Knowing God
Who God is — his attributes, his names, and the titles of the Son and the Spirit. Each opens a study page with the passages that reveal it.
The Attributes of God
Who God is in himself — his perfections.
God is utterly set apart, pure, and morally perfect — "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts."
God is perfectly just; "all his ways are justice," and he will right every wrong.
God is all-powerful; nothing is too hard for him, and he does all he pleases.
God knows all things — past, present, future, and even our thoughts before we speak.
God is "merciful and gracious, slow to anger," tender toward the weak and the guilty.
God is not made of parts; he is wholly and indivisibly himself. "The LORD our God, the LORD is one."
God is "slow to anger," giving time for repentance, "not wishing that any should perish."
God is good in himself and the source of every good gift. "Taste and see that the LORD is good."
God is infinitely above and beyond creation, yet intimately near — "the high and lofty One" who dwells "with the contrite."
God's unearned favor and kindness toward people who could never deserve it — the engine of salvation from start to finish.
God''s knowledge and goodness joined to act for the best ends — "the depth of the riches and wisdom of God."
God is fully present everywhere; there is nowhere we can flee from his presence.
God does not change in his being, character, or promises. "I the LORD do not change."
The weight and radiance of all God is — "the heavens declare the glory of God."
God cannot be measured or contained; "heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you."
God''s settled, holy opposition to sin and evil — not loss of temper, but righteous judgment.
God has no beginning and no end; he is not bound by time. "From everlasting to everlasting, you are God."
God always does what is right; "righteous is the LORD in all his ways."
God cannot lie; "God is not man, that he should lie." His word is utterly reliable.
God rules over all things and all people; "he does according to his will" and none can stay his hand.
God always keeps his word; "great is your faithfulness," new every morning.
God''s zeal for the exclusive love of his people — "the LORD, whose name is Jealous."
Love is not just something God does but who he is: "God is love."
God exists from himself, depending on nothing — "I AM WHO I AM." He is the source of all being, never caused or sustained by another.
The Names of God
The names and titles by which God reveals himself.
Isaiah''s favorite title for God — the incomparably holy God who redeems his people.
"The LORD is my banner" — the rallying point and victory of God''s people.
God''s personal covenant name (often "the LORD" in small caps), revealed to Moses: "I AM WHO I AM."
"God Most High," possessor of heaven and earth, supreme over every power.
"The Everlasting God," who does not grow weary, Abraham''s refuge across the ages.
"The LORD will provide" — Abraham''s name for the place where God supplied the lamb.
"The LORD is my shepherd" — God who leads, feeds, and guards his flock.
"The God who sees me" — the name Hagar gives God when he meets her in the wilderness.
Daniel''s vision of God enthroned in eternal majesty, judging the nations.
"The LORD is peace" — the altar Gideon built when God calmed his fear.
"The LORD is there" — the name of the restored city where God dwells with his people.
God supreme above all — the shelter and refuge of those who trust him.
The intimate "Father" the Spirit teaches God''s children to cry.
"I am the LORD who heals you" — God''s self-revelation to Israel at the bitter waters.
God''s name of self-existence — claimed by Jesus: "Before Abraham was, I AM."
"Lord" or "Master" — God as the sovereign owner to whom we belong.
The general name for God as the mighty Creator — the first word about God: "In the beginning, God created."
"God Almighty," the all-sufficient One, revealed to Abraham as the God who keeps impossible promises.
"The LORD of hosts/armies" — God commanding all the powers of heaven.
"The LORD our righteousness" — the name of the coming righteous Branch.
The Titles of Christ
Who Jesus is — the names and “I am” sayings of the Son.
God's promise in Genesis 3:15 that a descendant of the woman will crush the serpent's head — the Bible's first hint of a coming deliverer.
A Hebrew name meaning "God with us," applied to Jesus in Matthew 1:23 as the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14.
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
John's title for the pre-existent Son: the eternal "Word" who was with God and was God, through whom all things were made, who became flesh in Jesus.
Hebrew "Messiah" (Greek "Christ") means "anointed one" — the promised king from David's line whom God would send to rule and rescue his people.
Jesus is the eternal Son, of one being with the Father — Peter''s confession: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
John the Baptist's title for Jesus (John 1:29): the one whose sacrificial death, like the Passover lamb, takes away the sin of the world.
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness."
The returning Christ, "King of kings and Lord of lords," who reigns forever.
"I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."
Christ who loves and gives himself for his bride, the church.
Jesus, the perfect high priest who entered heaven itself and ever lives to intercede for us.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Apart from me you can do nothing."
Jesus'' favorite self-title — both truly human and the glorious heavenly figure of Daniel 7 given everlasting dominion.
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
"I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger."
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
"The Lion of the tribe of Judah" who has conquered — and is also the slain Lamb.
The Titles of the Holy Spirit
The names and work of the Spirit.
The Counselor Jesus sends to be with us forever, teaching and reminding us of all he said.
Jesus called the Spirit "living water" — the inner spring of eternal life that he gives to all who come to him thirsty.
The Spirit of God and of Christ, who dwells in and belongs to every believer.
The life-giving Spirit/breath of God, hovering at creation and breathed into humanity.
The Spirit who guides believers into all truth and glorifies Christ.
The Holy Spirit who sets God''s people apart and makes them holy.