The Character of God

God is completely fair and just in all His dealings with man and angels. In order to understand God's position we must know about His character. The Bible is our authority and faith through the filling of the Holy Spirit is our means of perception with regard to divine truth. God is revealed throughout the Scriptures and His characteristics are well defined.

God is supreme and in absolute authority.

Know therefore . . . . . that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else. (Deut. 4:39)

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. (1 Chron. 29:11)

God is described both as Singular and Triune

While God is described as one in character, there are three separate personalities by which God is revealed and functions.

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (1 Tim. 2:5,6)

Trinity

Trinity is a word that describes the three fold personality of the Godhead, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The fact that God exists in three Persons is very evident throughout the Scriptures. The three personalities are said to be one in character yet three in manifestation or function. Since each Person of the Trinity has the same essence, God is described as one. When specific Persons of the Godhead are addressed, distinction is made between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

One in Essence Three in Person.

The idea that some thing can be one in essence or makeup and yet display thee different personalities or manifestations should not be strange. This is easily demonstrated through the observation of water. While water has thee physical characteristics, solid, liquid and gas, it has only one chemical formula, H₂O. Ice, Water and Steam all share the same ingredients but exhibit three distinct personalities or functions.

So it is with the Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit all share the same attributes but function in distinct roles.

The names that are ascribed to God are names that are understood by man and help describe the distinct function of the Persons of the Godhead. This name, in human characteristics, ascribed to God is called an "Anthropopathism" . Through this means man can better understand each Divine Member’s role in the plan of God.

God The Father.

The title "Father" represents the authority of the First Person of the Godhead as the Author and Planner of the Divine Plan for man.

(Eph. 4:6) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

(Prov. 8:29) 29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

Hebrew words and Scripture for God in the Old Testament.

The plural noun Elohim implies more than one person in the Godhead. Also in Gen. 1:26 confirmation of the plurality of the Godhead is indicated by "us" and "our"

(Gen. 1:26) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: . .

(Gen. 3:22) And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, . . . .

(Gen. 11:7) Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.

(Isaiah 6:8) Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? . . .

The singular noun JHWH or Jehovah emphasizes one person usually God the Son. Other scripture in the Old Testament supports singular aspects of the Godhead.

(Psalms 110:1) The LORD (God the Father) said unto my Lord (God the Son), Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

(Psalms 2:7) I will declare the decree: the LORD (God the Father) hath said unto me, Thou art my Son (God the Son); this day have I begotten thee.

(Heb. 1:5) For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

(Heb. 5:5) So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

(Acts 13:33) God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I (Christ, God the Son): and now the Lord GOD (God the Father), and his Spirit (God the Holy Spirit), hath sent me. (Isa. 48:16)

New Testament Scripture supporting the Trinity.

(Matthew 28:19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

(2 Cor. 13:14) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

(1 Peter 1:2) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

The three Persons of the Godhead are in unity in character or "essence" yet distinct in function and manifestation. As we address the character of God we must recognize that these characteristics or attributes apply to each Person of the Godhead.

God is Sovereign.

He rules the universe. He is in a position of absolute authority. He has always been the Supreme Being of the universe and His Perfect Plan is in effect.

. . . . .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? (2 Chron. 20:6)

That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth. (Psa. 83:18)

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)

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Col. 1:16,17)

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)

God is absolute Righteousness.

God is not good as we know it, He is completely without fault. His perfection is based upon His perfect character. His Righteousness cannot be compared to man or based on relative standards. His Righteousness is incomparable. God's character is totally without sin or blemish. He is absolutely Holy and as a result will not fellowship or accommodate sin in His sphere of operations.

There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. (1 Sam. 2:2)

This 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. (1 John 1:5)

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. (1 Sam. 2:6-8)

Because no single characteristic can manifest itself without the others being in harmony, we must view God's character or "essence" as a complete entity.

God's perfect character always remains intact. He is Righteous and can not have fellowship with sin. He is Justice and must judge sin.

............to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. (Dan. 9:24)

God has provided us a means of escape from the wrath to come. It is free for us to take. We can not buy it and it is available to everyone.

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isa. 55:1).

For by 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 (Eph. 2:8,9).

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12)

We must be a believer under control of the Holy Spirit.

We must examine ourselves for any unconfessed sin in order to operate by means of the God The Holy Spirit

God’s character is the foundation for every doctrinal position taught in the Bible.

We can’t fully love the person we don’t know.

God’s promises are no more secure than His character .

Essence refers to the qualities, attributes or character of God.

It addresses the very nature of God and His values or motives.

The Bible does not seek to prove the existence of God; It assumes it to be true.

Creation clearly shouts with indicators of a Supreme Being

(Psalms 14:1) . . . .The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. . . .

(Romans 1:20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

God is declared in many passages to be one.

(1 Tim. 2:5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

(Deut. 6:4) Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

While God is one in character and purpose, He is clearly described throughout the Scripture, as having three distinct personalities .

God is one in Essence.

God is three in personality.

Each person of the Godhead has a purpose in the overall plan of God.
The Father - the planner and provider.
The Son - the executer and agent of the plan.
The Holy Spirit - the revealer and empowerment of the plan.

One Hebrew word for God is “Elohim” This is a plural word indicating more than one person in the Godhead.

Another Hebrew word for God is “JHWH” usually translated “Jehovah or Yahweh” This word is singular and used when speaking of one member of the Godhead. The context helps us distinguish which person is in focus.

Even in the English translation of the Bible there is support for more than one personality in the Godhead.

In Genesis 1:26 “Let Us make man in Our image” . . .

(Matt. 3:16,17) . . .: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God 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.

(Matt. 28:19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

(Eph. 4:6) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

(1 Timothy 2:5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

The Integrity of God

The Godhead is in complete harmony. The character or attributes of God are uniformly possessed by The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. In this sense they are considered as one in essence.

Neither the members nor the attributes can be addressed without regard to the complete integrity of God.

Sovereignty

(Deut. 4:39) Know therefore . . . .the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.

(Psa. 83:18) That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

(Isa. 46:10) My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Righteousness

God is Absolutely righteous and Holy. He cannot accommodate anything that will compromise Him.

1 Sam. 2:2) There is none holy as the LORD:

(Lev. 19:2) . . . .Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.

(Psa. 47:8) . . . .God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

(Deut. 32:4) . . . .a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

Justice

(2 Chron. 19:7) . . . . for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.

(Job 37:23) . . .he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: . . . .

(Jer. 50:7) . . . the habitation of justice, even the LORD, . . . .

Love

God has an infinitely superior love that is not based on reciprocation or emotional stimulus.

(Jer. 31:3) . . . Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: . . .

(1 John 4:8) He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

(2 Peter 3:9) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, . . . but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, . . . .

Eternal Life

(Psa. 90:2) Before the mountains were brought forth, . . . . even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

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

(Lam. 5:19) Thou, O LORD, remainest for ever; thy throne from generation to generation.

Omniscience

(Job 37:16) . . . . the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?

(Ezek 11:5) . . . . for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.

(Heb. 4:13) 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.

Omnipresence

(Jer. 23:24) 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.

(1 Kings 8:27) . . . .behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; . . . .

(Pov. 15:3) The eyes of the LORD are in every place, . . . .

Omnipotence

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

(1 Chorn. 29:11) Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, . . . and thou art exalted as head above all.

(Jer. 32:17) . . . thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power, . . . and there is nothing too hard for thee:

Immutability

(Mal. 3:6) For I am the LORD, I change not; . .

(Heb. 13:8) Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

(Eccl. 3:14) I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: . . . .

Veracity

(Num. 23:19) God is not a man, that he should lie;

(Heb. 6:18) That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, . . .

(2 Sam. 7:28) . . .O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, . . .