What greater knowledge could we attain to than the knowledge of God? “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Rom. 11:33). The knowledge of God is truly deeper and richer than we could ever hope to exhaust. When we think we have reached the depth of that wisdom it is still deeper. When we think we have acquired all the wealth of that knowledge there is still more treasure to be found.
Jesus said that the knowledge of God is not only of great depth and wealth but that it is essential for eternal life. “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (Jn. 17:3). Therefore, knowing what the Bible has to say about God is of eternal importance.
The Bible begins revealing God to us in the very first verse of Scripture. The fourth word of the Bible is “God” (Gen. 1:1). In this very first reference we learn a great deal about God and the stage is set for the unfolding of this great Bible theme.
First, this reference to God is made without any background as to where He came from. It is just understood that He has always been and will always be. He is eternal! “Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (Psalm 90:2, NKJV). Moses doesn’t attempt to explain God’s existence, His existence is understood by the things that are made (Rom. 1:20). By the very fact that the “heavens and the earth” are here now, we know that God has always been. That is way the denial of God’s existence is simply foolish (Psalm 14:1). “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.” (Psalm 19:1–3, NKJV)
Second, from the very first reference to God in Genesis 1:1, we see the plurality of God. We refer to it as “Trinity,” or with the biblical word “Godhead” (Rom. 1:20). It is not apparent in the English translation of the Hebrew text but the word translated God is actually a plural word. It is translated hundreds of times in the Old Testament as “gods” However, when it is used in reference to the One true and living God (Jer. 10:10), it is translated singularly as “God.” “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!” (Deuteronomy 6:4, NKJV) The reason a plural word, normally translated “gods,” can be used in reference to the One true and living God is because God’s Divine Nature is expressed through three distinct Persons. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19) make up the Godhead. So, the “Trinity” or “Godhead” – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is the One true and living God. The very first verse of the Bible gives a glimpse of this amazing truth to be revealed throughout the remainder of the Bible.
Third, while we can learn of God’s eternal nature and power from the creation (Rom. 1:20), we learn of His character – what kind of God He is – from the special revelation of Scripture. He is not just all-powerful and eternal, He is love (1 Jn. 4:8), He is mercy (Ps. 59:17), He is justice (Ps. 7:11), He is righteousness (Deut. 32:4). He is all-knowing, ever-present, and all-powerful (Ps. 139). He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6).
This is just barely touching the hem of the garment when it comes to knowing the great Bible theme of God. Certainly His greatest expression of who He is and how He loves us was revealed in the giving of Jesus, “our great God and Savior” (Titus 2:13), to be the sacrifice for our sins. We pray that every reader would accept and reciprocate this great love by obeying the gospel of Christ today for the salvation of your soul. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3, NKJV)
If we can help you in your hearing of the word of God (Rom. 10:17), believing what it teaches about Christ and His kingdom (Acts 8:12), repenting of your sins (Acts 2:38), confessing your faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9, 10), and being baptized into Christ to have your sins washed away (Acts 22:16), we pray that you will not hesitate to call on us.
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