One Triune God

CHAPTER 2: Of God And The Holy Trinity
(Parts One through Four)

The chapter about God follows the chapter about the Holy Scriptures.  Why? Because the definitive and final truth about God comes from the scriptures—and from nowhere else!  What does the Bible, explained by the Confession, tell us about God?  From the first paragraph we learn the following about God:

  • There is only one true and living God.  All others are false gods. (Jeremiah 10:10)

  • God is infinite in His being and in His perfections. (Revelation 1:8)

  • God is a spirit. (John 4:24)

  • God is invisible, immortal, unchangeable, eternal, and beyond human comprehension. (1 Timothy 1:17)

  • God is almighty, infinite in every way. (Revelation 16:7, 14,19:15, 21:22)

  • God is holy, wise, completely sovereign, and most glorious. (Jude 1:24-25)

  • God is loving, gracious merciful, patient, and abundant in goodness and truth. (Exodus 34:6-7)

  • God forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin. (1 John 1:8-9)

  • God is the Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

  • God is just and His judgments are terrible [dreadful]. (Romans 2:5, 8:1)

  • God hates sin and will by no means clear the guilty (unless their sin is atoned for by Jesus Christ). (Exodus 34:7)

(Part Two)

From the second paragraph of this chapter of the Confession we learn more about God:

  • God is glorious and good. (Psalm 119:68, Matthew 19:17)

  • God is self-sufficient, needing nothing from anything He created. Romans 11:33-36, John 5:26)

  • God is the Creator of all that exists apart from Himself. (Genesis 1:1-ff, Colossians 1:16)

  • God is sovereign over all, doing whatever He pleases. (Psalm 115:3, Isaiah 14:27))

  • God sees all things and knows all things perfectly. (Hebrews 4:13)

  • God is holy in all He does, and in all His commands. (Isaiah 6:3, 43:15)

  • God is due all worship, service, obedience from His creation. (Exodus 34:14, Matthew 4:10)

(Part 3)

From the third paragraph of this chapter of the Confession we learn the following about the Trinity:

  • God is One in essence [being]. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Galatians 3:20)

  • God is at the same time Three Persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit; each being God are co- equal, co-eternal, distinct but inseparable. (1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 John 5:20; Acts 5:3-4; Matthew 28:19)

  • The Father is from none, neither begotten nor proceeding from another. (John 5:26)

  • The Son is eternally begotten of the Father. (John 3:16)

  • The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. (John 14:25; John 15:26)

  • Doctrine of the Trinity is an essential doctrine being about the essence and Person of God Himself.

(Part 4)

Why are all of these details about God contained in the Confession so important?  Can't we all just believe in God as we imagine Him to be? 

Absolutely not!  Creating a god in our minds as we would like him to be is nothing less than the very root of idolatry.  The false gods people imagine are always gods who bless, but never judge (except other people!).  They never demand, impose, or even inconvenience their human architects.  Idols are never even close to being like the God of the Bible.

Beyond that, a low view of God is at the root of virtually every other theological problem (and most problems in life).  As long as we are not awestruck by God's holiness and His incredible glory, we will have a low view of our own sin.  A low view of our sin causes us to think we need no savior.  And with no Savior, people go to Hell.  Idolatry is indeed a damnable sin!

Therefore, getting it right about God is of paramount importance.  For if we are wrong about who God is, it doesn't matter much what else we may be right about.

e:\Documents\1-Bible Study\1689\BLOG by Chapters\Chapter 1 & 2.doc

All photography provided by Grace Bible Church.