Salem Church
The Doctrine of God
Sunday, November 12, 2023
Dr. John Welborn
The Doctrine of God
God the Father
2 Corinthians 13:14
“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.” Psalms 145:3
“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom & knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments & how inscrutable his ways!” Romans 11:33
Main Idea: Christians Worship One God, Eternally Existent in Father, Son and Spirit
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14
Three Truths Concerning God’s Identity in 2 Corinthians 13:14.
I. God is Triune
“…the Lord Jesus Christ…God…the Holy Spirit...”
The Scripture Affirms:
• God is One
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!” Deuteronomy 6:4
• The Father is God
“For on Him God the Father has set His seal.” John 6:27b
• The Son is God
“Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13
• The Spirit is God
“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17
The Scripture Rejects:
• The Father is God, Jesus is God Jr & The Spirit is God III
• There are Multiple Gods
• The Father, Son & Spirit are not Distinct
“If you deny the trinity, you lose your soul. If you try to explain it, you lose your mind.” Saint Augustine
“We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, & eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge & sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself & to make all things new for His own glory.” Salem Church Statement of Faith (Article 1)
II. God is Good
“The grace of…& the love of…& the fellowship of…”
The Scripture Affirms:
• God’s Qualities Illustrated
• God’s Names Reveal His Character:
- Elohim
- El
- El Shaddai
- El Roy
- Yahweh
- Emmanuel
• There is No One Like our God
“To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with Him?” Isaiah 40:18
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, & my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
“Bring me a worm that can comprehend a man, and then I will bring you a man that can comprehend the triune God!” John Wesley
III. God is Present
“…be with you all.”
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32
Sources and Further Reading Opportunities:
The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict – Josh McDowell (1999)
Theology for the Church – Daniel L. Akin (2007)
Wiersbe Bible Commentary – Warren Wiersbe (2007)
New Illustrated Bible Dictionary – Ronald F. Youngblood (1995)
MacArthur New Testament Commentary – John MacArthur (2004)
Strong’s Concordance – James Strong (1890)
Tony Evans Book of Illustrations – Tony Evans (2009)
Swindoll’s Ultimate Book of Illustrations & Quotes – Charles Swindoll (1998)
How to Connect with God – James Merritt (2010)
God, I’ve got a Question – James Merritt (2011)
Knowing God – J.I. Packer (1973)
Doctrine – Mark Driscoll (2010)
2 Corinthians 13:14 ESV