The Attributes of God
Notes by Peter Philippi
- An ATTRIBUTE = a quality of God
- It is who God is in His very essence and nature
- We can only know the nature of God in the statement and manifestation of His attributes
- We can only know God through His Son Jesus Christ
- God never violates any of His attributes in order to exercise another attribute
- God has revealed Himself to man
- God wants man to know Him
- God wants a personal and intimate relationship with man
- God is glorified as we acknowledge His attributes
- God is self-existent
Definition: God has the ground of His existence in Himself
“I AM THAT I AM”
JEHOVAH - God is infinite
Definition: God is unlimited in His being and perfections
Immensity of God
God is not limited, confined, bound or enclosed by space - God is eternal
Definition: God has no beginning or end
Infinite = space
Eternal = time
Eternity with God is one NOW - God is spirit
Definition: God is immaterial (no matter or “physicalness”), invisible, alive & person
This defines God's nature as spiritual
As person He possesses:
Self consciousness
Self determination
Mind
Will
Emotions - God is one
Definition: God is undivided and indivisible
God does not consist of parts, nor can He be broken down into various parts
God is one, and the only one - God is triune
Definition: God exists in three distinct persons known as Father, Son and Holy Spirit
ECHAD – compound unity
ELOHIM – plurality
Is only known by revelation
Can only be accepted by faith in God's revelation - God is omniscient – all knowing
Definition: God knows all things actual or possible; past, present and future; perfectly and from all eternity
Doesn't mean He predetermines everything
Things do not take place because they are foreseen; they are foreseen because they will take place - God is omnipotent – all powerful
Definition: God is able to do whatever He wills
Self-limited by His nature
He always exercises His power in harmony with His essence, attributes and perfections
There are many things God cannot do
Doesn't mean He is the cause of everything that touches the life of the Christian - God is omnipresent – present everywhere
Definition: Because God is infinite and immense, He is present everywhere
A threat and warning to the unbeliever
A source of great comfort to the believer: the nearness of God - God is immutable - unchanging
Definition: God is unchangeable in His essence, nature and attributes
All change in nature, essence or attributes would be for better or for worse
He does change how He deals with man in keeping with man's responses, while not violating any of His attributes - God is Holy
Definition: God is absolutely separate from and exalted above all His creatures, and totally separate from all evil and sin
It has to do with God's perfection and purity
Holiness appears to occupy the highest rank among all His attributes
Lessons:- There is a huge chasm between God and the sinner;
- Man cannot approach God on His own merits, but only through the merits of another;
- We approach God with reverence;
- A right view of the holiness of God leads to a right view of sin
- God is perfect
Definition: God is without blemish or spot, upright, complete
Only used once of God
Used primarily of His Word and His work in man - God is truth
Definition: God's knowledge, declarations and representations eternally conform to reality
Everything that proceeds from God is true
Because God is true He can be fully trusted - God is righteous/just
Definition: Because of Who God is (Holy) He demands perfection and must punish sin, and do so without partiality
Out of God's righteousness came a righteous Law with rewards and punishments
We have no righteousness of our own
The righteousness of God is revealed in the Gospel of His Son
God's justice is accurate, inescapable (apart from His provision), severe and perfectly fair
Righteousness cannot come by works
Righteousness comes by faith, through Jesus Christ
A Question for You:- Will you face the righteousness and justice of God on your own merit?
- OR
- Having received a gift-righteousness by faith in the cross-work of Christ?
- God is sovereign
Definition: God's right and prerogative to act in keeping with the perfections of His nature
God acts without permission or approval from anyone
God rules and reigns sovereignly over His creation - God is gracious
Definition: God shows kindness and goodness to those who do not deserve it
Grace is God's infinite generosity
Grace cannot impose conditions
Grace cannot have limits
Grace cannot be diminished
Grace cannot be withdrawn
Grace cannot regard merit
Grace cannot respect demerit
Grace honors God
Grace brings salvation
Grace teaches us how to live - God is Love
Definition: God's love is defined by its characteristics and demonstrations
God's love doesn't change or violate His other attributes (justice, holiness)
The love of God is extremely personal (recipient)
God is impersonal love (Giver)
God is unconditional love
The love of God is infinite
The love of God draws us into a most personal relationship with Himself
The love of God extends to the whole world
The love of God never stops or changes
The ultimate demonstration of how much God loves every one of us is Christ dying on the cross for us
Grace has freed love to flow unhindered
Love is the giving of oneself to meet the needs of another
There is nothing that can come between God's love and the believer
The love of God is the greatest driving force in the believer
Love is recognized by what it does or doesn't do - God is Good
Definition: God is in His very nature and constitution upright and honorable, desiring to bless - God is merciful
Definition: Because God is compassionate and good He does not desire to inflict on us what we deserve - God is Kind
Definition: God is disposed to do good, desiring our happiness - God is Faithful
Definition: God is always true to His Word and can therefore be fully trusted - God is Longsuffering
Definition: God bears provocation for a looooong time - God is Jealous
Definition: Because of His great love God has a passion that arises when affections are placed on a rival, resulting in judgment - God is a God of wrath
Definition: God's holy and just indignation and punishment against sin - God is not partial
Definition: God is perfect in all His judgments and blessings