem - "the Lord our Maker" (powerful Creator) (Psalm 95:6)
N. Jehovah Rophe - "the Lord who heals" (Exodus 15: 26)
0. Jehovah Tsidkenu - "the Lord our righteousness" (Jeremiah 23: 6)
P. Jehovah M' Kaddesh - "the Lord who sanctifies" (Leviticus 20: 8)
Q. Jehovah Shalom - "the Lord is peace" (Judges 6: 24)
How does knowing God and what He is like affect my life? (Daniel 11: 32)
Permission is granted to use this Bible Study outline for personal study and small groups only.
Study written by Bob Krepps © 1994 all rights reserved
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