The Plurality of the Godhead

The plurality of the Godhead

The plurality of the Godhead is well established in the Bible. This perhaps is no surprise to most of my readers (either one of them). What may be a surprise is that this teaching can and is substantiated in the Old Testament. Since the OT is foundational to the New Testament we will begin by uncovering this doctrine there. My suggestion is that if you wish further discussion on any topic pertinent these posts one obtain e-Sword, and/or have Bible Gateway up on your screen and be prepared to cut and paste verses for only in rare occasions will I be providing a link. Please understand it is just way too time consuming for me to do that, and besides that you’ll want to read the contexts anyway.

Next post if God permits we will begin with the Plurality of the Godhead in the Old Testament.

Stay bright,
brother John

Errors Concerning Trinitarianism

Having given in a nutshell a definition of the Trinity, we will now move ahead to stating in no uncertain terms what the Trinity is not. The task of a teacher is not only to expound the truth; it is also to expose error and expel the scoundrels. There are mainly five errors concerning the Tri-Unity of the Godhead that I will expose before we move onto the plurality of the Godhead.

Five Errors Concerning the Trinity

Arianism
Arianism, this teaches that the three persons are different in essence. Only God the Father is eternal. The Son was created by the Father. (Jehovah Witnesses hold to this one sort of).

Sabellianism
Sabellianism (Modalism, Modalistic Monarchisms) Says that there is only one personality, with three modes of manifestations; The manifestation of the Father, creator and law giver; the Son, as a redeemer; the Holy Spirit, as a regenerator and sanctifier. There is only one person who reveals Himself either as the Father or the Son or as the Holy Spirit. (This is taught in Apostolic Holiness churches)

Socinianism
Socinianism (Dynamic Monarchianism) is a devaluation of the Tri-unity. The Father alone is God, the Son is a man only, and the Holy Spirit is not a person but simply a divine influence. (This better fits the Watch Toer Tract and Bible Society or Jehovah Witnesses idea).

Unitarianism
Unitarianism denies the Tri-personality of the Godhead, and instead insists on a limited understanding of the monotheistic God.

Tri-theism
Tri-theism denies the unity of the Godhead and sees the trinity as three separate and distinct gods. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or the Mormons hold to this view, but reserves the right to create even more gods in almost a Hindu fashion).

These are five ideas that are not taught in the Bible. None of the aforementioned errors are what this Bible student holds to. There is a unity in the plurality of the Godhead, but before we probe further into the study of the unity of the Godhead I feel it is critical at this juncture to lay the biblical foundation for the plurality of the Godhead. That we will do next time if God permits.

Trinitarianism: Definition

Definition

For an accurate definition let me start by quoting one of my favorite living theologians, author, and Bible teacher Arnold Fruchtenbaum. It is primarily Dr. Fruchtenbaum’s teaching that has both influenced and inspired this segment of Systematic Theology, his teaching ministry is also the reason I love, Love, LOVE Systematic Theology.

“There is only One God, but in the unity of the Godhead there are three eternal and coequal persons. They are the same in substance or essence, but distinct in subsistence or existence.

God is three persons in one essence. The Divine essence subsists wholly and indivisibly, simultaneously and eternally, in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Try to explain it, you loose your mind. Try to deny it, you loose your soul.” (Fruchtenbaum)

Before we prove, the accuracy of this statement from the Bible I want to make sure we understand what Trinitarianism is not. I will do this on the next post if God permits. In the mean time chew on this for a while.

Brother John

Trinitarianism: Introduction

Let’s Be Clear

The teaching of the Tri-Unity of the Godhead is a solid biblical doctrine that we, mere lay people and some of you, professional lay people can get a grip on. Some one may argue “It is too mysterious; we must take it by faith.” It is true that the Trinity is no easy doctrine to grasp that is why God preserved the Bible and gave the church competent teachers that open and unfold the Scriptures to others. BTW it is the joy of the expositor to do this, may it be your joy and to your credit to do your best to search the Word on your own to see if what the expositor teaches rings true.

Here is the seven point outline which I hope to follow:

Definition

Errors Concerning Trinitarianism

The Plurality of the Godhead

The Unity of the Godhead

The Trinity or Tri-Unity of the Godhead

The Relationship within the Trinity

Doctrinal Statement of the Trinity

I know this seems like a lot of ground to cover. There may not be the immediate application as other segments of Systematic Theology. However, we will get a firm understanding of this doctrine, especially if we read and mark our Bibles appropriately. As I have done in the past I will keep an open forum for discussion and/or debate. The only “rules”, as always are; to be courteous, and respectful of others views and opinions that goes double for mine.

In Him who is committed to us,
Brother John

The Attributes of God

Good job! If you have been following along this journey we have just completed a study on the attributes of God. In Theology Proper (the study of God, primarily the Father) we have covered The Existence of God, and now the Attributes of God, next we will aim at understanding the Trinity of God, and after that we will complete this study with the fatherhood of God. That means in our scheme of Systematic Theology we have covered Prolegomena, Bibliology and we are about half way through Theology Proper. Here’s a look at the whole picture.

Systematic Theology Delineated

Prolegomenon, introduction to Systematic Theology

Bibliology, the Doctrine of the Scriptures

Theology Proper, the Doctrine of God (mainly God the Father)

Christology, the Doctrine of the Son

Pneumatology, the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

Angelology, the Doctrine of the Angels Elect

a) Satanology, the Doctrine of Satan

b) Demonology, the Doctrine of the Fallen Angels

Anthropology, the Doctrine of Man

Hamartiology, the Doctrine of Sin

Soteriology, the Doctrine of Salvation

Ecclesiology, the Doctrine of the Church

Israelology, the Doctrine of Israel (the lost or forgotten doctrine)

Eschatology, the Doctrine of the Last Things

A Survey of the Biblical Distinctives of Baptist

I hope you are finding this material helpful and practical.

Walk in His truth,
Brother John

Truth

The Attributes That Are True of God and of Man (in a limited way):

Truth

Truth or veracity is God’s being and God’s knowledge eternally conformed to each other. Veracity is an agreement to, and consistent with all that is represented by God Himself. Veracity is God’s knowledge, declarations, or representations conforming to reality. Veracity means God is consistent within Himself, which results in “God is truth”.

Four Implications of Truth

Truth opposes that which is fictitious or imaginary.

Truth purposes that which come up to its ideal completely.

Truth corresponds exactly to reality.
God is what He declares Himself to be.
His declarations correspond to reality.

Truth means God can be depended on because He is immutable and that includes the truths of God.

Three Areas of Gods Truth

God’s ways are true (Ps. 25:10; Rev. 15:3).

God’s works are true (Ps. 33:4; 111:7-8; Dan. 4:37).

God’s words are true (2Sam 7:28; 1Kings 17:24; Ps. 19:9; 33:4; 138:2; Jo. 17:17; 2Cor. 6:7; Eph. 1:13).

Other Scriptures concerning the truth of God

Num. 23:19- God does not lie.

Ps.31:5- The Lord God of truth.

Ps. 89:15- God is truth.

Jer. 10:10- YHVH (Jehovah) the true God.

Jo. 3:33- God is truth.

Jo. 17:3- He is the only true God.

Rom. 3:4- Let God be true.

1Thess. 1:9- He is the true God.

Titus 1:2- God cannot lie.

Heb. 6:18- It is impossible for God to lie.

Rev. 6:10- How long Sovereign Lord, holy and true.

Applications:

All truths are God’s truth, whatever may be discovered as truth, that discovery is God’s truth.

God’s truth is the ground for man’s truth, it is the basis for the truth that we discover, and that truth that we discover is really God’s truth.

We can trust God’s promises. They are true!

We must be truthful and not lie. We should be characterized by truthfulness in what we say, in what we do, what we write, and what we claim even things like our income tax (Prov. 6:16-17; Matt. 5:37).

We can judge what truth is, and what truth is not (1Jo. 4:6).

Keep shining,
brother John

Goodness

The Attributes That Are True of God and (in a limited way):

Goodness

Goodness means the perfection of God which prompts Him to deal bountifully and kindly with all of His creatures (Ps. 145:9; Matt. 19:17; Rom. 11:22).

There are at least five divisions of the attribute of goodness they are benevolence, mercy, longsuffering, and love, and grace. These attributes of the thrice holy God, all seem to be glossed over, under taught, misapplied, and/or ignored completly. On the other hand when any atribute of God is over emphasized it can lead to a deformed view of God and extreemism/s. I have tried to maintain a biblical balance in and throughout this presentation of God's atributes and God's goodness is no exception. Here are the five aspects of goodness.

1. Benevolence
Benevolence is God's disposition to promote happiness. It is goodness in its generic sense embracing all of His creatures. The affection that God feels and manifests toward His creatures.

Scripture
Job 38:41; Ps. 36:6; 104:21; 145:15-16; Matt. 5:45.

Application
We need to do good to all men in general but especially to those who are members of the household of faith (Gal. 6: 9-10).

2. Mercy
Mercy is God's goodness exercised on behalf of the needs of others. It refers to kindness which is exercised. It includes compassion. It is goodness manifested to those in misery and distress.

There are four brief points to be understood about the exercise of divine mercy:

It is optional, God does not have to, but He chooses to (Ro. 9:14-18)

God is merciful to those who put their trust in Him (2Cor. 1:3-4; Heb. 4:16).

When an individual sinner is called and saved it is the exercise of His mercy (1Tim. 1:13). All should be thankful for this!

His mercy will be manifested in a special way at Israel's national restoration (Is. 54:7).

Scripture
Deut. 5:10; 1Chro. 16:34; Ps. 57:10; 86:5; 36:1-26; Is. 55:7; Luke 1:54, 72, 78; Ro. 11:30-31; 15:9; Eph. 2:4; James 5:11; 1Pet. 1:3.

Application
We too need to be merciful toward others.

3. Longsuffering
Longsuffering means God bears with evil and delays judgment (Ex. 34:6-7; Ps. 86:15).

Scripture
Ro. 2:4; 9:22; 1Pet. 3:26; 2Pet. 3:15.

Application
We are to bear with others the same way by the exercise of patient endurance, and longsuffering.

4. Love
Love means God is moved to self communication. God always seeks the highest good that of displaying His own glory. Love is that which seeks good for the object loved. Good equals the will of God. That which seeks the will of God in the object loved is the true evidence of love. Love also includes His voluntary affection not mere emotional impulse. Love is the very nature of God, the very structure of His being (1Jo. 4:8,16).

Objects of God's love.

God the Father loves God the Son (Mat. 3:17; Jo. 17:24).

God loves the world (Jo. 3:16; Ro. 5:8; 1Jo. 3:16).

God loves Israel (Deut. 7:7-8; Jer. 31:3; Ezekiel 16:8; Hos. 11:1). These verses should be taken as literal, national Israel not some misapplied figurative Israel some presume to be the church. The church is not in view in these verses.

God loves believers (Jo. 16:27; 17:23; 1Jo. 4:19)

Other Scriptures concerning the love of God include: Ps. 11:7, He loves righteousness. Is. 61:8, He loves justice. 2Cor. 13:11, He is the God of love.

Application
From this facet of God's goodness we should include the fact that nothing can separate us from the love of God (Ro. 8:35-39) for this reason we should also love the brethren (Gal. 5:26).

5. Grace
Grace is love that is exercised to the unworthy, this includes you and me, we are all unworthy of God's love. Grace is God's goodness manifested toward the undeserved, this also includes you and me we none of us deserve God's goodness. Grace is God's free actions on behalf of the unmerited, this once again includes you and me none of us can preform well enough to merit God's benifits to us. (cf. Titus 3:4-7)

Here are seven biblical areas of God's grace:

1. Salvation is a product of God's grace (Acts 18: 27; Eph. 2: 7-9; Titus 2: 11).

2. Election is the result of God's grace (Eph. 1: 4-6).

3. Redemption is the riches of God's grace (Eph. 1: 7-8).

4. Sanctification is the fruit of God's grace (Rom. 5: 21).

5. Preservation is God's grace perfecting His strength in our weakness (2Cor. 12: 9).

6. Service is the overflow of god's grace (Heb. 12: 28).

7. Grace is the result in that final presentation in (1Pet.1: 13).

Scripture:
Ephesians 2:8-10

Aplication:
Just as God has demonstrated His grace to us we should be gracious to one another; in our homes, in our churches, and in the world those we like and those we don't like, the lovable and the unlovable.

This concludes God's attribute of goodness. We have one more attribute to cover before I bring this segment to an end it is God's attribute of truth. See you next time.

Stay bright,
Brother John

Holiness

The Attributes That Are True of God and (in a limited way): Holiness

Holiness means that God is free from all moral evil. He is moral perfection, and absolute purity. He is the center and essence of high moral character. His holiness is: active, intrinsic, un-created, and untarnished.One may ask, "But what is holiness?" Holiness is the eternal conformity of His being with His will. It becomes the basses for all ethical, and moral standards in man. We, of course, have all fallen short of this standared.

Positive and Negative

Some will say, "Brother John you are so negative." My friends the Bible is both positive and negative.

Holiness is Positive: God loves holiness and desires it for His people (see Proverbs 15:9).

Holiness is Negative: God hates sin and all evil (Habakkuk 1:13).

Ever try starting a car after you remove the negative cable?

The Scope

The Scope of Holiness: Holiness is co-extensive with all the other attributes, it is involved with all of them. All of them in one way or another reflect His holiness. His love is holy love, His wrath is holy wrath, His goodness is holy goodness, etc. etc.

Scriptures

Where God is, is holy ground (Ex. 3:5).

God's people are to be holy people (Lev. 11:44-45; 19:2; Josh. 24:19).

There is none holy as the LORD (1Sam. 2:2; Ps.22:3; 47:8).

God makes oaths based on His own holiness (Ps. 89:35).

His holiness is the motive for worship (Ps. 99:9).

His name is holy (Ps. 111:9).

He is holy, holy, holy (Is. 6:3; Is. 41:14; Hab. 1:12; Rev. 4:8; Rev. 6:10; 15:4).

Applications

There is a chasm between God and man (Is. 59: 1-2).

Man must approach God in holiness. Since he cannot do this, he must rely on the merits of another, the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5: 1-2; Eph. 2:18; Heb. 10: 19-23).

God is to be addressed with reverence and godly fear (Heb. 12:28-29).

We are to live a holy life before God and man (Rom. 6:13; 1Tim. 6:11).

The question we must ask about any attitude, thought, word, or deed is, "Is it holy?" (Lev. 11: 44).

Now, I hope this dispels any fabricated myth that is often asserted that dispensationalists accept or excuse sloppy Christian living, we do NOT!

Stay salty,
brother John

The Attributes That Are True of God and (in a limited way): The Will

The Will

God’s will is the cause of all things that come to pass.

There are various categories of God’s will. There is His decreed will (decee meaning fixed or established especially by order or command). God’s immutable decrees are evident from Scripture (see Deut. 29; Ps. 115:3; 135:6; Is. 45:9-10).

The Bible speaks of God's perceptive will this is His rule of conduct (or authority) which may be disobeyed (Deut. 29:29).There is an aspect of God's will which God desires but does not bring to pass. For example He desires that all men become saved but He does not bring this to pass (cf. 1Tim 2: 3-4; 2Pet. 3:9). Finally there is His permissive will, that which God allows.

Applications
We have been saved by the will of God (Eph. 1:!0-12), and we can know God’s will (Eph. 1:9).

Omnipotence: The Attributes That Are True of God and (in a limited way) Man

Omnipotence

Omnipotence means that God alone is all powerful. There is infinity in His Power. This attribute of God gives life and action to all His other attributes. The Bible refers to El Shaddai (God Almighty) 50 times and it is used only of God. It is the realization of all that He wills (i.e. He has the power to execute His will, Gen. 18:14; Ps. 62:11). This attribute operates through volition; God has not done all that He could do. God can do anything that is not inconsistent of His own character. God will not do anything contrary to His character, such as lying (Heb. 6:8), sin (James 1:13), looking upon iniquity with favor (Hab. 1:13), change (Mal. 3:6), denying Himself (2Tim. 2:13).

Omnipotence includes the power of self limitation. God can use this power to limit Himself as He has done in certain areas.

His omnipotence always operates in conformity with His wisdom, knowledge, holiness, and justice.

He has power over His own power.

His power is without effort (see Gen. 1; Ps. 33:9).

Scriptures
I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. (Job 42:2)


Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. (Ps. 36:6)

O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved. (Ps.66:8-9)

Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. (Ps. 147:5)

Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee... (Jer. 32:17)

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. (Matt. 19:26)

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Rev. 19:6)

Applications
God’s power is available to believers (Is. 40:29; Jer. 33:3; Eph. 1:19; 3:20; Philip. 4:13).

No need to fear (Ps. 27:1).

We are to trust in God’s strength (Is. 26:4).

The gospel is God’s power to save (Rom. 1:16).

We have God’s power for evangelism (Acts 1:8).

We are can have His Power in Christian service (2Cor. 9:8).

We are kept by God’s power (2Tim. 1:12; 1Pet. 1:1-5).

This power is more than reforming power it's transforming power.

In His awsome presence,
brother John

Omniscience: Atributes That Are True of God and (in a limited way) Man

I will now shift gears and aim the spotlight on the Communicable; Moral; Eminent or Transitive; Relative; Constitutional; Positive; Active Attributes, these are the divine attributes that are true of God and in a limited way they are true of man too (for further explanation see What’s an Attribute.

Omniscience

Omniscience as many of you know means all knowing. Our God is all knowing, He is infinite in wisdom, and His omniscience is eternal and immutable, including His infinite understanding (Ps. 147:4-5).

He knows all there is to know about everything.

He has total knowledge of all things concerning Himself (Matt. 17:27; 1Cor. 2:11).

He has total knowledge of everything past, present, and future, to Him they are all the same. Everything follows it’s chronological sequence, yet God is not bound by it (Is. 46:10; Acts 15:18).

He has total knowledge of all things both possible and actual (1Sam. 23:11-12; Matt. 11:21-24).

He knows without the discovery of facts, He does not have to investigate, He knows it all (Is. 40:13-14; Rom. 11:34-36).

He has total knowledge of His own world. Duh!

He has total knowledge of His inanimate creation (Ps. 147:4).

He has total knowledge of His animal creation (Matt. 10:29).

He has total knowledge man, and man’s works (Ps. 33:13-15; Pr. 5:21).

He has total knowledge of man’s thoughts and hearts (Ps. 139:1-4).

He has total knowledge of man’s needs (Matt. 6:8).

He has total knowledge of man’s wants (Matt. 6:32).

He has total knowledge of man’s sorrows (Ex. 3:7).

He has detailed knowledge of the facts of life (Matt. 10:30).

Scriptures
For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory. (Is. 66:18)

For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes. (Jer. 16:17)

And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them. (Ez. 11:5)

Application
We will be justified (Job 23:10). Our wants are known to Him (Matt. 6:31-32). It is incentive for a Christian walk (Col. 1:10). It is the source of our wisdom (James 1:3).

There are some things that even God does not know.

Six things God does not know

1 He does not know a sin He doesn’t hate.

2 He does not know a sinner He doesn't love.

3 He does not know a better place than Heaven.

4. He does not know a more horrifying place than Hell.

5. He does not know any other way to be saved than faith alone in Christ alone.

6. He does not know a better time to get saved than now.

Stay salty,
Brother John

Sovereignty: The Attributes that Are True of God Alone

Sovereignty
Sovereignty means God is the Supreme Ruler; He is King of Heaven and Earth, having all power and authority, not necessarily being all controlling.

Specifics of God’s sovereignty

His sovereignty is universal.

His sovereignty is absolute.

His sovereignty is immutable.

Examples of God’s exercise of His sovereignty include

The establishment of the physical laws of the universe.

His determining power in nature (i.e. differing orders, and assignment of each in it's appropriate place).

His determining power in people (i.e. appointing of each individual, in position and lot).

His distribution of favors.

Scripture
The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them. (1Sam. 2:6-8)

Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. (1Chro. 29:11-12)

[Jehoshaphat]... said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name... (Chro. 20:6-8)

How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! (Ps. 47:2 NIV)

But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. (Ps. 115:3)

And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? (Dan. 4:35)

Application
Nothing that ever happens to us is outside of God’s own directive. It is His sovereignty that produces salvation (Eph. 1:4-6), and the means by which our salvation is worked out (Phil. 2:13), for this reason we should be greatful and give Him praise and thanks. No trouble can come upon us except that which God permits, because of this we can be couragous in the face of our fears (cf. Job 1).

In His fellowship,
Brother John

Immensity: The Attributes That Are Only True of God

Immensity
Immensity is infinity in relationship to space. God is not restricted by space. God fills all things, and God surpasses all creation, and extends without end. God is the cause of space. God is not in space; instead space is actually in God.

Scripture
Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else. (Deut. 4:39)

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded? (1Kings 8:27)

Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? (Is. 66:1)

Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD. (Jer. 23:24)

...the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Eph. 1:23)

Application
We can trust in the greatness of God. Great things can be done by ordinary people who place their lives in the hands of our immense God.

In His glorious fellowship,
Brother John

Omnipresence: The Attributes That Are Only True of God

Omnipresence
Omnipresence means God is present everywhere at the same time. This relates God to the universe where other beings are present. Related to the doctrine of God’s omnipresence are:

Immanence
Immanence means God is within the world, and acting within and through His creation.

Transcendence
Transcendence means God is separate from His creation.

Here are some errors to be avoided:

False: God is diffused through space; so that only parts of Him are present everywhere.

True: God is one and cannot be divided, and He is wholly present in every place.
____________________________

False: God presence is everywhere in the same sense.

True: God’s special dwelling is in Heaven. His presence is different with believers than with unbelievers.
____________________________

False: God’s presence is in bodily or material form.

True: God is a Spirit, and God is invisible.
____________________________

False: Pantheism, God is everything and everything is God.

True: God is distinct from His creation. Pantheism is confusion of the Creator with the created.
____________________________

Scripture
And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? (Gen. 16:13)

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. (Ps. 139:7-12)

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. (Prov. 15:3)

Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD. (Jer. 23:23-24)

Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down… (Amos 9:2)

That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us… (Acts 17:27)

Neither 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. (Heb. 4:13)

Application
There are four areas of application.

Comfort, for God is always near us (Ex. 33:14).

Prayer, we pray to someone who is very near. We can pray for others who are far away, and know that God touches them there.

Incentive to dedicated Christian service, knowing that we can go nowhere that God is not near (Josh. 1:9; Job 34:21-22).

Protection, we are under God’s protection. He always sees us every place we may be (Gen. 28:15; Ps. 121:3-4; Heb. 13:5).

The blessing of knowing that God is always near me gives me great comfort I hope it is a comfort to you too.

Stay salty,
Brother John

Immutability: The Attributes That Are Only True of God

Immutability

Immutability means God is unchanging and unchangeable. He is not capable or susceptible to change; this is true of His essence and character. This does not mean inactivity or immobility.

Scripture
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. (Ps. 102:25-27)

For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (Mal. 3:6)

And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. (Heb. 1:12)

Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us... (Heb. 6:17-18)

Every 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. (James 1:17)

Is this problematic? Perhaps it is, we may ask, “Why does Scripture speak of God ‘repenting’ if He is so immutable?”

Some Apparent Contradictions

God Does Not Repent
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (Num. 23:19)

And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent. (1Sam. 15:29)

The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. (Ps. 110:4)

For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Rom. 11:29)

God Does Repent
And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. (Gen. 6:6)

And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. (Ex. 32:14)

11) It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night. 35) And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel. (1Sam. 15:11, 35)

And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite. (2Sam. 24:16)

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? (Joel 2:13-14)

3) The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD. 6) The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD. (Amos 7:3, 6)

And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. (Jonah 3:10)

Principles For Reconciling This Difficulty

To reconcile these things we must remember that the Scriptures use *anthropomorphisms, and we also need to realize that the change is really in man and not in God. To put it more plainly, the change is in the way God’s plan is unfolded to man, not in the plan it’s self. Scriptures do indicate that God has an eternal plan. The plan is fixed, it does not change, the change is in the way the plan is unfolded to man (Jer. 18:8).

The Solution
From a human perspective God sometimes appears to change or to repent. From divine view point no change has ever taken place.

Here are Five Areas of Immutability

Power
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. (Rom. 4:20-21)

Plan and Purpose
Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. (Is. 46:9-10)

For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Rom. 11:29)

Promises
Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. (1Kings 8:56)

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (2Cor. 1:20)

Love and Mercy
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children... (Ps. 103:17)

For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (Mal.3:6)

Justice
(See Gen. 18:17-33).

Application
We can rely on God’s unchanging Word. God will not change His faithfulness. We can depend on God’s promises (Num. 23:19; 1Kings 8:56; 2Cor. 1:20; Titus 1:2; Heb. 10:23; 11:11). We can rely on God’s forgiveness (1John 1:9). We can rely on God keeping us (2Tim. 2:11- 13). God is imutable.

Stay salty,
Brother John

*God does express Himself by use of anthropomorphisms.

Anthropomorphism means the characteristics of God that are stated in terms of human elements.

Some examples of anthropomorphisms are:
Mouth... Isaiah 1:20
Nostrils... 2Sam. 22:9
Back... Exodus 33:23
Hands... Ex. 33:22; Isaiah 65:2
Arms... Deuteronomy 33:27
Ears... Isaiah 59:1
Eyes... 2Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 11:4, 34:15
Face... Exodus 33:11 and
Feet... Isaiah 66:1

Eternity: The Attributes That Are Only True of God

Eternity

Eternity means infinity in relationship to time. God is free from succession of time. God is free to act within time and outside of this limitation (see Gen. 18:14; Gal. 4:4). God is without beginning of years or end of days including eternity past, and eternity future. Only God is eternal in both, while we will be eternally future but are not eternally past. Time has objective reality to God, but He sees the past and future as vividly as the present. God is the cause of time (Heb. 1:2; 11:3).

Scripture
And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God. (Gen. 21:33)

For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever. (Deut. 32:40)

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. (Deut. 33:27)

Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out. (Job 36:26)

Click and read Psalm 90. This is great just to contemplate.

Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. (Ps. 102:25-27)

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth 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. (Is. 57:15)

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Col. 1:17)

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

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (2Pet. 3:8)

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen (Jude 24-25)

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. (Rev. 1:8)

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. (Rev. 21:6)

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. (Rev. 22: 13.)

Application
God gives eternal life (John 3:16-18; 1John 5:11-13), therefore we must redeem the time for eternity (Eph. 5:16).

In his time,
Brother John

Infinity:The Attributes That Are Only True of God

Infinity

Infinity means that there are no limitations which can be assigned to God’s essence or being. He transcends all limitations of time and space.

In Time, He is eternal.

In Space, He is immanent.

In His Being, He is absolute perfection.

Scripture
But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded? (1Kings 8:27)

For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. (Acts 17:28)

Application
We can and must rest in His greatness. He is awesome!

Stay salty,
brother John

Freedom: The Attributes that Are True of God Alone

Freedom
Freedom means that God is independent of His creation; He is at liberty to act or not to act in accordance with His good pleasure. He is free as to His volitions when they are determined by His own sense of what is wise, right, and desirable. In this sense His creatures including humans do not possess freedom, every one of us saved and unsaved are dependent on God our creator, whether we are conscience of it or not. Without Him our heart will not beat, we could not draw a breath, we could not be.

There are limitations or restrictions to God’s freedom (eg. of His own Perfections): God cannot do that which goes contrary to His nature, such as sin. Let the reader put it far from His mind that God is the father of sin. He is not the author and finisher of sin, this would contradict, yes and even violate His goodness and holiness. I say, “Shame on those who propagate such ideas, and shame on you and me when we consider such preposterous notions.”

Scripture
Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counselor hath taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? (Is. 40: 13-14)

Application
God is not bound to us; He has no need for us, but we need Him. His relationship to us is that of His own freedom. Again I am struck with the awe of God. He is worthy of all our worship, and adoration, and life.