The Command: 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 and Titles 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.
Let's compare Genesis 2:4 with Genesis 15:2
Genesis 2:4 - These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
Genesis 15:2 - And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
Notice in the KJV how the word Lord is all caps in Gen 2:4 and God in The word in all caps is actually the word Jehovah, but with the vowels of the word Lord or Adonai. This was done in respect of God’s name by the Hebrew copyists.
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.
The 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 |
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.
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