GOD
God is eternal, neither having a beginning nor an end (Ps. 90.2; Job. 36.26). He created all that exists from nothing (ex nihilo), sustaining and upholding every molecule of the universe every moment (Ps. 33.6, 9; John 1.3; Col. 1.16, 17; Heb. 1.3; 11.3). As to His relationship with the creation, He is both transcendent (wholly other and independent) and immanent (actively and intimately involved) (Eph. 4.6; Acts 17.25, 28). He is omniscient – all knowing, which includes past, present, and future (free) actions (Job 37.16; I Jn. 3.20; Heb. 4.13; Mt. 6.8), omnipotent – all powerful (Ps. 115.3; Jer. 32.27; 32.17; Lk. 1.37), omnipresent – everywhere present (Jer. 23.23-24; Ps. 139.7-10), and immutable – eternally unchanging (Ps. 102.25-27; Mal. 3.6; Jas. 1.17). He is perfect and holy in all that He is, does, and says (Ps. 18.30; Mt. 5.48; Is. 6.3; I Pet. 1.14-16). He is self-sufficient (Acts 17.24-25), infinite (Rev. 1.8), wise (Rom. 16.27), faithful (Num. 23.19), good (Ps. 106.1), just (Deut. 32.4), merciful (Ex. 34.6), gracious (Ps. 103.8), and loving (I Jn. 4.8). His attributes are never in conflict with one another
(cf. Ex. 34.6-7).
He is providentially moving history towards the end(s) that will most glorify Him and spread His fame (Job 14.15; Jer. 10.23; Ps. 75.6-7; Prov. 16.9; 20.24; Amos 3.6; Acts 2.23; 4.28; Rom. 8.28; Rev. 5). In essence, He is the sovereign of the universe (Rom. 11.36; Eph.1.11). He does not have a body like a man (John 4.24), and He is distinct from the creation (I Kings 8.27; 2 Chron. 2.6; Is. 66.1). He is one in essence or existence (Duet. 6.4-5; I Tim. 2.5; Rom. 3.30; Jas. 2.19). Yet, in Scripture we find three persons, all of whom possess the full attributes and existence of deity – Father (Rom. 1.7; Gal. 1.1; I Tim. 1.2), Son (Jn. 1.1-4; Jn. 20.28; Rom. 9.5; Col. 2.9; Heb. 1.3, 8), and Holy Spirit (Acts 5.3-4; 2 Cor. 3.17; Ps. 139.7-8). Yet, there are not three gods, but one God in three persons. This is the wonder of whom we worship – the eternally existing triune God!
As we explain below, the three persons of the Holy Trinity are distinct in their personhood and role within the Godhead.
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