Understanding the Nature of God
A Bible study outline exploring the nature of God.
1. The Singular Name of God
1.1 The Revealed Name
Verses: Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38
- Matthew 28:19 instructs baptism in the name (singular) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
- Acts 2:38 reveals that the name is Jesus Christ, fulfilling the instruction in Matthew.
1.2 The Authority of the Name
Verses: John 5:43; John 10:25
- Jesus came in His Father's name, indicating a unity of identity and purpose.
- The works Jesus did bore witness in His Father's name, demonstrating divine authority.
2. The Manifestations of God
2.1 Prophetic Revelation
Verses: Isaiah 9:6; John 14:8-9
- Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace, revealing multiple roles within one being.
- Jesus declared that seeing Him is seeing the Father, emphasizing His role as the visible manifestation of the invisible God.
2.2 God in Christ
Verses: 2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 Timothy 3:16
- God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, showing God's active presence in Jesus.
- God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory, highlighting the incarnation of God in Christ.
3. The Spirit of God
3.1 The Spirit's Identity
Verses: Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians 3:17
- If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him, indicating the Spirit's essential connection to Christ.
- The Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty, equating the Lord with the Spirit.
3.2 The Spirit's Role
Verses: John 14:16-18; John 14:26
- Jesus promised to send another Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who would abide forever.
- The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in Jesus' name, will teach all things and bring remembrance of Jesus' words.
4. The Fullness of the Godhead
4.1 Complete Divinity
Verses: Colossians 2:9; John 1:14
- In Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, emphasizing the complete divine nature residing in Jesus.
- We beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, showing Jesus' unique relationship to the Father.
4.2 Eternal God
Verses: Philippians 2:5-6; Revelation 1:8
- Jesus, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but humbled Himself, demonstrating His voluntary submission.
- 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, identifying Jesus as the eternal God.