Thursday, December 5, 2019

Bible Boot Camp: A Study in Discipleship Lesson 1 God The Commander



Bible Boot Camp: A Study in Discipleship



Commanders: The Father, Son and Holy Spirit


God the Father
The Names of God are more than just titles, they describe the very character of God.  God used names in the Old Testament to reveal himself to His people. By studying the names we can better understand what God wants us to know about himself.

Names of God
        El, Elim, Elohim Eloah: generic term for God.  (Genesis 1:1)
        El-Elyon: God Most High   El-Shaddai: God Almighty/ Satisfier
        Jehovah or Yahweh, is the Personal name of God.   It means  I Am.  (Exodus 3:13-14  Gen 2:4, compare with Gen 15:2)
        Jehovah-Jireh means The Lord will Provide. (Gen. 22:13-14)
        Jehovah-Rapha means The Lord that Healeth (Exodus 15:26)
        Jehovah-Nissi : The Lord our Banner (Exodus 17:8-15)
        Jehovah-Shalom : The Lord our Peace. (Judges 6:24)
        Jehovah-Raah : The Lord my Shepherd. (Ps 23:1)
        Jehovah-Tsidkeny: The Lord our Righteousness. (Jer 23:6)
        Jehovah-Shammah : The Lord is  Present. (Ez 48:35)
        Theos is the New Testament equivalent of El.
        Pater means Father.


Application:
What do the above names tell me about who God is and what God does? 

Can I see His attributes and character in these names?  Which ones?


The Existence of God

The existence of God is simply assumed by scripture. (Gen 1:1, Ps 94:9-10)  The Bible never tries to prove the existence of God it simply states, "In the beginning God..." nor does God need our help in proving He exists.  This doesn't mean though that the existence of God can't be seen logically and intellectually.  There will be times when those who do not accept the Bible will listen to logic.  Still remember that God will prove Himself in the heart of every man when the time is right.  Here are some things that show the existence of God makes sense.

Existence of God is Logical

The Cosmological Argument (Hebrew 3:4) - Everything which began must have had a creator. 



The Teleological Argument (Psalms 94:9) - Order and useful arrangement imply intelligence and purpose.


The Ontological Argument - The idea of God is Proof of His Existence. 

The Moral Argument (Rom 1:19, 32 2:14-16) - There are fundamental moral laws in every culture. 



The Argument from Congruity - The belief in the existence of God best explains the facts of mental, moral and religious nature, as well as the fact of the material universe.


The Attributes of God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit

Some of the character of God can be seen from his creation and some can be sensed intuitively, but both of these are easily misinterpreted. God, to prevent this, has chosen to reveal Himself to us through the Bible. In this way we have a permanent and trustworthy record of who God is. 

The following is a table of attributes which apply to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Since these attributes can only be applied to God then the fact that they are applied to all persons of the Godhead is proof that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are fully and equally God with God the Father.  This, three persons in one God, is called the Trinity. 


Attribute
Father
Son
Holy Spirit
Eternal
Psalms 90:2
Rev 1:8
Heb 9:14
Omnipotent
Jer 32:17
Matt 28:18
Rom 15:19
Omniscient
Job 42:1-2
John 16:30
1Cor 2:11
Omnipresent
Proverbs 15:3
John 3:13
Ps 139:7-8
Holy
Ex 15:11
Acts 3:14
Matt 28:19


The Works of God


The character and power of God is also seen in His works. In the following table list the work that is shared by the Trinity in these verses.

Work
Father
Son
Spirit
Creation
Ps. 102:25
Col 1:16
Gen 1:2
Offering Christ
Rom 8:32
John 10:18
Heb 9:14
Resurrection
Acts 2:24
John 10:18
1Pet 3:18
Life giving
John 5:21
John 5:21
Rom 8:11
Scripture
2Tim 3:16
1Pet 1:10-11
2Pet 1:21

Conclusion

How do we see God? Is His existence just a solution to a metaphysical argument or does He exist in our lives in a personal and intimate way? Is He our creator, our provider, our healer, our peace? Do the attributes of God impact our lives in a real way? Does it mean anything for Him to know us and have the power to give eternal life?

Knowing about God is not the same as knowing God, and we must know the difference.

No comments:

Post a Comment