{"id":6742,"date":"2016-03-10T09:41:36","date_gmt":"2016-03-10T14:41:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bbn1.bbnradio.org\/english\/?page_id=6742"},"modified":"2018-02-02T14:41:25","modified_gmt":"2018-02-02T19:41:25","slug":"%e8%81%96%e6%9b%b8%e3%81%ae%e6%95%99%e3%81%88%ef%bc%8d%e7%a5%9e%e8%ab%96","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bbn1.bbnradio.org\/japanese\/%e3%82%b3%e3%83%b3%e3%83%86%e3%83%b3%e3%83%84\/%e8%81%96%e6%9b%b8%e3%81%ae%e6%95%99%e7%90%86\/%e8%81%96%e6%9b%b8%e3%81%ae%e6%95%99%e3%81%88%ef%bc%8d%e7%a5%9e%e8%ab%96\/","title":{"rendered":"\u8056\u66f8\u306e\u6559\u3048\uff0d\u795e\u8ad6"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-av_heading-07965dd9b10c8e96d87484539fe6a608\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-av_heading-07965dd9b10c8e96d87484539fe6a608{\npadding-bottom:10px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-av_heading-07965dd9b10c8e96d87484539fe6a608 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-av_heading-07965dd9b10c8e96d87484539fe6a608 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-av_heading-07965dd9b10c8e96d87484539fe6a608 av-special-heading-h3  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-first '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Theology &#8211; The Doctrine of God<\/h3><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-0366cc7376be6c9e82a3e9cc8987b64f '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><a href=\?PHPSESSID=dV41CCzgGPH7MJPE%2Ced4zQrRMf%2C-0uFr"https:\/\/bbn1.bbnradio.org\/english\/tools-home\/bible-doctrines\/\">Bible Doctrines &#8211; Beliefs That Matter<\/a><br \/>\nby Mark G. Cambron, D.D.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-0366cc7376be6c9e82a3e9cc8987b64f '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><b>OUTLINE FOR CHAPTER I<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"GramE\">THEOLOGY<\/span><\/p>\n<p>I.\u00a0 <span class=\"GramE\">The Names and Titles of God.<\/span><br \/>\nA. Elohim.<br \/>\nB. Jehovah.<br \/>\nC. <span class=\"SpellE\">Adonai<\/span><br \/>\nD. <span class=\"SpellE\">Jehovistic<\/span> Combinations.<br \/>\nE. Eloistic Combinations.<\/p>\n<p>II. The Existence of God.<br \/>\nA. False and True Systems of Theology.<br \/>\nB. Evidence of the Existence of God.<\/p>\n<p>III. The nature of God.<br \/>\nA. Definitions of God.<br \/>\nB. Spirituality of God.<br \/>\nC. Personality of God.<br \/>\nD. The Trinity of God.<br \/>\nE. The Self-existence of God.<br \/>\nF. The Infinity of God.<\/p>\n<p>IV. The Attributes of God<br \/>\nA. Omnipotence.<br \/>\nB. Omniscience.<br \/>\nC. Omni-sapience.<br \/>\nD. Omnipresence.<br \/>\nE. Eternity<br \/>\nF. Immutability.<br \/>\nG. Love.<br \/>\nH. Mercy.<br \/>\nI.\u00a0 Grace.<br \/>\nJ.\u00a0 Faithfulness.<br \/>\nK. Holiness<\/p>\n<p>V. <span class=\"GramE\">The Fatherhood of God.<\/span><br \/>\nA. Old Testament Teaching.<br \/>\nB. New Testament Teaching.<\/p>\n<p><b><i>Chapter I<\/i><\/b><i><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>THEOLOGY<\/p>\n<p>The word \u201ctheology\u201d comes from the Greek word <span class=\"SpellE\"><i>theos<\/i><\/span><i>, <\/i>meaning God. Thus, theology is the doctrine of God. To begin the study of the many Bible doctrines we must begin with the Source of all things \u2013 God! We must begin with God \u2014 there is no one, nothing, before Him. Before anything came into being, He <i>was: <\/i>\u201cin the beginning <i>God\u2026\u201d<\/i>\u00a0 (Gen. 1:1); <i>\u201cGod, <\/i>who at sundry times and in divers manners (Heb.1:1); \u201cIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with<i>God, <\/i>and the Word was <i>God\u201d <\/i>(John 1:1).<br \/>\nThe first things we shall study are:<\/p>\n<p>I. THE NAMES AND TITLES OF GOD<\/p>\n<p>The name of a person, place, or thing is that by which it is known. The names of God are those by which He is known. They denote His character. Yes, the names of the Lord are those by which He is known to His people; \u201cSave me, 0 God, by thy <i>name\u201d <\/i>(Ps. 54: la); \u201cThey that know thy <i>name<\/i>will put their trust in thee\u201d (Ps: 9: 10).<\/p>\n<p>The King James Version distinguishes the names of God by the use of printer\u2019s type. Thus, when you read in the Bible the word \u201cGod,\u201d you know that it is translated from the Hebrew word<i>Elohim; <\/i>the words \u201cLORD,\u201d \u201cGOD,\u201d \u201cLORD GOD,\u201d \u201cLORD<b> <\/b>God\u201d are from the Hebrew word<i>Jehovah; <\/i>and the word \u201clord\u201d is from the word <span class=\"SpellE\"><i>Adonai<\/i><\/span><i>. <\/i>Each of these words, <i>Elohim, Jehovah and <span class=\"SpellE\">Adonai<\/span>, <\/i>describes the character of God and of His actions toward mankind, distinguishing between the saint and the sinner.<\/p>\n<p><i>A. Elohim.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>The word <i>Elohim, <\/i>which is translated as \u201cGod,\u201d is found more than twenty-three hundred times in Scripture. Yet this is not a personal name of God, but it is God\u2019s official title \u2014 what He is, God!\u2014 <i>Elohim! <\/i>The word <i>Elohim <\/i>is not only used for God, but for men (\u201cI have said, <span class=\"GramE\">Ye<\/span> are <i>gods;<\/i>and all of you are children of the most High\u201d \u2014 Ps. 82:6 with John 10:34, 35) and for idols (\u201cThou shalt make thee no molten <i>gods\u201d <\/i>\u2014 Ex. 34:17). It is the title of God just as the word \u201cpresident\u201d is the title of an office. The President is the official title of the chief executive of theUnited States. It is not his name, but his title. And likewise, there are many kinds of presidents: of companies, missionary societies, etc. God\u2019s <i>official <\/i>name is <i>Elohim <\/i>\u2014 His office.<\/p>\n<p><i>Elohim <\/i>is a plural noun. At once we say plural means two or more. This is true in English, but not so in the Hebrew language. We have two numbers in English: singular, meaning one; plural, two or more. In the Hebrew, however, we have three numbers: singular, meaning one; dual, equaling two; plural, denoting three or more. Thus, <i>Elohim <\/i>is a plural noun \u2014 three or more. Genesis 1:1 states: \u201cIn the beginning God [three or more] created the heaven and the earth.\u201d Another suggestion of the Trinity is found in Genesis 1:26, 27: \u201cAnd God <i>[Elohim] <\/i>said, \u201cLet <i>us <\/i>make man in <i>our <\/i>image.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The literal meaning of <i>Elohim <\/i>is The Putter-forth of Power, The Strong One. And in the first chapter of Genesis, <i>Elohim <\/i>is described as putting forth His power in these ten words: created, made (fashioned), moved, said, saw, called, divided, set, ended and blessed.<\/p>\n<p>No creature has power but that which God has given him. Power <span class=\"SpellE\">belongeth<\/span> unto God. Man has to work for his power in all phases of life; God only has to speak, and it is done. God not only creates, but <i>keeps <\/i>what He brings forth out of nothing.<\/p>\n<p><i>Elohim <\/i>(God) has power in government. Daniel pointed this out, and Nebuchadnezzar had to experience it \u201cthat the living may know that the most High <span class=\"SpellE\">ruleth<\/span> in the kingdom of men, and<span class=\"SpellE\">giveth<\/span> it to whomsoever he will, and <span class=\"SpellE\">setteth<\/span> up over it the basest of men\u201d (Dan. 4:17). With pride filling his heart, Nebuchadnezzar was struck with madness until he acknowledged that the Most High <i>did <\/i>rule. Then only did his reason return unto him, and he became a firm believer in this truth.<br \/>\n<i>Elohim <\/i>(God) has power in judgment, whether upon man or nation. When He smites, none can resist Him.<\/p>\n<p><i>El <\/i>is the singular form of <i>Elohim. <\/i>It is found two hundred and <i>fifty <\/i>times in Scripture. It is used in the proper names of men, such as Samu<i>el<\/i> (asked of God) and <i>El<\/i>ijah (Jehovah is my God).<\/p>\n<p><i>B. Jehovah.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>Remember, the words GOD and LORD<b> <\/b>(all capital letters) in the King James <span class=\"GramE\">version<\/span> are best translated <i>Jehovah. Jehovah <\/i>is the <i>personal <\/i>name of God. It is that Name which is above every other name. The meaning of the word is Redeemer. Every time it is used in the Scriptures it is connected with deliverance by God: \u201cAnd it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out and the LORD<b> <\/b><i>[Jehovah] <\/i>helped him; and God moved them to depart from him\u201d (II <span class=\"SpellE\">Chron<\/span>. 18:31).<\/p>\n<p>While the personal name of God, <i>Jehovah, <\/i>was written, it was never pronounced. The Jews considered that name too sacred to be spoken by human lips. It is a possibility that this pronunciation is not correct even today, for the Hebrew language is written without any vowels. The name <i>Jehovah, <\/i>in the Hebrew, is spelled <i>JHVH. <\/i>We trust that we are pronouncing it correctly: It could be pronounced <span class=\"SpellE\"><i>Jeheveh<\/i><\/span><i>, <\/i>or <span class=\"SpellE\"><i>Jihivih<\/i><\/span><i>, <\/i>or <span class=\"SpellE\"><i>Jahavah<\/i><\/span><i>, <\/i>or many other different ways. When the scribes came to this name <i>Jehovah <\/i>to copy, they washed their bodies, and the pens with which they spelled this name were cleansed. Even in public, when readers of sacred Scriptures came to this word they would not pronounce it, fearing they would take it in vain, but would substitute the word <i>Elohim <\/i>or <span class=\"SpellE\"><i>Adonai<\/i><\/span><i> <\/i>in its place. One reason why the word <i>Jehovah <\/i>was suppressed was to impress its sacredness upon the minds of the people.<\/p>\n<p>When the LORD<b> <\/b><i>[Jehovah] <\/i>appeared unto Moses in the burning bush, and commissioned him to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt into the Promised Land, Moses asked, \u201cWhen I come unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? <span class=\"GramE\">what<\/span> shall I say unto them?\u201d God said unto him, \u201cI AM THAT I AM \u2026 I AM hath sent me unto you\u201d (Ex. 3:13, 14). <i>Jehovah <\/i>is the eternal <i>I AM. <\/i>There is <span class=\"GramE\">no past nor<\/span> future with <i>Jehovah; <\/i>He is the Eternal Present, the self-existent One \u2014 One that made Himself known.<\/p>\n<p>In Exodus 20:2 we read: \u201cI am the LORD thy God\u2026\u201d\u00a0 \u201c<span class=\"GramE\">I\u00a0 am<\/span> Jehovah thy Elohim.\u201d There were many different <span class=\"SpellE\">Elohims<\/span>, but there was only one <i>Jehovah. <\/i>You read in the Word, the \u201cElohim of Israel\u201d; but never, the <i>\u201cJehovah <\/i>of Israel\u201d; for there were no more <span class=\"SpellE\">Jehovahs<\/span>. When Elijah and the prophets of Baal had a contest, it<b> <\/b>was to determine which was Elohim (God), <i>Jehovah <\/i>or Baal.<\/p>\n<p>Yes, <i>Jehovah <\/i>was always related in a redemptive way with his own people, but His relationship to His creatures (this includes unregenerate men) was always as Elohim. <span class=\"GramE\">The same today.<\/span> God is God of all the unsaved, but He is <i>Jehovah, <\/i>the Father, of all who are saved. The Book of Jonah illustrates this. In chapters three and four the people called upon Elohim, but Jonah called upon<i>Jehovah! <\/i>They were lost; he was saved. They became saved, and could, after their salvation, call God <i>Jehovah. <\/i>See other Scriptures: Judges 7:14, 15<span class=\"GramE\">;\u00a0 II<\/span> Chronicles 19:6-9; Genesis 7:16; I Samuel 17:46.<\/p>\n<p>We have another name for God, and that is <i>JAH. <\/i>It is found only once in the King James version, but it<b> <\/b>occurs forty-eight other times in the corrected translations. Some Bible scholars believe that<i>JAH <\/i>is an abbreviation of Jehovah. The meaning is the same. \u201cSing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that <span class=\"SpellE\">rideth<\/span> upon the heavens by his name <i>JAH, <\/i>and rejoice before him\u201d (Ps. 68:4). The name <i>JAH <\/i>is always connected with praise, and is first found in Exodus 15:2.<\/p>\n<p>We believe that the word \u201cGod\u201d (Elohim), being plural in Genesis 1:1, definitely suggests that the Trinity created the heavens and the earth. Yet we find that modern thought interprets this differently. Modern thought says that this portion of the Word should read, \u201cIn the beginning<i>Gods <\/i>created the heavens and the earth.\u201d And the reason for this, they say, is that Israel, to begin with, believed in many gods, but that their religion evolved into monotheism. This form of reasoning has proved difficult to many college students. Is there any Scripture which will refute this? <span class=\"GramE\">Absolutely.<\/span> Turn to Deuteronomy 6:4 \u2014 \u201cHear, 0 Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord.\u201d Now, put the correct words of <i>Elohim <\/i>and <i>Jehovah <\/i>in this passage and you will see that the Word plainly reveals the Trinity of Genesis 1:1: \u201cHear, 0 Israel, JEHOVAH<b> <\/b>our ELOHIM<b> <\/b><i>[three or more persons] <\/i>is one JEHOVAH<b>.\u2019 <\/b>Therefore, man began with a belief in <i>one <\/i>God and later degenerated into the depths \u201cand changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and <span class=\"SpellE\">fourfooted<\/span> beasts, and creeping things\u201d (Rom. 1:23).<\/p>\n<p>C<b>. <\/b><span class=\"SpellE\"><i>Adonai<\/i><\/span><i>.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>The term <span class=\"SpellE\"><i>Adonai<\/i><\/span><i> <\/i>really means master, or owner; one who <span class=\"GramE\">owns,<\/span> one who rules, one who blessed his own. It is found first in Genesis 15:1, 2: \u201cAfter these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord GOD<b>, <\/b>what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this <span class=\"SpellE\">Eliezer<\/span> of Damascus?\u201d<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SpellE\"><i>Adonai<\/i><\/span><i> <\/i>can always be known by the word \u201cLord,\u201d or \u201clord\u201d in the Old Testament of the King James Version. There are two different forms of this word: <span class=\"SpellE\"><i>Adon<\/i><\/span><i>, <\/i>which is singular, and <span class=\"SpellE\"><i>Adonai<\/i><\/span><i>,<\/i>which is plural.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SpellE\"><i>Adonai<\/i><\/span><i> <\/i>is used two ways in the Scriptures when related to man and his earthly relationships: As a<i>master <\/i>of his slaves \u2014 \u201cAnd the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his <i>master, <\/i>and<span class=\"SpellE\">sware<\/span> to him concerning that matter. And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his <i>master,<\/i>and departed; for all the goods of his <i>master\u2026\u201d<\/i> (Gen. 24:9, l0a); and as a <i>husband <\/i>to his wife \u2014\u201cEven as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him <i>lord <\/i>[<span class=\"SpellE\">Adonai<\/span>]\u2026\u201d \u00a0(I Peter 3:6a). See also Genesis 18:12.<\/p>\n<p>A Hebrew could sell himself to another Hebrew, who became his master. But he could not sell himself forever; for at the Sabbatical Year, or the Year of Jubilee, all slaves were freed. Yet, there was a way by which a slave could become a slave forever, and that was by <i>choice: <\/i>\u201cAnd if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an <span class=\"SpellE\">aul<\/span>; and he shall serve him for ever\u201d (Ex. 21:5, 6). Paul said that he was a bond slave (servant) of Jesus Christ, bought by blood and bound by Love! Every time you use the name Lord Jesus Christ, you say, \u201cHe is my Master.\u201d \u201cYe call me <i>Master <\/i>and <i>Lord: <\/i>and ye say well; for so I am\u201d (John 13:13).<\/p>\n<p><i>D. <span class=\"SpellE\">Jehovistic<\/span> Combinations.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>1<b>. <\/b><i>Jehovah-jireh <\/i>\u2014 \u201cthe Lord will provide.\u201d \u201cAbraham called the name of that place <i>Jehovah-jireh: <\/i>as it<b> <\/b>is said to this day, \u201cIn the mount of the LORD<b> <\/b>it<b> <\/b>shall be seen\u201d (Gen. 22:14). This was the occasion when Abraham led his son, his only begotten son, Isaac, to the mount. Isaac carried the wood; Abraham carried the knife and the fire. His son asked the whereabouts of the sacrifice. To this Father Abraham replied, \u201cGod will <i>provide <\/i>himself a lamb for a burnt-offering.\u201d And God did! Before Abraham could kill his son as a sacrifice demanded by God, the angel of the LORD stayed his hand; his eyes looked upon the thicket and saw the ram which the LORD<b> <\/b>had provided. Nearly two thousand years ago the Son of God carried, Himself, a wooden burden, the Cross; and the Father held the fire (which speaks of judgment), and the knife (which speaks of death), and God <i>did <\/i>provide <i>Himself <\/i>a Sacrifice for our sins \u2014 His Son, our Lord and <span class=\"SpellE\">Saviour<\/span>, Jesus Christ. Have you found Him to be your <i>Jehovah jireh? <\/i>Whatever may come, remember, He is <i>Jehovah-jireh <\/i>\u2014 \u201cthe LORD<b> <\/b>will provide.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>2. <i>Jehovah-Rapha <\/i>\u2014 \u201cthe Lord that <span class=\"SpellE\">healeth<\/span>.\u201d [\u201cThe LORD]<b> <\/b>said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD<b> <\/b>thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD<b> <\/b><i>[Jehovah Rapha] <\/i>that <span class=\"SpellE\">healeth<\/span> thee\u201d (Ex. 15:26). He is LORD<b>, <\/b>The Physician. The way this is used is not, \u201cI will <i>cure <\/i>your diseases\u201d; but, \u201cI won\u2019t <i>put <\/i>sickness upon you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The world is called the \u201csick world\u201d; Livingstone called Africa the \u201copen sore\u201d; and the reason for this is the deep wound of <i>sin! <\/i>The word \u201cheal\u201d is an interesting word and means to repair, mend, <span class=\"GramE\">cure<\/span>. And there is perfect cure in <i>Jehovah-Rapha, <\/i>for \u201cby his stripes we are healed\u201d (I Peter 2:24). See also Psalm 41:4.<\/p>\n<p>3. <i>Jehovah-nissi <\/i>\u2014 \u201cthe Lord our Banner.\u201d \u201cMoses built an altar, and called the name of it<i>Jehovah-nissi\u201d <\/i>(Ex. 17:15). The LORD is our Victory. Christ crucified is our Banner of Victory!<\/p>\n<p><i>4. Jehovah-<span class=\"SpellE\">Qadash<\/span> <\/i>\u2014 \u201cthe LORD<b> <\/b>that doth sanctify.\u201d \u201cYe shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD <i>[Jehovah-<span class=\"SpellE\">Qadash<\/span>] <\/i>which sanctify you\u201d (Lev. 20:8). And God is the same LORD<b><\/b>of the Christian as of the Hebrew: \u201cThen said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, 0 God. . . . <i>By <\/i><span class=\"GramE\">the which<\/span> will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all\u201d (Heb. 10:9, 10). See also Hebrews 10:14, and Exodus 31:13.<\/p>\n<p>5. <i>Jehovah-shalom <\/i>\u2014 \u201cthe LORD<b> <\/b>our Peace.\u201d \u201cThen Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD<b>,<\/b>and called it<b> <\/b><i>Jehovah- shalom: <\/i>unto this day it<b> <\/b>is yet in <span class=\"SpellE\">Ophrah<\/span> of the <span class=\"SpellE\">Abiezrites<\/span>\u201d (<span class=\"SpellE\">Judg<\/span>. 6:24). There is only one way to secure peace today, and that is through the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our Peace: \u201cFor he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us\u201d (Eph. 2:14). See also Romans 5:1.<\/p>\n<p>6. <i>Jehovah-<span class=\"SpellE\">Tsidkenu<\/span> <\/i>\u2014 \u201cthe LORD<b> <\/b>our Righteousness.\u201d \u201cIn his days Judah shall he saved, andIsrael shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS\u201d (<span class=\"SpellE\">Jer<\/span>. 23:6). Israel shall be restored to the Land of Promise once again, and during the Millennium Jehovah shall be called <i>Jehovah-<span class=\"SpellE\">Tsidkenu<\/span> <\/i>\u2014 \u201cthe LORD<b> <\/b>our Righteousness.\u201d The LORD<b> <\/b>did come, the only righteous one, yet they<b> <\/b>crucified Him. But one day He shall come the second time, and Israel shall claim the Lord Jesus Christ as <span class=\"GramE\">their own<\/span>Righteousness. Christ Jesus is the only Righteousness that any can claim.<\/p>\n<p><i>7. Jehovah-Shammah <\/i>\u2014 \u201cthe LORD is <span class=\"GramE\">There<\/span>.\u201d \u201cIt was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD<b> <\/b><i>[Jehovah-Shammah] <\/i>is there\u201d (Ezek. 48:35). When Israel is restored to the land, and the earth shall be full of knowledge of the LORD<b>,<\/b>Jerusalem shall be called <i>Jehovah-Shammah <\/i>\u2014 \u201cthe LORD<b> <\/b>is <span class=\"GramE\">There<\/span>.\u2019<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"GramE\"><b>8. <\/b><i>Jehovah-<span class=\"SpellE\">Sabaoth<\/span> <\/i>\u2014 the LORD<b> <\/b>of Host.\u201d<\/span> \u201cThis man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts <i>[Jehovah-<span class=\"SpellE\">Sabaoth<\/span>] <\/i>in Shiloh\u201d (I Sam. 1: 3a). Israel is the Host; the LORD<b> <\/b>is the LORD of Hosts. See also Exodus 12:41; II Kings 6:14-23; Romans 9:29; James 5:4.<\/p>\n<p>9. <i>Jehovah Ra-ah <\/i>\u2014 \u201cthe LORD<b> <\/b>my Shepherd.\u201d \u201cThe LORD<b> <\/b><i>[Jehovah Ra-ah] <\/i>is my shepherd; I shall not want.\u201d (Ps. 23:1). One time a little girl was quoting this verse, and this is the way she said it<b>: <\/b>\u201cThe LORD<b> <\/b>is my Shepherd, why should I worry?\u201d Have you found that Source of Strength? Have you found perfect peace by following the <span class=\"SpellE\">Saviour<\/span> wherever He leads? Fears will not annoy; darkness cannot distress; poverty is not able to destroy if Jesus is your <i>Jehovah Ra-ah<\/i>\u2014 your Shepherd.<\/p>\n<p><i>E. Eloistic Combinations.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>As there are the <span class=\"SpellE\">Jehovistic<\/span> combinations, so are there the <i>Eloistic <\/i>combinations.<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">1. <i>El Elyon <\/i>\u2014 \u201cMost High God.\u201d<\/span> \u201cMelchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the <span class=\"GramE\">most high<\/span> God <i>[El Elyon]\u201d <\/i>(Gen. 14:18). Here in the King James Version the name is translated \u201cmost high God.\u201d <i>Elyon <\/i>means highest; with <i>El <\/i>it<b> <\/b>means the <span class=\"GramE\">most high<\/span>God. See also Deuteronomy 32:8; Daniel 4:34, 35. Jesus Christ is our <i>El Elyon <\/i>\u2014 \u201cAll power<i>[authority] <\/i>is given unto me in heaven and in earth\u201d (Matt. 28:18b).<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"GramE\">2. <i>El Olam \u2014\u201cEverlasting God.\u201d<\/i><\/span><i> <\/i>\u201cAbraham planted a grove in Beer-<span class=\"SpellE\">sheba<\/span>, and called there on the name of the LORD<b>, <\/b>the everlasting <i>[El Olam] <\/i>God\u201d (Gen. 21:33). Yes, God is the \u201cEverlasting God\u201d \u2014 \u201cthe God of All Ages.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"GramE\">3. <i>El Shaddai <\/i>\u2014 \u201cAlmighty God.\u201d<\/span> This is first found in Genesis 17:1: \u201cWhen Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD<b> <\/b>appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God <i>[El Shaddai]; <\/i>walk before me, and be thou perfect.\u201d \u201cEl\u201d means the Strong One. <i>Shaddai <\/i>comes from the word <i>shad, <\/i>meaning a breast, a woman\u2019s breast. This is illustrated by that portion found in Isaiah 28:9. <i>El Shaddai, <\/i>therefore, means the Breast of God, the <span class=\"SpellE\">Nourisher<\/span>, Strength-giver, <span class=\"GramE\">the<\/span>Satisfier.<\/p>\n<p>One of the most cherished names of God held by Bible students everywhere is this one \u2014 the Breast of God, the Strength-giver, the All-Sufficient God, the All-Bountiful God, the God Who is Enough!\u00a0 <span class=\"GramE\">the<\/span> God Who is Able. \u201cHe is <i>able <\/i>also to save them to the uttermost\u201d (Heb. 7:25). Why? Because Jesus Christ our Lord is our <i>El Shaddai <\/i>\u2014 \u201cThe God Who is Able.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>II. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD<b><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b> <\/b><b><\/b><i>A. False and True Systems of Theology.<br \/>\n<\/i>1. <i>Deism. <\/i>This system acknowledges that there is a God, but denies that God sustains the creation. \u201cGod is the Maker, but not the Keeper.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>2. <i>Atheism. <\/i>Those who hold to this belief \u2014 so called \u2014 exclude God altogether.<\/p>\n<p>3. <i>Skepticism and Infidelity. <\/i>Skeptics and infidels are full of doubt and disbelief with regard to God, especially the God of Revelation.\u00a0 4.<\/p>\n<p>4.<i> Agnosticism. <\/i>This school of thought does not deny God, but denies that God can be <i>known.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>5. <i>Pantheism. <\/i>Everything is God, and God is everything. Everything you see is God. God is <i>in<\/i>everything. God and creation are synonymous.<\/p>\n<p><i>6. Polytheism. <\/i>This is belief in many Gods. There are various gods over us; these in turn have gods over them; and these have gods over them, and so on.<\/p>\n<p>7. <span class=\"SpellE\"><i>Tritheism<\/i><\/span><i>. <\/i>This is the doctrine of <i>three <\/i>Gods.<\/p>\n<p><i>8. Dualism. <\/i>This is the belief in <i>two <\/i>Gods; a God that is <span class=\"GramE\">Good<\/span>, and a God that is Bad. They are both equal in power and persuasion.<\/p>\n<p>9. <i>Theism. <\/i>The belief in the existence of a personal God is known as theism. Should one boast in this, his boasting is vain, for one must know <i>who <\/i>God is, <i>what <\/i>His name is, in order to trust Him.<\/p>\n<p>10. <i>Monotheism. <\/i>This is the doctrine of one God. We are monotheists. Jews and Mohammedans are monotheists. If that is true, are they saved? No! \u201cThou <span class=\"SpellE\">believest<\/span> that there is<i>one <\/i>God; thou doest well; the devils also believe, and tremble\u201d (Jas. 2:19) Believing in one God is not sufficient, but \u201cif thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved\u201d (Rom. 10:9).<\/p>\n<p><i>B.\u00a0 Evidence of the Existence of God.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>May the student realize that the Bible never tries to prove there is a <span class=\"GramE\">God.<\/span> It assumes that man knows that there is a God, and states, \u201cThe <i>fool <\/i>hath said in his heart, <span class=\"GramE\">There<\/span> is no God\u201d (Ps. 14:1).<\/p>\n<p>There are many evidences of the existence of God, the first being:<\/p>\n<p>1. <i>From Reason. <\/i><span class=\"GramE\">(The Intellectual).<\/span><br \/>\na. <i>The Intuitional Argument: <\/i>That which is in man, sometimes called the \u201cfirst-truths\u201d; that belief that knows that there is a God without anyone revealing that fact. A child knows there is a God. Who has told him? All races of the world know there is a God, though they are not worshiping the One and Only and True God. There is no such thing as a true atheist. The evidence of the existence of God is in man \u2014 born in him.<br \/>\nb. <i>The Cosmological Argument: <\/i>This is the argument from cause and effect. Here is the world \u2014 how did it<b> <\/b>come to be? There is a Cause or Power behind everything. There must be a Maker or Creator. It is easy to think that back of the Creation is God, but it<b> <\/b>is impossible to think back of God.<br \/>\nc. <i>The Teleological Argument: <\/i>By this we mean design. There is perfect design and order in the universe. The snowflake is a beautiful pattern that man could never duplicate. Why does ice rise to the top of the water and not to the bottom when it<b> <\/b>freezes? Should this not be so, then all water would eventually freeze, and the fish would perish. How is it<b> <\/b>possible that spring, summer, fall and winter all come in order, and have been doing so for millenniums? <span class=\"GramE\">Why is it<b> <\/b>that the sun comes no closer to the earth <i>(melting it) <\/i>nor<\/span> goes further away from it<b> <\/b>(freezing it)?<b> <\/b>There <i>must <\/i>be a Designer behind all creation \u2014 and that Designer is God!<br \/>\nd. <i>The Anthropological Argument: <\/i>This argument is based upon the moral and intellectual qualities of man. Man is a direct result of the creation of God, as other creatures are, yet these creatures do not possess the moral and intellectual qualities of man. Why? If<b> <\/b>man could create them, so could animals. But man has the capacity to know, to reason. If man did not get these qualities from some One, where did he get them?<\/p>\n<p>2. <span class=\"GramE\"><i>From<\/i><\/span><i> History. <\/i>Truly, history is His story! History verifies the fact that there is a God. History has proved the fact of God against those who have repudiated His law. Thus, Christians should never worry over world conditions. God is on His throne. Nothing can happen, but by His will. Someone has said, \u201cProphecy is the mould of history.\u201d God speaks, and years later what He spoke is fulfilled to the letter, History only fulfills what God has said would happen. History<i>proves <\/i>there is a God!<\/p>\n<p>3. <span class=\"GramE\"><i>From<\/i><\/span><i> Experience. <\/i>This is one of the greatest proofs yet for the existence of God. Men have been transformed by the power of God. There is no explanation other than God! Prayers which have been answered attest to the existence of God.<\/p>\n<p>4. <span class=\"GramE\"><i>From<\/i><\/span><i> Scripture.<br \/>\n<\/i>a. <i>Biblical Assumption. <\/i>The<b> <\/b>Bible is the only Book that is God-inspired. The Bible is the standard for all right conduct in the world. If the Bible is not the Word of God, then we have no God; we can never know God.<br \/>\nb. <i>Christological Revelation. <\/i>In Jesus Christ, God came down to man to tell us what God is like. If Jesus is not God, then there is no God. God can never be known. \u201cNo man bath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him\u201d (John 1:18). But Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and He and His life prove the existence of God!<br \/>\nc. <i>Prophetical Declaration. <\/i>God forecast the future. Anyone who can do this is more than man. Man cannot always tell the past, much less the future. It is said that when Christ was crucified there were twenty-five distinct prophecies fulfilled \u2014 prophecies written centuries before.<\/p>\n<p>III. THE NATURE OF GOD.<b><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b> <\/b><b><\/b><i>A. Definitions of God.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>1. <i>Scriptural Definitions.<br \/>\n<\/i>a. <i>God is Spirit <\/i>\u2014 \u201cGod is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth\u201d (John 4:24).<br \/>\nb. <i>God is Light <\/i>\u2014 \u201cThis then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all\u201d (I John 1:5).<br \/>\nc. <i>God is Love <\/i>\u2014 \u201cHe that <span class=\"SpellE\">loveth<\/span> not knoweth not God; for God is love\u201d (I John 4:8).<br \/>\nd. <i>God is a Consuming Fire <\/i>\u2014 \u201cFor our God is a consuming fire\u201d (Heb. 12:29).<br \/>\n2. <i>Theological Definitions.<br \/>\n<\/i>a. <i>Westminster<\/i><i> Catechism: <\/i>\u2014 \u201cGod is a Spirit, Infinite, Eternal, and Unchangeable in His Being, Wisdom, Power, Holiness, Justice, Goodness and Truth.\u201d<br \/>\nb. <i>Dr. Strong: <\/i>\u2014 \u201cGod is the Infinite and Perfect Spirit. The Source of all things, the Support of all things, the End of all things.\u201d<br \/>\nc. <i>Andrew Fuller; <\/i>\u2014 \u201cGod is the First Cause and Last End of all things.\u201d<br \/>\nd. <span class=\"SpellE\"><i>Ebrards<\/i><\/span><i>: <\/i>\u2014 \u201cGod is the Eternal Source of all that is temporal.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><i>B. Spirituality of God.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>1. <i>His Essence. <\/i>He is a Spiritual Being (\u201cGod is a Spirit\u201d \u2014 John 4:24), invisible (\u201cWho is the image of the invisible God\u201d \u2014 Col. 1:15a). What is a spirit? A spirit is a being without flesh and bones. \u201cBehold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have\u201d (Luke 24:39). A spirit has a body, a spirit-body; but it has no natural body, no material body. God cannot be seen by human eye; God, in His pure essence, has never been seen. \u201cNo man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him\u201d (John 1:18).<br \/>\n<i>2. His Manifestations. <\/i>While God, in His true essence, has never been seen, yet He hath shown Himself, revealed His Person to man in different forms. The Scriptures ask, \u201cTo whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? <span class=\"GramE\">saith<\/span> the Holy One\u201d (Is. 40:25). Man cannot know God but in the way He has revealed Himself. Are we not glad that God has revealed Himself in His Son? Where Christ is the image of God, the Anti-<span class=\"SpellE\">christ<\/span> shall be an imitation.<\/p>\n<p>There <i>seems <\/i>to be some contradictions in the Word; in some places it says that people saw God: \u201cThe LORD<b> <\/b><span class=\"SpellE\"><span class=\"GramE\">spake<\/span><\/span> unto Moses face to face\u201d (Ex. 33:11); \u201cThen went up Moses, and Aaron,<span class=\"SpellE\">Nadab<\/span>, and <span class=\"SpellE\">Abihu<\/span>, and seventy of the elders of Israel: and they saw the God of Israel\u2026\u201d <span class=\"GramE\">(Ex. 24:9, 10).<\/span> In other places the Word says that it is impossible to see God: \u201cHe said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live\u201d (Ex. 33:20). The truth is, man has never looked upon the face of God in His true essence, but has looked upon His face and spoken mouth to mouth with God when God manifested Himself in some form other than his true essence. \u201cWith him will I speak mouth to mouth\u2026<span class=\"GramE\">\u201d<\/span> (Num. 12:8a).<\/p>\n<p>We do know this, that the Spirit (Holy Spirit) can manifest Himself in a visible form. \u201cJohn bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him\u201d (John 1:32). It was at the Lord Jesus\u2019 baptism that John saw the form, but not the Spirit; yet the Spirit was manifested.<\/p>\n<p>God has manifested Himself in many forms; among them are the following:<\/p>\n<p>a. <i>In Creature Forms. <\/i>By this we do not mean that the LORD<b> <\/b>appeared in the form of animals, but rather in the form of human beings. Genesis 3:8 and 12:7 illustrate this fully: \u201cThey heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the <i>presence <\/i>of the LORD<b> <\/b>God amongst the trees of the garden\u201d (Gen. 3:8); \u201cThe LORD<b> <\/b><i>appeared <\/i>unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there<span class=\"SpellE\">builded<\/span> he an altar unto the LORD<b>, <\/b>who <i>appeared <\/i>unto him\u201d (Gen. 12:7). See also Genesis 16:7, 10, 13; Exodus 24:9-11; Genesis 18:1-16; Judges 13:22, 23; Genesis 32:24-30.<\/p>\n<p>God also manifested Himself as the Angel of the LORD<b> <\/b>\u2014 \u201cThe angel of the LORD<b> <\/b><span class=\"SpellE\">encampeth<\/span>round about them that fear him, and <span class=\"SpellE\">delivereth<\/span> them\u201d (Ps. 34:7); \u201cThe angel of the LORD<b> <\/b>said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shall call his name Ishmael; because the LORD<b> <\/b>hath heard thy affliction\u201d (Gen. 16:11). It is agreed among most Bible scholars that the Angel of the LORD<b> <\/b>is no other than the Lord Jesus Himself.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"GramE\">b<\/span>. <i>In Material Forms. <\/i>Man could not see God; therefore, God manifested Himself in forms from which He spoke to and led him. One such form was the Burning Bush: \u201cWhen the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I\u201d (Ex. 3:4); <span class=\"GramE\">Another<\/span> form was the Pillar of a Cloud and a Pillar of Fire: \u201cThe LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night\u201d (Ex. 13:21).<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"GramE\">c<\/span>. <i>In The Person of Christ Jesus. <\/i>Again we state that we are rejoicing that God does not choose today to reveal Himself other than in His Son, Jesus Christ! God does not choose to manifest Himself in a vapor, but rather in <i>human <\/i>form: \u201cIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth\u201d (John 1:1, 14). See also I Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:3.<\/p>\n<p><i>C. Personality of God.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>God is a Person, One possessing Self-consciousness, Self-determination, and Power.<\/p>\n<p>People have many vague ideas of God as a force, a power, an influence. But it is impossible to have fellowship with a force or an influence. The Words of our Lord as He was in the Garden suggest fellowship with God: \u201cNow come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves\u201d (John 17:13). See also Exodus 3:14; I Corinthians 2:11.<\/p>\n<p>Never confuse personality with visibility. Substance has nothing to do with personality. The personality of God can be seen:<\/p>\n<p>1. <i>In Names. <\/i>\u201cGod said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you\u201d (Ex. 3:14). The words \u201cI AM THAT I AM\u201d suggest personality.<br \/>\n2. <span class=\"GramE\"><i>In<\/i><\/span><i> Contrasts. <\/i>By this we mean that the Scriptures contrast the only wise God with the gods of the pagans: \u201cYe turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God\u201d (I <span class=\"SpellE\">Thess<\/span>. 1:9). See also Jeremiah 10:16; Acts 14:15.<br \/>\n3. <span class=\"GramE\"><i>In<\/i><\/span><i> Attributes. <\/i>That which is characteristic of God is called an attribute. That which He <i>does,<\/i>denotes personality, such as:<br \/>\na. <i>God Grieves. <\/i>Only a person can grieve: \u201cIt repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it <i>grieved <\/i>him at his heart\u201d (Gen. 6:6).<br \/>\nb. <i>God Repents. <\/i>In the above Scripture (Gen. 6:6) we note that God repents. I Samuel 15:29 says: \u201cThe Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a <span class=\"GramE\">man, that<\/span> he should repent.\u201d Here one portion of the Scriptures states that God repents, another declares that He does not repent. What is the answer? When man repents, he repents of some moral deed; when God repents, He repents of some judicial act. God\u2019s attitude toward sin never changes. Take the case of Jonah and Nineveh. Nineveh repented; it changed its mind; it changed its character. God, however, did not change His mind; He did not change His attitude toward sin. But inasmuch asNineveh had repented, there was no need of judgment against sin. Its sin had been confessed and forgiven.<br \/>\nc. <i>God Loves. <\/i>\u201cGod so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life\u201d (John 3:16). \u201cAs many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent\u201d (Rev. 3:19). Only a personality can love.<br \/>\nd. <i>God Hates. <\/i>\u201cThese six things doth the LORD<b> <\/b>hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him\u201d (<span class=\"SpellE\">Prov<\/span>. 6:16).<br \/>\ne. <i>God Hears. <\/i>\u201cHe that planted the ear, shall he not hear? <span class=\"GramE\">he<\/span> that formed the eye, shall he not see? He that <span class=\"SpellE\">chastiseth<\/span> the heathen, shall not he correct? <span class=\"GramE\">he<\/span> that <span class=\"SpellE\">teacheth<\/span> man knowledge, shall not he know\u201d (Ps. 94:9, 10)?<br \/>\n<i>4. <span class=\"GramE\">In<\/span> Acts.<br \/>\n<\/i>a. <i>God Creates. <\/i><span class=\"GramE\">\u201cIn the beginning God <i>created <\/i>the heaven and the earth\u201d (Gen. 1:1).<\/span> See also Isaiah 45:18.<br \/>\nb. <i>God Provides. <\/i>\u201cThese wait all upon thee; that thou <span class=\"SpellE\">mayest<\/span> give them their meat in due season. That thou <span class=\"SpellE\">givest<\/span> them they gather: thou <span class=\"SpellE\">openest<\/span> thine hand, they are filled with good. Thou <span class=\"SpellE\">hidest<\/span> thy face, they are troubled: thou <span class=\"SpellE\">takest<\/span> away their <span class=\"GramE\">breath,<\/span> they die, and return to their dust. Thou <span class=\"SpellE\">sendest<\/span> forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou <span class=\"SpellE\">renewest<\/span> the face of the earth\u201d (Ps. 104:27-30). The material needs of this entire world are met and supplied by God.<br \/>\nc. <i>God Promotes. <\/i>Some people seemingly are pushed ahead of others. The world has a name for this \u2014 luck. But the correct answer is the LORD! Kings receive their power from Him; pastors receive their charges from Him; husbands receive their wives from Him. All promotions are from the Lord. <span class=\"GramE\"><i>\u201cPromotion <\/i>cometh neither from the east nor from the west, nor from the south.<\/span> But God is the judge: he <span class=\"SpellE\">putteth<\/span> down one, and <span class=\"SpellE\">setteth<\/span> up another\u201d (Ps. 75:6, 7).<br \/>\nd. <i>God Cares. <\/i>God has a heart; only a person has a heart. God has concern: \u201cHumble yourselves . . . casting all your care upon him; for he <span class=\"SpellE\">careth<\/span> for you\u201d (I Peter 5:6, 7).<\/p>\n<p><i>D. The Trinity of God.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>1. <i>Trinity in Personality. <\/i>By this, of course, we mean that God is Three in One. There are some errors concerning the Trinity; some have been proposed ignorantly, and others deliberately.<\/p>\n<p>We know that the Bible is the Word of God, if for no other reason than that we have the Trinity in it. If man had written the Bible, he would have left the Trinity out of it; for the Trinity is too hard to understand \u2014 the mind of man cannot comprehend it. The only thing that the Child of God can do is to accept it by faith and stand upon what God says about it. Just because we cannot seem to understand all about it is no sign that it is not true.<\/p>\n<p>There is one error which proposes that there are three Individuals in the Godhead. But remember, God is not a Triad.<\/p>\n<p>Another error is that the Trinity is just one Person, manifesting Himself in three. That is. <span class=\"GramE\">there<\/span> are three essences in one Person, Jesus Christ. The Father and the Holy Spirit are only manifestations.<\/p>\n<p>Still another, and damnable, denies the Trinity <span class=\"GramE\">altogether,<\/span> and consequently makes the Son and Holy Spirit creatures of God, those who came into existence after God. In other words, they who hold to this erroneous theory declare that there was a time when the Son was not; that there was a time when the Son of God never existed. They use this sort of reasoning: \u201cA son cannot be as old as his father \u2014 a father always has to exist before his son in order to beget him; God is the Father of the Son of God; therefore, the Father had to exist before the Son in order to beget Him.\u201d To this we reply: \u201cIf a person should declare that he is a father, and has been one for ten years, then we know that he has had a child for ten years. A man cannot be a father without having a child. Yes, a man who has been a father for ten years has had a child for ten years. Even so in the Godhead \u2014 if God is the <i>Eternal <\/i>Father, then He must have had an <i>Eternal <\/i>Son!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The doctrine of the Trinity is a doctrine of pure revelation from God. And remember, we worship not three Gods, but One \u2014 God: the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.<\/p>\n<p>It is practically impossible to give examples of the Trinity. Some have offered the three-leaved clover as an example; others have suggested water: in its natural state, liquid; when heated, vapor; when frozen, solid. Still, this is not clear. For God is Three in One! Therefore, we propose that the best illustration is man himself: body, soul and spirit. He is not three persons, but a three-in-one person. And there are three things which pertain to each separately: food to the body, music to the soul, and worship to the spirit \u2014 yet all three of these things appeal to the one man.<\/p>\n<p>Rays from the sun may be used as a further type. When the sunshine breaks upon the earth it<b> <\/b>is composed of three elements: heat rays, which can be felt but not seen; light rays, which can be seen, but not felt; chemical rays, which cannot be seen, nor felt, but do have effects. All together make sunshine. We cannot understand light \u2014 three rays and yet one light. Without one of these elements there would be no light; without one part of man, man would cease to be; and without one Person of the Godhead, God would not be God!<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">a<\/span>. <i>Old Testament Names<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>(1) <i>Plural Nouns <\/i>\u201cIn the beginning <i>[Elohim] <\/i>created the heaven and earth\u201d (Gen. 1:1). Elohim is the plural noun, meaning three or more. This, of course, suggests the Trinity in creation. See also Genesis 3:5; Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 13:2, 3. Many times Elohim is translated (in English) in the singular and the plural.<\/p>\n<p>(2) <i>Plural Pronouns. <\/i>\u201cThe LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of <i>us, <\/i>to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever\u2026\u201d (Gen. 3:22). See also Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 6:8. This is God speaking to God\u2014 thus the Trinity.<\/p>\n<p>(3) <i>Scriptural Statements. <\/i>The Scriptures state that God anointed God, and how could this be if God be not a Trinity? \u201cThy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou <span class=\"SpellE\">lovest<\/span> righteousness, and <span class=\"SpellE\">hatest<\/span> wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows\u201d (Ps. 45:6<span class=\"GramE\">,7<\/span>). See also Hebrews 1:8-12; Psalm 110:1.<\/p>\n<p>(4) <i>Scriptural Designations. <\/i>That is, in Genesis 1:1 God declares that He created the heavens and the earth, and in verse 2, the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, is singled out: \u201cThe Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.\u201d (See also Job 24:13). And elements of personality are accounted for by reference to the Holy Spirit: \u201cThere shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: and the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD (Is. 11:1, 2).<\/p>\n<p>The Son, the Second Person of the Trinity is singled out also: \u201cI will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. . . . Kiss the Son, lest he <span class=\"GramE\">be<\/span> angry, and ye perish from the way\u2026\u201d (Ps. 2:7, 12a). The Angel of the LORD<b> <\/b>of the Old Testament is no other than Jesus Christ Himself, and in the following portion of Scriptures He is declared as being separate from God the Father and Holy Spirit: \u201cThe angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water . . . in the way to <span class=\"SpellE\">Shur<\/span>\u201d (Gen. 16:7).<\/p>\n<p>The following Scriptures plainly reveal the Trinity of the Godhead: Genesis 18:1<span class=\"GramE\">,2,33<\/span>; Isaiah 48:16; 63:8-10.<\/p>\n<p>(5) <i>Triple Expressions. <\/i>Whenever the Scriptures express praise or benediction of the Godhead, a triple exclamation is declared which points to the fact that as God is the Three-In-One God these expressions must also be three: \u201cThe Lord bless thee, and keep thee: the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace\u201d (Num. 6:24-26). \u201cAnd the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, <i>Holy, holy, holy, <\/i>Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come\u201d (Rev. 4:8).<\/p>\n<p>b. <i>New Testament Disclosures.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>(1) <i>Baptism of Christ. <\/i>The baptism of Christ is one of the best illustrations which prove the Trinity: \u201cJesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased\u201d (Matt. 3:16, 17). Here there is presented the Father in heaven, the Son in the water, and the Holy Spirit descending as a dove.<\/p>\n<p>(2) <i>Baptismal Formula. <\/i>The Church of God in Christ Jesus has always used that formula laid down by its Founder Himself, Jesus Christ: \u201cGo ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost\u2026\u201d <span class=\"GramE\">(Matt. 28:19, 20).<\/span> Note that the Scriptures do not say, \u201c<span class=\"GramE\">in<\/span> the names of\u201d; but, \u201cin the name of.\u201d One in Three; one <i>name,<\/i>but three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n<p>(3) <i>Apostolic Benediction. <\/i>The Church has used this benediction (which was first used by the Apostle Paul by inspiration of the Holy Spirit) for the last nineteen hundred years: \u201cThe grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, <span class=\"GramE\">be<\/span> with you all. Amen\u201d (II <span class=\"SpellE\">Cor<\/span>. 13:14).<\/p>\n<p>(4) <i>Other Scripture. <\/i>The following verse plainly reveals the fact of the Trinity: \u201cThe Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you\u201d (John 14:26).<\/p>\n<p>2. <i>Unity of Being: Undivided and Invisible. <\/i>There is <i>one <\/i>God; He is the one and only God: \u201cThou art great, O LORD<b> <\/b>God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears\u201d (II Sam. 7:22); \u201cWho hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD<b>, <\/b>the first, and with the last; I am he\u201d (Is. 41:4). See also Isaiah 43:10, 11; 44:6; Deuteronomy 6:4.<\/p>\n<p>God \u2014 Elohim \u2014 is a compound unity; that is, the noun, God (which is plural), is used always with a singular verb: \u201cIn the beginning God [plural] created [singular] the heaven and the earth\u201d (Gen. 1:1); \u201cThe LORD<b> <\/b>[singular] God [plural] of gods, the LORD<b> <\/b>[singular] God [plural] of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against theLORD<b> <\/b><i>[singular], <\/i>(save us not this day,)\u2026\u201d (Josh. 22:22). See also Genesis 1:5, 8, 13; 33:20.<\/p>\n<p>3. <i>A Scriptural Summary.<br \/>\n<\/i>a. <i>Three Are Recognized as God.<br \/>\n<\/i>(1) <i>The Father is <span class=\"GramE\">Recognized<\/span> as God. <\/i>\u201cTo all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ\u201d (Rom. 1:7). See also John 6:27; I Peter 1:2.<\/p>\n<p>(2) <i>The Son is <span class=\"GramE\">Recognized<\/span> as God. <\/i>\u201cUnto the Son he saith, Thy Throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom\u201d (Heb. 1:8); \u201cWe should live soberly, righteously, and godly . . . looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our <span class=\"SpellE\">Saviour<\/span> Jesus Christ\u201d (Titus 2:12, 13).<\/p>\n<p>(3) <i>The Holy Spirit is <span class=\"GramE\">Recognized<\/span> as God. <\/i>\u201cPeter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? <span class=\"GramE\">and<\/span> after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? <span class=\"GramE\">why<\/span> hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? <span class=\"GramE\">thou<\/span> hast not lied unto men, but unto God\u201d (Acts 5:3, 4).<\/p>\n<p>b.<b> <\/b><i>Three Are Described as Distinct Persons.<br \/>\n<\/i>(1)<b> <\/b><i>Father and Son Are Persons Distinct From Each Other.<br \/>\n<\/i>(a)<i> Christ Distinguishes the Father From Himself. <\/i>\u201cAs the<b> <\/b>Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man\u201d (John 5:26,<i> <\/i>27). See also John 5:32.<br \/>\n(b) <i>Father arid Son are Distinguished as the Begetter and the Begotten. <\/i>See John 3:16.<br \/>\n(c)<b> <\/b><i>Father and Son are <span class=\"GramE\">Distinguished<\/span> as the Sender and the Sent. \u201c<\/i>When<i> <\/i>the <span class=\"SpellE\">fulness<\/span> of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law\u201d (Gal. 4:4). See also John 10:36.<\/p>\n<p>(2) <i>Father and Son Are Persons Distinguished from the Holy Spirit.<br \/>\n<\/i>(a)<b> <\/b><i>The Son Distinguishes the Holy Spirit From Himself and the Father. <\/i><b>\u201c<\/b>I will pray the Father, and he shall<b> <\/b>give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it <span class=\"SpellE\">seeth<\/span> him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he <span class=\"SpellE\">dwelleth<\/span> with you, and shall be in you\u201d (John 14:16, 17).<br \/>\n(b)<b> <\/b><i>The Spirit Proceeds From the Father. <\/i>\u201cWhen<i> <\/i>the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which <span class=\"SpellE\">proceedeth<\/span> from the Father, he shall testify of me\u201d (John 15:26).<br \/>\n(c) <i>The Spirit Is Sent by the Father and the Son. <\/i>\u201cThe Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you\u201d (John 14:26); \u201cWhen the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which <span class=\"SpellE\">proceedeth<\/span> from the Father, he shall testify of me\u201d (John 15:26).<br \/>\nc.<b> <\/b><i>These Three Persons Are Equal.<br \/>\n<\/i>(1) The Father is not God as such, for God is Father, Son and Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit).<br \/>\n(2) The Son is not God as such, for God is Father, Son and Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit).<br \/>\n(3) The Holy Spirit is not God as such, for God is Father, Son and Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit).<\/p>\n<p><i>E. The Self-existence of God.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>Existence of God is within Himself. We are dependent upon Him; He is not dependent upon anything. Something caused us to be; nothing caused Him to be; He always was; God does not exist because He brought Himself into existence. God exists because it is his nature to be.<\/p>\n<p>Our lives come from an external source; there was a time when we began. \u201cI have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me\u201d (John 5:36). We cannot say this.<\/p>\n<p><i>F. The Infinity of God.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>Divine nature has no limit or bound. \u201cGreat is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite\u201d (Ps. 147:5); \u201cCanst thou by searching find out God? <span class=\"GramE\">canst<\/span> thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the <span class=\"GramE\">earth,<\/span> and broader than the sea\u201d (Job 11:7-9); \u201cWill God indeed dwell on the earth? <span class=\"GramE\">behold<\/span>, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have <span class=\"SpellE\">builded<\/span>? (I Kings 8:27); \u201cO the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! <span class=\"GramE\">how<\/span> unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!\u201d (Rom. 11:33). See also Isaiah 66:1; Psalm 113:5, 6.<\/p>\n<p>The world is a bud from His bower of beauty \u2014<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">The<\/span> sun is a spark from the light of His wisdom \u2014<br \/>\nThe sky is a bubble on the sea of His power.<\/p>\n<p>IV. THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"GramE\">The<\/span> attributes of God are the essential qualities of a perfect Being \u2014 the property of God.<\/p>\n<p><i>A. The Omnipotence of God.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>This means that God is all-powerful, all-mighty: \u201cI heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty <span class=\"SpellE\">thunderings<\/span>, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent <span class=\"SpellE\">reigneth<\/span>\u201d (Rev. 19:6); \u201cJesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible\u201d (Matt. 19:26); \u201cIs anything too hard for the LORD?\u201d<b> <\/b>(Gen. 18:14a).<\/p>\n<p>There is only <i>one <\/i>thing which can limit God, and that is His own holy will. Some foolish person may propose II Timothy 2:13: \u201cIf we believe not, yet he <span class=\"SpellE\">abideth<\/span> faithful:\u00a0 he cannot deny himself.\u201d\u00a0 This person says, \u201cHere is something God cannot do.\u201d But this is not a question of what God <i>can <\/i>do, but what God <i>will <\/i>do.<\/p>\n<p>1. <i>God Has Power Over Nature. <\/i>\u201cBy the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He <span class=\"SpellE\">gathereth<\/span> the waters of the sea together as <span class=\"GramE\">an<\/span>heap: he <span class=\"SpellE\">layeth<\/span> up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD<b>: <\/b>let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he <span class=\"SpellE\">spake<\/span>, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast\u201d (Ps. 33:6-9); \u201cThus saith the LORD of hosts; <span class=\"GramE\">Yet<\/span> once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land\u201d (Hag. 2:6). See also Genesis 1:1-3; Nahum 1:3-6. Man has to have tools to make things \u2014 God only has to speak, and it is done.<\/p>\n<p>2. <i>God Has Power Over Men. <\/i>\u201cThere is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that <span class=\"SpellE\">judgest<\/span> another? Go to now, ye that say, <span class=\"GramE\">To<\/span> day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a <span class=\"SpellE\"><span class=\"GramE\">vapour<\/span><\/span><span class=\"GramE\">, that<\/span> <span class=\"SpellE\">appeareth<\/span> for a little time, and then<span class=\"SpellE\">vanisheth<\/span> away. For what ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that\u201d (Jas. 4:12-15). See also Exodus 4:11.<\/p>\n<p>3. <i>God <\/i><i>Has Power Over Angels. <\/i>\u201cAll the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the <i>army of heaven, <\/i>and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, <span class=\"GramE\">What<\/span> doest thou?\u201d (Dan. 4:35).<\/p>\n<p>4. <i>God Has Power Over Satan. <\/i>In Job 1:12; 2:6 we notice that Satan is subjected to God; \u201cThe LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. . . . And the LORD<b> <\/b>said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.\u201d And we know of the end of Satan from the following Scriptures: \u201cThe God <span class=\"GramE\">of\u00a0 peace<\/span> shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly\u2026\u201d \u00a0(Rom.16:20a); \u201cHe laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years\u2026And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever\u201d (Rev. 20:2, 10). See also Luke 22:31, 32.<\/p>\n<p>5. <i>God Has Power Over Death. <\/i>Paul prays that the Ephesians may know \u201cwhat is the exceeding greatness of his power to <span class=\"SpellE\">usward<\/span> who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come\u201d (Eph. 1:19-21). Ultimately, death shall be destroyed: \u201cDeath and hell [<span class=\"SpellE\">hades<\/span>] were cast into the lake of fire. <span class=\"GramE\">This is the second death\u201d (Rev. 20:14).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i>B. The Omniscience of God.<br \/>\n<\/i>Omniscience means \u201call knowing.\u201d God is the \u201cAll-Knowing God\u201d \u2014 He knows everything! \u201cFor if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things\u201d (I John 3:20).<\/p>\n<p>1. <i>Includes All Nature. <\/i>God, the Creator, knows everything concerning His creatures.<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">a<\/span>. <i>Of His Inanimate Creatures. <\/i>\u201cHe <span class=\"SpellE\">telleth<\/span> the number of the stars; he <span class=\"SpellE\">calleth<\/span> them all by their names\u201d (Ps. 147:4); \u201cHast thou not known? <span class=\"GramE\">hast<\/span> thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, <span class=\"SpellE\">fainteth<\/span> not, neither is weary? <span class=\"GramE\">there<\/span> is no searching of his understanding\u201d (Is. 40:28).<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">b<\/span>. <i>Of His Brute Creatures. <\/i>\u201cAre not two sparrows sold for a farthing? <span class=\"GramE\">and<\/span> one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father\u201d (Matt. 10:29).<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">c<\/span>. <i>Of His Human Creatures.\u00a0 <\/i>God has full knowledge of man: \u201cBe not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye<i> <\/i>have need of, before ye ask him\u201d (Matt. 6:8). He knows man\u2019s need; he has knowledge of the need of man. He knows the very <i>thoughts <\/i>of man: \u201cThou <span class=\"SpellE\">knowest<\/span> my <span class=\"SpellE\">downsitting<\/span> and mine uprising, thou <span class=\"SpellE\">understandest<\/span> my thought afar off\u201d (Ps. 139:2). \u201cThe LORD<b> <\/b>knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity\u201d (Ps. 94:11). See also <span class=\"GramE\">I<\/span>Chronicles 28:9 and Hebrews 4:13. God knows the <i>heart <\/i>of man: \u201cHear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou <span class=\"SpellE\">knowest<\/span>; (for thou, even thou only, <span class=\"SpellE\">knowest<\/span> the hearts of all the children of <span class=\"GramE\">men;<\/span>)\u201d (I Kings 8:39). See also Psalm 44:21 and Acts 1:24. God knows the <i>experiences <\/i>we have gone through: \u201cThe LORD<b> <\/b>said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows\u201d (Ex. 3:7). How absurd for man to try to deceive God!<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"GramE\">2. <i>Covers All Time.<\/i><\/span><i> <\/i>\u201cKnown unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world\u201d (Acts 15:18). And this covers the <i>past, <\/i>the <i>present <\/i>and the <i>future. <\/i>The past can God see, for He has given to us those things which have happened millenniums ago (Book of Genesis); the Present is an open book to Him: \u201cNeither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do\u201d (Heb. 4:13); and the future is known as the past and present is known. He knows the end from the beginning: \u201cWho verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you\u201d (I Peter 1:20).\u00a0 I Kings 13:2 is also a marvelous illustration of God knowing the future: a baby was named three hundred years before it was born, its name given, from what family it was to come and the things it was to do in later life: \u201cAnd he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD: Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men\u2019s bones shall be burnt upon thee.\u201d See also Isaiah 44:28; Jeremiah 1:5; Galatians 1:15. 16; Exodus 3:19; Daniel 2:8.<\/p>\n<p>With God knowing the future, we must put ourselves in His hands.<\/p>\n<p>3. <i>Includes All Possibilities. <\/i>Only God knows what would have happened if something had happened which did not happen. \u201cThou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done inSodom, it would have remained until this day\u201d (Matt. 11:23). See also I Samuel 23:12; Isaiah 48:18.<\/p>\n<p><i>C. The Omni-sapience of God.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>By this we mean the \u201cAll-Wisdom of God\u201d; that is, God has all wisdom. There is a vast difference in wisdom and knowledge. Knowledge is what one knows; wisdom is the perfect display of that knowledge. Wisdom includes discernment and judgment.<\/p>\n<p>1. <i>Choice of <span class=\"GramE\">The<\/span> Highest End. <\/i>All things are chosen which will bring about the highest end for God\u2019s glory.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"GramE\">2. <i>Best Way<\/i><\/span><span class=\"GramE\"><i> of Securing That End.<\/i><\/span><i> <\/i>Here wisdom asserts itself, not only choosing that which will bring about the highest end, but devising the best ways of securing that end. \u201cO the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! <span class=\"GramE\">how<\/span> unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out\u201d (Rom. 11:33). See also Romans 16:27; I Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:8; 3:10; I Timothy 1:17.<\/p>\n<p><i>D. The Omnipresence of God.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>There are many vague ideas concerning the omnipresence of God. \u201cOmnipresent\u201d simply means everywhere present. God is everywhere present. God is everywhere, but He is not <i>in <\/i>everything. The belief that He is in everything is Pantheism. If God were in everything, then all man would have to do would be to bow down to a stone, a tree, a desk, a table, or any object, and he would be worshiping God. God is not <i>in <\/i>everything, but He is everywhere! He is everywhere present. The best illustration of this is of a teacher before his class. The teacher is omnipresent to every student in that classroom; but he is not omnipresent to those on the outside, nor to those in the basement, nor even to those who are in the next room. Why? <span class=\"GramE\">Because the walls, floors and space are barriers between him and those in other parts of the building.<\/span> But God transcends <i>all <\/i>barriers\u2014 space, materials, all things.<\/p>\n<p>We believe, however, that there is a certain place where He manifests Himself, where He is located \u2014 and from that locality He is present to everything of the universe. \u201cHearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou <i>in heaven <\/i>thy dwelling place: and when thou <span class=\"SpellE\">hearest<\/span>, forgive\u201d (I Kings 8:30). See also Jeremiah 23:24; Ephesians 1:20;<i> <\/i><span class=\"GramE\">Revelation\u00a0 21:2<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>While God\u2019s dwelling place is in heaven, yet we do know that He has manifested Himself in other places: on <i>earth, <\/i>as when He dwelt in the burning bush (Ex. 3:4): \u201cWhen the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I\u201d; and in the <i>flesh, <\/i>in the incarnation of Jesus Christ: \u201cLet this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross\u201d (Phil. 2:5-8).<\/p>\n<p>The Holy Spirit is everywhere. He is <i>in <\/i>believers: \u201cI will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it <span class=\"SpellE\">seeth<\/span> him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he <span class=\"SpellE\">dwelleth<\/span>with you, and shall be <i>in <\/i>you\u201d (John 14:16, 17). He is <i>with <\/i>the unbelievers: \u201cNevertheless I tell you the truth; <span class=\"GramE\">It<\/span> is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment\u201d (John 16:7, 8).<\/p>\n<p>God is with us no matter where we are; He is omnipresent; He is everywhere present!<\/p>\n<p><i>E. The Eternity of God.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>This is one thing which has never been grasped by the human mind: God is without beginning and without ending. He is the Eternal Now. He is the only One who <i>is. <\/i>There is no past, and there is no future in eternity. God is eternal; therefore, there is <span class=\"GramE\">no past nor<\/span> future with God. \u201cI said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy <span class=\"GramE\">hands.<\/span> They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax<i> <\/i>old like a garment; as <span class=\"GramE\">a vesture<\/span> shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end\u201d (Ps. 102:24-27). See also Psalm 90:4.<\/p>\n<p>Some one may ask, \u201cWhat is the difference between Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1?\u201d Genesis 1:1 says: \u201cIn the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.\u201d John 1:1 says: \u201cIn the beginning was<i> <\/i>the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.\u201d Are both \u201cbeginnings\u201d the same? If so, then the Word, Jesus Christ, had a beginning! Both passages start at the same point \u2014 the beginning; Genesis 1:1 begins with the beginning and looks <i>forward <\/i>into eternity; while John 1:1 begins with the beginning and looks <i>backward <\/i>into eternity. Therefore, the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, had no beginning.<\/p>\n<p><i>F. The Immutability of God.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>In other words, this means the \u201cunchangeableness of God.\u201d His Being, attitude and acts are without change; \u201cI am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed\u201d (Mal. 3:6); \u201cEvery good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning\u201d (Jas. 1:17); \u201cGod, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath\u201d (Heb. 6:17).<\/p>\n<p>For a discussion of the repentance of God see Chapter I, III, C, 3, b<span class=\"GramE\">,.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i>G. The Love of God.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>1. <i>Its Citation. <\/i>\u201cHe that <span class=\"SpellE\">loveth<\/span> not knoweth not God; for God is love. . . . And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that <span class=\"SpellE\">dwelleth<\/span> in love <span class=\"SpellE\">dwelleth<\/span> in God, and God in him\u201d (I John 4:8-16).<\/p>\n<p>This is the <i>one <\/i>definition of God. There are many adjectives defining God, but a noun needs a noun. The love of God comes from revelation. It does not come by one\u2019s own knowledge. It cannot be seen in nature. Only from God\u2019s Word comes that knowledge that God is love. There are those who deny the inspiration of the Scriptures, but who still say that God is love. If the Scriptures are not the Word of God, how do we know that God is love? You can search the world over and never find a \u201cGod is love\u201d among the heathen. They have their gods and idols, but a God that is \u201cGod is love\u201d is unknown to them. The Bible <i>is <\/i>the Word of God \u2014 it, and it only, tells us that \u201cGod is love.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>2. <i>Its Objects. <\/i>If God is love, then that love must be directed to someone. And it is, for we learn from the Scriptures that the objects of His love are:<br \/>\na. <i>His Son. <\/i>God loves His Son more than man could ever love his own offspring. \u201cLo a voice from heaven, saying, <span class=\"GramE\">This<\/span> is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased\u201d (Matt. 3:17). See also Matthew 17:5. God\u2019s love is a perfect love and transcends all bounds: \u201cFather, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou <span class=\"SpellE\">lovedst<\/span> me before the foundation of the world\u201d (John 17:24).<br \/>\nb. <i>Believers. <\/i>All who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are the objects of God\u2019s divine love. He manifests that love day by day. \u201cThe Father himself <span class=\"SpellE\">loveth<\/span> you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God\u201d (John 16:27). \u201cI in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me\u201d (John 17:23).<br \/>\nc. <i>Israel<\/i><i>. <\/i>Be careful how you speak of the \u201clowly\u201d Jew. He is the object of God\u2019s love, the same as we Christians: \u201cThe LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with <span class=\"SpellE\">lovingkindness<\/span> have I drawn thee\u201d (<span class=\"SpellE\">Jer<\/span>. 31:3).<br \/>\nd. <i>Sinners. <\/i>God never changes concerning His attitude toward sin. God hates sin, but <i>loves<\/i>the sinner! \u201cGod, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved; )\u201d\u00a0 (Eph. 2:4, 5). \u201cWhen we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God <span class=\"SpellE\">commendeth<\/span> his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us\u201d (Rom.5:6-8).<\/p>\n<p>3. <i>Its Manifestations.<br \/>\n<\/i>a. <i>In the Gift of His Son for Sinful Man. <\/i>\u201cIn this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him\u201d (I John 4:9). See also John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8.<\/p>\n<p>Man cannot look upon Calvary and say, \u201cGod doesn\u2019t love me.\u201d One dear man told of the time when his own son was in the pangs of death. The hardest thing he ever had to do was to say, \u201cThy will be done. If thou <span class=\"SpellE\">wantest<\/span> my son, thou canst have him.\u201d Oh, to give up an only son! But mankind gives up its sons to <i>God, <\/i>who takes care of them better than man ever could. But God gave His Only Son to sin \u2014 to pay for sin, to pay for the sins of sinners! Yes, we may see our children in the throes of death, but God saw His Son suffer as no man ever did. The dearest child on earth is only a stranger compared with the love of God toward His Son. God points towardCalvary and says, \u201cSee my Son! See Him mocked, smitten and bruised?\u201d God saw Him. God saw sinners as they crucified His Son. God could have wiped them off the face of the earth, but He did not. The nails that pierced His Son pierced the heart of the Father. We can <i>never <\/i>understand it. \u201cFor God so loved the <span class=\"GramE\">world, that<\/span> He <i>gave\u2026\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 <\/i>The Father gave him up to the hands of justice, to pay for our sins.<\/p>\n<p>Many a murderer has had to pay with his life for his crime. Jesus was delivered up to pay for our crimes of sin.<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">b<\/span>. <i>In Giving Life and Position In Christ. <\/i>To believers only is given that sacred position \u2014 in Christ; there is where we are \u2014 saved, and <span class=\"SpellE\">uncondemned<\/span>. \u201cBeloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:\u00a0 but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is\u201d (I John 3:2): \u201cEven when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit <i>together <\/i>in heavenly places <i>in Christ Jesus\u201d <\/i>(Eph. 2:5,6).<br \/>\nc. <span class=\"GramE\"><i>In Granting That We Should Be Called the Children of God.<\/i><\/span><i> <\/i>\u201c<span class=\"GramE\">Behold,<\/span> what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not\u201d (I John 3:1, R. V.).<br \/>\nd. <i>In Chastening of His Loved Ones. <\/i>\u201cWhom the Lord <span class=\"SpellE\"><i>loveth<\/i><\/span><i> <\/i>he chasteneth, and <span class=\"SpellE\">scourgeth<\/span>every son whom he <span class=\"SpellE\">receiveth<\/span>. If ye endure chastening, God <span class=\"SpellE\">dealeth<\/span> with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye<i> <\/i>bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather <span class=\"GramE\">be<\/span> in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present <span class=\"SpellE\">seemeth<\/span> to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby\u201d (Heb. 12: 6-11). Remember, the chastening of the Lord is for <i>our <\/i>benefit \u2014 for <i>our <\/i>profit. We need chastisement; it is a must in the life of the Christian; and we receive it from our Father in Heaven.<br \/>\ne. <i>In Remembering His Children in All Circumstances of Life.\u00a0 <\/i>The question is asked and answered in the Word concerning the care of parents. Is there a love greater than mother love? Listen to what God says: \u201cCan a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?\u201d Is it possible that a mother could ever leave her child? The answer is, <i>\u201c<\/i>Yea, they may forget.\u201d In our own lifetime we have witnessed the desertion of children by their parents. It is a shame that the United States and the separate States have to have laws which compel parents to take care of their children. However, this is the nature of the flesh; this is the <span class=\"SpellE\">Adamic<\/span> nature, the sinful nature, that parents desert their offspring. You may know someone who has. You, yourself, may have been deserted by some one. But listen to the rest of God\u2019s Word: \u201cYet will I not forget thee\u201d (Is. 49:15). There is <span class=\"GramE\">One<\/span> who will never desert <i>His<\/i>children!<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">f<\/span>. <i>In Rejoicing Over the Return of the Prodigal Son.\u00a0 <\/i>This great story is found in Luke 15:11-24. It is the story of a <i>Son, <\/i>not a sinner. A sinner is not a son. Only a son is a son, and you cannot un-son a son. A son is born a son forever. But here was a son who sank so low that the testimony he might have had was lost. Remember, he was still a son, and as much so while feeding swine as he was in his Father\u2019s house. Relationship was still there, but fellowship was broken. You can lose fellowship, but you cannot lose <span class=\"SpellE\">sonship<\/span>. He made up his mind what he would say to his father upon his return, but he did not get the chance. He did say, \u201cI have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son\u201d; but before he could add, \u201cMake me as one of thy hired servants,\u201d the Father, holding his son in his arms, cried to the servants, \u201cBring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found\u201d (Luke 15:21-24).<\/p>\n<p>Let the prodigal know that if he has been once born from above he is still God\u2019s child. Only let him resolve to \u201carise and go\u201d to his Father. The Father stands with open arms ready to plant His kiss upon the penitent lips of His wayward child. \u201cArise and go!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>4. <i>The Forms of God\u2019s Love.<br \/>\n<\/i><span class=\"GramE\">a<\/span>. <i>In the Goodness of God.<br \/>\n<\/i>(1) <i>As Manifested in Creation. <\/i><b>\u201c<\/b>God<b> <\/b>saw . . . that it was good.\u201d This is characteristic of the first chapter of Genesis. God is good, and all things that He creates and makes are for the good of man.<br \/>\n(2) <i>As Manifested In His Care of Brute Creation.\u00a0 <\/i>\u201cThe eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou<span class=\"SpellE\">givest<\/span> them their meat in due season. <span class=\"GramE\">Thou <span class=\"SpellE\">openest<\/span> thine hand, and <span class=\"SpellE\">satisfiest<\/span> the desire of every living thing\u201d (Ps. 145:15, 16).<\/span><br \/>\n(3)<b> <\/b><i>As Manifested In the Variety of Pleasure for His Creatures.\u00a0 <\/i>Why all the beauty of nature, if not to be enjoyed by the eye of man?<br \/>\n(4) <i>As Manifested in the Gift of His Son. <\/i>This proves the goodness of God \u2014 that God is good.<br \/>\n(5) <i>As Manifested In Allowing Sinners to Repent.\u00a0 <\/i>\u201c<span class=\"SpellE\">Despisest<\/span> thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God <span class=\"SpellE\">leadeth<\/span> thee to repentance?\u201d (Rom. 2:4).<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">b<\/span>. <i>In the Loving-kindness of God.\u00a0 <\/i>\u201cHe that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not <i>with him <\/i>also freely give us all things?\u201d (Rom. 8:32). Since God has given us the Greatest Gift \u2014 His Son \u2014 we can be assured that we shall be given \u201cthe wrappings\u201d withit. The Son is the Gift, and the wrappings are \u201cthings\u201d of His supply which make our souls happy.<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">c<\/span>.<b> <\/b><i>In the Long-suffering of God.\u00a0 <\/i>\u201cThe 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\u201d (II Peter 3:9).<b> <\/b>\u201cThe LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, the LORD God<b>, <\/b>merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth\u201d (Ex. 34:6). See also Numbers 14:18.<\/p>\n<p>How many of us praise the Lord that the <span class=\"SpellE\">Saviour<\/span> gave us \u201ctime\u201d in trusting Him for our salvation? Oh, the long-suffering of God which is manifested toward us, in that we were able to hear the Gospel twice, when there are millions who have never heard it once!<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">d<\/span>. <i>In the Patience of God. <\/i>\u201cNow the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus\u201d (Rom. 15:5).\u00a0 Here we note that the patience of God is a divine title, for He is the God of patience! This is clearly manifested in:<br \/>\n(1) <i>His Dealings <span class=\"GramE\">With<\/span> Sinners: Those Before the Flood. <\/i>\u201cWhich sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God <i>waited <\/i>in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water\u201d (I Peter 3:20).\u00a0 The Lord demonstrated His patience for at least a hundred years. As long as the ark was a preparing, the Gospel was preached \u2014 the people warned. His patience was exhausted, finally, and the flood carried the unbelievers away. It will be the same with the coming of the Son of Man at His revelation, at the end of the Tribulation. All those who are found not to be in the Ark, Jesus Christ, shall be destroyed.<br \/>\n(2) <i>His Dealings <span class=\"GramE\">With<\/span> Israel.\u00a0 <\/i>\u201cAnd yet for all that [Israel\u2019s sin], when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I am the LORD<b> <\/b>their God. But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen, that I might be their God: I am the LORD\u201d (Lev. 26:44, 45).<\/p>\n<p>Israel today is Godless, and by this we do not mean that Israel is worse than any other nation, but simply that it is without God. Jehovah has sent prophets unto her, but she has stoned them. He sent even His Son, and Him they crucified. They have been driven unto the uttermost parts of the earth because of it. Yet, for all of this, God has shown His patience, and that patience shall be rewarded, for that nation shall be born anew in a day, and all Israel (those alive at the time of the Revelation of Jesus Christ) shall be saved!<br \/>\n(3) <i>His Dealings <span class=\"GramE\">With<\/span> the World Today. <\/i>Why does not God strike today? Why are men allowed to blaspheme the God of heaven and His Son Jesus Christ? The answer is found in the patience of God.<\/p>\n<p><i>H. The Mercy of God.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>1. <span class=\"GramE\"><i>As<\/i><\/span><i> To Its Citation. <\/i>\u201c(For the LORD thy God is a merciful <span class=\"GramE\">God;<\/span>) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he <span class=\"SpellE\">sware<\/span> unto them\u201d (Deut. 4:31). \u201cThe LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to <span class=\"GramE\">anger,<\/span> and plenteous in mercy. . . . But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children\u2019s children\u201d (Ps. 103:8, 17). \u201cGod, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us . . . hath quickened us together with Christ\u201d (Eph. 2: 4-5). See also Psalms 130:7; 145:8; 136:1.<br \/>\n2. <span class=\"GramE\"><i>As<\/i><\/span><i> To Its Explanation. <\/i>There is very little difference in the meaning of mercy and grace.<i>Mercy, <\/i>generally speaking, is used in the Old Testament, and <i>grace <\/i>in the New Testament. Old Testament <i>mercy <\/i>and <i>loving-kindness <\/i>go together. Someone has said that mercy is negative, and loving-kindness is positive. Mercy is shown to the disobedient, and loving-kindness is showered upon the obedient \u2014 both together mean grace.<br \/>\n3. <span class=\"GramE\"><i>As<\/i><\/span><i> To Its Manifestation.<br \/>\n<\/i>a. <i>In Pardoning the Sinner. <\/i>\u201cWho<i> <\/i>was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief\u201d (I Tim. 1:13).<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">b<\/span>. <i>In Removing the Guilt and Penalty. <\/i>\u201cHe hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us\u201d (Ps. 103:10-12).<br \/>\nc. <i>In Delivering the Periled.\u00a0 <\/i>\u201cReturn, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies\u2019 sake\u201d (Ps. 6:4).<br \/>\nd. <i>In Saving Its Object. <\/i>Luke 10:33-37 records the parable of the Good Samaritan. After He has told the parable Jesus asks, \u201cWhich now of these three, <span class=\"SpellE\">thinkest<\/span> thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?\u201d And the answer comes: \u201cHe that <span class=\"SpellE\">shewed<\/span> mercy on him.\u201d\u00a0 There can be no doubt but that Jesus Christ is typified by the <span class=\"GramE\">good<\/span> Samaritan, and it is He who saves, through His mercy, the objects of His concern.<\/p>\n<p>I. <i>The Grace of God.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>1. <span class=\"GramE\"><i>As<\/i><\/span><i> To Its Citation. <\/i>\u201cAccording to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our<span class=\"SpellE\">Saviour<\/span>; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life\u201d (Titus 3:5-7). \u201cIn whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace\u201d (Eph. 1:7). \u201cThe God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect,<span class=\"SpellE\">stablish<\/span>, strengthen, settle you\u201d (I Peter 5:10). See also I Corinthians 6:1.<\/p>\n<p>2. <span class=\"GramE\"><i>As<\/i><\/span><i> To Its Explanation. <\/i>Grace is said to be <span class=\"SpellE\">undefinable<\/span>. Grace always flows down. We might be able to love our equal, or one above our equal, or sometimes one below our equal, but look at the vast difference between God and us; there can be no comparison. The grace of God toward us is unmerited favor.<\/p>\n<p>3. <span class=\"GramE\"><i>As<\/i><\/span><i> to Its Manifestation.<br \/>\n<\/i><span class=\"GramE\">a<\/span>. <i>In That Grace Justifies. <\/i>Rather, grace <i>declares <\/i>the saint to be righteous: \u201cAll have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus\u201d (Rom. 3:23, 24).<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">b<\/span>. <i>In That Grace Imputes Righteousness. <\/i>This means, that by the act of God\u2019s grace, the righteousness of God is put to the account of the believing sinner, \u201cNow to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that <span class=\"SpellE\">justifieth<\/span> the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness\u201d (Rom. 4: 4, 5).<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">c<\/span>. <i>In That Grace Imparts a New Nature. <\/i>\u201cBy grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.\u00a0 For <i>we are his workmanship, <\/i>created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them\u201d (Eph. 2:8-10).<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">d<\/span>. <i>In That Grace Saves. <\/i>Why should God save us? The only answer is <i>grace! <\/i>\u201cBy grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God\u201d (Eph. 2:8).<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">e<\/span>. <i>In That Grace Instructs. <\/i>\u201cThe grace of God that <span class=\"SpellE\">bringeth<\/span> salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world\u201d (Titus 2: 11, 12).<\/p>\n<p><i>J. The Faithfulness of God.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>Unfaithfulness is the greatest sin of today. This is true in every walk of life, whether in business, church, or state. But we have a God who is <i>faithful <\/i>at all times, under every circumstance. The Word bears out the faithfulness of God by the following:<br \/>\n1. <i>Citation. <\/i>Many Scriptures point out the faithfulness of God: \u201cKnow therefore that theLORD<b> <\/b>thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which <span class=\"SpellE\">keepeth<\/span> covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations\u201d (Deut. 7:9); \u201cGod is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord\u201d (I <span class=\"SpellE\">Cor<\/span>. 1:9); \u201cThere hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer<br \/>\nyou to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it\u201d (I <span class=\"SpellE\">Cor<\/span>. 10:13). See also Deuteronomy 32:4 (R.V.); I Thessalonians 5:24; II Thessalonians 3:3; I John 1:9.<\/p>\n<p>2. <i>Explanation. <\/i>The meaning of \u201cfaithfulness\u201d is stay, lean, prop, support. God is our <i>support;<\/i>He it is upon whom we can lean; when we are faltering, He is our <i>Prop <\/i>\u2014 at <i>all <\/i>times!<\/p>\n<p>3. <i>Manifestation. <\/i>How does God prove faithful?<br \/>\na. <i>In Keeping His Promise. <\/i>\u201cLet us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that <span class=\"GramE\">promised;<\/span>)\u2026 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry\u201d (Heb. 10: 23, 36, 37). The promise of the virgin-born son in Isaiah 7:9 is fulfilled in Luke 1:26-38; 2:7; the promise of God to Abraham in Genesis 15:13, that his seed would go toEgypt and stay there for four hundred years, <span class=\"GramE\">is<\/span> fulfilled in Exodus 12:41. See also these other Scriptures: Deuteronomy 7:9; I Kings 8:23, 24, <span class=\"GramE\">56<\/span>.<br \/>\nb. <i>In Preserving his People. <\/i>Take Lamentations 3:22, 23 with Jeremiah 51:5 and you can see that once <span class=\"GramE\">a people becomes<\/span> God\u2019s people, they are His forever. That is because God is faithful: \u201cIt is of the LORD\u2019S<b> <\/b>mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning:<br \/>\ngreat is thy faithfulness\u201d (Lam. 3:22, 23); \u201cIsrael hath not been forsaken, nor Judah of his God, of the LORD of hosts; though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel\u201d (<span class=\"SpellE\">Jer<\/span>. 51:5). Other Scripture bears out the faithfulness of God in preserving His people: \u201cLet them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator\u201d (I Peter 4:19). See also Psalm 89:20-26; II Timothy 2:13 (R.V.).<br \/>\nc. <i>In Chastening His Children. <\/i>God is faithful in carrying out the \u201cspankings\u201d He has promised to His wayward children: \u201cI know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me\u201d (Ps. 119:75). Correction is needed when we disobey our Lord, and verily we can always count on the <i>faithfulness <\/i>of God to render the expression in this respect.<span class=\"GramE\">\u201cWhom the Lord <span class=\"SpellE\">loveth<\/span> he chasteneth, and <span class=\"SpellE\">scourgeth<\/span> every son whom he <span class=\"SpellE\">receiveth<\/span>\u201d (Heb. 12:6).<\/span><br \/>\nd. <i>In Forgiving Our Sins. <\/i>\u201cIf we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness\u201d (I John 1:9).<br \/>\ne. <i>In Answering Our Prayers.\u00a0 <\/i>How do we know that our prayers will be answered? God commands us to pray to Him without ceasing. How do we know that it will do any good? We know that God answers our prayers, because the faithfulness of God guarantees that His ears will always be opened to the cries of His children: \u201cHear my prayer, O LORD,<b> <\/b>give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness\u201d (Ps. 143:1).<\/p>\n<p><i>4. Applications.<br \/>\n<\/i>a. <i>It will preserve us from worry.<br \/>\n<\/i>b. <i>It will check our murmuring.<br \/>\n<\/i>c. <i>It will increase confidence in God.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>K. The Holiness of God.<\/p>\n<p><i><\/i>While we mention the holiness of God as the last of God\u2019s attributes, let us never forget that it is not the least at all. Consider first:<\/p>\n<p>1. <i>Natural holiness. <\/i>This is called the <i>fundamental <\/i>attribute, and is one attribute by which God wants His people to remember Him. Some Bible scholars declare that this is the most important of all of God\u2019s attributes. We know why they make such a statement. It is because holiness is named most often in the Scriptures. God is called holy more times in the Scriptures, and His holiness is mentioned more, than His might. Holiness is indeed the \u201cattribute of attributes.\u201d When we think not of God\u2019s holiness, we think light of sin. We are living in the day of compromise, when people hold \u201clight views.\u201d It is hard to get people to consider their lost condition and the peril of hell ahead. They think lightly of salvation, because they have a light view of God\u2019s holiness: \u201cWho is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? <span class=\"GramE\">who<\/span> is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?\u201d (Ex. 15:11); \u201cI am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that <span class=\"SpellE\">creepeth<\/span> upon the earth. For I am the LORD that <span class=\"SpellE\">bringeth<\/span>you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy\u201d (Lev. 11: 44, 45); \u201cAbove it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD<b> <\/b>of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory\u201d (Is. 6:2, 3); \u201cThus saith the high and lofty One that <span class=\"SpellE\">inhabiteth<\/span> eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones\u201d (Is. 57:15); \u201cI am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are\u201d (John 17:11); \u201cGrieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption\u201d (Eph. 4:30). See also Leviticus 19:1, 2; Joshua 24:19; Psalms 22:1-3; 99:5<span class=\"GramE\">,9<\/span>; I Peter 1:15, 16.<\/p>\n<p>2. <i>Aspects of holiness. <\/i>By this we mean the mien of holiness that of which holiness is composed.<br \/>\na. <i>Purity. <\/i><br \/>\n(1) <i>Its Citation. <\/i>\u201cThis then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all\u201d (I John 1:5).<br \/>\n(2) <i>Its Explanation.\u00a0 <\/i>In Him is light. In Him is no darkness ever. Light is always pure. There is no such thing as dirty light, nor can anyone make dirty light. God is Light \u2014 <i>pure, <\/i>free from defilement. There are two phases of purity:\u00a0 <i>negative<\/i>,<i> <\/i>free from all that defiles; <i>positive,<\/i>pure. God in His holiness is pure: free from all that defiles, and pure in essence.<br \/>\nb. <i>Righteousness. <\/i>This is another element of holiness.<br \/>\n(1) <i>Its Citation. <\/i>\u201cHe is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways <span class=\"GramE\">are judgment<\/span>: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he\u201d (Deut. 32:4). \u201cRighteous art thou, O LORD<b>,<\/b>when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? <span class=\"GramE\">wherefore<\/span> are all they happy that deal very treacherously?\u201d (<span class=\"SpellE\">Jer<\/span>. 12:1); \u201cO righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou has sent me\u201d (John 17:25).<br \/>\n(2) <i>Its Explanation.\u00a0 <\/i>The formula for righteousness is found in Ezekiel 18:5, 9: \u201cIf a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right\u2026\u201d\u00a0 that is, do things right, in a right way, \u201che is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord God.\u201d God is always right. He possesses character that makes Him do everything right. Righteousness always requires that which is right in character. God never asks anything that is not right. God never commands that which will make us do wrong.<br \/>\nc. <i>Justice.<br \/>\n<\/i>(1) <i>Its Citation. <\/i>\u201cThe just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he <span class=\"SpellE\">faileth<\/span> not; but the unjust knoweth no shame\u201d (<span class=\"SpellE\">Zeph<\/span>. 3:5). See also Deuteronomy 32:4.<br \/>\n(2) <i>Its Explanation. <\/i>The Greek and Hebrew words for justice mean the same. Righteousness is the legislative demand of God \u2014 the demand for holiness. <i>Justice <\/i>is judicial holiness \u2014 that judicial act of God which demands the penalty for those who have not measured up to the righteous commands of God. Justice, judicial holiness, governs those who are judged, and that brings about the execution of those who carry not out God\u2019s laws. Justice is the Executor of those who wrong God\u2019s holy commands. Man\u2019s justice is sometimes wrong, but God\u2019s justice is always right \u2014 thus holiness!<br \/>\nd. <i>Truth of God.<br \/>\n<\/i>(1) <i>Its Citation. <\/i>\u201cLead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. . . . All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies\u201d (Ps. 25:5, 10); \u201cGod is not a man, that he should <span class=\"GramE\">lie<\/span>; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? <span class=\"GramE\">or<\/span> hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?\u201d (Num. 23:19); \u201cIn hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began\u201d (Titus 1:2). See also the following Scriptures: Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 31:5;<i> <\/i>86:15.<br \/>\n(2) <i>Its Explanation. <\/i>That which God has revealed to man in His Word is Eternal Truth. God never contradicts Himself. One portion of His Word never contradicts another. Are we not glad that the Word of God has not agreed with all the dead theories of the past? Certainly! Be not dismayed should the Bible not agree with any modern day theory concerning creation, man, etc. Man does not <i>know <\/i>apart from the Word of God. Anything apart from the revelation of God is mere supposition.<\/p>\n<p>3. <i>Manifestation of God\u2019s holiness.<br \/>\n<\/i><span class=\"GramE\">a<\/span>. <i>By His Works.\u00a0 <\/i>Everything that God has created and made is perfect, holy. God did not create sin. God did not create a sinful nature which is in the unsaved man. God created man, who, has sinned. Man, by sinning, has passed on to man that perverted nature, that <span class=\"SpellE\">Adamic<\/span> nature, or as we have called it,<b> <\/b>that \u201csinful\u201d nature. Yes, God created man who was capable of sinning. If God had created man so that man could not have sinned, then He would have made a machine rather than a being with a free will. And if God had created man so that man could not sin and yet was not a machine, man would not only have been like God, but he would have been God Himself. God does not make God. Man is inferior to God. God cannot sin; that is His nature. Man would be God if he could not have sinned.<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">b<\/span>. <i>By His Laws. <\/i>All the laws are right \u2014 they are truth. There is not a single untruth in the whole of God\u2019s laws. Thus God\u2019s laws manifest God\u2019s holiness.<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">c<\/span>. <i>By His Hatred of Sin.\u00a0 <\/i>Do<b> <\/b>you know one reason why fellow Christians are tolerant toward the sins of another, or toward the sins of the unbelievers? It is because they do not hate sin as God hates it. Often we say that God hates sin, but He doesn\u2019t hate the sinner. That is not true. God<i>does <\/i>hate the sinner; \u201cThe foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou <span class=\"SpellE\">hatest<\/span> all workers of iniquity\u201d (Ps. 5:5). This may be a revelation to some of us. God hates the sinner because of his sin, and not because of himself. God hates the sinner, but He loves him, too, because He knows that man is capable of holiness, although ruined by sin. Why does God punish the sinner? Because of the sinner\u2019s sins! God thus hates sin, no matter where it may be found, whether in the life of an unregenerated sinner, or in the life of His own believer! God\u2019s attitude and conduct toward sin reveal the holiness of God.<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">d<\/span>. <i>By His Love of Righteousness. <\/i>God loves righteousness as much as He hates sin: \u201cHear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness\u201d (I Kings 8:32);\u201cThou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows\u2026 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and <span class=\"SpellE\">labour<\/span> of love, which ye have <span class=\"SpellE\">shewed<\/span> toward his name, <span class=\"GramE\">in<\/span> that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister\u201d (Heb. 1:9; 6:10).<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">e<\/span>. <i>By His Justification of the Believing Sinner. <\/i>If man had his \u201crights,\u201d he would be in hell; but it is the mercy and grace of God which offers him the plan of salvation, which if he receives declares the believing sinner to be righteous:\u00a0 \u201cGod hath set [Christ Jesus] forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus\u201d (Rom. 3:25, 26).<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">f<\/span>. <i>By His Care of His Saints, <\/i>\u201cThe LORD <span class=\"SpellE\">executeth<\/span> righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed\u201d (Ps. 103:6). \u201cMany a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say: many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me. The <span class=\"SpellE\">plowers<\/span> plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows. The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked\u201d (Ps. 129:1-4). See also the following Scriptures: Psalm 98:1-3; 145:15-19; II Timothy 1:6-9.<br \/>\n<span class=\"GramE\">g<\/span>. <i>By His Cross.\u00a0 <\/i>\u201cMy God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?\u201d (Ps. 22:1). We can catch a glimpse of the Cross by reading the quoted verse and the remaining verses of Psalm 22.\u00a0 This Psalm is, of course, prophetical, spoken or written some nine hundred years before Christ actually died upon the Cross of Calvary. And Christ\u2019s death is a perfect manifestation of God\u2019s holiness. Some, no doubt, will ask how this could be. We know that God hates sin; therefore, when His Son was made \u201csin for us, who knew no sin,\u201d yea, when even God\u2019s Son became sin, God\u2019s attitude toward sin did not vary. God hated sin as much as ever, even when He made His Son sin. His Son did not change His view at all. Jesus, therefore, became hated of the Father because of sin. Jesus never became a sinner, but He became sin. And as God hated sin (\u201cIt pleased the LORDto bruise him\u201d \u2014 Is. 53: l0a), God forsook His Son, for God will always forsake sin. God\u2019s holiness did not change.<\/p>\n<p>V. THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD<b><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b> <\/b><b><\/b>God is called the Father because of the association with Him. Popularity of the term \u201cFather\u201d is due to Christianity. There is no such thing as God being a Father in heathenism \u2014 this can be found only in Christianity. Today there are many fancies concerning the Fatherhood of God. The teaching of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man is nothing but Universalism: that which teaches that no one will ever be sent to hell. The Universalists reason that God will never send any of His children to hell \u2014 and that is true: He will not send any of His <i>children <\/i>to hell \u2014but not all men are the children of God. The Scripture which the Universalists use to preach that God is the Father of all mankind is Ephesians 4:6: \u201cOne God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.\u201d But this means all Christians, all believers, <span class=\"GramE\"><i>not <\/i>the unbelievers nor<\/span> the unregenerated.<\/p>\n<p><i>A. <\/i><i>Old Testament Teaching.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>\u201cDoubtless thou art our father, though Abraham <span class=\"GramE\">be<\/span> ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O Lord, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting\u2026 Now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.\u201d\u00a0 (Is. 63:16; 64:8).<\/p>\n<p>God is mentioned in the Old Testament as a Father, but not the Father of the individual. Rather He is considered to be the Father of the nation Israel. You cannot find in the Old Testament where God is spoken of as a Father of a born-again sinner.<\/p>\n<p><i>B. New Testament Teaching.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i> <\/i><i><\/i>The Lord Jesus is the One who introduced God as the Father of the individual. He is the first to recognize that God is the Father of each separate Christian. The following Scriptures bear this out: \u201cThe Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth\u201d (John 1:14); \u201cJesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the <span class=\"SpellE\">sabbath<\/span>, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God\u201d (John 5:17, 18); \u201cMy Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father\u2019s hand. I and my <i>Father <\/i>are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I <span class=\"SpellE\">shewed<\/span> you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, <span class=\"GramE\">For<\/span> a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, <span class=\"SpellE\">makest<\/span> thyself God\u201d (John 10:29-33); \u201cThey took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me\u201d (John 11:41).<\/p>\n<p>1. <i>In That God is the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ.\u00a0 <\/i>The expression, as we use it, \u201cthe Fatherhood of God,\u201d does not mean that God lived for a long time and then begat His Son. God, remember, is the eternal Father \u2014 and to be an eternal Father, He must have an eternal Son. The term \u201cson\u201d in Scripture does not always mean a son by generation; it may also mean a son by<i>relationship. <\/i>Take the Old Testament Scriptures: \u201cTherefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel\u201d (Is. 7:14); and: \u201cFor unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, <span class=\"SpellE\">Counsellor<\/span>, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace\u201d (Is. 9:6). Notice the <i>child <\/i>and the <i>son. <\/i>The child is <i>born;<\/i>the Son is not born, but <i>given. <\/i>Yes, that Babe in Bethlehem was born, but that Life was the Son who has been forever. The Babe had a beginning; the Son had no beginning. He has existed always, from eternity, <i>with <\/i>the Father. Thus, Christ is the Son, not by generation (by birth), but by relation. He is related to the Father and the Holy Spirit; all together are related to each other, and thus compose the Godhead, God could never be God without all members of the Godhead being present from eternity throughout eternity.<\/p>\n<p>In order for God to become flesh, He had to be born as any other man; thus, He manifested Himself in His Son, who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit: \u201cThe angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God\u201d (Luke 1:35); \u201cWhen the <span class=\"SpellE\">fulness<\/span> of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law\u201d (Gal. 4:4).<br \/>\na. <i>And the Father Recognizes Jesus as His Own Son. <\/i>\u201cLo a voice from heaven, saying, <span class=\"GramE\">This<\/span>is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased\u201d (Matt. 3:17); There came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him\u201d (Luke 9:35).<br \/>\nb. <i>And the Son Recognizes God as His Own Father. <\/i>\u201cAll things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him\u201d (Matt. 11:27); \u201cI appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me\u201d (Luke 22:29); \u201cThese words <span class=\"SpellE\">spake<\/span> Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee\u201d (John 17:1).<br \/>\nc. <i>And Men Recognize Jesus as God\u2019s Own Son. <\/i>\u201cSimon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God\u201d (Matt. 16:16); \u201cI saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God \u2026.Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel\u201d (John 1:34, 49).<br \/>\nd. <i>And Demons Recognize Jesus as God\u2019s Own Son. <\/i>\u201cBehold, they cried out, saying<span class=\"GramE\">,\u00a0 What<\/span>have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? <span class=\"GramE\">art<\/span> thou come hither to torment us before the time?\u201d (Matt. 8:29).<\/p>\n<p>2. <i>In That God is the Father of Believers <span class=\"GramE\">On<\/span> the Lord Jesus Christ. <\/i>\u201cThere is . . . one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all\u201d (Eph. 4:6).<\/p>\n<p>We cannot emphasize too strongly the fact that God is not the Father of all mankind. He is only the Father of born-again children of God. All men are the creatures of God, but not all are children of God. Man is a creature of God by creation; he <i>becomes <\/i>a child by <i>re-creation: <\/i>\u201cGrace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and <span class=\"GramE\">of\u00a0 Jesus<\/span> our Lord . . .whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be par- takers of the <i>divine nature, <\/i>having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust\u201d (II Peter 1:2, 4).<\/p>\n<p>There can be no <span class=\"SpellE\">sonship<\/span> apart from the spiritual re-birth. A child has, always, the nature of his father. Man, who is born of Adam, has Adam\u2019s nature, which is corrupt, which is perverted, which is sinful. And the <i>father <\/i>of Adam\u2019s sinful nature is Satan. Thus, the nature of our father (Adam) is the same nature as Adam\u2019s father\u2019s (Satan); therefore, our nature is the same as Satan\u2019s. All unregenerated sinners have Satan as their father: \u201cYe are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he <span class=\"SpellE\">speaketh<\/span> a lie, he <span class=\"SpellE\">speaketh<\/span> of his own: for he is a<span class=\"GramE\">liar,<\/span> and the father of it\u201d (John 8:44). Summing it all up, if Satan is the father of the unsaved by the natural birth, we must have a supernatural birth in order for God to be our Father!<\/p>\n<p>God does not have any fellowship with anything which is of Adam, for Adam is all that is of a sinful condition and nature. God only has to do with His Son. The world is divided into two divisions; in fact, there are only two men whom God recognizes: Adam and Christ; thus, sinners are divided as to their identity with these two men. The unsaved are identified with Adam; the saved are identified with Christ. All men are identified by the natural birth in Adam; born-again men are identified by the supernatural birth in Christ.<\/p>\n<p>The unsaved man can only call God \u201cGod.\u201d The unsaved man cannot call God \u201cFather.\u201d Only the child of God can call God \u201cFather.\u201d When the Lord Jesus was hanging on the tree, He called out, \u201cMy God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?\u201d Notice that Christ did not cry, \u201cMy Father, my Father.\u201d but \u201cMy God, my God.\u201d Why? Why did He not call God \u201cFather\u201d? <span class=\"GramE\">Because He was taking the sinner\u2019s place there in death, dying \u2014 the Just for the unjust.<\/span> And as He was taking the sinner\u2019s place (a sinner can not call God \u201cFather,\u201d but only \u201cGod\u201d), He could only call God \u201cGod.\u201d<br \/>\nWhere are we? <span class=\"GramE\">In Adam or in Christ?<\/span> \u201cAs in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive\u201d (I <span class=\"SpellE\">Cor<\/span>. 15:22).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt 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