The GodHead

The GodheadThere is only one God: Father, Son, and Holy

Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all,

and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His

self-revelation. He is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation.

The Godhead

Knowledge of God The Existence of God The God of the Scriptures The Sovereignty of God Dynamics Within the Godhead Focus on Salvation

Knowledge of God

To many, God’s wisdom is a “hidden wisdom” (1 Cor 2:7,8)

Can God Be Known? The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself

and His purpose to man. God manifested His greatest love by

His Revelation through the Son. (1 John 5:20)

Knowledge of God

Obtaining a Knowledge of God The knowledge of God is as much a

matter of the heart as it is of the brain. There must be an openness to do

God’s will.

The Existence of God

Evidence From Creation Ps. 19:1 Romans 1:20 Romans 2:14, 15Evidence From Scripture Ps. 14: 1 Romans 1: 18-22, 28

The God of the ScripturesGod’s Names

Hebrew Name

English meaning

Context Supporting Texts

El and Elohim God reveals God’s divine power

Gen 1:1; Dan 9:4

Elyon and El Elyon

Most High and God Most High

Focuses on His exalted status

Isa. 14:14; Gen. 14:18-20

Adonai Lord Presents God as Almighty Ruler

Isa. 6:1; Ps. 35:23

Shaddai and El Shaddai

Almighty and God Almighty

Portrays the almighty God who gives blessing and comfort.

Ex. 6:3; Ps. 91:1

The God of the ScripturesGod’s Names

Hebrew Name

English meaning

Context Supporting Texts

Yahweh Jehovah or LORD

Stresses God’s covenant grace and faithfulness

Ex. 15:2,3; Hosea 12:5,6

•Exodus 3:14- I am who I am- denotes his unchangeable relationship with his people.

The God of the ScripturesGod’s Activities1. He Creates

Psalm 24:1,2 The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth.

2. He Saves and Redeems Deut. 5:6 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage 2 Cor. 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

The God of the ScripturesGod’s Activities Cont’d3. He Plans

Isa. 46:11 I will call a bird to prey from the east. I will call someone for my plan from a faraway land. I have spoken , and I will bring it about. I have planned it, and I will do it.

4. He Predicts Isa. 46:10 From the beginning I revealed the end. From long ago I told you things that had not yet happened, saying, “My plan will stand, and I’ll do everything I intended to do.”

5. He Promises Deut. 15:6 For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The God of the Scriptures

God’s Activities Cont’d6. He Forgives

Ex. 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

7. He Rules 1 Tim 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The God of the Scriptures

God’s Attributes1- Incommunicable attributes

Self- existent Independent in will and powerOmniscientOmnipresentOmnipotent

The God of the Scriptures

God’s Attributes2- Communicable

attributesLoveGraceMercyPatience

HolinessRighteousnessJusticeTruth

The Sovereignty of God

Predestination and Human Freedomi. What is our destiny?

Romans 8:29, 30; Ephesians 1:4,5,11,12

ii. Is this destiny inclusive of all? John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9; 1Timothy 2:4

iii. What determines our destiny? Deut 30:19; Rev 22:17

The Sovereignty of God

Foreknowledge and Human Freedom

i. God’s foreknowledge operates similarly to a historian’s knowledge of the past. It is known but isn’t interfered with.

ii. God’s foreknowledge never violates human freedom

Dynamics Within the Godhead The Oneness of God OT-Deut. 4:35; 6:4NT- John 17:3; 1 Cor. 8:4-6 The Plurality within the Godhead Us/We- Gen. 1:26; Gen. 3:22; Gen 11: 7Father, Son and Spirit- Isa. 42:1;

Isa.48:16; Matt 3:16,17

Dynamics Within the Godhead The Relationship Within the Godhead

A Loving relationshipa) “My God, My God , Why have you

forsaken Me?”b) God is Love (1 John 4:8)and Love

defined in 1 Corinthians 13. c) In the Godhead, final authority resides

in all three members.

Dynamics Within the Godhead

The Relationship Within the Godhead A Working relationship

a) God of Order Father- source

Son- MediatorSpirit- Applier

b) Incarnation (John 3:16; Matt. 1:18, 20)Father-gave his SonSon- gave himselfSpirit-gave Jesus Birth

c) Baptism (Matt. 3:16,17)Father- The voiceSon- JesusSpirit- Dove

Dynamics Within the Godhead

The Relationship Within the Godhead A Working relationship

d) Crucifixion (Matt. 27:46; John 15:26) Father- Jesus cries “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani”

Son- Jesus crucified for the sins of the worldSpirit- the promise of the Helper

e) Apostolic Benediction (2 Cor. 13:14)Father- Love of GodSon- grace of Jesus ChristSpirit- fellowship of the Holy Spirit

Focus on Salvation

Believers are baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19)

It is through Jesus that God’s Purpose and love is revealed and so the Bible focuses on Him.

OT- looks forward to his comingNT- reports his first advent and

looks forward to his return.

Focus on Salvation

Christ (mediator) unites humans to the Godhead (John 14:6, 7)

Conclusion The only true God is the God of the cross.

Christ unveiled to the universe the Godhead’s infinite love and saving power; He revealed a triune God who was willing to go through the agony of separation because of unconditional love for a rebel planet. From this cross God proclaims His loving invitation to us: Be reconciled, “and the peace of God, which transends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7)