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These outlines are intended as "teaching guides" to the study
of any particular topic. The outlines may leave many unanswered questions
as to details since those details would be answered in the process of teaching
from the scripture references provided. In addition, there may be vocabulary
references and subject references that are unfamiliar. Hopefully before
too long, all the necessary topics will be available to provide a balanced
and complete theology.
Pronunciation guide
GREEK: Verbal Orientation
Hebrew Verbal Orientation
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Index
Gabriel
The Gap
Gehenna: See Lake of Fire
GENETIC DRIFT
GENTLENESS: Character Qualities
THE GIBEONITES
GIFTS of the Spirit
GIVING
Giving: Spiritual Gift of Finances
GIVING UP: Galatians 6:9
GLEANING
GLORIFICATION OF GOD
GNOSTICISM
GOD-CONSCIOUSNESS: A short discourse
The GODHEAD: Beginnings, an article
The GODHEAD (Trinity)
GOD'S CHARACTER: The Ten Absolute Attributes
of the Godhead
God's Character (Summary)
GOD'S CHARACTER: Applied to the Christian life
GOD: The Almighty
GOD is light
GOD: The compassion of God
GOD: The Eternity of God
GOD: The eyes and ears of God
GOD: The Evaluator
GOD: The Goodness of God
GOD: The Graciousness of God
GOD: The Guardian of our soul
GOD: The Holiness of God
GOD: The Image of God
GOD the Judge
GOD: Justice of God
GOD: the Kindness of God
GOD: the Knowledge of God
GOD: The Love of God
GOD: Orientation to God's HATE
GOD MOST HIGH
GOD: The Power of God
GOD: The Righteousness of God
GOD: The Shepherd of our souls
GOD: Our Shield
GOD: Sovereignty of God
GOD: Sovereignty - Basic summary
GOD: The Truth of God
GOD'S CHARACTER: adjustment to
GOD'S CHARACTER: Abraham's orientation
God the Father: Addressed as Lord
GOD and FATHER of Jesus
Gog and Magog: Armageddon
Gog Magog revolt: Millennium
The GOSPEL
Gossip
GRACE ORIENTATION: Humility
GRACE PROVISION: Resources for living the Christian
life
GRACE: The Periphery of grace
GRACE Speaking
GRACE THINKING
GREEK: Verbal Orientation
GROWTH: Spiritual growth
GROWTH: 4 GRACE PROVISIONS FOR GROWTH
GROWTH: The Urgency of Spiritual Growth
GROWTH: Opposition to growth
GROWTH: The Pursuit of knowledge
GROWTH: Knowing Christ
Guardian angels: Summary
Guardian angels: Article
Gabriel
1. The name means: hero of God
A. It comes from gebher = mighty man (adjective, gibbör;
verb, gAbhar)
plus el (äl) = God. The result = gAbhriyäl
B. The name implies maximum efficiency in representing the character
and plan of God.
C. The name communicates that Gabriel is God's "right hand man."
2. According to Luke 1:19, Gabriel's primary function is, "the one
who stands in the presence of God."
A. The one who stands: paristämi, perfect active participle,
means to stand beside, to be at one's disposal, to represent.
1. Perfect tense: indicates a permanent position
2. Participle: presents a characteristic.
B. before: enpöpion = in the presence of
C. God: "THE" God, the entire Godhead is in view.
D. This description indicates that Gabriel is the chief representative
of God's character and plan and as such, is stationed at His throne in
the 3rd heaven.
E. Apparently, Gabriel was assigned to the chief office among the angels
when it was vacated by Satan's rebellion and removal. Ezek. 28:14
3. In Daniel 8:16; 9:21 and 10:10, Gabriel fulfilled his office by delivering
crucial information to Daniel concerning the progress of the divine plan
for the future.
4. In Luke 1:11-20 and 26-38, he again fulfilled his office by announcing
the arrival of the first advent of the Messiah.
5. To be sent to the earth for various tasks does not prevent him from
being the "covering cherub" because that position is one of representation
and rank not just physical location.
(Besides, if one prefers to assign Michael to be the covering cherub, we
are faced with the very same issue.)
6. Comparison with Michael the archangel.
A. Hebrew: miykAäl - has 3 parts.
1. Interrogative pronoun, miy = who?
2. preposition, ke = like or as.
3. el (äl) = God
4. Result: Who is like God?
5. Communicates God's uniqueness in character and essence.
6. Gabriel's name communicates that he is God's "right hand man."
B. Daniel 10:13, "one of the chief princes." Notice, NOT the
chief prince.
1. Cf. New Testament archangel in Jude 1:9 and 1
Thes. 4:16
2. Jewish tradition indicates that their are 7 archangels, but the bible
indicates there is only one.
3. The term describes the rank with regard to his special function in
God's plan.
C. Daniel 10:21 and 11:1, indicate that Michael is in a subordinate
position to Gabriel.
D. Daniel 12:1, describes Michael as the "guardian angel"
of the nation of Israel.
Daniel 10:21. In 1 Thes. 4:16, Michael participates at the rapture because
this is also the time for the restoration of Israel as the evangelistic
agent).
E. Rev. 12:7, does not contradict this position. Michael is still functioning
as the guardian of Israel, even though he has temporarily "stepped
aside" as indicated at Daniel 12:1.
F. Michael is very high in rank, if not number 2, but he has specific
function in connection with Israel while Gabriel's function is to "stand
in the presence of God."
G. At Jude 9, Michael had the responsibility of putting the body of
Moses in a "safe place" after his death , to await his role in
the tribulation as one of the 2 witnesses-heralds of Rev. 11.
H. Michael is NOT the pre-incarnate Christ,
ie, the "Word"
of John 1:1.
1. Michael is "one of" the chief angels, not THE chief. Dan.
10:13.
2. Michael and the Christ "appear" in the same historical context
as two different beings at Rev. 12:
3. Christ is identified via 1 Cor. 10:1-3 as the Rock who delivered and
followed Israel throughout the wilderness (Deut. 32). And the Rock is none
other than Yahweh God Himself.
4. Michael is NOT the angel (messenger) of the LORD. The angel of the
Lord is clearly identified as Yahweh Himself.
See topic Angel of the LORD
Return to study on Angels
Index
The Gap
1. Genesis 1:1 states the original creation of the physical universe
which includes the planet earth as the divinely established center of the
universe.
A. In the beginning: refers to the point of time when the physical universe
came into existence. At Job 38:4, it is described as "when I founded
the earth."
B. It was after the creation of angels that this took place, as they
all were present and rejoicing. Job 38:7
C. The universe was created by the Word of the Godhead. Ps. 33:6; 2
Pet. 3:5
D. The 2nd person of the Godhead actually did the speaking and performed
the mechanics. John 1:3; Heb. 1:2; Col. 1:16
E. The Hebrew word, bArA, in Genesis 1:1, indicates that what was created
was "ex-nihilo" - out of nothing.
F. The universe and the earth were created perfect. Deut. 32:4
G. Isaiah 45:18 describes this perfection.
1. Not a waste place: not töhu.
2. Created to be inhabited: organized and stabilized and populated by a pre-Adamic, non-volitional life.
3. Probably dinosaurs.
H. Psalm 18:7-15 describes this judgment with
emphasis on the destruction of the physical features of the earth.
I. Jeremiah 4:23-26 describes the earth AFTER the judgment.
1. At verse 25, we learn that there were birds present.
2. Cities in v. 26, refers to the organized living arrangements of the
fallen angels who would come to the earth after Satan's fall.
2. This act of creation took place before the angelic revolt of Ezek.
28:11-17 and Is. 14:12-17.
A. Based on Job 38:7
B. The purpose for the universe was to promote the greatness of the Godhead
in the eyes of his angelic creation. Principle of Psalm 19:1
3. When Lucifer rebelled against divine policy, he and the angels who
followed him were kicked out of heaven and they made their place of residence,
the earth. Ezek. 28:16; Is. 14:12a; Rev. 12:4
A. Lucifer's sin initially was pride which caused him to promote himself
above God and to violate the divine trust assigned to him. Ezek. 28:16a,
17a, 18a.
B. When this sin emerged, Lucifer was removed from his heavenly duties
and personally condemned to the lake of fire. Ezek. 28;19, "you will
be no more."
C. In this promotion of self and criticism of God, he persuaded 1/3
of the angels to follow him. Rev. 12:4
D. All the angels who followed Lucifer were indicted by God and given
the same destiny of the lake of fire. Mat. 25:41.
E. At this point, Lucifer protested and postulated his doctrine of love
and fairness, "how can a loving God cast his creatures, who he loves,
into the lake of fire?"
1. This is an attack on divine righteousness and justice, thinking that
love supersedes them. Job 4:18.
2. Thus, for God to be perfectly fair, he must demonstrate the perfect
compatibility between all three of those attributes, without compromising
any of them.
4. So the plan of the ages (Eph. 3:11) was put into operation.
A. Created a lower life form than the angels but with the same volition.
Heb. 2:6-8
B. Give it the reality of divine provision in every area of life and
make known the potential and consequences of evil. (The tree + specific
instruction).
5. Satan and his angels were given a stay of execution until such time
as God demonstrates the validity of His judicial indictment upon them. This
is the issue at Philip. 2:9-11.
A. Name of Jesus: reputation and essence
B. Confess He is Lord: sovereign
C. To the glory of God the Father: full vindication of His essence.
6. Satan chose to "wait it out" by setting up homestead on
planet earth. Is. 14:12
A. You have been cut down: God's activity
B. To the earth: Satan's choice.
7. It is here that he organized paragraph 1 and 2 of his darkness manifesto
to take the place of God. Isaiah 14:13
A. Paragraph One: directed toward himself, "I will ascend to heaven."
B. Paragraph Two: directed toward the other angels, "I will exalt
my throne above the stars of God."
8. But God had chosen to use the earth for the environment of the new
volitional creature (man).
Reflected in Isaiah 45:18
A. So God put a stop to Satan's possession of the earth and totally
destroyed its surface by covering it with water and ice. 2 Pet. 3:5-6
B. This is described in Gen. 1:1-2 in general.
1. The earth became: The verb is, hAyAh which can be translated as,
"became." (Gen. 2:7; 19:26; Isaiah 66:2)
2. Formless: a waste = töhu
Cf. Is. 45:18, it was not created this way.
3. And empty: böhu - lit., emptiness
a. Physical non-volitional life forms destroyed.
b. Satan and angels driven away.
4. And then God (possibly immediately) began re-forming the surface
which is described in detail at Gen. 1:2b through 2:4.
5. Thus the 6 days of "creation" are actually 6 days of "restoration."
C. This judgment is also described by prophetic "flashback"
in Psalm 18:7-15 and Jeremiah 4:23-26.
D. When Satan and angels were kicked off the earth, they were probably
forced to be "wanderers" without and "world" as a place
of residence.
E. So it is that when man was created he was given possession and authority
over the earth. Gen. 1:28; Ps. 8:6-8
F. And when Satan procured Adam's spiritual fall in the garden, he wrested
that authority from Adam and became the ruler over the earth and the atmosphere
in his place. 2 Cor. 4:4; Jn. 12:31; Luke 4:6; Eph. 2:2
G. Satan organized this rulership into a "world system" of
darkness in order to advance His plan to discredit and frustrate the progress
of God's plan.
2 Cor. 4:4; 11:13-15; Eph. 6:12; Col. 2:8; 1 John 5:19
H. From within this darkness system, he then formulated the rest of
his darkness manifesto. Is. 14:13b-14
1. Paragraph 3: directed toward man, world rulership over the human
race.
2. Paragraph 4: Directed toward the Messianic presence.
"the Cloud" (singular in the Hebrew).
3. Paragraph 5: directed toward God, "I will be like the Most High."
I. The length of the gap is unknown and can be speculated about through
geological discussion. But the existence of this "gap" is both
reasonable and necessary in view of the revealed details of the angelic
conflict.
Return to study on Angels
index
GENETIC DRIFT
I. Definition and description:
1. There is a pull or influence acting on the soul of each one of us
which is directed toward the behavioral patterns of our parents.
A. This pull comes from the sin nature genes inherited from the parents
and reflects their areas of strength and weakness.
B. The term, "drift" indicates the natural tendency of the
sin nature to "drift" toward the parent's sin nature expressions.
1 Kings 15:3, "walked in all the sins of his father, which he had
committed before him."
2. In defining genetic drift, we must also understand that families have
lust patterns which influence children.
A. Some families have lust patterns in the area of education, so all
the family members concentrate on college diplomas or face family censor.
B. Some have military traditions to "live up to" or music
traditions, or athletic traditions.
C. The most powerful of these family "lust" patterns is in
the area of religion.
3. The genetic drift then, is that genetic "pull" toward the
life style or attitudes of your parents which are determined by sin nature
tendencies (lusts).
A. Many times, children controlled by their sin nature will reject the
life style and attitudes of their parents.
B. But this is only individual rebellion and searching for independence
by the sin nature.
C. As they reach adulthood, the sin nature will "naturally"
return to similar attitudes and standards as those of the parents.
1. By "parents," we must recognize that the genes from one's
entire family tree go into forming the "character" of the sin
nature.
2. Jeremiah 11:9-10; 16:10-12
D. Of course, the off-setting factor to the "drift" of the
sin nature is the influence of divine moral and spiritual standards.
II. The genetic drift and the family curse are directly related.
1. The family curse is the presence and intensification of natural and
applied consequences on a family's members because of the perpetuation of
negative volition to both moral and spiritual divine standards.
2. The family curse is perpetuated as children are influenced by the
"hardened" attitudes of their parents, grandparents, etc., because
of sin nature affinity.
3. Children do not pay for their parent's sins. Ezek. 18:20
They are judged for their own sins. But under the family curse, the way
they are judged, directly relates to the sins of the forefathers.
4. A child is influenced by his parent's attitudes, both good and bad,
all throughout his life because of genetic drift - OR - pulls away because
of positive response to the word of God.
5. The progress of the family curse intensifies through 4 generations
as is illustrated by Prov. 30:11-17. (Ex. 20:5-6)
6. But after 4 generations, God's restraining power interrupts the progress,
and generation #5 begins afresh. However, the children of generation #5
will still have the same sin nature tendencies through the reality of genetic
drift. Therefore, they will still have potential to begin a new cycle of
family curse for another 4 generations.
III. Protection from the genetic drift
1. Ideally: parental instruction.
A. Eph. 6:2
B. Prov. 2:1-12; 3:1-8; 4:1-9; 5:1-2; 6:20-23
C. Proverbs 22:6
2. The call of Wisdom in general: Proverbs 9:1-6, 10-12
A. Salvation status: Salvation removes you from any existing family
curse.
(principle of total forgiveness of all sins)
1. But protection from the genetic drift depends on spiritual growth.
2. And if a new believer fails to apply basic principles of separation,
fellowship and growth, then he may very well fall right back under the
family curse he escaped from.
B. Spiritual growth provides divine viewpoint standards in the soul
to offset the pull of genetic drift. (sin nature tendencies or lusts)
C. The filling control of the Holy Spirit for church age believers,
also directly attacks and opposes the lusts of the sin nature. Gal. 5:16-17
RELATED TOPICS: Family curse, sin nature
index
GENTLENESS: Character Qualities
1. Gentleness as an extension of humility relates to speech and action.
A. Both occur together at Mt. 11.29 - Jesus is humble and gentle.
B. 1 Peter 3.4 - the expression of the heart is described by gentle
and relaxed.
C. 2 Tim. 2.25 - gentleness in the expression of paideuo correction.
2. Gentleness expresses sensitivity to the real needs of people.
A. Reasonableness: 2 Cor. 10.1, the gentleness and reasonableness of
Christ.
B. Galatians 6.1-2 - restoring an errant believer
C. 1 Peter 3.15 - - - representing truth to seekers
D. Titus 3.2-3 - - - gentleness to all men
(application of truth via humility)
3. Gentleness thus embraces the 15 virtues of agape love (1
Cor. 13:4-7)
A. Gal. 6.2 - - fulfill the law of Christ
B. 1 Cor. 4.21 - Paul's ministry in love and gentleness
C. 1 Cor. 13.4-7 - the 15 virtues of agape love.
4. Christ the example: Mat. 11.29 - praos
A. His purpose: Mt. 21.5 - the grace expression of His intent. John
19.36-37
B. Mat. 12.15-21 (Is. 42.1-3) - the focus in his ministry. John 8.29
C. To seek and to save: Luke 19.10; John 3.17; 12.47-50
D. His teaching: Mat. 7.28-29 - as one with authority.
1. 14 times - I say to you (in the sermon on the mount)
2. Specifically, Mt. 5.22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44
5. Learn from Me: Mt. 11.29
A. Pursue - 1 Tim. 6.11
B. Gal. 5.16-25 - the fruit of the Spirit.
C. Eph. 4.20-32 and 5.1-4
6. Gentleness is not compromised by intensity of action nor firmness
of speech. It is compromised when any of the 15 virtues of love are violated.
A. the gentleness of wisdom: James 3.13-17
B. the attack on the gentleness of wisdom: James 4.1-12
7. Application of gentleness in the pursuit of unity:
A. Ephesians 4.1-7
B. Colossians 3.12-17 - the emotions all in line
8. Application of gentleness in an unequal marriage. 1 Peter 3.1-6
9. Gentleness and the progress of growth: James 1.21 (Ps. 25.9)
index
THE GIBEONITES
1. The Gibeonites were a socioeconomic group of Amorite and Hivite people
composed of 4 cities in central Canaan.
Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath-Jearim
2. This group of people were positive to the revelation of Yahweh as
manifested through the military victories of Israel. And they recognized
divine authority over the land of Canaan. Josh. 9.1-27
v.1-2
A. All the kings heard:
1. same thing Rahab heard. Josh. 2.9-10
2. Plus the fall of Jericho and Ai. v. 9.3
B. Negative response of all the kings. Rejection of divine authority
and therefore resistance, rebellion and antagonism.
C. But the Gibeonites recognized the prerogatives of divine authority
and sought to save their lives on that basis.
v. 3-13 - The deception of the Gibeonites
A. They are positive to divine sovereignty.
B. But they do not know His character or viewpoint, so can only use
human viewpoint to protect themselves.
C. But they are willing to conform to divine policy as it is represented
in Israel.
1. Make a covenant -
2. Let them live in the land.
v. 14-15
A. Israel made a decision without consulting Yahweh. This is violation
of divine policy for them. violates Num. 27.21
B. Made a covenant with them. Violates Ex. 23.32-33
C. Had they consulted Yahweh, the deception would have been exposed.
But God would still have honored their positive volition in the same way
that Rahab's family was preserved. Josh. 2.8-14
v. 16-17 - the deception revealed
v. 18 - the leaders follow through with the covenant and the people
complain.
v. 19-21 - explanation of divine viewpoint activity
A. Failure in one area does not justify failure in another.
B. To break the covenant would violate commandment #3 -Ex. 20.7,
Lifting up the name of Yahweh to promote emptiness.
(v. 19 - "we have sworn to them by Yahweh."
2. Joshua 9.1-27
v. 22-27 - confrontation with the deceivers
v. 23 - status with the nation
A. cursed: under an agreement that will hinder your life style.
1. no independence - but servanthood
2. no enjoyment of free enterprise blessings within the nation.
B. For the house of God: cursing turned to blessing
1. Constant exposure to spiritual truth and therefore maximum opportunity
for spiritual blessing which is far greater than material blessing.
2. And they fulfill that potential for spiritual blessing all throughout
the history of Israel.
v. 24 - their testimony: creature humility that recognizes the authority
of God.
v. 25 - Total resolve to divine policy as represented in Israel.
v. 26 - their lives are preserved - 4 cities involved. v. 17
v. 27 - servants for the tabernacle in the place which He would choose
after the division of the land. Deut. 12.1-11
3. Israel's faithfulness to the covenant is illustrated by the battle
of Gibeon. Josh. 10.1-15
And God's support of the covenant is evidenced by his support in the
battle. v. 8-13
4. After both the Southern and Northern campaigns in Canaan, the 4 cities
of the Gibeonites are the only ones who make peace with Israel. Josh. 11.19
5. The Gibeonites began serving the tabernacle in the Joshua generation
and continued until the Babylonian captivity in 605 BC.
God even allowed the ark to be personally protected by them for 20 years.
1 Sam. 6.21 with 7.1-2
A. After the Philistines returned the ark which they had captured, it
was located for 20 years at Kiriath-Jearrim, one of the 4 cities.
B. First, the Philistines returned it to within the borders of Israel
to Beth-shemesh. 1 Sam. 6.8-12
C. the people of Beth-shemesh did not properly respect the ark even
though they had Levites present among them.
D. As a result of violating spiritual policy in regard to the ark, God
struck down 50,070 of the people.
E. As a result of this they sent the ark to Kiriath-jearim because here
were dwelling may of the servants of the tabernacle and they would know
what to do.
6. One of David's mighty men was from the
Gibeonites. Ishmaiah - 1 Chron.
12.1-4
7. Saul's false zeal persecuted the Gibeonites sometime during the last
10 years of his reign, and had many of them put to death.
A. And since nothing was said or done about it, God disciplined the
nation with a famine for 3 years during David's reign. 2 Sam. 21.1-14
B. David appeals to the Gibeonites for a resolution to the problem.
v.3
1. make atonement: render justice of satisfaction - kAphar
2. to bless: promote the welfare of - bArak
C. Their answer reflects their servant status and attitude and their
dedication to spiritual values. v. 4-6
1. No concern for silver or gold. Humility toward details because of
the surpassing value of learning and promoting truth.
2. No attitude of personal revenge to put anyone to death.
3. But they do suggest a punishment and leave the verdict to David.
4. the execution of the 7 sons is based on v. 1 "and his bloody
house."
We do not know the ages of the 7, but it is probable that they had a
part in Saul's murder spree.
5. The punishment was recognized as divinely sonctioned based on:
a. v. 6 and 9: "before Yahweh."
b. v. 14 - God was moved by entreaty for the land.
Athar - niphal imperfect - the prayer was effective because they met
certain requirements laid down by God.
8. When Israel went into captivity to Babylon, the gibeonites went also,
and likewise, returned when they returned in 536 BC and picked right up
with their tabernacle service. Neh. 7.25; 1 Ch. 9.2
9. Since the Amorites and Hivites are descended from Canaan, they fall
under the curse of Gen. 9.25-27 and indeed, the spiritual and physical servanthood
of these people fulfills the prophecy of the passage and turns cursing to
blessing.
10. So the lesson we have here is one of Grace. And the principle that
in the eyes of God, races are not an issue; spiritual status is.
index
GIVING
1. The need for Christian giving:
A. Remember the poor: Gal. 6:10; Acts 20:35; James 1:27; 1 John 3:17-18
B. Provision for spiritual leaders: 1 Cor. 9:14, 11; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; Acts
18:1-5; 2 Cor. 11:9
C. Local church organization: Acts 2:44-47; 6:1-4
D. Material needs of other churches: Acts 11:27-30; 12:25; Rom. 15:25-27;
2 Cor. 8:1-4; 1 Thes. 4:9-10
2. The basis for giving is grace.
A. Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8b
B. Acts 20:35 - It is more blessed (joy-producing) to give than to receive.
C. 1 Corinthians 16:2, As he has prospered: euodoo = present passive subjunctive
= as he has received prosperity.
1. God is the source of all such material things: 1 Tim. 6:17; 2
Cor.
9:8-10
2. So God is the agent of the believer's prosperity. He is "allows"
it through the believer's diligence in handling finances. Or He actually
makes it happen.
D. 2 Cor. 8:9 - Christ is the ultimate example of giving.
3. The service of giving: The priesthood of the believer. Every believer
is a priest, responsible for service to God. Representing God to others
and others to God.
A. Believer ONLY: Rom. 8:8-9; Prov. 21:27.
1. Unbelievers gain NOTHING by giving to churches.
2. Believers out of fellowship with God cannot please Him no matter what
they do or how MUCH they give.
B. Only believers who are in fellowship (filled with the Spirit): Rom.
14:17-18; Gal. 5:16
C. Every believer is a priest: 1 Pet. 2:9
D. The believer's body is the temple of the Holy Spirit: 1 Cor. 6:19-20
E. The sacrifices of the "Christian" priesthood are designed
to glorify the object of worship - God - never man.
1. The whole body: Rom. 12:1 - Every believer is in full time Christian
service regardless of circumstances.
2. The sacrifice of service in general: Heb. 12:28
3. The sacrifice of evangelism: Rom. 15:15-16
4. The sacrifice of edification: Philip. 2:16-17
5. The sacrifice of praise: Heb. 13:15, song, prayer, affirmations.
6. The sacrifice of good works: Heb. 13:16, application of bible truth
to experience.
7. The sacrifice of sharing: Heb. 13:16 -
koinonia; Philip. 4:18 with
1 Cor. 9:13-14, 11
F. And another principle arises: Believers are to accept nothing from
unbelievers when such unbeliever is attempting to offer a spiritual sacrifice.
4. The motivation of giving:
A. 1 Cor. 13:1-3 - LOVE: the attitude of promoting the viewpoint and
policy of God as more important than all else in seeking the benefit of
others.
B. 2 Cor. 9:7 - Using an historical example to exemplify modus
operendi:
1. As he purposes in his heart: perfect middle indicative of proaireö
= volitional intent.
2. Not grudgingly: ek lupä = grief, pain, sorrow, affliction,
hardship.
3. Not under compulsion: ek anagkä = emotional pressure from
others. Church leadership, members, family, friends
4. Cheerful: hilaros = relaxation that rejoices in the opportunity to
help.
5. The amount of giving:
A. Proportionate to God's provision: 1 Cor. 16:2, "as he has received
prosperity from God."
B. Never at the expense of family needs: 1 Tim. 5:8
C. To give "sacrificially" (out of hardship) is never commanded.
But sometimes the opportunity encountered elicits from the believer the
desire to meet the need by giving up from his own necessities (2 Cor. 8:1-3)
D. A believer who is not responsible for the physical welfare of others
can make such a decision. Otherwise, the principle of 1 Tim. 5:8 must be
applied.
E. The issue is always the mental attitude in giving - NEVER the amount.
6. Doctrine of tithing: See topic and
return
7. Principles of giving from 2 Cor. 8-9
A. 2 Corinthians 8
1. v. 2, all genuine giving is based on the mental attitude of joy
(chara).
And sacrificial giving will come from an abundance of joy (perisseia chara).
That is, the abundant life reality in the believer's life (contentment
and happiness) which is based on knowledge of bible truth, will motivate
genuine giving.
Any giving without joy is worthless.
2. v. 3a, giving must be done according to ability
(dunamis). Ie, according
to what he has - v. 12.
3. v. 3b, Giving must be done freely as an act of personal volition.
a. They gave of their own accord: authairetos = self choosing.
b. v. 10-12: readiness = prothumia = willingness.
c. Thelö = to desire; present active infinitive
4. v. 4a, Giving is a privilege: The grace = charis
5. v. 4b, Giving is fellowship through service with the one who receives.
koinonia = fellowship; in the service (diakonia) of the saints.
6. v. 5b, Genuine giving is preceded by genuine dedication to the Lord:
"first gave themselves to the Lord."
a. First: protos
b. Gave: didomi - aorist active indicative
7. v. 5a, Genuine giving is preceded by divine guidance in accepting
the authority of those served. "Gave themselves to us through the
will of God."
8. v. 8, giving is a demonstration of genuine love for those in need:
"sincerity of your love."
a. sincerity: gnasios = genuineness
b. of your love: agapä = seeking the benefit of the object
of love.
9. v. 13-15, Giving paves the way for equality in sharing.
You give to me today, I'll give to you tomorrow.
10. v. 16-23, Church finances requires organization and order and responsible
people to deal with it.
a. 1 Cor. 16:1-3
b. Rom. 12:8, "he who gives" refers to the spiritual gift of
finances.
c. 1 Cor. 14:40, all things to be done - -
1. With good design: euschämonos = planning, design
2. And according to order: kata taxis
B. 2 Corinthians 9
1. v. 5-6, the personal blessing from giving is based on grace generosity
without any holding in covetousness.
a. That the promised gift might be ready.
b. As a blessing: eulogia = that which benefits ( a good word)
c. And not as covetousness: pleonexia = greed, selfishness; hesitancy to
share because of concern for your own personal needs.
d. He who sows sparingly: this is the holding back because of selfishness.
e. Thus, the reaping will be deficient because it is not based on genuine
motivation.
f. And he who sows bountifully: ie, with blessings
(epi + eulogia) proper
motivation; the genuine desire to benefit. (eulogia = good word)
g. Will reap with blessings: personal benefit. Because his activity
is based on proper motivation.
h. This is not talking about reaping material benefit because you sow
materially. The issue is "soul" motivation and soul blessing.
i. But there is a material blessing which is covered in v. 8-11.
Ie,
God will provide so you can give.
2. v. 7, Giving must be done without personal reserve.
Not out from lupä: sorrow
3. v. 7, Giving must be done without coercion.
Not out from anagkäs = pressure
4. v. 7, Giving must come from the attitude of total contentment and
joy. cheerful giver = hilaros
5. v. 8-11, God is faithful to provide something to give for the believer
who truly wants to give.
8. Point of orientation: Gal. 6:6-10 is not talking about "giving."
The subject is application of bible truth through the ministry of the Holy
Spirit. Giving is indeed included in "doing good" but the real
issue is the promotion of spiritual value through knowledge and application
of the word of God.
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GIVING UP: Galatians 6:9
1. We shall reap the benefits of eternal life blessings here on earth
IF we do not grow weary.
ekluö = let go out from our soul. (present passive participle)
2. The potential for giving up is based on losing your point of reference
for spiritual stability.
3. The proper point of reference is what keeps your spiritual balance
and momentum for further advancement in growth and service.
4. The point of reference is what stabilizes and motivates.
5. The momentum, stability and motivation of your Christian life is measured
by the integrity of your point of reference.
6. If your point of reference has "relative" (human) integrity,
then the benefit it can offer you is only relative. ( a pseudo benefit based
on circumstances rather than the absolutes of God's character and plan).
7. The believer's point of reference is the character and plan of God
through Christ.
A. If "you" are the point of reference, this is self-centeredness.
And there is no integrity in self under the control of the sin nature (flesh).
B. Your decisions are based on your character - imperfect, sinful.
C. Your imperfect, sinful character can provide no answers for the realities
of life. This results in frustration, doubt, depression and finally "giving
up."
D. Same scenario exists when your point of reference is: friends, things,
money, family, spouse, hobbies, job, etc.
8. Hebrews 12:3, consider Jesus: focus on the proper point of reference.
A. Consider: analogidzomai = a logical evaluation of facts concerning
the character and work of Jesus.
B. This focus prevents "soul sickness" by protecting from
the "giving up" syndrome.
Grow weary: kamnö = grow weary, become sick, neutralized
in the soul; immobile, inactive, nonfunctional, neutralized.
C. The cause of soul sickness is the "giving up" attitude.
"By giving up in your soul."
ekluö = to let go out from the soul. (present middle participle)
Instrumental participle to express the mechanics, "BY giving up."
D. Giving up is the failure to use God's assets for living the Christian
life which are found through the promises and principles in His WORD.
9. God's plan makes available the "fruit" of the abundant life,
which is the experience of eternal life blessings here on earth. Gal. 6:8,
"reap eternal life."
This is not a salvation issue. It is addressed to those who are already
in the family of God and who are now being exhorted to experience the "eternal"
quality of life which they received at the new birth, right now in their
life on earth.
10. In order to reap these blessings, we must keep our soul focused on
the proper point of reference. Ie, the character and the plan of God.
11. If we turn away and focus on the "realities of life" and
their pressures, this is "giving up" in our soul. When we do this,
we "let go" of the divine viewpoint standards as our value system,
and make human viewpoint and "physical" comfort and security our
value system. The result will be a failure to "reap" the benefits
of the eternal life which is ours.
A. Everyone who has trusted in Christ as savior HAS the life. It is
a present and permanent possession. 1 John 5:11-12
B. But "experiencing" that life here on earth, is based on
faithfulness in knowing and using God's word.
C. If we fail to learn and use bible truth through the practice of "faith
rest living" then we will miss out on the blessings of eternal life
which God has designed for us to experience here on earth.
12. And the ultimate result in our life is "soul sickness"
which is expressed in a variety of disorders. (psychosis, paranoia, guilt,
schizophrenia; and various aberrations or "manias" such as lying,
stealing, gambling, sex, etc.)
index
GLEANING
1. Definition: The custom of the poor and strangers gathering the leftovers
of a crop after the reapers finished.
2. This was a divine command for national life. Lev. 19:9-10; Deut. 23:24;
24:19-22
3. The command was to leave some grain behind when reaping so that the
strangers, widows, fatherless, poor - could gather it.
4. If a field was reaped, but a section was forgotten, then it was to
remain for the poor.
5. This dealt with - harvesting grains, olives, grapes.
6. Purpose: was 3-fold according to Deut. 24
a. Personal blessing from God - v. 19
b. Commemoration of grace: remembering the deliverance from Egypt - v.
22
c. To provide for those who could not hire themselves out - but were able
to work for themselves.
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GLORIFICATION OF GOD
1. Mankind was created for God's glory: 1 Cor. 11.7
A. Ec. 7.29 - He made man upright. A design in the soul which is structured
to showcase the character of God.
1. The moral pattern: Romans 2.14-15
2. The glory pattern: 7 functional attitudes of God's character.
respect, love, pride, ambition, hatred, jealousy and anger.
B. Creature responsibility: Psalm 100.1-3; 103.19-22; 148.
C. Psalm 115.16-18 - He has given the earth to the sons of men
D. Psalm 111.1-4 - He made his magnificent things as a memorial
E. Divine viewpoint perspective for man's purpose in life.
Ec. 12.13-14
2. Principle of the family heritage: Ps. 145.1-13
3. Purpose for Israel: Is. 43.7; 49.3
4. Purpose for the Church: Eph. 1.3-14; 3.10, 21
5. The testimony of the local church. Romans 15.6
6. The Christian ambassador: 2 Cor. 5.20
A. Based on ownership: 1 Cor. 6.19-20
B. Personal goal: 1 Cor. 10.31
C. Accomplished by God the H.S. Gal. 5.16 with Rom. 8.8
D. Through the teaching ministry of the H.S. John 16.14
E. Through character reflection: Phil. 1.11; Mt. 5.16;
Jn. 15.8; 2 Cor.
3.18
F. Through claiming promises: 2 Cor. 1.20
G. Through expressing grace: 2 Cor. 4.15
H. Through function in your spiritual gift: 1 Pet. 4.10-11
I. Through personal testimony: 1 Peter 2.12
J. Through grace giving: 2 Cor. 8.19
K. As lights in the world: Phil. 2.14-16
L. Through Christian production: 2 Thes. 1.11-12
7. Glorification through Messiah's ultimate victory. Phil. 2.11
8. Phrase: To whom be the glory ---
Jude v. 25; Rom. 11.36; 16.27; Phil. 4.20; 1 Tim. 1.17; 2 Tim. 4.18
1 Peter 5.11; 2 Pet. 3.18; Rev. 1.6; 5.13; 7.12
index
GOD: The Evaluator
1. Statement of fact: Psalm 7.9
A. Examines: bAchan -
B. the hearts: knowledge content and character
C. the emotions: kilyAh - that which demonstrates the attitude and application
of truth through response and reflection.
The character and personality traits described at Col. 3.12
D. Proverbs 17.3; 21.2; 16.2
E. Proverbs 24.11-12
2. Thus Divine omniscience: Luke 16.15
3. The use of anthropomorphism: 2 Chron. 16.9
4. Divine response after evaluation: Ps. 18.25-26;
Jer. 17.9-10; Ps.
11.4-7
5. Believer's attitude toward Divine evaluation: Ps. 139.23-24; 26.1-7
6. The issue of pleasing God: 1 Thes. 2.4
7. The issue of accountability: 1 Cor. 4.4
8. See Topic GOD the Judge.
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GNOSTICISM
1. Gnosticism is a conglomeration of many different philosophies and
religions using Christianity as its base.
2. Thus, it embraces redemption through Christ, but mixes everything
else with it, so that it is not the genuine gospel.
3. The gnostics took over only the "idea" of redemption through
Christ, not the full Christian doctrine. For they made it, a redemption
from physical matter rather than from sin.
4. They taught that there was an inherent separation of matter and spirit
and that matter was basically evil at its source.
5. It holds to a basic dualism; an absolute good and evil, equally powerful
and constantly at war with one another.
6. Gnosticism regards knowledge as superior to faith, but is limited
to only a few of the "initiated" intellectuals of the philosophical
hierarchy. Thus, you have a restricted type of salvation.
A. They claim to have a superior knowledge which supersedes faith in
divine revelation. Thus the title, "gnostikoi" (from the Greek
word gnosis = knowledge) to indicate such ones.
B. Only through the pursuit of knowledge can you have acceptance before
God.
7. There are two types of gnosticism:
A. Docetic gnostics: From the word "dokeo" which means "to
seem." These denied the humanity of Christ, teaching that he only
"seemed" to be human.
B. Cerinthian gnostics: From their founder,
Cerinthus. These made an
absolute separation between the "man" Jesus and the "aeon"
from heaven who was called the Christ.
C. Both groups however, taught that physical matter was essentially
evil and you had to deal with it in one of two ways:
1. Deny all participation in the physical realm: asceticism
2. Totally embrace matter without restraint: lasciviousness
D. In this manner, they could attract and cater to "everyone"
and allow them to live basically, any way they chose, as long as they followed
the "philosophy" of the organized hierarchy.
8. Summary:
A. The body is all evil.
B. Pre-existence souls, called eons, live in plaroma.
C. Plaroma is God's fullness and presence - thus, heaven.
D. The eons become entrapped (by evil) in physical bodies on earth (mankind).
E. So to return to plaroma, the evil body must be denied.
1. You don't allow it to participate in "matter." Asceticism
2. Or you are indifferent to the body and let it do whatever it (you) wants.
Lasciviousness.
F. In either case, you occupy yourself with the intellectual pursuit
of attaining knowledge.
G. But this was usually only a facade, given lip-service. The emphasis
was really always placed on either asceticism or lasciviousness.
9. Cerinthus taught four major concepts of error.
A. Denied the incarnation: The human Jesus was born of Mary and Joseph,
but the "Christ" came upon him at the baptism and left him at
the cross.
(this attacks the person of Christ)
B. He denied the reality of the sin nature and taught that a Christian
could reach a state of sinless perfection on earth. (attacks the depravity
of man and the divine evaluation of mans need as well as the divine provision
for that need)
C. Taught spirituality by asceticism and emotionalism. (attacks the
principle of grace)
D. Taught that there were certain sins that you could not commit and still
be a Christian. (Attacks God's character and salvation security)
10. Gnosticism was in a "seed" stage during the 1st century,
but still had such an influence that it was necessary for it to be exposed.
A. Directly: by Paul (Colossians); John (Gospel and letters)
B. Indirectly: by all the NT writers.
11. The earliest known gnostic was Cerinthus, who was waxing strong during
the last part of John's ministry, 80-96 AD.
12. Gnosticism still exists today in many forms and expressions, but
still uses as its base, the name of Christ. Just by way of example -
A. Christian Scientist
B. Mormonism
C. Jehovah's Witness
D. Seventh Day Adventist
E. And many denominations hold to various gnostic doctrines without even
knowing it.
index
The GODHEAD (Trinity)
1. The Trinity is a man made term to describe the plural nature of God.
The term itself does not occur in the Bible, but the "reality"
represented by the term certainly does.
The better term is the Godhead.
A. God is one in essence or character.
B. But he expresses Himself in 3 distinct personalities.
2. The Godhead is the absolute entity of the universe. It is a term used
to indicate a unity concerning the plurality of expression God has chosen
for communion within Himself and for revealing himself to his creatures.
The Godhead is one in essence and 3 in personality expression. This means
that, while God communes within himself through 3 distinct personality factors,
all 3 are a unity equally possessing the 10 absolute attributes of Divine
character essence.
(Deut. 6.4 -"Yahweh, our God (s); Yahweh (is) a unity.")
A. The 1st personality factor of the Godhead is AUTHORITY.
He expresses himself throughout the Old testament as the Most High God
and in the New Testament as God the Father.
B. The 2nd personality factor is REVELATION.
In eternity past, He was the Word; throughout the Old Testament, primarily,
the Angel of the LORD; and in the New Testament, the incarnate Son of God,
Jesus Christ.
C. The 3rd personality factor is POWER.
The Holy Spirit is the one who executes the power of the Godhead.
He influences, guides and energizes to accomplish God's plan for the human
race. He is designated throughout the Old Testament as The Spirit of God.
3. The Godhead has a plurality nature which is established in scripture
as triune. This is His STRUCTURAL essence or NATURE. It is not 1 or 2 or
4 or 8, but 3 specific personality expressions.
A. This is the STRUCTURE of that plurality nature in the Godhead.
God Most High, which indicates an authority personality expression.
The WORD, which indicates a revelation personality expression.
The Spirit, which indicates a power personality expression.
B. The character essence or NATURE refers to the specific attributes
which are equally shared by all 3 members of the Godhead.
There are 10 absolute attributes of the Godhead.
All other character expressions fall directly under one of these 10.
1. God is sovereign: He has absolute authority to do as he pleases.
Ps. 115:3
2. God is eternal, having no beginning or ending. Ps. 90:2
3. God is righteousness which means that He not only IS, but determines
what is absolute right. Ps. 145:17
4. God is justice, which as the enforcer of His righteousness, is perfectly
fair and impartial. Is. 30:18
5. God is omnipotent. Luke 1:37
6. God is omnipresent. Ps. 139:7f
7. God is omniscient. Is. 46A:9-10
8. God is love which means He places value on His creation and always
seeks what is best for it - as he determines what is best.
I Jn. 4:8
9. God is truth which indicates His natural integrity. Is. 65:16
10. God is immutable which indicates that His nature is unchangeable
and produces His faithfulness. Malachi 3:6
11. Any other character expressions such as goodness, mercy, compassion,
graciousness, kindness, etc., emanate directly from these 10.
4. The use of the word elohim in the Bible indicates the existence of
a plural concept concerning God.
A. Elohim is the plural of el or elah and is the only way that the Hebrew
has to express the idea of a Godhead.
B. The plural personal pronoun at Gen. 1:26; 3:22 and 11:7 also indicates
the existence of a plurality concept concerning God.
C. The significance of the plural, elohim, has been lost through the
years by the Jews and others because of a misunderstanding of Deut. 6:4,
which says, that God is ONE. What it really says, however, is
"Yahweh our Gods (elohim); Yahweh a Unity!"
D. The true significance of elohim is clearly seen at Joshua 24:23,
"Put away the foreign gods (elohim) which are in your midst,
and incline your hearts to Yahweh, the Gods (elohim) of Israel."
E. See Article, BEGINNINGS for amplification.
5. This plurality is revealed as triune in both the old and new testaments.
Isaiah 48:12-16; 63:7-12; Mat. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14
A. In the Old Testament we learn of 3 distinct personalities at Isaiah
48:12-16.
1. The Lord Yahweh:
2. Me: the one speaking
3. His Spirit: designated elsewhere as the Spirit of elohim (Gods),
or the Spirit of (the) Godhead.
B. In the New Testament we find 3 distinct personalities many times,
but Mat. 28:19 is unique for we have the phrase, "baptizing them in
the NAME of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit." For here the word Name
is in the singular to indicate the "unity" factor within the
Godhead. Then the 3 personalities are mentioned.
1. The Father
2. The Son
3. The Holy Spirit
C. See article: BEGINNINGS for amplification.
6. Each member of the Godhead performs a different function in dealing
with His creation.
A. God Most High (the Father) is the authority expression of the Godhead
and represents the "invisible" essence of deity. 1 Cor. 8:6a
That is why it is impossible for man to "visibly" see The Father.
John 1:18; 6:46
B. God the Word (The Son) is the source of "contact" for the
Godhead.
The one who visibly manifests The Godhead to the human creation.
Thus, He is the agent of creation, communication and salvation. 1 Cor.
8:6b
C. God the Spirit is the power expression of the Godhead, Who works
behind the scene to carry out the plan of the Godhead. This also includes
the function of "revelation." Isaiah 11:1-2; John 16:12-15
7. The 2nd member of the Godhead is the "revealed" member.
It is how God can be visible to His creatures on the earth.
A. This is seen in the New Testament with Jesus as the "only begotten
God," (John 1:18). John 6:46; Col. 1:15; 1 John 4:12; Heb. 1:3.
B. And God revealed in the Old Testament was the "pre-incarnate"
Word of God who appeared to members of the human race in various ways.
C. Sometimes as a human: Gen. 32:24-32; 18; Josh 5:13-15
D. Sometimes as an inanimate object:
1. Burning bush: Exodus 3
2. Cloud (by day): Exodus 33:9-23; 34:5; 24:13-18; 40:34-35
3. Pillar of fire (by night): Exodus 14:20, 24; Numbers 14:14
E. The Rock: Deut. 32:4, 15-18, 28-33; 1 Cor. 10:1-4
F. The angel (messenger) of Yahweh: See Topic Angel of the Lord
G. See Topic: CHRIST: The Son of God
H. See Topic: CHRIST: Deity characteristics
I. See Topic: CHRIST: Deity in the
Gospel of John
8. The Holy Spirit is a distinct but equal member of the Godhead, Who
possesses the same deity characteristics.
See Topic: The Holy Spirit
9. The doctrine of the Trinity (or Godhead) does not teach that there
are three Gods.
A. There is only ONE God. Deut. 6:4 Yahweh our elohim (Gods, or Godhead)
Yahweh (is) one (Literally: a unity)
B. God uses language of accommodation to communicate His infinite being
to a finite creation (man).
C. Anthropopathism: This means to ascribe to God a human characteristic
(which God does not possess) so that finite man can understand or relate
to God on a human level.
1. God is not jealous as man gets jealous, but the term communicates
expression of God's character in a way we can understand.
2. It is the same with hatred, anger, impatience, etc.
D. Anthropomorphism: This means to ascribe to God a human "physical"
characteristic (which He does not possess) so we can relate to Him on a
human level.
1. Arm of God: God does not have a physical arm, but the term is used
to communicate an action of God in a way we can understand.
2. It is the same with, hand, eyes, mouth, etc.
E. So also, God uses human terms to communicate to man, the various
aspects of His involvement with finite humanity.
1. Father: is a term that describes absolute authority in the human
realm.
a. So it expresses the first member of the Godhead as the one who is
in authority over the whole plan for the universe.
b. 1 Cor. 8:6a, "from whom are all things."
c. It also expresses relationship with God through the new birth. 1
Pet. 1:17
2. Son: is a term that describes total subordination to authority in
the human realm. (from the time of His incarnation).
a. So, Son expresses the second member of the Godhead as in a "subordinate"
function to the Father during the time of the
incarnation (Philip. 2:7-8).
b. And as the one who carries out the wishes of the Father; carries
out the plan of the Godhead in reference to mankind.
c. 1 Cor. 8:6b, "by whom are all things."
3. Spirit: is a term that describes influence and motivation in the
human realm.
a. So, Holy Spirit expresses the third member of the Godhead a the one
who reveals, guides and influences the plan of God toward man.
b. Isaiah 11:1-2; John 16:12-15
10.The Godhead is ONE or a UNITY, according to Deuteronomy 6:4.
But at Matthew 28:19, the UNITY is given a plural designation.
A. Name is in the singular.
1. Name rarely means "title." Mostly it refers to the character
or reputation of the person in view.
2. Name here, indicates the authority and character of the Godhead.
B. The Godhead is designated by three titles which together, communicate
the complete expression of the Godhead toward man.
11. Other places where this unity and plurality occur together.
A. Isaiah 48:12-16; 61:1; 63:7-14
B. Matthew 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 13:14
C. Ephesians 4:4-6; Titus 3:4-6
D. 1 Peter 1:2; Jude 20-21; Rev. 1:4-5
E. Also compare Romans 15:30; Philippians 2:1
12. Summary
A. There is only ONE GOD (Deut. 6:4; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6; Mark 12:29)
B. There are "so called" gods that are not really "gods"
at all.
(1 Cor. 8:4-6; Jer. 10:10-11; Acts 14:11-15; 2 Cor. 4:4; Gal. 4:8)
C. The Father is THE God (John 17:3; 2 Peter 1:17)
D. The Son is THE God (John 1:1ff; 5:18; 8:58; 10:30-33; 20:28)
E. The Holy Spirit is THE God (Acts 5:3-4; 2
Cor. 3:17)
F. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are personal and distinct.
(Mat. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; John 14:16)
G. Therefore, The ONE GOD is THREE PERSONS, The Father, the Son and
the Holy Spirit as revealed in the Bible.
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GOD'S CHARACTER: The Ten Absolute Attributes of the Godhead
There are 10 absolute attributes of the Godhead.
All other character expressions fall directly under one of these 10.
A detailed analysis can be found under separate topics: example - GOD: The Love of God
1. God is sovereign: He has absolute authority to do as he pleases. Ps.
115:3
2. God is eternal, having no beginning or ending. Ps. 90:2
3. God is righteousness which means that He not only IS, but determines
what is absolute right. Ps. 145:17
4. God is justice, which as the enforcer of His righteousness, is perfectly
fair and impartial. Is. 30:18
5. God is omnipotent. Luke 1:37
6. God is omnipresent. Ps. 139:7f
7. God is omniscient. Is. 46A:9-10
8. God is love which means He places value on His creation and always
seeks what is best for it - as he determines what is best. I Jn. 4:8
9. God is truth which indicates His natural integrity. Is. 65:16
10. God is immutable which indicates that His nature is unchangeable
and produces His faithfulness. Malachi 3:6
11. Any other character expressions such as goodness, mercy, compassion,
graciousness, kindness, etc., emanate directly from these 10.
index
God's Character (Summary)
A. The ten ABSOLUTE attributes of God.
1. God is ETERNAL: God has absolute existence. He has always existed
and always will exist. Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 40:28; 57:15; Gen. 21:33; Isaiah
44:6; 48:12; Revelation 1:8, 12-18; 22:13; Psalm 10:16; 29:10; 93:2; Jer.
10:10; Lam. 5:19; Ps. 117:2; 118:29; 119:142
2. God is ALL POWERFUL (Omnipotent): God has absolute power. There is
nothing that He cannot physically accomplish. However, God CANNOT violate
His own character. Luke 1:37; Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Psalm 62:11; Isaiah 40:28;
43:13; Romans 4:21; Genesis 18:14
3. God is SOVEREIGN: God has absolute authority. His viewpoint and policy
has final jurisdiction over the entire universe. Psalm 103:19; 115:3; 135:6;
1 Chronicles 29:11-13; 1 Samuel 2:6-8; Daniel 4:35; Isaiah 14:24, 27
God most high: Genesis 14:19; Psalm 47:2; 83:18; Daniel 4:17
4. God is RIGHTEOUSNESS: God's viewpoint is the absolute standard for
right and wrong; good and bad; benefit and harm in the entire universe.
Ps. 145:17; 119:137, 142; 129:4; 11:7; 97:2; 92:15; 111:3; 112:3; 7:9,
11; 33:5; Isaiah 45:21; Jeremiah 11:20; 50:7; Deut. 32:4; John 17:25;
2 Tim. 4:8; Zeph. 3:5
5. God is JUSTICE: Justice is an expression of God's sovereignty that
enforces His righteousness. God is perfectly fair and impartial. Isaiah
30:18; Psalm 33:5; 37:28; 89:14; 97:2; 111:7; Jer. 9:24; Zephaniah 3:5;
Job 34:12 37:23;
6. God is LOVE: God's love is constantly seeking what is beneficial
to His creation without ever compromising His righteousness, justice or
truth. 1 John 3:1; 4:8, 16; John 3:16; Romans 5:6;
7. God is ALL KNOWING (omniscient): God has absolute knowledge. He knows
the end from the beginning; everything that will happen, could happen and
every contingency. Isaiah 46:9-10; 40:28; Psalm 44:21; 33:13-15; 139:1-6;
Matthew 6:8; 10:29-30; Prov. 15:11; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Samuel 16:7; Revelation
2:23
8. God is ALL PRESENT (omnipresent): God exists everywhere in space
and time, and cannot be limited to either. Jer. 23:24; 2Chron. 16:9; Ps.
139:7-10; 1 Kings 8:27;
9. God is TRUTH: God cannot lie, deceive or be duplicitous. Ps. 117:2;
119:142, 151, 160; Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:18; Numb. 23:19; Isaiah 65:16
10. God is UNCHANGING (immutable): God cannot violate any aspect of
His character, but remains constant and precise in how He deals with His
physical creatures. Mal. 3:6; Jam. 1:13; This makes God faithful in everything
that He says and does: Psalm 33:4; 1 Cor. 1:9; Deut. 7:9; Isaiah 49:7;
1 Thess. 5:24;
B. The five FUNCTIONAL attributes of God.
1. God is COMPASSIONATE: God's compassion is the aspect of His knowledge
and love which totally understands the condition and needs of His people,
and seeks to alleviate them. Exodus 34:6; Psalm 25:6; 78:38; 86:15; 51:5;
119:56, 77; Jeremiah 42:12; Deuteronomy 4:31; Lamentations 3:22-23
2. God is GOOD: Goodness is the term that describes the FUNCTIONAL expression
of God's love to man. It refers to the ACTION of love that constantly seeks
that which is most beneficial to His creatures. Psalm 86:5; 34:8; 100:5;
106:1; 107:1; 118:1; 119:68; 135:3; 136:1; 145:9; Jeremiah 33:11; Nahum
1:7; Psalm 52:9; 54:6; 119:39; 109:21; 69:16; Exodus 33:19; 34:6;
Isaiah 63:7
3. The KINDNESS of God: Usually seen as "loving kindness,"
the word chesed, should be rendered as grace-kindness or grace provision.
This word describes the actual Divine resources that God provides for His
people in order to function in this world as His servants. Exodus 34:6:
Psalm 86:15; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; 1 Chron. 16:34; Psalm 32:10; 33:18,
22; 36:5, 7; 40:11; 57:10; 63:3; 69:16; 94:18-19; 100:5; 106:1; 107:1;
108:4; 118:1-4, 29; 119:64; 136:1-26; 147:11;
Jeremiah 31:3; Lamentations 3:32; Psalm 57:10
4. God is GRACIOUS (mercy): Graciousness is the activity of God that
makes available to man the solution to his pressures and needs in life
(grace resources). Graciousness is expressed based on love and compassion,
and is the act of fulfilling His kindness. Exodus 34:6; 22:27; Psalm 51:5;
86:15; 103:8; 111:4; 112:4; 116:5; 145:8; 2 Chronicles 30:9; Nehemiah 9:17;
Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2
5. God is PATIENT: God's patience is the application of His love, compassion
and mercy to the human race which deserves immediate judgment It is expressed
by the consistent, fair and repetitive proclamation of the gospel to the
world. (1) Slow to anger: Ex. 34:6; Num. 14:18; Neh. 9:17;
Ps. 86:15; 103:8; 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jon. 4:2; Nahum 1:3(2)
Patience: Rom. 2:4; 1Tim. 1:16; 1Pet. 3:20; 2Pet. 3:9,
15
C. The absolute STATUS and perception of God in comparison with all other
beings.
God is HOLY: God's holiness refers to the fact that He is unique as to His
existence, His character, and His actions. The word group always speaks
of a "separation" and "uniqueness" that sets apart what
is HOLY far above all other things. God is HOLY because of His absolute
character; a character that is divine in contrast to creatures who are finite.
God is HOLY in contrast with other "gods" because He alone is
GOD, while all others are false gods. Exodus 15:11; 1 Samuel 2:2; Isaiah
45:21; 5:16, 23; 57:15; 6:3; 44:6-8; 45:21; 46:8-9; Psalm 33:21; 111:9 60:6;
89:35; 108:7; Revelation 4:8p
CHRISTIAN WAY OF LIFE: God's character applied to life
1. Because God is sovereign and IN CONTROL I can be at peace.
A. God will not let anything happen to me except what is best for His
plan. Job 1:21; 2:10
B. Romans 8:28
C. God is the one making the decisions: not man; not angels 1 Chronicles
29:11-13
2. Because God is eternal; because He transcends all of time, His promises
transcend time and give substance to the reality of my salvation.
A. Because He is eternal life, He can give life to others. 1 John 1:1-2;
5:11-12
B. His grace provision is everlasting. Psalm 118:29
3. Because God is RIGHTEOUS, I can count on consistency for how to relate
to Him. Psalm 15
4. Because God is JUSTICE, I know I will be treated fairly - even in
spite of my weaknesses. Isaiah 30:18; 1 John 1:9
5. Because God is LOVE, I know that His plan is the best thing for me.
Romans 12:2
A. Motivation for salvation: Romans 5:8; John 3:16
B. I can know that He cares for me. 1 Peter 5:7
C. Divine discipline: Hebrews 12:6
6. Because God is OMNIPOTENT, I know that He is ABLE to meet my needs.
Nothing is too difficult for God - Jeremiah 32:17
A. The enforcer of His sovereignty: Isaiah 43:13
B. Protection of salvation: John 10:27-30; 1 Peter 1:3-5
C. Physical protection: Daniel 3:17-18; Heb. 13:6
7. Because God is OMNISCIENT, I know that he understands.
A. Hebrews 4:12-16; Psalm 139:1-6
B. I know that He can SEE my needs. Mat. 6:32; Psalm 139:23-24
C. Strong support: 2 Chronicles 16:9
8. Because God is OMNIPRESENT, I know I will not be misplaced. Psalm
139:7-12
9. Because God is TRUTH, I know that can rely on His word.
God who cannot lie Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:18
10. Because God is UNCHANGING, I know that He will be faithful.
A. Salvation faithfulness: 1 Cor. 1:9; 1 Thes. 5:24
B. Faithful for assistance: 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Thes. 3:3
C. Faithful for fellowship forgiveness: 1 John 1:9
index
GOD: The Almighty
1. God Almighty is a functional title of God that portrays Him as the
source for all that we have or encounter in life.
A. Thus the idea of provider is associated with it.
B. And the idea of sufficiency is associated with it.
2. The title occurs 7 times as, "el shadday" or God Almighty,
6 times in the Torah (law) and 1 time at Ezekiel 10:5.
A. But 41 times as just "shadday," in which case it appears
as "The Almighty."
B. 31 of those 41 are in the book of Job.
3. The title is related to one of two words.
A. shAdad, which means to be violently destructive.
1. Power, yes, but always in a destructive context.
2. Therefore, it seems unlikely to trace the meaning back to this root.
B. ShAdAh, which means to moisten, pour our, irrigate.
1. The noun from this verb is "shad," which is the word for
a female breast.
2. Thus, the idea of provision and nourishment is communicated.
3. And it is much more likely that this is the root behind the title.
C. So the word suggests these translations:
The breasted one, the sufficient one, the provider.
1. Thus, el shadday = God the Provider
2. And, shadday = The Provider.
D. Comments on the LXX (The septuagint):
1. In the torah (law), it is rendered simply by the Greek, theos = God.
2. In Ruth, by the word "hikanos," = sufficient one
3. In Job, by 3 words -
kurios = Lord
pantokratör = all mighty one
hikanos = sufficient one
4. What better way to communicate Divine provision and sufficiency than
the term breast.
A. God is always using human terms , forms and analogies to communicate
spiritual truth.
B. Even in the human realm, scripture uses the word breast to communicate
prosperity.
1. Economic prosperity: Is. 60:16a
2. Spiritual prosperity: Is. 66:10-13
C. And in the case of God, the breast is a perfect illustration of His
grace provision.
D. The nourishment from the breast is free to the body without merit
or works -
Just as God's provision is always based on His character and plan and not
on man's merits.
E. The breast provides pure, perfect nourishment, just as God's provision
is always perfect.
F. The nourishment from the breast provides a protection from sickness,
just as divine provision protects us from the sickness of the sin nature
and the darkness system.
G. The nourishment from the breast is all the baby needs until weaned,
just as God's provision is all we need for life and godliness during the
time of our stay on earth.
5. Now even though the word, "shadday," relates to a female
breast, neither this word nor the word for breast is feminine in form. Both
are masculine.
A. But even if they were feminine in form, the gender distinction of
words in the Hebrew are always an etymological and grammatical issue.
1. Thus, examples of feminine words: earth, soul, spirit, ear, righteousness,
ground, end, truth, word, fire, arm, sweat, wall, stone, sword.
2. And masculine words: tent, light, food , idol, lion, rock , morning,
flesh, joy, honey, sond, darkness, wine, salvation, money, heart, death,
rain.
3. The point being, that none of these words have anything to do with
the particular "gender" form in which they occur.
4. Some masculine nouns have a masculine form for the plural, and some
feminine nouns have a masculine form for the plural.
5. The exception to gender being an issue in the case of words that
deal with human relationships such as sister, brother, mother, father,
man and woman.
B. Therefore, there is no attempt here to communicate a "femininity"
within the Godhead. There is none.
C. The use of the word, breast, is an anthropopathism to relate the
provision function of the breast to the spiritual realm and divine blessing
without actually giving God breasts or a feminine essence.
D. The teaching that makes the above claim, saying that in this way
God is able to better relate to women, misses several vital points of spiritual
truth.
1. God has a masculine essence. That is, He is the sovereign of the
universe, the authority over His domain and all are subject to Him.
2. And the human male was created to reflect that authority essence
in all areas of his life. 1 Cor. 11:7
a. Over creation: Gen. 2:15-20
b. Over the woman: Gen. 2:21-23 with 3:16 and 1 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:12-13
3. God can totally understand and relate to the woman because He as
the creator, has perfect wisdom and love. He does not need a "feminine"
essence to do it.
4. God is everywhere in Scripture referred to in the masculine with
masculine pronouns and never with feminine.
6. Some key passages that reflect the real significance of the sufficiency
factor in this title.
Gen. 28:3-4; Gen. 49:25; Job 37:23; Psalm 91:1
7. The relationship of el shadday to Yahweh, in view of Ex. 6:3.
A. Yahweh is the personal name of the Godhead that communicates His
absolute essence and existence.
B. The Almighty or the "provider" is a title that emphasizes
a specific function of Yahweh. Ie, that of perfect provision and sufficiency.
C. The title that is used is what the speaker (or writer) is relating
to in his personal experience at the time.
1. In the case of pre-Israel believers, the primary focus was on His
blessing and provision, thus, "shadday."
2. In the case of the nation of Israel, the primary focus was on the
absolute existence of God and the nation's relationship with Him.
D. Exodus 6:3 must be understood from this principle of emphasis and
not as it appears literally, for the rest of the bible demands it that
way.
1. Both names were known and used by believers before Ex. 6:3
2. In fact, Yahweh was used by Abraham first, and then God revealed
his title, ie, the Provider - in connection with the covenant
of blessing. Gen. 12:8; 13:4; 14:22; 15:2, 6; Gen. 17:1-8.
E. The two titles are often used together after the statement of Ex.
6:3.
1. Balaam: Num. 24:3-6
2. Ruth 1:20-21
3. Psalm 91:1-2
4. Isaiah 13:6'
5. JOEL 1:15
F. The contrast in the Book of Job, where shadday occurs 31 times and
Yahweh occurs 33 times:
1. The two are not used in the same context, but both are known and
understood. Job 1:21; 12:9-10; 28:28
2. The principle of emphasis is still the issue.
a. Yahweh is the absolute entity of the universe.
b. The Provider is the title that expresses His actions of provision, blessing
and discipline.
index
GOD is light
1. The statement of Divine essence: 1 John 1:5, "God is light."
A. 1 Tim. 6:16
1. Who dwells: oikeö, present active participle = dwelling
2. In unapproachable light: aprositos, communicates infinite essence in
contrast to finite.
a. Absolute in contrast to relative
b. Perfect in contrast to imperfect.
3. Whom no one has seen: Exodus 33:18 through 34:7
a. V. 18, "show me your glory:" = absolute essence
b. V. 20, "you cannot see my face:" = glory or essence.
c. For no man can see me and live. finite vs. infinite.
4. What could be seen was a "reflection" of His glory (light).
a. V.19, "all my goodness:" = character attributes
b. v. 23, "my back parts:" indicates a reflection or shadow
c. v. 34:6, the character attributes which are described:
compassion, gracious, patience, provision and truth.
d. V. 34:7, "justice:" = either forgiveness or punishment.
2. And in Him is no darkness: 1 John 1:5
No sinfulness, no evil, therefore, absolute righteousness and uprightness:
Ps. 92:15; Deut. 32:4
A. Explains Adam's reaction at Gen. 3:8-10 (fear and hiding)
B. Principle of 2 Cor. 6:14, no fellowship or partnership
C. Thus the barrier between God and man. Is. 59:1-2
1. Positional sin (In Adam): Rom. 5:12
2. Inherent sin (sin nature) : Psalm 51:5
3. Personal sin (acts) : Rom. 3:9-18
D. And the sin sacrifice: Ps. 22:1-3
3. The reflection of the light to mankind via the 2nd member of the Godhead:
A. Pre-incarnate: Doctrine of theophany (See topic)
B. The incarnation:
1. His person: Heb. 1:3
2. His message: Jn. 1 :1-14
3. The light of the world: John 8:12; 9:5
4. John 12:25-36
5. John 14:6-11
index
GOD: The compassion of God
1. Compassion is the aspect of God's omniscience and love that totally
understands the condition and needs of His people and seeks to alleviate
them.
2. Hebrew: rAchum = the quality of being objective, honest, understanding
and helpful when faced with another's problems.
A. The adjective is only used of God, but the very is used of both God
and man.
B. When used for God, it further amplifies God's love by emphasizing His
character of understanding and the consistent follow-through of that understanding
in meeting man's needs.
C. Noun: rachamiym = that which comes from the character of rAchum (compassionate).
Always in the plural and refers to the expressions of compassion.
D. This word group is often rendered as "merciful" but compassion
is the closer idea.
3. Statement of His character: rAchum occurs 13 times, but 11 of those
are directly connected to channun (gracious).
A. Compassion is the understanding and caring
B. Gracious is the ACTION of giving assistance.
C. "loving kindness" (chesed) is the ACTUAL provision as designed
by God's perfect wisdom and timing.
D. Ex. 34:6; Psalm 86:15
4. Compassion is the basis for grace provision (loving kindness,
chesed).
Lam. 3:32; Jer. 31:3
See Topic: God: Kindness of God
5. Gracious is the ACT of providing the chesed.
See Topic: GOD: Graciousness of God
6. The character of compassion: Ps. 51:1; 119:77;
Jer. 42:12; Deut. 4:31;
Ps. 78:38
7. God's expressions of compassion are great in number. Psalm 119:56
8. They exist within God's character of eternal existence. Ps. 25:6
9. His compassions never fail. Lam. 3:22-23
Index
GOD: The Eternity of God
1. Statement of absolute existence: Psalm 90.2
2. Absolute existence is inherent in the name Yahweh (Jehovah).
Exodus 3.14; Jn. 8.58
3. The title: God of eternity - Is. 40.28; Gen. 21.33
4. God's life will never end: Psalm 102.12, 27
5. God dwells in eternity (perpetuity). Is. 57.15
6. God is the First and the Last: Is. 44.6; 48.12; Rev. 1.8, 12-18; 22.13
7. The eternity of God related to sovereignty:
Ps. 10.16; 29.10; 93.2; Jer. 10.10; Lam. 5.19
8. God's truth is everlasting: Ps. 117.2
9. God's righteousness is everlasting: Ps. 119.142
10. Application: Deut. 33.26-27 (Heb. 13.5-6)
Psalm 118.29 - His grace provision (chesed) is everlasting
Index
GOD: The eyes and ears of God
1. This is language of accommodation: anthropomorphism = ascribing to
God a human characteristic which He does not have in order to understand
Him from a human frame of reference.
A. Eyes: 39 times with quote at 1 Pet. 3:12 = 40
B. Ears: 36 times with quote at 1 Pet. 3:12 = 37
2. The Eyes of God:
A. Indicates the general omniscience of the Creator.
Jer. 31:19; Pr.
5:21; 15:3; Heb. 4:13
B. Sometimes as an idiom to indicate God's standards for moral and spiritual
living.
Deut. 13:18; 1 Kings 15:5; 16:25; Gen. 6:8; 2 Sam. 15:25-26 (Is. 3:8, the
eyes of His glory).
C. Communicates administration of Divine justice toward creature arrogance.
2 Sam. 22:28
D. Used to indicate Divine provision and protection for the trusting
believer.
1. Psalm 34:15 - the righteous
2. Ps. 33:18-22 - based on reverence and trust
a. protection in a physical crisis
b. protection in a food crisis
3. Support: 2 Chron. 16:9
4. Principle of Rom. 8:28 via Ps. 34:19
3. The Ears of God:
A. usually the same issue of prayer accessibility.
1. The righteous: Ps. 34:15b; Pr. 15:29
2. Humility: Job 35:9-13
3. Fellowship: Ps. 66:18; Pr. 28:9
4. In truth: Ps. 145:18-19
5. John 15:7 and 1 Jn. 3:22
6. Ritual without reality: Isaiah 1:10-15; 29:13
7. According to His will: 1 John 5:14
B. Used to indicate answered prayer: Ps. 18:6; 116:2; 2 Sam. 22:7
C. Used to indicate Divine awareness of creature rebellion.
Isaiah 37:28-29 - Sennacherib
Index
GOD: The Goodness of God
1. Goodness is a term that describes the functional expression of God's
love to man. The quality of His functional essence that constantly seeks
that which is most beneficial to man.
2. God is good.
A. Psalm 86:5; 34:8; 100:5; 106:1; 107:1; 118:1; 119:68a; 135:3; 136:1;
145:9; Jer. 33:11; Nah. 1:7.
B. Good: tobh = pleasont, agreeable, acceptable, beautiful, advantageous,
beneficial.
C. God is a doer of good. Ps. 119:68b
3. His name is good. Ps. 52:9; 54:6; Ex. 33:19; 34:6
"name" refers to his character. The character of God is of a beneficial
nature.
4. His ordinances are good (beneficial). Ps. 119:39
5. His grace-kindness is good. Ps. 109:21; 69:16; Isaiah 63:7
6. From His goodness comes a proclamation of His word. Psalm 25:8; 138:2;
119:39
7. God's goodness is experienced fully - ONLY by the trusting believer.
Lam. 3:25;
Psalm 34:8-10; 84:11; Rom. 8:28-32 cf. Gen. 50:20; Ps. 27:13-14
8. The believer has no real "good" (benefit) in life, apart
from God (His character and plan).
Psalm 16:2; Prov. 4:13
9. The revelation of God's goodness in Ex. 33:19 is directly related
to His graciousness and compassion which emanates from His love. (Eph. 2:4-5)
(Exodus 33:19, "all my goodness" = kol tobh)
10. Comment on Isaiah 45:7 (Is. 31:2; Amos 2:6):
"The One forming light and creating darkness,
causing (making) peace and creating evil."
A. "evil" = Hebrew ra which means that which is non-beneficial.
B. It does not mean "evil" but many times what is "non-beneficial"
is viewed as evil.
C. Thus, the context must always be carefully evaluated.
D. "ra" in this context refers to the creating of a judgment
upon a nation.
E. It is not "evil," but it is "non-beneficial" to
that nation.
F. That is why the NASB translates the word as "calamity."
11. God's goodness must always be defined on HIS terms, not man's.
12. SEE topics GOD: graciousness, compassion, kindness, love
Index
GOD: The Graciousness of God
1. Graciousness is the activity of God that makes available to man, the
solution to his pressures and needs in life. Graciousness is God fulfilling
His kindness (chesed) - His grace solutions and provisions to the one who
is following God's truth in his life.
2. Hebrew word, channun, is a further expression of God's love. It's
the natural follow-through from God's compassion.
It occurs as an adjective, 11 times directly connected with compassion.
(one time alone at Ex. 22:27).
3. Exodus 34:6-7
A. Compassionate is the sympathetic understanding of God's character
concerning man.
B. Gracious is the action aspect of God's love; the mechanics of making
solutions and provisions available to man.
C. Slow in anger is the action aspect of God's love from the negative
standpoint.
God, holding back His expression of judgmental justice as long as possible.
D. So, gracious is God expressing favor to ones who only deserve judgment.
E. Abundant in loving kindness (chesed = grace provision) refers to
the actual divine viewpoint solutions and provisions made available by
God for man's needs and pressures in life.
F. And faithfulness (emeth = truth) indicates that there is no falsehood
or deception but God is consistently dependable.
4. The graciousness of God is expressed through His kindness
(chesed).
Ps. 51:5
5. The kindness (grace provision) is based on love
(Jer. 31:3) and compassion
(Lam. 3:32).
Index
GOD: The Guardian of our soul
1. 1 Peter 2:25, "But you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian
of your souls."
2. The word "guardian" is episkopos and is translated "bishop"
and "overseer" as one who watches over another for his personal
welfare and protection. Therefore, the idea of "guardian."
CF. Acts 20:28-31 where we see the "pastor" or "elder"
as the one who is the overseer of the church.
3. In the context of 1 Pet. 2:25, shepherd (poimän) relates
to feeding and fellowship. Bishop relates specifically to protection.
4. So, not only have we come under the supernatural care of our heavenly
Shepherd, but also the supernatural protection of our heavenly Guardian.
5. The first area of protection is our salvation security.
1 Pet. 1:3-5; John 10:27-29; 1 Thes. 5:24
6. Protection of our physical life through guardian angels:
Heb. 1:14; Mat. 18:10; Ps. 116:15
(This is of course, lifted when the believer comes under divine discipline)
7. Protection of our soul through provision of spiritual truth. John
17:17; Eph. 4:11-14
8. Protection through knowledge and application of the character of God.
Pr. 18:10
"The name (character) of Yahweh is a strong tower, the righteous
run into it and are safe.
9. Protection from soul slavery through the word.
Jn. 8:32-33; Gal. 5:1;
James 1:21-25
10. Protection from fear through claiming promises:
Rom. 8:15; 2 Tim. 1:7; Rom. 15:13 (elpis);
Prov. 1:33
11. The Psalms of | 
