God

We are convinced by Scripture and by reason that:

God is the only true God, sovereign Lord, and Creator of the heavens and the earth and all they contain. He is a personal God in that He is capable of being known by man. He has always existed and is eternal, demonstrating qualities of personality such as emotion, intellect, and will. God exists in the form of three persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Spirit (Holy Spirit).

God is the Creator and Giver of life (Genesis 1:1-31);

God is spirit (John 4:24);

God is self-existent (Exodus 3:13-14, John 1:1);

God is immutable (Malachi 3:6); holy (1 Samuel 2:2); love (1 John 4:8); good (1 Chronicles 16:34); omniscient (Psalm 147:5, Proverbs 3:19); omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-10); and

God is omnipotent (Matthew 19:26). God the Person – God, is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4) but exists in the form of three persons equal in nature, distinct in person, and distinct in duties. The Son is eternally begotten by the Father (Psalm 2:7). The Son then sent the Holy Spirit to be a comforter/counselor (John 15:26). God the Father – Often embodying the holiness, righteousness, power, and authority of the trinity.

GOD, THE FATHER is best understood by the various roles of Father that He holds:

1. We affirm that God the Father, as the first Person of the Trinity, orchestrates and manages all things according to His divine purpose and grace (Psalm 145:8-9; 1 Corinthians 8:6).
2. He is the Maker of everything (Genesis 1:1-31; Ephesians 3:9).
3. He holds supreme authority over creation, providence, and redemption (Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:36).
4. His fatherhood is reflected both in His role within the Trinity and in His relationship with humanity.
5. As the Creator, He is the Father of all people (Ephesians 4:6), but He is the spiritual Father solely to those who believe (Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthians 6:18).
6. He has ordained all events for His own glory (Ephesians 1:11).
7. He continuously sustains, directs, and governs all beings and occurrences (1 Chronicles 29:11).
8. In His sovereignty, He is neither the author nor approver of sin (Habakkuk 1:13; John 8:38-47), and He does not diminish the responsibility of moral and intelligent beings (1 Peter 1:17).
9. From eternity past, He has graciously chosen those whom He would save to be His people (Ephesians 1:4-6).
10. He redeems all who approach Him through faith in Jesus Christ.
11. He adopts all who come to Him, making them His children (John 1:12; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Hebrews 12:5-9).

GOD, THE SON is best understood by the following:

1. Jesus Christ is God incarnate: fully divine and fully human (Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:23; John 1:1, 14, 18; Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 1:8).
2. Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23).
3. Conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35).
4. Sole Mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1).
5. Advocates for those who repent and believe in Him for salvation (1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1).
6. Redeemer (Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 3:18-19).
7. Judge (John 5:22-23; Acts 17:31).
8. Priest (Hebrews 2:17; 3:1; 4:14-15; 5:10; 7:1, 3, 15, 21).
9. Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18; John 6:14; Acts 3:22-26; 7:37).
10. King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16).
11. Agent of creation (John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:2).
12. Lived a sinless life on earth, fully obedient to the Father’s will (Luke 2:21-32; 1 Peter 1:19; Hebrews 2:10; 4:15; 5:9; 7:28).
13. Died a substitutionary death for humanity’s sins (Isaiah 53:4-6; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 Corinthians 15:3).
14. Became the perfect sacrifice, the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36).
15. Rose on the third day with a glorified body (1 Corinthians 15:4).
16. Conquered death (Colossians 2:13-14).
17. Ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God (Acts 1:9-11; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 10:12).
18. Possesses all power, authority, and dominion in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18).
19. Continues as an advocate for the saints (1 John 2:1).
20. Will return to establish an earthly kingdom (Luke 22:28-30; Revelation 20:1-6).
21. Will reign forever in an eternal kingdom (2 Peter 1:10-11; Revelation 21-22).

GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT can be understood through the following:

1. The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of the Godhead, fully God in every way (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:11, 18; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
2. The Holy Spirit assisted in creation (Genesis 1:2).
3. The Holy Spirit was the agent of the virgin birth (Luke 1:35).
4. The Holy Spirit is the divine agent of the inspired revelation of God (Zechariah 7:12; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
5. The Holy Spirit is active in convicting the world of sin and judgment (John 16:8).
6. The Holy Spirit regenerates and empowers those who are saved (Ezekiel 36:27; John 3:5-8; 2 Corinthians 12:1-7; Galatians 5:16; Titus 3:5).
7. The Holy Spirit enables men, through His illuminating work, to understand the written revelation of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-16; 1 John 2:20, 27).
8. The Holy Spirit permanently indwells and enables believers in the process of sanctification (1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 8:13-14; Ephesians 1:15-18; 3:14-21; 2 Thessalonians 2:13).
9. The Holy Spirit is the pledge and guarantee of our future inheritance (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30).