ANCIENT WORDS: GOD THE FATHER

God’s Alive (Ps. 42:2)

•         God is One (revealed as three Persons with distinct attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being).

           □         God the Father (170 references as Father in the N.T.; abba–Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6).

           □         God the Son (equal and eternal–Jn. 8:58, 17:24).

           □         God the Spirit (Person–Acts 5:3).

•         God is Spirit (Jn. 4:24; unbound by time, space, or matter).

           □         Without physical likeness (2^nd commandment–Ex. 20:4-6 [not like man’s reasoning, imagination, or liking]).

           □         Physically revealed in Christ (Jn. 1:18, 14:9). Apart from Jesus Christ, no representation can be made of the Godhead bodily (Col. 2:9).

•         God is Personal.

           □         Characteristics of God (Gen. 1:27–thinks, feels, decides [intelligence, consciousness, determination])

           □         Names of God (Ex. 3:14)

•         God is Infinite (without limitations).

           □         Eternal (Ps. 90:2)

           □         Unchanging (immutable–Heb. 13:8; Jas. 1:17)

           □         Omnipresent– all=present (Ps. 139:7-10; everywhere, unconfined, available, attentive to all–Prov. 15:3)

           □         Omniscient– all knowing (Rom. 11:33; the future as the past, even the free choices of man)

           □         Omnipotent– all-powerful (Gen. 18:14; greatness).

God’s Attributes (permanent qualities; 1 Pet. 1:16)

•         God is Holy (Is. 6:3; set apart, moral perfection).

•         God is Righteous (Rom. 1:17; God is light).

•         God is Truth (Rom. 3:4).

•         God is Love (1 Jn. 4:8; goodness; intelligent choice). Ex. 34:6. And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.

God’s Activity (2 Chr. 16:9; Jn. 5:17)

•         God is Creator (Heb. 11:3; independent of His creation).

•         God is Sustainer (Col. 1:17; preserves).

•         God is Sovereign (Ps. 47:8; supreme ruler, moves His providential plans to completion).

•         God is Redeemer (Is. 54:5).

•         God is Father (Jn. 1:12).