Zech 2:1-13: “…another angel …said unto [the first angel that spoke to Z] run, speak to [Z] saying Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls…” “For thus says the LORD (YHWH) of hosts, “After the glory has he sent me to the nations who spoiled you, for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. For behold, I will shake mine hand upon them and they shall be a spoil to their servants, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me. Sing and rejoice O daughter of Zion, for lo, I come and I will dwell in the midst of you,” says the LORD …and many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people, and I will dwell in the midst of you and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you...
Read MoreCategory Nature of God
Who is God and what is God like? Can we know God, and can we be sure that what we think we know of God is true? God has revealed Himself through many means: the creation shows His character, power, eternality, and divinity. The Bible tells us of His activities, purposes, and plans for His creation. When we know God as God has revealed Himself, we know the God Who is True. |
Does it matter what we believe about the nature of God? Why or why not? Can someone be saved while believing that God is other than what God is? (ie: not believing that Jesus is God, believing that the Holy Spirit is merely the divine breath of God)
Two strands for evaluation:
What does the Bible say?
What does the material universe indicate or necessitate concerning the nature of the God which created?
God is either:
| An abstract force or ‘intelligence’ | A personal quantity or entity |
| Non-living or a “concept” | Living |
| Pervades the universe (pantheism) | A particular single or multiple entity |
| In all things (panentheism) | Independent of all other things |
| Everything is “god” | Only one is God |
The Biblical God is either:
| One Being presented in different roles (modalism: O... |
Jesus Christ is the second member of the triune God. God is a single corporate entity with three unique and individual members, revealed to mankind as the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Old and New Testaments demonstrate this trinity within the godhead.Read More
Isaiah 48:12-16
Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, My called! I am He; I am the first, I also am the last.
Mine hand also laid the foundation of the earth, and My right hand stretched out the heavens; I call to them, they stand up together.
All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; which among them hath declared these things? The LORD hath loved him: he will do his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall be on the Chaldeans.
I; I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.
Come near unto me; hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.”
Perhaps the most doctrinally-important portion of the book of Isaiah, demonstrates the plurality...
Read MoreWe believe in one God, of three divine persons. Because we often say, “God … He”, we give the impression that God is a single person, which is incorrect.
“God” is one object, or organization or corporation (in the general sense) of three unique Persons Who are identical in nature, while individual and distinct in identity.
Within the corporation of God is perfect unity; each member bears the fullness of the godhead [1] none lack anything of deity. (Colossians 2:9 For in him (Jesus Christ) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.) They are perfectly united in relationship, in will, and in purpose; there is no conflict, animosity, or disagreement whatsoever among them.
The members of the godhead are mutually deferential; the Son submits to the Father[2], and the Holy Spirit ...
Read MoreISAIAH 8:11-15
11 For YHWH spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,
12 ‘Say ye not, “A confederacy,” to all them to whom this people shall say, “A confederacy”; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.
13 Sanctify YHWH of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.
14 And He shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
For the YHWH spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me from going in the way of this people, to say: ‘...
Read MoreWhat Does it Mean for God to be Sovereign?
Christians disagree on the implications of God’s sovereignty, because they differ on their understanding of the meaning of the word.
According to dictionary.com[1], the word sovereign means:
- a monarch; a king, queen, or other supreme ruler.
- a person who has supreme power or authority.
- a group or body of persons or a state having sovereign authority.
- a gold coin of the United Kingdom, equal to one pound sterling: went out of circulation after 1914.
and sovereignty, the adjective, refers to:
- belonging to or characteristic of a sovereign or sovereign authority; royal.
- having supreme rank, power, or authority.
- supreme; preeminent; indisputable: a sovereign right.
- greatest in degree; utmost or extreme.
- being above all others in character, importan...
Psalm 45 Christ as God, the Eternal King
1-2 … I speak of the things .… concerning the king .… You are fairer than the children of men. Grace is poured into your lips, therefore God (Elohyim) has blessed you forever.
3 Gird your sword upon your thigh, o mighty (gibbowr) with your glory and your majesty.
4 In your majesty ride … and your right hand shall teach you terrible things…
5 Your arrows are sharp in the hear of the king’s enemies…
6 Your throne, o God, is forever and ever, the sceptre of your kingdom is a right sceptre.
7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness, therefore God*, your God*, has anointed you with oil of gladness above your fellows….
11 ...
Read MoreIsaiah 50 – YHWH
1 Thus says YHWH, ‘Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcing, whom I sent away? Or to which of My creditors have I sold you? Behold, for your iniquities you were sold, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.
2 For what reason, (when) I came, was there no man; I called, and no one answered? Is My hand truly short from redemption, or is no power in Me to deliver? Behold, at My rebuke I shall drain a sea, I make rivers a wilderness; their fish stink because there is no water, and die for thirst.
3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, and sackcloth I place (as) their covering.
4 My most sovereign YHWH gives Me the tongue of the learned, to know to speak a timely word to the faint...
Read MoreThe tenets of Calvinism present Satan’s original argument to Eve, accusing God of saying what was not true in order to prevent His human creation from their best good, and ensure that they would do wrong so that God would have occasion to demonstrate His power and authority over them. Satan’s first question to Eve contained a factual error that lured her into her attempt to correct the record of God’s words. Satan worded the question in such a manner as to imply a fault on God’s part, impugning God’s character by the implication, which Eve naively corrected in her response:
“Has God said that you may not eat of the trees of the garden?”
“Yes, we may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden...
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