The Greatness of God -Part 1
If our desire is to love and serve God in spirit and truth, we need to come to an accurate understanding of who and what the one and only true God is really like. The Bible reveals to us the characteristic that separates him from all other so-called gods. This is seen not only in the attributes that reveal his greatness but also in the attributes that reveal his moral charter.
In part one we will look at scripture that clarify who God is as to his greatness and what sets him apart from all other so-called gods.
One thing that sets us apart from all others is our name. It is no different with God, his name reveals who and what he is and how we are to relate to him.
Isa 42:8 “I am Yahweh. That is my name. I will not give my glory to another, Nor my praise to engraved images. WEB see also Ps 33:12.
Yahweh is also our Father.
Isa 63:16 For you are our Father, though Abraham doesn’t know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us: you, Yahweh, are our Father; our Redeemer from everlasting is your name. WEB
Yahweh our Father is not only said to be our God but is said to be the one and only true God.
John 17:1-3 Jesus said these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you; 2 even as you gave him authority over all flesh, he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ. WEB
1 Cor 8:4-6 Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5 For though there are things that are called “gods,” whether in the heavens or on earth; as there are many “gods” and many “lords;” 6 yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we live through him. WEB see also Deut 6:4; Mark 12:29-34.
Yahweh is not only said to be God but the God of gods.
Deut 10:17-18 For Yahweh your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the awesome, who doesn’t regard persons, nor takes reward. 18 He does execute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the foreigner, in giving him food and clothing. WEB see also Ps 136:1-5; Dan 2:47; Dan 11:36.
Artaxerxes, (Ezra 7:12) Nebuchadnezzar, (Ezek 26:7) and Jesus (Rev 17:14) are called king of kings but only God is the king that is over all other kings.
1 Tim 6:13-16 I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession 14 that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; 15 which in its own times he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen. WEB
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- 1 Timothy 6:15 [The blessed and only Potentate] Dunastees , Potentate, is applied to secular governors; but none of these can be styled ho makarios kai monos, the happy and only One; ho Basileus toon basileuontoon, the King of kings, or the King over all kings; and Kurios toon kurieuontoon, the Lord over all lords or rulers. These are titles which could not be given to any mortals. This is made more specific by the verse following. Adam Clarke’s Commentary
Yahweh is not only the God of the Jews but he is the God of all.
Rom 3:29-30 Or is God the God of Jews only? Isn’t he the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith. WEB
God is not the God of the dead but of the living.
Luke 20:37-38 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lord ‘The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to him.” WEB
God has life in himself and gives life to us.
John 5:26-27 For as the Father has life in himself, even so he gave to the Son also to have life in himself. 27 He also gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man. WEB see also John 6:57.
He is the living and true God.
1 Thess 1:9-10 For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come. WEB
There is none like him.
Jer 10:6-12 There is none like you, Yahweh; you are great, and your name is great in might. 7 Who should not fear you, King of the nations? for to you does it appertain; because among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their royal estate, there is none like you. WEB
God is spirit and is unseen.
John 4:24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” WEB
1 John 4:12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us. WEB
God remains the same
Ps 102:24-27 I said, “My God, don’t take me away in the midst of my days. Your years are throughout all generations. 25 Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands. 26 They will perish, but you will endure. Yes, all of them will wear out like a garment. You will change them like a cloak, and they will be changed. 27 But you are the same. Your years will have no end. WEB
His understandings are beyond numbering.
Ps 147:5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power. His understanding is infinite. WEB
We are not hidden from the sight of God who fills heaven and earth.
Heb 4:13 There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do. WEB
Jer 23:24 Can any hide himself in secret places so that I shall not see him? says Yahweh. Don’t I fill heaven and earth? says Yahweh. WEB see also Ps 139:7-12.
He has always been God and always will be.
Ps 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever you had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. WEB see also Deut 33:27.
Isa 40:28-31 Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? The everlasting God, Yahweh, The Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t faint. He isn’t weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might. 30 Even the youths faint and get weary, And the young men utterly fall; 31 But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint. WEB
He is the eternal King that is immortal, invisible who alone is wise.
1 Tim 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. WEB
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- This noble doxology is a burst of gratitude for God’s grace to Paul. For other doxologies see Gal 1:5; Rom 11:36; 16:27; Phil 4:20; Eph 3:21; 1 Tim 6:16. Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
God is the God of the possible.
Matt 19:26 Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” WEB
He is the God of wisdom and understanding with unsearchable judgment.
Rom 11:33-34 Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” WEB see also Isa 46:9-10.
His understanding is infinite.
Ps 147:5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power. His understanding is infinite. WEB see also Rom 11:33; Ps 139:1-4.
He is the creator of all things.
Isa 45:18 For thus says Yahweh who created the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, who established it and didn’t create it a waste, who formed it to be inhabited: I am Yahweh; and there is no one else. WEB see also Neh 9:6; Isa 44:24; Rev 4:11.
God is light.
1 John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. WEB see also James 1:17.
Yahweh is a great and awesome God.
Deut 7:21 You shall not be scared of them; for Yahweh your God is in the midst of you, a great and awesome God. WEB
Yahweh is God Almighty
Gen 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram, and said to him, “I am God Almighty. Walk before me, and be blameless. WEB
Job 11:7-8 “Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty? 8 They are high as heaven. What can you do? Deeper than Sheol: what can you know? WEB
Ps 91:1-2 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of Yahweh, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in whom I trust.” WEB
In part one we have looked at some of the scriptures that speak of the greatness of God. Truly the God of gods is a great and awesome God that should be feared and praised above all other gods but what really sets God apart from all other gods is seen in the attributes that reveal his nature to us. When we come into a correct understanding of who God is in his character it opens the door not only to know of his greatness but to know him in a deep and meaningful way that will bring us into an eternal and heart felt relationship with this great and awesome God. This we will see in part two.
Attributes that Reveal the Moral Character and Nature of God – Part 2
When I think on the greatness of God, I become overwhelmed. It is only when I come to know of his moral attributes and character that I am able to come to him and enter into a meaningful and loving relationship with him.
One of the most important attributes that we need to know about God is that God is love and that he loves us.
1 John 4:16 We know and have believed the love (agape) which God has for us. God is love (agape), and he who remains in love (agape) remains in God, and God remains in him. WEB
1 John 4:8 He who doesn’t love (agapao) doesn’t know God, for God is love (agape). WEB
Zeph 3:17 Yahweh, your God, is in the midst of you, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will rest in his love (ahabah). He will rejoice over you with singing. WEB
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- The Amplified Bible reads; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; see also Mic 7:18
1 John 3:1 Behold, how great a love (agape) the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! WEB
John 17:23 I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved (agapao) them, even as you loved (agapao) me. WEB
John 16:26-27 In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you, that I will pray to the Father for you, 27 for the Father himself loves (phileo) you, because you have loved (phileo) me, and have believed that I came forth from God. WEB
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- God does not only have the social and moral aspects of agape for us but also the tinder affection that is expressed in phileo.
Prov 3:12 For whom Yahweh loves (ahab), he reproves; Even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights. WEB
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- Love is more than just good feelings it is about caring.
Rom 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love (agape) of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. WEB
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- God’ love is past finding out.
1 John 4:9-10 By this was God’s love (agape) revealed in us, that God has sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved (agapao) us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. WEB see also John 3:16
God is holy.
Ps 99:9 Exalt Yahweh, our God. Worship at his holy hill, For Yahweh, our God, is holy! WEB
Isa 6:1-3 In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two he covered his face. With two he covered his feet. With two he flew. 3 One called to another, and said, “Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory!” WEB
God is faithful and true.
Deut 7:9 Know therefore that Yahweh your God, he is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with them who love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations, WEB
John 3:33 He who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true. WEB
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. WEB see also 1 Cor 10:13; 1 Cor 1:9
He is a merciful God that will not fail you or forsake you.
Deut 4:31 for Yahweh your God is a merciful God; he will not fail you, neither destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which he swore to them. WEB
Deut 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, don’t be afraid, nor be scared of them: for Yahweh your God, he it is who does go with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake you. WEB
God is good.
Ps 136:1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good; For his loving kindness endures forever. WEB
Ezra 8:22 The hand of our God is on all those who seek him, for good; but his power and his wrath is against all those who forsake him. WEB
Lam 3:25 Yahweh is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. WEB
Ps 25:8 Good and upright is Yahweh, Therefore he will instruct sinners in the way. WEB see also Ps 145:9; James 1:17
He is righteous in all his judgments.
Ps 103:6 Yahweh executes righteous acts, And justice for all who are oppressed. WEB
Ps 119:137 You are righteous, Yahweh. Your judgments are upright. WEB
Ps 145:17 Yahweh is righteous in all his ways, And gracious in all his works. WEB See also Deut 32:3-4; Ps 7:11;
Dan 9:14
God is gracious.
Ps 116:5 Gracious is Yahweh, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful. WEB
James 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” WEB
Does not show favoritism.
Acts 10:34-35 Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism; 35 but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. WEB
Job 36:5-6 “Behold, God is mighty, and doesn’t despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding. 6 He doesn’t preserve the life of the wicked, But gives to the afflicted their right. WEB
Yahweh is a God that will fight for us.
Deut 3: 22 You shall not fear them; for Yahweh your God, he it is who fights for you. WEB
Deut 20:4 for Yahweh your God is he who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you. WEB
God is a devouring fire to all that try to destroy the relationship that he desires to have with his children. He is jealous in that he will fight to preserve that which is rightly his.
Deut 4:24 For Yahweh your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God. WEB see also Heb 12:28-29
Nah 1:2-3 Yahweh is a jealous God and avenges. Yahweh avenges and is full of wrath. Yahweh takes vengeance on his adversaries, and he maintains wrath against his enemies. 3 Yahweh is slow to anger, and great in power, and will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. Yahweh has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. WEB
God does not only fight for us but is also where we can take refuge. A present help in time of need. He is the one that strengthens, sustains and is our salvation.
Ps 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. WEB
Ps 54:4 Behold, God is my helper. The Lord is the one who sustains my soul. WEB
Ps 59:9 Oh, my Strength, I watch for you, For God is my high tower. WEB
Ps 59:17 To you, my strength, I will sing praises. For God is my high tower, the God of my mercy. WEB
Ps 62:8 Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us. WEB
Ps 73:26-28 My flesh and my heart fails, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. WEB
Isa 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Yah, Yahweh, is my strength and song; and he has become my salvation.” WEB
God deals with each one according to their heart.
2 Sam 22:26-34 With the merciful you will show yourself merciful; With the perfect man you will show yourself perfect; 27 With the pure you will show yourself pure; With the crooked you will show yourself shrewd. 28 The afflicted people you will save; But your eyes are on the haughty, that you may bring them down. 29 For you are my lamp, Yahweh; Yahweh will lighten my darkness. 30 For by you I run on a troop; By my God do I leap over a wall. 31 As for God, his way is perfect: The word of Yahweh is tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him. 32 For who is God, save Yahweh? Who is a rock, save our God? 33 God is my strong fortress; He guides the perfect in his way. 34 He makes his feet like hinds’ feet, Sets me on my high places. WEB
There is much more that could be said and learned about Yahweh our God, our Father but it is not by words alone that we will come into the true knowledge of the greatness of God. It is only when we enter into a meaningful relationship with the Almighty and experience his attributes and true nature for ourselves that we will begin to know the depths of his goodness. So let us not make our goal only to know of him but that we might come to experience him.
Who is the God of Scripture? – Part 3
I am fully aware of the questions and confusion that are in the minds and hearts of many on the subject of God. A lot of confusion about who or what God is has come from sources outside the Bible and has muddied the water and has made it difficult to look at the scripture in an objective way. If we are in a state of confusion on this subject it is not because of God, for he is not a God of confusion. The scripture makes it clear that God desires that we would come to know him. That we would worship him not only in spirit but also in truth. The more accurate our understanding of who God is the more meaningful our relationship with him can be. So, let us see what the scripture has to say about who God is.
I believe the following scriptures are clear enough in themselves so I will wait and make my comments at the end in the summary.
Deut 4:35 To you it was shown, that you might know that Yahweh he is God; there is none else besides him. WEB
Deut 4:39 Know therefore this day, and lay it to your heart, that Yahweh he is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is none else. WEB
1 Kings 8:60 that all the peoples of the earth may know that Yahweh, he is God; there is none else. WEB
Joel 2:27 You will know that I am in the midst of Israel, And that I am Yahweh, your God, and there is no one else; And my people will never again be disappointed. WEB
Deut 6:4-5 Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God; Yahweh is one: 5 and you shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. WEB
Deut 32:39 See now that I (Yahweh), even I, am he, There is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal; There is none who can deliver out of my hand. WEB
2 Sam 7:22 Therefore you are great, Yahweh God: for there is none like you, neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. WEB
Neh 9:5-6 Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless Yahweh your God from everlasting to everlasting; and blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. You are Yahweh, even you alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their army, the earth and all things that are thereon, the seas and all that is in them, and you preserve them all; and the army of heaven worships you. WEB
Isa 63:16 For you are our Father, though Abraham doesn’t know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us: you, Yahweh, are our Father; our Redeemer from everlasting is your name. WEB
Isa 64:8 But now, Yahweh, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you our potter; and we all are the work of your hand. WEB
Ps 89:26 He (David, verse 20) will call to me (Yahweh, verse 8), ‘You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation!’ WEB
Ps 83:18 That they may know that you alone, whose name is Yahweh, Are the Most High over all the earth. WEB
Ps 86:10 For you are great, and do wondrous things. You are God alone. WEB
Isa 43:10-11 You are my witnesses, says Yahweh, and my servant whom I have chosen; that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 11 I, even I, am Yahweh; and besides me there is no savior. WEB
Isa 44:6-8 Thus says Yahweh, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, Yahweh of Armies: I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God. 7 Who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I established the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and that shall happen, let them declare. 8 Don’t fear, neither be afraid: haven’t I declared to you of old, and shown it? You are my witnesses. Is there a God besides me? Indeed, there is not. I don’t know any Rock. WEB
Isa 45:5-7 I am Yahweh, and there is none else; besides me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known me; 6 that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none besides me: I am Yahweh, and there is no one else. 7 I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil. I am Yahweh, who does all these things. WEB
Isa 45:21-22 Declare you, and bring it forth; yes, let them take counsel together: who has shown this from ancient time? who has declared it of old? Haven’t I, Yahweh? and there is no God else besides me, a just God and a Savior; there is no one besides me. 22 Look to me, and be you saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else. WEB
Isa 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me; WEB
Jer 10:10 But Yahweh is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting King: at his wrath the earth trembles, and the nations are not able to abide his indignation. WEB
Mal 2:10 Don’t we all have one father? Hasn’t one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, profaning the covenant of our fathers? WEB
Mark 12:28-34 One of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together. Knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The greatest is, ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one: 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 The second is like this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he, 33 and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” No one dared ask him any question after that. WEB
John 5:44-45 How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 “Don’t think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you, even Moses, on whom you have set your hope. WEB
John 17:3 This is eternal life, that they should know you (the Father, see verse 1), the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ. WEB
Rom 3:29-30 Or is God the God of Jews only? Isn’t he the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith. WEB
1 Cor 8:4-6 Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5 For though there are things that are called “gods,” whether in the heavens or on earth; as there are many “gods” and many “lords;” 6 yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we live through him. WEB
Cor 15:21-28 For since death came by man, the resurrection of the dead also came by man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ’s, at his coming. 24 Then the end comes, when he will deliver up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when he will have abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 27 For, “He put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when he says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that he is excepted who subjected all things to him. When all things have been subjected to him, then the Son will also himself be subjected to him who subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all. WEB
Gal 3:20 Now a mediator is not between one, but God is one. WEB
Eph 4:4-6 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all. WEB
1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, WEB
James 2:19 You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe, and shudder. WEB
Jude 24-25 Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy, 25 to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. WEB
- Nestle-Alden and United Bible Societies’ manuscripts read “the only God” and “through Jesus Christ our Lord”. As in NAS and most all other translations.
Jude 24-25 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. NASB
Ex 20:2-6 “I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. WEB see also Deut 5:6-10
The scriptures have stated over and over again in a number of different ways so we might know and understand clearly that Yahweh he is God and there is none else besides him. There is no god with him, he is God alone. He is the Father the only true God. He is the only one that is to be worshiped, loved and honored as God.
We see this truth backed up by a very good source, by Jesus himself.
Luke 4:8 Jesus answered him, “Get behind me Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord (Yahweh) your God, and him only shall you serve.'” WEB
John 4:21-24 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, will you worship the Father. 22 You worship that which you don’t know. We worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshippers. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” WEB
- The worship of others is not condemned in the Bible only the worship of others as God. See study on worship.
The clearer our understanding of who God is the more meaningful our relationship and worship of him can be in spirit and in truth.
Does Jesus Christ Have a God? – Part 4
To answer this question properly we must let the Word of God be the final authority on this matter or any other subject that pertains to God’s word. It is not helpful to let our opinions, feelings or preconceived ideas get in the way. So let us be diligent to accurately handle God’s Word that we might be able to distinguish between that which is true and that which is not.
Prophecies about Christ in the Old Testament is the first place that mentions that Jesus Christ has a god and that God is Yahweh.
Ps 22:10 I was thrown on you from my mother’s womb. You are my God since my mother bore me. WEB
Ps 45:7 You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows. WEB
Mic 5:4 He shall stand, and shall shepherd in the strength of Yahweh, In the majesty of the name of Yahweh his God: And they will live, for then he will be great to the ends of the earth. WEB
Ps 22:1-2 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? 2 My God, I cry in the daytime, but you don’t answer; In the night season, and am not silent. WEB
The prophecy about Jesus in Ps 22:1-2 we see fulfilled when he was being crucified.
Matt 27:46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” WEB see also Mark 15:34.
Jesus does not only refer to his God before his death but also after he was resurrected.
John 20:17 Jesus said to her, “Don’t touch me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers, and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'” WEB
Paul taught that Jesus was the Christ and the Father was the God of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom 15:5-6 Now the God of patience and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus, 6 that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. WEB
2 Cor 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; WEB
2 Cor 11:31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, he who is blessed forevermore, knows that I don’t lie. WEB
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ; WEB
Eph 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; WEB
Peter also acknowledges this same truth.
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy became our father again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, WEB
In the Book of Revelation John refers to the God of Jesus Christ
Rev 1:4-6 John, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from God, who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne; 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood; 6 and he made us to be a Kingdom, priests to his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. WEB
Jesus himself refers to his God and this is after he had ascended into Heaven.
Rev 3:2 Wake up, and keep the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I (Jesus) have found no works of yours perfected before my God. WEB
If we cannot believe Jesus when he says over and over again that he has a God, who will we believe.
Rev 3:12 He who overcomes, I (Jesus) will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name. WEB
The Old Testament prophesied about Jesus having a God and this God was Yahweh the Father. The Father was his God from birth, throughout his ministry, after his resurrection and after he ascended into Heaven.
Yahweh will always be his God and ours, for there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we live through him (1 Cor 8:6).