THE POSSIBILITY OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD Unquestionably the knowledge of God is desirable; the yearnings of mankind testify to that. But is it possible? The Scriptures attest to two facts: the incomprehensibility of God and the knowability of God. To say that He is incomprehensible is to assert that the mind cannot grasp the knowledge of Him. To say that He is knowable Is to claim that He can be known. Both are true though neither in an absolute sense. To say that God is incomprehensible is to assert that man cannot know everything about Him. To say that He is knowable is not to assert that man can know everything about Him. Both truths are affirmed in the Scriptures: His incomprehensibility in verses like Job 11:7 and Isaiah 40:18, and His knowability in verses like John 14:7; 17:3; and 1 John 5:20.
The Revelation of God: Historically, the two avenues through which God has taken the initiative to reveal Himself have been labeled general and special revelation. General revelation includes all that God has revealed in the world around us, including man, while special revelation includes various means He used to communicate His message in what was codified in the Bible. General revelation is sometimes called natural theology and special revelation is called revealed revelation, However, of course, what is revealed in nature is also revealed in the spirit. Some writers use the labels prelapsarian for general revelation and postlapsarian or soteric for special revelation. However, both general and special revelation are (a) from God and (b) about God. In this chapter we shall discuss general revelation mostly, leaving other aspects of the doctrine of revelation to section III. General revelation provides evidences for the existence of God. Special revelation, on the other hand, generally assumes His existence.
The Perfections of God: If the question was asked, can God be known? the question of this chapter is, can God be defined? If a definition consists of “a word or phrase expressing the essential nature of a person or thing,” then God cannot be defined, for no word or even phrase could express His essential nature. No one could put together such a definition of God. But if the definition were descriptive, then it is possible to define God, though not exhaustively. Indeed, most definitions are descriptive. One of the most famous, that in the Westminster Shorter Catechism, illustrates this kind of definition when it describes God as “Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in His being, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth” (Question). The longer description in the Westminster Confession of Faith simply adds more attributes like love, mercy, and freedom. Even those definitions simply list some of the attributes of God. Attributes are qualities that are inherent to a subject. They identify, distinguish, or analyze the subject. “The Attributes of God.” I prefer “Perfections” because all of the qualities or attributes of God are perfect. His attributes are His perfections.
The Names of God :The many names of God in the Scripture provide additional revelation of His character. These are not mere titles assigned by people but, for the most part, His own descriptions of Himself. As such they reveal aspects of His character. Even when no particular name is used, the occurrence of the phrase “the name of the Lord” reveals something of His character. To call on the name of the Lord was to worship Him (Gen. 21:33). To take His name in vain was to dishonor Him (Ex. 20:7). Not to follow the requirements of the Law involved profaning His name (Lev. 22:2, 32). Priests performed their service in the name of the Lord (Deut. 21:5). His name pledged the continuation of the nation (1 Sam. 12:22).
OLD TESTAMENT NAMES FOR GOD
ELOHIM......Genesis 1:1, Psalm 19:1meaning "God", a reference to God's power and might.
ADONAI......Malachi 1:6meaning "Lord", a reference to the Lordship of God.
JEHOVAH--YAHWEH.....Genesis 2:4a reference to God's divine salvation.
JEHOVAH-MACCADDESHEM.......Exodus 31:13meaning "The Lord thy sanctifier"
JEHOVAH-ROHI......Psalm 23:1meaning "The Lord my shepherd"
JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH.......Ezekiel 48:35meaning "The Lord who is present"
JEHOVAH-RAPHA.........Exodus 15:26meaning "The Lord our healer"
JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU......Jeremiah 23:6meaning "The Lord our righteousness"
JEHOVAH-JIREH.........Genesis 22:13-14meaning "The Lord will provide"
JEHOVAH-NISSI.........Exodus 17:15meaning "The Lord our banner"
JEHOVAH-SHALOM........Judges 6:24meaning "The Lord is peace"
JEHOVAH-SABBAOTH......Isaiah 6:1-3meaning "The Lord of Hosts"
JEHOVAH-GMOLAH........Jeremiah 51:6meaning "The God of Recompense"
EL-ELYON..............Genesis 14:17-20,Isaiah 14:13-14meaning "The most high God
EL-ROI................Genesis 16:13meaning "The strong one who sees"
EL-SHADDAI............Genesis 17:1,Psalm 91:1meaning "The God of the mountains or God Almighty
"EL-OLAM...............Isaiah 40:28-31 meaning "The everlasting God"
Go to the Library and Studies and learn more names of God, and his Trinity.
Replies
This is such an awesome read. Reading obey the names of God was stirring something up inside of me. I began to see myself communicating with the names like I use to. I can see how my relationship with God is about to get stronger and more defined.
Father I repent for every time I used your name in vain and for every time I should have used your name but didn't. Teach me oh Lord that I may know your truth.
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Isaiah 40:18 then will ye liken God? Or what likeness would ye compare unto him. There is none like you O' Lord El-Olam. Is Jesus Christ not another way that God has revealed himself?. John 14:7 If ye had known me you should have known my father and henceforth you know him and have seen him. 14:9 ...He that hath seen me has seen the father. John 14:10....The words that I speak unto you is not of myself, but the father that dwelleth in me. Hallelujah
Mother Shirley Lee said:Beautifully written Pastor Shirley, it is good that we love God through faith, on his promises and the price he paid for us on calvary. We have been redeemed by the blood of the lamb and for this we give him praise. God has opened so many doors for us and allowed us to know of his love. Standing on his promises because we believe what his word says. Thank the Lord for the gift of salvation, because where he is I want to be also.
Thousands of years ago, Pharaoh, the Egyptian ruler posed a question people are still asking today: Who is the Lord that I should listen to him?That's a good question but it is not an easy subject to tackle. It is difficult to our limited minds to grasp the limitless eternal God. It has been said, " If God were small enough for our minds, He wouldn't be big enough for our needs." For that reason don't be exasperated if we can't fully understand who God is or why He does certain things. One day, Scripture promises, everything about God and His character will be made perfectly clear to us. We have His word. we have a intimate relationship, through His Son Jesus Christ redemptive work on the cross. I don't profess to know are understand everything about God, that's why sometimes I have to ask Him what do your want me to learn from this experience are this trial are test. But what I do know and that is truly, He is the true and living God worthy of my devotion, praise, honor and obedience. I Know that He is all knowing, ever present, and all Powerful. The Creator of the Universe knows every intimate detail of His creation. He is Holy, He is righteous, He is in control, even if things around us seem to be in chaos. He is Loving and Just. and I'm so grateful that His justice is tempered by His love.Thank You Lord. He is personal, The characteristics of God( My heavenly Father) sets Him apart from so-called "gods" of other religions, philosophies, science or what ever. I do know that His Son Jesus Christ offered what no one else could ever purchase for me and no one can take from me. My deliverance and Soul Salvation.He is Love, (Rom.5:8) Freedom.(1 Pet.3:1) Friendship, that will never disappoint me. Heb.13:5) A reason for living, because following Jesus gives me true meaning and purpose to life. (John.14:6). An unshakable future. He will come back and take me with Him ( John 14:3). An Eternal Home.(Revelation 21:4) Where He will wipe away every tear from my eyes, And there will be no more death or sorrow, crying or pain, all those things will be gone for ever. I do know that.
I must repent for using the Lord's name in vain. I must watch how I use God's name. tears are trying to come this lesson is the best. God is the I AM GOD. MY HEART IS SOOOOOOO FULL.
That is so good haveing us to know the different words about god and calling the names of what we need to pray and say. He knows what we are in need of. And what he will exspect us to say to grant our petition to him us being true to all that we need to do.
Amen Kira.. great response.
KIRA HATCHER said:
There's power in the name......Communication with God , calling him by his descriptive name is the way we get his attention when we cry out......He is our resource for everything that we need in our lives. In order to tap into that source of power we need to have a personal relationship, spending some one on one quality time, worshiping, crying out, just having a normal conversation like you would with your mother or father. Sure he is an all knowing God, but he wants us to learn to sit and talk to him, let him into our hearts and souls, let him know how much we love him, how we praise his holy name. I call him Daddy because he is our father......
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