Theology of God

FatherFather

SonSonHoly Holy SpiritSpirit

How do we know God exist? From CreationFrom Creation

The heaven declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. - Psalm 19:1

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. – Romans 1:20

How can we really tell God exists from the Creation??

How do we know God exist? From God’s WordFrom God’s Word

In the beginning God created heaven and earth – Genesis 1:1

… before You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, You are God – Psalm 90:2

For this is what the LORD says— He who created the heavens, He is God; He who fashioned and made the earth, He founded it… - He says: "I am the LORD, and there is no other. - Isaiah 45:18

How do we know God exist?

The Universe cannot exist without the Creator God…

--- Key Truth ---

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." - Psalm 14:1

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding

– Proverb 9:10

Who is this God? The God of the Bible

The Living God & The Covenant Keeping God – 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob' ? He is not the God of the dead but of the living." - Matt 22:32

But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. - Jerem 10:10

The One True & Eternal God - Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. - Deut 6:4

Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God - John 17:3

The Triune God – …baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit… - Matthew 28:19

Triune GodheadTri-unity (the 3 and the unity)

Not Tri gods(3 gods) Not Tri-ads (one god with 3 heads/faces)

Equal in Essence/Attribute, different in personsFather, not made, nor created neither begotten; Son as of Father, not made, nor created, but begotten; Spirit as of Father and of Son, not made, nor created, neither begotten, but proceeding.Father 100% God, Son 100% God, Spirit 100% God = 100% God

God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him – Col 1:19

Who is this God?

He’s the Creator – Gen 1:1 The Infinite/Eternal God – Ps 90:2

The Almighty (Omni…) God O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD,

and your faithfulness surrounds you. - Ps 89:8

The Source/Sustainer of life

'For in Him we live and move and have our being. - Acts 17:28

Who is this God? The Holy God

Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the LORD our God is Holy. – Ps. 99:9

What Does it mean that God is Holy?

The Loving God

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is Love. – I John 4:8

What Does it mean that God is Love?

GOD the Father

GOD the Father The first person of the Triune God Commonly when we referring to God, we

are referring to the Father Speaks of His Supreme & Sovereign Ruler

– the only God of the universe Speaks of Relational God Ever present “I AM” YHWH

GOD the Son

"Who do people say the Son of Man is?“

The ProphetThe Prophet not just one of the prophets

The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me, Moses, from among your own brothers. You must listen to him. – Deut 18:15

"This Jesus is that Moses who told the Israelites, 'God will send you a prophet like me from your own people.‘ - Acts 7:37

Some say: John the BaptistJohn the Baptist;

others say ElijahElijah;

and still others, JeremiahJeremiah

or one of the prophetsone of the prophets.

Matthew 16:13-17

To Peter: “… What about you?" "Who do you say I am?""Who do you say I am?"

Simon Peter answered: "You are the ChristChrist,

the Son of the living GodSon of the living God."

17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.

Messiah is to fulfill the true offices of:

KingKing: Micah 5:2 Matt 2:2

One who is the true King to rule our lives

ProphetProphet: Deut 18.15 Lk 24:19

One who is to point True and complete way to God

PriestPriest: Zech 6:13 Heb. 4:14

One who is the true Mediator & Intercessor between God and Man

OT Messianic Prophecies

He will be the Suffering Servant

Isaiah 52/53 >> Mark 10:45 (theme of Gospel of Mark)

He will be the Son of Man – the perfect human-divine person

Daniel 7:13 >> Luke 19:10 (theme of Gospel of Luke)

He will be God

Isaiah 9:6 >> John 1:1 (theme of Gospel of John)

He will be the KingIsaiah 9:7 >> Matt 2:2 (theme of Gospel of Matthew)

Son of Living God…

Son of God (speaks of the divine nature of Christ)

Not a smaller God from the Father, but the Only begotten Son of God (GOD, the eternal Son) John 3:16

The second person of the Tri-unity (Matt 28:19)

Co-existed with the Father/Holy Spirit from eternity past (Micah 5:2/Ps 93:2)

Equal in Essences and attributes within the Godhead; What God is, the Son is (Col 1:19)

Christ, the image of the invisible God

Then Jesus cried out, “… When they look at me, they see the one who sent me. – John 12:45Jesus answered: “… Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? - John 14:9“… the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” – II Cor. 4:4The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. – Col 1:15No one has ever seen God, but the one and only [Son], who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. - John 1:18

What is God like?

… we have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of GraceGrace and Truth. - John 1:14

Full of grace – speaks of God’s love

Full of truth – speaks of God’s Holiness

The Nature of Christ

After Christ incarnated (Word became flesh) He was fully God, He is also fully Man (yet without Sin). And shall forever be.

Hypostatic Union: 100% God, 100% Man = 100% Christ Jesus

…

The Work ChristHe live – to teach/testify

"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." -John 18:37

He Die – to Save/Justify

Jesus replied, “… unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. ..    "Now my soul is troubled, … it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!"

- John 12:23-28

Christ’s Sacrifice of Atonement –

Reconciliation – II Cor. 5:18-19

Propitiation –Rom 3:25/I John 2:2

Substitutionary – II Cor. 5:21

Ransom/Redemption – Heb. 9:15

Christ’s Resurrection

Confirms the authenticity of who Christ is

Sin and death has been overcome Our hope in Him is secured

Assurance of Salvation:Only found in Christ Jesus

9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. -Romans 10:9,10

Truths of God the Son Essential Christology

Son is the 2nd person of the Triune God Jesus is God Incarnated (born of virgin Mary)

Jesus is fully God, and fully Man Jesus is the promised Messiah (Christ) Jesus died for the our Sin Jesus rose from the dead (to assure our Salvation)

Jesus Ascended to heaven & will return again At His 2nd coming - to judge the living & the dead Salvation is through faith in Christ alone

The Holy Spirit

What is Holy Spirit?

Spirit in Greek, (pneuma) in which we get our words such as pneumonia (the same word for spirit can be used for wind).

Jesus said, “the wind (pneuma) blows wherever it pleases, You hear its sound of it, but you cannot tell where it comes form or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit (pneumatos).” - John 3:8

Is Holy Spirit really God?

 He has characteristics possessed only by GodHe knows the mind of God (I Cor. 2:11-12)He is omnipresence (Ps 139:7)

He does things which only God can doCreate the world – Ps 104:30Begetting the humanity of Jesus – Lk 1:35He regenerates (cause a person to be born anew) Jn 3:5-6

He is associated equally with other persons of the GodheadOT YHWH, NT-Spirit - Is 6:1-13 with Acts 28:25 /

Jerm 31:31-34 with Heb 10:15-17Acts against Holy Spirit = Acts against God

Acts 5:3-4

Is Holy Spirit a person?

He has characteristics of a person Spirit know the things of God (I Cor 2:10-11), and has a mind (Ro 8:27) Spirit can be grieved (Eph 4:30) Spirit has a will (I Cor 12:11)

He acts like a personHe prays (Ro 8:26)He performs miracles (Ac 8:39)

He is designated as a personEven though pneuma (Spirit/wind) is neuter gender, yet Jesus called the Holy Spirit “He, Him” - John 14:17, 16:13-14

He is named along with the person Father and Son.Matt 28:19, II Cor. 13:14, I Peter 1:1,2, Jude 20,21

Holy Spirit

He is not an impersonal force/power

He is not some kind of power or influence

Nor is He just a form of Angel

Holy Spirit is not an ‘It’, but a “HE” (He is a person)

He is the third person of the Tri-Unity

He is God - Completely personal and completely God. (coequal with the Father, Son; coexisted from all eternity with the Father & the Son)

Other names Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost

The Spirit – Numb 11:17 / I Tim 4:1

Spirit of the LORD – Is 11:2Spirit of wisdom and understanding, Spirit of counsel and might, Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord – Is 11:2

Counselor/Comforter – John 14:26 Spirit of Life – Rom 8:2

Spirit of God I Cor 3:16 Spirit of Jesus – Gal 4:6

Spirit of Grace – Heb 10:29 Spirit of truth – 1 John 5:6

Spirit of promised – Eph 1:13 Spirit of glory 1 Pet 4:14

Spirit of wisdom and Revelation – Eph 1:17

 >> By the name He is called, it also describes His function…

Spirit Working in the OT:•Holy Spirit was there during Creation; He creates –

Gen 1:2, Job 33:4

•Holy Spirit equipping God’s servants for service - (Othniel in Judges 3:10, and Samson in Judges 14:6)

•Holy Spirit Giving the ability to do special service (e.g. Bezaleel to work in tabernacle’s gold/silver/bronze - Ex 31:3-5)

•The work of the Spirit in inspiring the prophets - Num 11:25, Ezek. 2:2

•The work of the Spirit in inspiring the Scripture – II Peter 1:20-21

 The work of the Spirit to produce moral living – (e.g. David - Ps 51:11, Ps 143:10)

Spirit’s work in the life of Christ

At Christ’s virgin birth – Matt 1:20, Lk 1:35

In the life and ministry of Christ – During His baptism – Lk 4:18, jn 1:32Empowerment for ministry – Act 10:38

Filled and empowered by the Spirit – Lk 4:1, John3:34Authenticate His authority in His teaching – Lk 4:18-19Empowered to do miracles – Matt 12:28

In His death – Heb 9:14

In His resurrection – Rom 1:4, I Peter 3:18

Spirit’s Work in the Word of God

All Scripture is God-breathed ( – lit. God-spirited) and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - II Tim 3:16-17

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

- II Peter 1:20-21

Work of the Spirit in the lives of believers

In Salvation, Holy Spirit:Convicts us - John 16:8Regenerates us – Titus 3:5/ John 3:5-6 (quickens/gives new life)Baptized – I Cor. 12:13/Eph 4:4-6Assures us of our Salvation – Rom 8:16

In maturing the believers, Holy Spirit:Guides – Rom 8:14 Prays on our behalf – Eph 6:19, Rom 8:26Teaches – John 14:26 Illuminates - I Cor. 2:10, Eph 3:5, John 16:14

Reminds – John 14:26 Sanctifies us - John 14:26Produces fruits in our lives – Gal 5:22-23

In equipping believers for service, Holy Spirit produces in us spiritual gifts:

I Corin. 12:8-11 Eph 4:11-12 Romans 12:6-8

Baptism of the Holy Spirit1. Baptized = Place into2. Baptized = submerged (put under), controlled, dominated by

Refers to Place Into:

“For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” - I Cor. 12:13

Refers to Submerged/Controlled by (filled):

“…Instead, be filled with the Spirit…” – Eph. 5:18

Holy Spirit Joining believers into the Body of Christ - I Cor. 12:13/Eph 4:4-6

It first occurs at the day of Pentecost (was not available to the OT saints) – Acts 2:4

It’s for all NT saints – Romans 8:9

One time event (at the conversion) for every believer – Eph 1:13-14

Baptism of the Holy Spirit – Place Into

Spirit Baptism - into one body

. Holy Spirit Seals the believers – Eph 1:13-14, Eph 4:30bThe marking of our salvation, that we belong to GodGives us the guarantee deposit of our eternal inheritanceGives us the assurance of our Salvation

. Holy Spirit Indwells believers – Romans 8:9b, 1 Cor. 6:19, Rom 8:26-28

Speaks of ownership belongs to God His dwelling from building into body (temple of God)His ever present reality to aid us and encourage us

Baptism of the Holy Spirit - (empowered/controlled/dominated by the Spirit).

Filled with the Holy Spirit – Eph 5:18-20

It is possible for believer to not be filled with the Spirit - Grieving the Spirit (Eph 4:30a) - Quenching the Spirit (I Th 5:19)- Not walking by the Spirit (Gal 5:16)

“…But after me will come One who is more powerful than I, … He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” – Matt 3:11

“…but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit… But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” Acts 1:5,8

Spirit Baptism for empowerment (filling of)

•It’s an ongoing process (be filled, and being filled) – Eph 5:8

•It’s becoming more like Christ, placed under the influence of the Spirit with evidence of the fruit of the spirit – Gal 5:22-23

•It’s being empowered for service (with the displaying of gift of the spirit) – Act 1:8, Eph 4:11-12

Galatians 5:25

“Since we live by the Spirit,

let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

Holy Spirit Truths

Holy Spirit is God (the 3rd person of Trinity) Holy Spirit is convicting people of sin, righteousness and

judgment. (drawing people to Christ). Holy Spirit seals us unto salvation (baptized by Holy Spirit)

without the Holy Spirit, we do not belong to God. Holy Spirit is our helper, comforter, our intercessor We are called to not grieve or quenched the Holy Spirit We need to walk in the Spirit, be filled with the Spirit to live

victorious – Holy Spirit helps us in holy living; bearing spiritual fruit

Holy Spirit empowers believers with spiritual gifts for ministry.

Sum up…

What are something we can say about the truth of God?

Share some truths about the Father Share some truths about the Son Share some truths about the Holy Spirit

How is knowing the theology of God help us with our faith?