TheoDoc_c.TheologyProper

: Theological Terms - Monotheism (mono / one + theism / theory of God = one God) refutes Polytheism (poly / plural + theism = theory of God = plural gods).

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Trinity / Tri-Unity of God

The one true and living God is revealed as three separate, equal, and eternally existing Persons.

a. There is a Person called the Father, who is declared to be God.

- ...God the Father... (Gal 1:1b)

b. There is a separate Person - the Son, Jesus, who is also declared to be God.

- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ... And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us... (Jn 1:1,14a)

c. There is yet another separate Person - the Holy Spirit, who is also declared to be God.

- But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit..." ..."You have not lied to men, but to God." (Acts 5:3a,4c)

Notes

: The Jn 1 passage is a direct reference to Jesus, the Word of God, who became flesh.

: There are three separate but equal Persons referred to as God in the Bible. Yet, the Bible repeatedly declares there is only one true and living God. Thus, the Trinity or Tri-Unity of the one God!

: See more about the Trinity. (under construction)

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Attributes of God

: See Our Great God is...

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Names of God

: See Some of God's Names

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God's Decree

The decree of God is His plan (from before the foundation of the world).

- ...just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world... (Eph 1:4a)

- ...I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, "My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure..." ...I have planned it, surely I will do it." (Is 46:9b,10,11c)

- For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back? (Is 14:27)

Notes

: God's decree encompasses

a. His plan / purpose / choice for everything beforehand

b. His creation of everything

c. His preservation of everything

d. His providence in everything

e. His culmination of everything

: There truly is no such thing as chance, or luck, or fortune, or coincidence, or other related concepts.

: See more about God's decree. (under construction)

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God, the Creator

God created all things.

- In the beginning God created… (Gen 1:1a)

- For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth... (Ex 20:11a)

- Of old Thou didst found the earth; and the heavens are the work of Thy hands (Ps 102:25).

- For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on the earth, visible and invisible... (Col 1:16a)

Notes

: See more about God, the Creator. (under construction)

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God Preserves All Things

God preserves and upholds all things.

- And He [Jesus] is before all things, and in Him all things hold together (Col 1:17).

- And He [Jesus] ...upholds all things by the word of His power (Heb 1:3b).

- ...for in Him we live and move and exist... (Acts 17:28a)

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God's Providence

God governs, controls, guards, guides all things 'behind the scenes.'

- ...[God] works all things after the counsel of His will... (Eph 1:11b)

- The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord (Pr 16:33).

- "And it is He who... removes kings and establishes kings... (Dan 2:21b)

- Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father (Mt 10:29 ).

Notes:

: If there is the smallest thing God does not have complete control over, then He is not God.

: Theological Term - General Providence : control and supervision of everything through ordinary means.

: Theological Term - Special Providence : control and supervision of everything through extraordinary means.

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God's Miracles

God sometimes suspends the normal laws of nature He has put into place and does a supernatural or extraordinary work that mankind can see.

- ...the Lord swept the sea [Red Sea] back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided (Ex 14:21b).

- ...He [Jesus] cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth." He who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings... (Jn 11:43b-44a)

Notes:

: Miracles are an opportunity for God's wondrous works to be seen by mankind.

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God's Will

The will of God encompasses whatever He sovereignly chooses for us, whatever He desires for us, whatever pleases Him, and whatever He wants us to do - especially as revealed in His commands to us.

- He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will... (Eph 1:5)

- Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right (1 Pt 4:19).

- For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality... (1 Ths 4:3)

- Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Ths 5:16-18).

Notes

: Theological Terms

a. God's Decretive Will: This is God's decree (singular - one Plan for all time); that which He purposes for everything from before the foundation of the world. This cannot and will not be thwarted!

b. God's Will of Disposition: This is God's revealed will of what pleases Him.

c. God's Preceptive Will: This is God's revealed will through His Precepts or commands He's given us; what He expects of and commands us to do.

(Note: While everyone is commanded to obey and absolutely responsible to do so, God has given mankind the volition to either obey or disobey His commands [short-term only] even as He remains in complete control of everything.)

d. God's Permissive Will: This is said to be when God 'allows' or 'permits' things to happen (things mankind usually thinks of as bad - but that are not necessarily or at least ultimately so from God's perspective).

(Note: If God 'allows' or 'permits' something, He has actually chosen it and therefore of necessity ordained it.)

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The Knowability of God

God is knowable.

- ...nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him (Mt 11:27b).

- And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent (Jn 17:3).

Notes:

: Jesus Christ makes the Father known to us.

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God, Our Father

God is our Father in heaven.

- ...Our Father who art in heaven... (Mt 6:9b)

- ...but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" (Rm 8:15b)

- And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth... (1 Pt 1:17)

Notes

: We become God's children when we are reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

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For additional info about God see the index for Our Great God.

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