Basic Elements of Christianity

Who God Is
Rv. 18(11/18)

It is imperative to realize that we as frail human beings cannot learn everything about God (Job 5:9, Psa. 145:3, Pro. 25:3, Rom. 11:33, Eph. 3:8). However, God does reveal much about Himself in the written Word and through His Son, the living Word. Let us now examine the Holy Scriptures to get a basic knowledge of Him.

There is only One Being that is God (Isa. 44:8). He is the Supreme Being. Note that I did not say creature or creation. As you will see, God had no beginning nor does He have an ending (Psa. 90:2). The Holy Bible will refer to idols as gods and to mere humans as gods, but the Holy Bible is clear there is only One God and only One God (Isa. 43:10-11) to be devoted to and worshiped. There are five attributes of God that only God has. No other being in the universe has these five attributes. He is ...

You will see in upcoming lessons why it is important to know these exclusive attributes.

In today's society, many so-called ministers emphasize the "nice" attributes of God like love, mercy, and longsuffering. However, He is most often described in the Word of God as holy and having holiness. So, holiness is really His predominate moral attribute (Lev. 11:44-45, Isa. 6:3, Rev. 4:8). People often neglect His holiness. When we read Heb. 12:14, we see that neglecting holiness is a ploy of the devil to lead people into damnation.

The list above where many of God's moral attributes are posted is not an exhaustive list. Other moral attributes of God are to be found throughout Holy Scripture. Though we will never have His exclusive attributes, we are to share His moral attributes, which is done through Jesus Christ living within us. 2 Peter 1:4, 1 Peter 1:15 -16

III. His Entity

A. ONE Being - Deu. 6:4

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

There is only one God. Notice "LORD" — all capital letters. Many translations will do that to make a distinction between "Lord" (adonai) and His divine Name, which they often show in all capitals. "Lord" (adonai) is generally a title applied to God, people, and sometimes angels. "LORD" indicates the divine Name appears in the text. Devout Jews through millennia have considered His personal Name too sacred to pronounce. This is NOT superstition as some would have us to think, but godly reverence. Four letters will appear in the text which may be transliterated as YHVH, YHWH, JHVH, etc..
   Most important on this point is what His divine Name, YHVH, means: "The Existing One". He is (constantly remains) Who He is and what He is. There are not two God's — the tough God of the Old Testament and the gentle God of the New Testament. However, where we are spiritually will determine how we see Him.

B. ONE Supreme Being In Trinity- Gen. 1:26 (cp. Isa. 40:14), Matt.28:19
   By Trinity we convey the idea of one Being, God, subsisting as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There are NOT three Gods acting in unity, but one God Who IS (constantly exists as) Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The word "Trinity" itself does not occur in the Holy Bible however the word "Godhead" does. You will soon see that He subsists in this manner for our salvation.

I have two favorite examples of "trinity" but understand that no example in all of God's creation can adequately describe the Trinity. In no way do we believe in three Gods! God is One God, but He has lovingly chosen to reveal Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The first earthly example I use is to illustrate the simple fact you can have one substance that you may come across in different conditions. For this, I use water. Chemically it is simply H₂O. We find it on this planet as either as a liquid, solid (ice), or as vapor. Though it is the same substance, you cannot ice-skate on steam or water. You cannot drink an ice cube or steam. Now, there is One Supreme Being, God, yet we clearly find Him revealed in the Holy Bible as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The second example, and what I feel is the best example, is — you! I prefer us to see that the Holy Bible teaches that we ourselves are three in one: body, soul and spirit. You may wonder what is the difference between soul and spirit. The soul has been described as the seat of affections (what we like), while the spirit of the person is where resides the decision making capability. A simple Holy Bible example of this distinction between soul and spirit is found in Psa. 103:2. Read that verse. The psalmist commands his own being!

Now, think about YOU. Your spirit is throughout your soul and body. Your soul is throughout your spirit and body. While you have your physical being here, no part of your body is separate from your spirit and soul.
  • Someone hits you. Your body is affected. You might say "Don't hit me."
  • Someone insults you. Your soul may be primarily affected. You might say "Don't hurt me."
  • Someone bothers you with some type of temptation. Your spirit is affected. You might say, "Don't bother me."

Because God is greater than all of His creation, none of the examples that I have given can ever adequately describe all aspects of the Trinity. But as we read the Holy Scriptures we clearly see there is only one God, and He subsists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Other studies I have will help you if you want to learn more about the Trinity. These are a list of Scriptures showing the deity of Christ as well as that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one.

For now, more importantly, in this current course we will explore the sonship of Christ, where He is subordinate to the Father. Suffice it for now to know that whenever you see Jesus as subordinate to the Father it was for our salvation. He, while remaining the Son of God, became like us to rescue us from sin and damnation.

C. As the Father - Mt. 6:9, giving us . . .
1. Identity: John 1:12-13
    Though one might not know who their earthly father is, once they commit to Christ, they become a child of our heavenly Father.
2. Purpose: Rom. 8:12-17
    A true child of God can have a full life as he does the will of the Father.
3. Provision: Mt. 6:19 - 34

D. Son - Here are some verses showing His Deity (the Holy Bible has many more): Jo. 1:1, 8:58 and 1 John 5:20

A question might be raised in your mind about the immutability of Christ in regard to His natural growth into manhood and later His whipping, beating and death on the cross. Christ is immutable, but the flesh He took for us had to be mutable for Him in order to save and heal us. Upon His resurrection He had a new immortal body as we will. We, as creatures in time, look at the changes in Christ's human body as He grew, suffered and died. The mind of God considers these as collective actions. Rev. 13:8, Heb. 13:8, Col. 3:4

E. The Holy Spirit - See John 4:24. Concerning the Holy Spirit we read He also has the exclusive attributes of being eternal (Heb. 9:14), omnipresent (Psa. 139:7-10), omnipotent (Job 26:13), omniscient (1 Cor. 2:10-11) and His immutability is certainly indicated though not specifically mentioned in verses such as John 4:24. The lack of a verse specifically stating His immutability does not disprove His deity, since only God can have any of the exclusive attributes. You will learn some wonderful things about the Holy Spirit in future lessons!