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I. THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD A. Introduction 1. In my
humble opinion, studying the attributes of God is the crème de la crème
of theology. As we understand who God is by understanding His attributes, it
results in an indelible mark on our souls. 2. We are able to worship God properly when
we understand God’s attributes. In addition, we are able to know how He deals
with mankind and mankind is able to know how he is to respond to God. 3. Attributes are in reality a part of God’s
nature and essence. Even though we systematize them to understand them, we
must realize that God’s attributes are woven together so that no attribute is
manifested independently or is preeminent over the rest. Therefore, God is
who He is (“I AM WHO I AM” Ex 3:14). B. Definition For The
Attributes Of God 1. The
attributes of God are the qualities or characteristics inherent in and
ascribed to God. These could also be called the “perfections of God” because
God is the very essence of the totality of these perfect attributes. 2. The attributes of God could be defined
as, those distinguishing characteristics of the divine nature which are
inseparable from the idea of God and which constitute the basis and ground
for his various manifestations to his creatures. (A. H. Strong,
Systematic Theology (Valley Forge, Pa.: Judson, 1907), p. 244.) C. Aspects Of The Attributes
Of God 1. Customarily
the attributes of God are divided into categories: Natural or Moral; Absolute
or Relative; and Communicable or Incommunicable. Each has their own
distinction and emphasis. 2. The terms, communicable and
incommunicable express those attributes of God which are distinct to God alone
(Incommunicable) and those which can be found in man albeit in an imperfect
and finite resemblance (Communicable). D. Incommunicable Attributes
Of God 1. Self-Existence
(Aseity) a) Definitions (1) Unlike man,
God does not have a beginning or a cause, therefore God exists in and of
Himself. Thomas Aquinas said, He is the first cause; himself uncaused.
(2) This means that God has the ground of His
existence in Himself, and unlike man, does not depend
on anything outside of Himself. He is independent in His Being, in His
virtues and actions, and causes all His creatures to depend on Him. (Louis Berkhof, Summary of Christian Doctrine) b) God’s
self-existence is expressed in His name, “I AM” (hayah)
in Ex 3:14. (1) The
Hebrew verb, “I AM” is a common Qal Imperfect of hayah (“to be” verb) which connotes
continuous unfinished action, i.e. “the One Who Always Is.” (2) In the LXX, it is expressed, egō eimi ho ōn (I am the One who is) with a present
“to be verb” (eimi) and a present
participle (ōn). (3) There appears to be a connection between a description of God’s name “I AM” and “LORD” (Yahweh) in Ex
3:13-15. In Ex 3:14 God states that “I AM” has sent
you and in Ex 3:15 He states that the “LORD” (Yahweh) has sent you. (4) The name “Yahweh” expresses the basic idea that God has always existed and is the
Self-existent One (Is 43:10; 44:6; 48:12) and His covenants need only be
based on Himself (Is 41:4; 42:6). (5) Though Christ became a man, it is clear He
retained His deity as the great “I AM” (Joh 8:58 cf. Jn 6:35; 8:12; 10:7;
10:11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1). c) God
is called a “Necessary Being.” All existent things depend upon other
things for their existence, therefore, there must exist at least one thing that
is a Necessary Being, that Necessary Being is
God. d) God alone possesses existence and life
in Himself (Jn 5:26). All other things originate from Him and are
dependent upon Him for their existence (Da 5:23; Ps 36:9). (1) All
creation (Col 1:17) (2) All living creatures (Ge 1:20, 24) (3) Mankind (Job 12:10) (4) Man’s Being (Ge 2:7; Ac 17:28) e) Application (1) Since God
is the Self-Existent One and He is the giver of all life, then man must honor
God as God and give thanks to him for life (Ro 1:19). (2) It is also true then that God alone knows
our true needs and He alone can meet our true spiritual needs. |
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Grace Bible Church · 4000 E. Collins Rd · PO Box #3762 · Gillette, WY · (307) 686-1516 |
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