God’s Attributes Roughly Defined
Attribute: Intrinsic characteristics and qualities
Uniqueness of God’s Being
Triune: Three Persons in one Being
Foundational Attributes (true of each attribute)
Self-existent: Without cause (dependent on nothing outside Himself)
Infinite: Without limit
Perfect: Without flaw
Unity: Without contradiction (all attributes work in perfect harmony as one)
Immutable: Without change (unchangeable)
Attributes of Goodness (Character)
Holy: Separate from evil (does not relate with evil)
Wrathful: Furious with evil
Just: Punishes evil by giving what sins deserve
Righteous: Always does right
Merciful: Doesn’t give what sins deserve (forgiving)
Gracious: Gives more than we merit (kind and generous)
Faithful: Fulfills covenants and keeps promises
Compassionate: Feels pity towards the suffering of others
Loving: Wants good for his people because He delights in them
Attributes of Greatness
Sovereign: Absolute control of all things
Eternal: Infinite existence (exists always / without beginning or end)
Omnipotent: Infinite power
Omnipresent: Infinite presence (exists everywhere)
Omniscient: Infinite knowledge
Wise: Infinite intelligence
1.
Q: Are there more Gods than one?
A: There is only one true and living God, existing in three Persons, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; and these three are one God, equally sharing the same being, attributes and glory.
2.
Q: When did God begin to exist?
A: God has no beginning and no end, He is self-existent and eternal.
3.
Q: What are God’s limitations?
A: God is infinite and perfect in all His attributes; He is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent.
4.
Q: Is there anything God cannot do?
A: There is only one thing God cannot do; God cannot do evil.
5.
Q: Do God’s attributes ever contradict one another?
A: God is perfect in His unity, His attributes function in absolute harmony without competition.
6.
Q: Does God change?
A: God does not change, He is immutable in His perfection.
7.
Q: Is God good?
A: God is good in all His attributes; He is holy, wrathful, just, righteous, merciful, gracious, faithful, compassionate and loving and wise.
8.
Q: Over what does God reign?
A: God is sovereign over all things, there is nothing outside of His control.
9.
Q: If everything is under God’s control, does that mean that God determined all things, including sin?
A: God predetermined all things that take place; He determined what He would do & what He would allow free creatures to do.
10.
Q: How should we respond to the goodness & greatness of God?
A: We should trust Him in humility & love, & worship Him with reverence & awe.
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