BSM 2.1

Interpret Based on Divine Essence

This principle recognizes the basic characteristics of God’s essence, also known as His attributes, as vitally important to correct interpretation. His essence is never compromised, nor inconsistent with itself. This principle is based on the fact that the more we fully appreciate the awesome nature of God (Php 3:10), the more skilled we will be in understanding what He has to say.

The fact that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all possess the same essence is Biblical proof of the Trinity. The term "Trinity" refers to the fact that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three manifestations of one God. They have basically three roles. The Father is the Planner (Acts 2:23), the Son is the Agent (John 5:36), and the Holy Spirit is the Revealer (John 16:13). While we may study their different roles, we must not seek to divide the Trinity. There is only One God (Deut 6:4); since the Father, Son and Holy Spirit all share the characteristics that only God can possess, they are all God, and are One.

We will analyze the Trinity in much more detail in later lessons.

TEN CHARACTERISTICS OF DIVINE ESSENCE

In this lesson, the first bracket ( ) will denote the verses that refer to God the Father, the second < >, the verses for the Son, and the third [ ], the Holy Spirit.

1 SOVEREIGNTY.

God is SOVEREIGN, meaning that He is King and acts accordingly. (Dan 4:17; 1 Tim 1:17; Ps 47:2,7), < Rev 19:16; John 5:21 >, [Zech 4:6; 1 Pet 4:14; 1 Cor 12:11].

Sovereignty is the exercise of supreme authority within a limited sphere. God, free from external control, is the supreme authority over all creation. He is the Creator, not the created (Rom 1:20,25).

God has the authority to establish His own plan, His own laws, and His own judgments. In short, He has the authority to act as He chooses to act, although His purposes may be hard to understand.

2 RIGHTEOUSNESS.

God is absolute righteousness, meaning that He is perfect in every way. (John 17:25; 1 John 1:5), < 1 John 2:1; Luke 1:35; Heb 7:26 >, [Isa 32:15-18; Ps 143:10; Neh 9:20]. He is the standard of righteousness in every regard. He is morally complete, setting the standard we are to imitate (Eph 5:1).

3 JUSTICE.

God is JUST. He is totally and completely fair. (Isa 45:21; Job 37:23), < John 5:22,30; Rev 19:11 >, [Isa 4:4; 28:6]. God’s justice is a response to the demands of His righteousness. God is not a "respecter of persons" (Rom 2:11), He shows no partiality. Where sin, which is a violation of His law, occurs (Rom 5:13), His Justice must be satisfied.

Man is not able to satisfy the righteousness of God, and therefore needs a Messiah who can "propitiate" (appease) the Justice of God. This "propitiation" was accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross when He died to pay for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:1-2).

4 LOVE.

God is LOVE, meaning that perfect and unconditional love is found in Him. (1 John 4:8-10; Titus 3:4; John 17:24-26), < John 15:9 >, [Gal 5:22].

This characteristic of God is the basis for sending Jesus Christ to redeem mankind (John 3:16). Love is what kept the Lord on the cross to pay for our sins <Luke 23:34>; and it is the first element in the "fruit" of the Holy Spirit [Gal 5:22].

Love means doing what is right and best for others, even if doing so is accompanied with unpleasant feelings. Christians are to partake of God’s love and spread it to others so that all might come to know God (John 13:34-35).

5 ETERNAL LIFE.

God is ETERNAL LIFE. He always has been and always will be. (Isa 57:15), < John 8:58; 1 John 5:11-12; Mic 5:2; Rev 1:8,17 >, [Heb 9:14].

Eternal life has no beginning or end. We as Christians actually possess everlasting life, which has a beginning point, but no end. God’s Eternal Life teaches that He is not ever subject to death.

6 OMNIPOTENT - ALL POWERFUL.

God is OMNIPOTENT, meaning that He has the power to do anything. (Mark 14:36; 1 Pet 1:5), < Matt 28:18; Rev 19:6 >, [2 Tim 1:7; Rom 15:13].

An example of His Omnipotence is found in the creation of the heavens and earth (Gen 1:1). We are told that the "word of His mouth," created the heavens, and His "breath," all their hosts (Ps 33:6).

7 OMNIPRESENT - AT ALL PLACES.

God is OMNIPRESENT, meaning that He is everywhere at the same time with the same intensity. (Prov 15:3; 2 Chr 2:6), < Matt 18:20; 28:20 >, [Ps 139:7-16]. This does not mean that God is everything (Pantheism), but that He is everywhere. This concept shows us the personal nature of God.

We also see from this characteristic that God is in all places at the same intensity (Ps 139:7-17). The fact that He is Omnipresent means that He could manifest Himself at more than one place at the same time.

8 OMNISCIENT - ALL KNOWING.

God is OMNISCIENT. He knows everything: past, present and future. (Ps 139:1-6; Heb 4:13), < John 2:24-25; 18:4; Matt 9:4 >, [1 Cor 2:10-11; Isa 11:2].

He knows the outcome of all things; not only the actualities, but all the possibilities. He knows all of the effects, throughout all of time, that each decision will bring. His eternal plan has considered all of these factors (Rom 8:28-30).

9 IMMUTABLE - UNCHANGING.

God is IMMUTABLE, meaning that the aspects of His Essence never change. (James 1:17; Heb 6:17; Mal 3:6), < Heb 13:8 >, [1 Cor 12:4; Eph 1:13].

This characteristic is beneficial to mankind since God must always do what He promises. He will not change His mind; since He said, "There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom 8:1), we can be fully confident that He will not change His mind. He promised eternal life to those who trust in Jesus Christ, therefore, we know that He will not amend this gospel (John 3:16). If God did alter His promises, then He would be a liar, thus unrighteous (Heb 6:17-18).

Everything else in the universe is changing. God is the only constant. This is why hope in him can be an "anchor" for our souls (Heb 6:19).

10 TRUTHFUL.

God is absolute TRUTH. (Deut 32:4; John 7:28; 17:3), < John 14:6; 1 John 5:20 >, [1 John 5:7,8; 4:6; John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13].

This characteristic tells us that everything God utters is totally believable (Num 23:19). It is in fact impossible for God to lie (Titus 1:2).

The Truth is that God manifested Himself in the person of Jesus Christ <John 14:6>. Throughout history truth has been sought simply in the form of an idea (what one thinks may be truth), a statement (what one claims to be truth), or a principle (a fundamental belief). This is why anything that mankind deems to be truth, must be compared with the words of Jesus Christ <1 Tim 6:3>.

FOR PERSONAL STUDY
# Explain in your own words the Biblical proof of the Trinity.
# Does any part of creation possess all of these attributes?
# Memorize the ten attributes of God discussed in this lesson.
# Read John 3 and identify as many of these attributes as you are able.

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