Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:The concept of the True God is central to Christian theology and is rooted in the monotheistic tradition of the Bible. The True God is understood as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who is revealed through the Scriptures and the person of Jesus Christ. This entry explores the attributes, nature, and revelation of the True God as presented in the Bible.
Attributes of the True God:The True God is characterized by several key attributes that distinguish Him from false gods and idols. These attributes include:
1.
Omnipotence: The True God is all-powerful, having created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." His power is further affirmed in
Jeremiah 32:17, "Ah, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You."
2.
Omniscience: God possesses complete and perfect knowledge.
Psalm 147:5 declares, "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit."
3.
Omnipresence: The True God is present everywhere.
Psalm 139:7-10 illustrates this by saying, "Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there."
4.
Eternality: God is eternal, having no beginning or end.
Psalm 90:2 states, "Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God."
5.
Immutability: The True God does not change.
Malachi 3:6 affirms, "For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed."
6.
Holiness: God is perfectly holy and set apart from sin.
Isaiah 6:3 proclaims, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth."
7.
Love: The True God is love, as expressed in 1
John 4:8, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
Nature of the True God:The nature of the True God is complex and is revealed in the doctrine of the Trinity. The Bible presents God as one being in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. This triune nature is hinted at in the Great Commission,
Matthew 28:19, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Revelation of the True God:The True God reveals Himself through various means:
1.
Creation: The natural world testifies to God's existence and attributes.
Romans 1:20 states, "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."
2.
Scripture: The Bible is the primary source of God's revelation, providing insight into His character and will.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 affirms, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
3.
Jesus Christ: The fullest revelation of the True God is found in Jesus Christ.
John 1:14 declares, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
4.
The Holy Spirit: The Spirit of God continues to reveal and guide believers into all truth.
John 16:13 states, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth."
Worship of the True God:Worship of the True God is a central aspect of Christian life. Believers are called to worship Him in spirit and truth, as Jesus instructs in
John 4:24, "God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." Worship involves adoration, prayer, and obedience to God's commands, reflecting a life devoted to His glory.
Conclusion:The True God, as revealed in the Bible, is the foundation of Christian faith and practice. His attributes, nature, and revelation provide a comprehensive understanding of who He is and how believers are to relate to Him. Through creation, Scripture, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, the True God invites humanity into a relationship with Him, characterized by worship, love, and obedience.
