Chapter 1

God’s Being

Sections

To begin to understand the Bible, we must know what God is like. This chapter teaches key fundamentals, providing the basic concepts for understanding how awesome God is.

God’s Form

God is one

[Jesus, quoting Moses:] Listen, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.   Mark 12:29b NET

God is a single thing. He is only one being.

God is spirit

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.   John 4:24 NCV™

God is a spiritual being. He is not physical like people are.

God is everywhere

[God:] I am everywhere— both near and far, 24in heaven and on earth.   Jeremiah 23:23-24a CEV

God has great glory

They [kings] will sing about the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord!   Psalms 138:5 ISV

God’s glory is a prominent part of his actual being. In fact his presence is sometimes described in terms of his glory. God’s glory is also revealed or reflected in his extraordinary deeds.

God’s Eternity

God has always been alive

Your throne, O Lord, has been firm from the beginning, and you existed before time began.   Psalms 93:2 GNT

God will live forever

[Nebuchadnezzar:] Then I gave praise to the Most High God; I gave honor and glory to him who lives forever. God’s rule is forever, and his kingdom continues for all time.   Daniel 4:34b NCV™

God does not change

All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.   James 1:17 NET

God’s Power and Knowledge

God can do all things – nothing is too hard

[Job, to God:] I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted; …   Job 42:2 NET

[The angel Gabriel, to Mary:] Your relative Elizabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. No one thought she could ever have a baby, but in three months she will have a son. 37Nothing is impossible for God!   Luke 1:36-37 CEV

God knows everything

God is greater than our conscience and knows all things.   1 John 3:20b NET

God even knows the future

[God, speaking to his people:] From the beginning I told you what would happen in the end. A long time ago I told you things that have not yet happened. When I plan something, it happens. What I want to do, I will do.   Isaiah 46:10 NCV™

God has incredible wisdom

Our Lord is great and has awesome power; there is no limit to his wisdom.   Psalms 147:5 NET

Pray for persecuted Christians