Who is God?

The Bible provides a rich, multifaceted understanding of God’s identity, character, and nature. According to Scripture, God is the all-powerful, eternal Creator of the universe, deeply personal yet transcendent, and defined by perfect love, holiness, justice, wisdom, and sovereignty. Below is an overview of the Bible’s descriptions of who God is:

1. God as the Eternal Creator

  • Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” This is the Bible’s opening statement, establishing God as the eternal Creator who brought everything into existence.
  • Psalm 90:2: “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” God’s nature is eternal—He exists outside of time, with no beginning or end.
  • Colossians 1:16: “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” God is the source of all creation, and everything exists by His will and for His purposes.

2. God is One, but Triune (The Trinity)

  • Deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” This foundational verse in the Old Testament emphasizes that God is one in essence.
  • Matthew 28:19: Jesus instructs His disciples to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The New Testament reveals God as three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—sharing one divine essence. This mystery, known as the Trinity, is a key concept in Christian understanding.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:14: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” This verse demonstrates the triune nature of God in Christian blessing.

3. God as All-Powerful (Omnipotent)

  • Jeremiah 32:17: “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” God has limitless power and authority over all creation.
  • Revelation 19:6: “For our Lord God Almighty reigns.” God’s omnipotence affirms His ultimate authority and control over everything in existence.

4. God as All-Knowing (Omniscient)

  • Psalm 139:1-4: “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” God knows everything, including human thoughts, actions, and the future.
  • Isaiah 46:9-10: “I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.” God’s omniscience includes knowing all of history from beginning to end.

5. God as All-Present (Omnipresent)

  • Psalm 139:7-10: “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” God’s presence fills all of creation, and nothing is hidden from Him.
  • Jeremiah 23:23-24: “‘Do I not fill heaven and earth?’ declares the Lord.” God is present everywhere, transcending time and space.

6. God as Holy and Righteous

  • 1 Peter 1:16: “Be holy, because I am holy.” God’s holiness is foundational to His nature, meaning He is morally perfect, pure, and set apart from sin.
  • Psalm 145:17: “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.” God’s righteousness means He is just and does what is morally right in all things.

7. God as Loving and Compassionate

  • 1 John 4:8: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” God’s very nature is love, and He expresses this love in His care and sacrifice for humanity.
  • Psalm 86:15: “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” God is compassionate and merciful, forgiving and caring for His creation.

8. God as Just and Righteous Judge

  • Psalm 9:7-8: “The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity.” God’s justice ensures that all evil and wrongdoing will be addressed.
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8: “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled.” God’s justice upholds righteousness and ensures accountability.

9. God as Faithful and Unchanging (Immutable)

  • Malachi 3:6: “I the Lord do not change.” God’s unchanging nature assures that His character, promises, and purposes remain constant throughout time.
  • Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Jesus, as God incarnate, embodies the unchanging nature of God.

10. God as Merciful and Forgiving

  • Exodus 34:6-7: “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin.” God’s mercy is foundational to His character, offering forgiveness to those who repent.
  • Micah 7:18: “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance?” God’s mercy and forgiveness are unique and essential to His relationship with humanity.

11. God as Sovereign King

  • 1 Timothy 6:15: “God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords.” God is the supreme ruler over all creation, with ultimate authority and control.
  • Psalm 47:7: “For God is the King of all the earth.” God reigns as the sovereign King, ruling with power and wisdom.

12. God as Our Father

  • Matthew 6:9: Jesus teaches His followers to pray with the words, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” God relates to believers as a loving, protective, and guiding Father.
  • Romans 8:15: “The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” This verse highlights the intimate, familial relationship believers have with God.

Summary

God is the eternal Creator of all things, existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is holy, just, loving, omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. God’s attributes reveal a being who is both powerful and personal, sovereign yet compassionate, righteous yet merciful. He is the one true God, unchanging and faithful, desiring a relationship with humanity and offering salvation through Jesus Christ.