Who is God
Who He Is (The One True God)
God the Son -Jesus Christ
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."
(John 1:1, 14)
God incarnate (God made human) who is the exact representation of his being and provided the ultimate sacrifice for sin, making reconciliation with God possible. He is not merely a messenger, but is God himself entering his own creation to redeem it. As the second person of the trinity, he is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father, possessing the same authority and power over life and death from all eternity. By becoming human, God proved that he is willing to personally endure our pain to secure our freedom.
John 1:1, 14 — "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."
Hebrews 1:3 — "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word."
The Nature of God
The New International Version Bible translates the original biblical texts, presenting God as the sovereign, eternal, and holy creator of the universe, who is defined by love and revealed as a trinity. To understand the nature of God is to recognize Him as the "I AM"—the self-existent source of all life who is not limited by time, space, or human imagination. While the universe is vast, the Bible reveals that God is not a distant force, but a personal Being who actively pursues a relationship with His creation. His nature is a perfect harmony of qualities that might seem like opposites to human logic: He is both a consuming fire of holiness and a gentle shepherd of souls; He is the righteous judge of the world and the merciful father of the lost.
God’s nature is best understood through His desire to be known. From the first pages of Genesis to the final vision of Revelation, the scriptures show a God who speaks, acts, and ultimately enters human history to bring humanity back to Himself. He does not change; His character remains the constant foundation upon which the entire biblical narrative is built. To know God's nature is to discover the heart of the One who holds the stars in place while simultaneously numbering the hairs on our heads.
The Creator
God is the ultimate source of all existence. He created everything—the heavens, the earth, and humanity—out of nothing and actively sustains it. This establishes that God is not part of the universe but the master over it, holding every atom together by his will.
Genesis 1:1 — "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
Colossians 1:16-17 — "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
A Spirit
God is not limited by a physical body or location. He is transcendent and must be approached spiritually.
John 4:24 — "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."
Sovereign & Eternal
He is the ultimate ruler, the "Lord Almighty," who exists outside of time, being both the first and the last.
Isaiah 44:6 — "This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God."
Revelation 1:8 — "I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
What He Is Like (Gods' Character)
Love
This is God's core nature. His actions toward humanity are driven by profound and unconditional love. Love is not just something God does; it is who he is at his very foundation.
1 John 4:8 — "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
Holy/Just
He is perfect and completely set apart from evil or sin. Because he is just, he judges sin, but because he is loving, he provides a path to forgiveness.
1 Peter 1:16 — "For it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"
Romans 3:23-26 — "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God... he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those if they have faith in Jesus."
Compassionate/Merciful
He is slow to anger and rich in love, willing to forgive those who repent.
Psalm 103:8 — "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love."
The Trinity: Three in One
God the Father
The planner and source of all things; acknowledged as God the Father who seals and authorizes. He exists as the first person of the godhead, co-equal and co-eternal with the son and the spirit in a perfect unity of one divine substance. The Father represents the source of divine love and the architect of the plan to bring us home.
John 6:27 — "For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."
Galatians 1:1 — "Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead."
God the Son
The redeemer and word of God made flesh; acknowledged as the Savior who rescues and restores. He exists as the second person of the Godhead, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit in a perfect unity of "one divine substance". The Son represents the ultimate expression of divine grace, entering human history to pay the penalty for sin and bring us home.
Colossians 2:9 — "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form."
God the Holy Spirit
The active presence of God in the world and in believers, who guides, comforts, and empowers them. He is the third person of the trinity, equal in glory and majesty to the Father and the son, serving as the living seal of God's presence within his people. The spirit is God dwelling inside the believer, providing direct access to divine strength every moment.
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."
John 14:26 — "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
2 Corinthians 13:14 — "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
Theological Attributes
Omnipotent
All-powerful. God has unlimited power and authority; nothing is impossible for him. This means no circumstance in your life is too difficult for God to overcome.
Matthew 19:26 — "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"
Omniscient
All-knowing. He has perfect knowledge of everything—past, present, and future. God knows your deepest needs before you even speak them.
Psalm 147:5 — "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit."
Omnipresent
Present everywhere. He is not confined by space and is everywhere at all times. You are never alone, regardless of how isolated you may feel in the physical world.
Psalm 139:7 — "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?"
Immutable
Unchanging. God's nature, character, and promises are constant and do not shift. Because God does not change, his promises are as reliable today as they were thousands of years ago.
James 1:17 — "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
Eternal
Without beginning or end. He exists outside of time, from everlasting to everlasting.
Psalm 90:2 — "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God."
Inscrutable
Unsearchable/Unfathomable. His wisdom and ways are beyond full human comprehension.
Romans 11:33 — "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!"
Character Descriptions (Relational Attributes)
Faithful/Trustworthy
God keeps all his promises; he is utterly dependable.
2 Timothy 2:13 — "If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself."
Merciful/Gracious
He shows pity and compassion, offering kindness and forgiveness even though we don't deserve it.
Psalm 103:8 — "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love."
Just/Righteous
He is perfectly fair, moral, and upright in all his dealings. His actions are always right.
Deuteronomy 32:4 — "He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and fair is he."
Patient/Longsuffering
He endures wrongs and delays judgment, giving time for repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 — "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
Jealous
He demands exclusive devotion and is protective of his relationship with his people.
Exodus 34:14 — "Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God."
Name Descriptions (Old Testament)
YHWH (LORD)
Exodus 3:14
"God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.'"
Yhwh, The personal, covenant-keeping God. Often rendered in the NIV as LORD.
El Shaddai
Genesis 17:1
"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said,
'I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.'"
El Shaddai, God Almighty or All-Sufficient God.
Adonai
Genesis 15:2
"But Abram said, 'Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless...'"
Adonai, Lord or Master (emphasizing his authority).
Summary
In short, God is the all-powerful and all-loving supreme being who created everything, rules over all, and desires a personal relationship with humanity through his son, Jesus Christ. While we use the word "through," it is important to understand that Jesus is not a separate middleman; he is God himself reaching out to us by becoming one of us.
Because God is triune—existing as Father, son, and Holy Spirit—we know that he is a God of perfect relationship within himself. When we choose him, we are entering into a life sustained by the Father, redeemed by the son who is God in the flesh, and empowered by the spirit. This is the beauty of the trinity: the bridge we cross is the same one & only God who welcomes us on the other side.
