Topical Encyclopedia Introduction: The term "God" in the Bible refers to the supreme being, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who is revealed in the Scriptures as the Lord. The Bible presents God as eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, embodying perfect holiness, justice, love, and truth. The name "Lord" (YHWH) is used to denote His covenant relationship with His people. Names and Titles of God: In the Bible, God is referred to by various names and titles, each revealing different aspects of His character and relationship with humanity. Some of the primary names include: · YHWH (Yahweh or Jehovah): The personal name of God, often translated as "LORD" in English Bibles. It signifies His eternal existence and faithfulness. Exodus 3:14 states, "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' And He said, 'This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.'" · Elohim: A plural form used to denote the majesty and power of God, often used in the context of creation. Genesis 1:1 declares, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." · Adonai: Meaning "Lord" or "Master," emphasizing God's authority and sovereignty. Psalm 8:1 proclaims, "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!" · El Shaddai: Translated as "God Almighty," highlighting His ultimate power and sufficiency. Genesis 17:1 records, "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, 'I am God Almighty; walk before Me and be blameless.'" Attributes of God: The Bible attributes several key characteristics to God, which define His nature and actions: · Holiness: God is utterly pure and separate from sin. Isaiah 6:3 describes the seraphim calling out, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth." · Love: God's love is unconditional and sacrificial, demonstrated supremely in the sending of His Son. John 3:16 affirms, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." · Justice: God is perfectly just, ensuring that righteousness prevails. Deuteronomy 32:4 states, "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He." · Omnipotence: God possesses unlimited power, able to accomplish His will. Jeremiah 32:17 declares, "Ah, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!" · Omniscience: God is all-knowing, aware of all things past, present, and future. Psalm 139:1-4 reveals, "O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar." · Omnipresence: God is present everywhere, sustaining all creation. Psalm 139:7-10 asks, "Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?" God's Relationship with Humanity: God's relationship with humanity is central to the biblical narrative. He created humans in His image (Genesis 1:27) and desires a personal relationship with them. Despite humanity's fall into sin, God initiated a plan of redemption through covenants, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. · Covenants: God established covenants with key figures such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David, each revealing His commitment to His people and His plan for salvation. · Redemption: The New Testament reveals God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ, who reconciles humanity to God. Romans 5:8 states, "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." · The Holy Spirit: God indwells believers through the Holy Spirit, guiding, empowering, and sanctifying them. John 14:16-17 promises, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth." Worship and Obedience: The Bible calls for worship and obedience to God as a response to His nature and works. Worship involves reverence, adoration, and service, while obedience reflects a life aligned with His will. Deuteronomy 6:5 commands, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Conclusion: The Bible presents God as the ultimate authority and source of life, deserving of worship and devotion. His attributes and actions reveal a God who is both transcendent and immanent, inviting humanity into a relationship characterized by love, holiness, and truth. Subtopics God for Other Anthropomorphic Scriptures by Israel God for Other Anthropomorphic Scriptures: Saul God in the Banishment of John to Patmos God in Turning the Heart of the King of Assyria to Favor the Jews God is Declared to Be: A Consuming Fire God is Declared to Be: Compassionate God is Declared to Be: Eternal God is Declared to Be: Faithful God is Declared to Be: Glorious God is Declared to Be: Gracious God is Declared to Be: Immortal God is Declared to Be: Immutable God is Declared to Be: Incorruptible God is Declared to Be: Invisible God is Declared to Be: Jealous God is Declared to Be: Long-Suffering God is Declared to Be: Merciful God is Declared to Be: Most High God is Declared to Be: Omnipotent God is Declared to Be: Omnipresent God is Declared to Be: Omniscient God is Declared to Be: Only-Wise God is Declared to Be: Perfect God is Declared to Be: Righteous God is Declared to Be: Unsearchable God is Declared to Be: Upright God Loving all of his Children God: Appearances of To Abraham God: Appearances of To Ezekiel God: Appearances of To Jacob, at Beth-El God: Appearances of To Moses and Joshua God: Appearances of To Moses, at Sinai God: Appearances of To Moses, in the Flaming Bush God: Appearances of To Solomon God: Delaying and Destroying Pharaoh God: Delivering the Israelites God: Feeding Elijah and the Widow God: Fighting the Battles of Israel God: Preserver in Delivering from the Oppressions of the King of Syria God: Preserver in Exempting the Land of Goshen from the Plague of Darkness God: Preserver in Exempting the Land of Goshen from the Plague of Flies God: Preserver in Giving Peace With Other Nations God: Preserver in Preserving Their Cattle from the Plague of Murrain, God: Preserver in Saving the Firstborn, when the Plague of Death Destroyed the Firstborn of Egypt, God: Preserver in the Wilderness God: Preserver: As he Journeyed in the Land of Canaan God: Preserver: Daniel and the Three Hebrew Captives God: Preserver: Deliverance from Egypt, God: Preserver: Delivering Israel by Jeroboam Ii God: Preserver: Delivering the Kingdom of Israel from Syria God: Preserver: Delivering Them from the Army of the Assyrians God: Preserver: Jeremah and Baruch God: Preserver: Jesus and his Parents God: Preserver: On Account of Samuel's Intercession God: Preserver: Paul and Silas God: Preserver: The Ethiopian Host God: Preserver: The Wise Men of the East God: Preserver: To Abraham and Sarah, in Egypt God: Preserver: To Hagar, when Abraham Cast Her Out God: Preserver: To Jacob, when he Fled from Laban, his Father-In-Law God: Preserver: To Joseph, in Egypt God: Preserver: To Lot, when Sodom Was Destroyed God: Preserver: To Moses, in his Infancy God: Preserver: To Noah and his Family, at the Time of the Flood God: Preserver: To the Israelites, in Bringing About Their Deliverance from Bondage God: Preserver: To the Kingdom of Judah: in Delivering from Egypt God: Preserver: Under Jephthah God: Preserver: Victories Over the Canaanites Under Joshua God: Preserver: when he Met Esau God: Protecting Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech God: Protection of Homes While at Feasts God: Providence of, Mysterious and Misinterpreted God: Providence of, Overruling Interpositions of The God: Purifying the Waters of Marah God: Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem God: Restoring Manasseh After his Conversion God: should be Worshipped in Spirit and in Truth God: Special Grace: To Abraham God: Special Grace: To Solomon God: Supplying Manna and Quail God: Supplying Water at Meribah God: Symbolized by the Darkness of the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle God: Symbolized by the General Structure of the Most Holy Place, See God: Symbolized by the Pillar of Fire God: The Revolt of the Ten Tribes God: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To God: Warning Pharaoh About the Famine God: Warning the Wise Men from the East Sarcasm: God Reproaching Israel Related Terms |