Q1 Does God exist?

Yes, He does. The Bible speaks of a true and living God who is responsible for creating the universe, mankind and all living things (Gen 1; Jer 10:10; 1 Thess 1:9; 1 Jn 5:20). Two thousand years ago, He manifested in the flesh as Jesus Christ to preach the gospel and to die for us on the cross (1 Tim 3:16; Heb 1:3).

Q2 When did He begin to exist?

God has no beginning and no end. He declares, “I AM WHO I AM” (Ex 3:14), the one “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Rev 1:8; cf. 4:8). He is immortal (1 Tim 6:16) and remains the same forever (Heb 1:12; 13:8). Hence, the Bible calls Him the “eternal God” (Deut 33:27), “Everlasting Father” (Isa 9:6) and “living God” (Heb 10:31), who is “from everlasting to everlasting” (Ps 90:2).

Q3 How many gods are there?

There is only one true God. The Bible says, “The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deut 6:4; cf. Mk 12:29). He is “God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other” (Deut 4:39).

Q4 What is God like?

God is Spirit (Jn 4:24), who fills “all in all” (Eph 1:23). However, this biblical truth should be differentiated from the pantheistic concept of some faiths which profess that “god is all” and “all is god”. The Bible says that the true God is unique (Isa 40:18, 25); He is not synonymous with nature or anything else. 

God’s character has been revealed to us by Jesus Christ. The Bible describes it for our benefit, to enable us to become “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet 1:4). It tells us that God is perfect (Mt 5:48); holy (Lev 19:2; 1 Pet 1:16); light (1 Jn 1:5); love (1 Jn 4:8); compassionate (Ps 145:9; 2 Cor 1:3); faithful (Ps 36:5; 1 Cor 1:9); righteous (Job 35:2; 1 Jn 2:29); peace (Isa 9:6; 2 Cor 13:11); patient (Neh 9:30; 2 Pet 3:9); merciful (Joel 2:13; Rom 9:15); jealous (Deut 4:24; Heb 12:29); majestic (Ps 93:1; Isa 26:10); hateful of sin (Prov 6:16–19; Heb 1:9).

Q5 Where does He live?

God dwells in “unapproachable light. No man has seen or can see Him” (1 Tim 6:16; cf. Ex 33:20; Job 9:11; 23:3, 8–9; Jn 1:18; Heb 11:27). He resides in “heaven” (Ps 123:1;Mt 6:9; Heb 9:24), “the third heaven” (2 Cor 12:2), “above the stars” (Isa 14:13) and in “the highest” (Lk 2:14). As God is Spirit (Jn 4:24), He transcends time and space: He can be everywhere at the same time (Ps 139:7–8)—filling heaven and earth with His almighty presence (Jer 23:23–24). 

Q6 We cannot see God, so how do we know He exists?

God is invisible, but He has given us ample evidence of His existence:

A. CREATION

Many scientists believe that the universe materialized out of a primordial explosion of unimaginable energy—the so-called “Big Bang Theory”. Yet, they cannot explain the source of the energy, nor how the process began. However, there is no such ambiguity in the Bible, for it reveals that God created the universe. Indeed, the whole of creation testifies to His existence:

• “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Rom 1:20).

• “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein” (Ps 24:1).

• “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be the glory forever. Amen” (Rom 11:36).

• “...I am the Lord, who makes all things, who stretches out the heavens all alone, who spreads abroad the earth by Myself” (Isa 44:24). 

• “He stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth on nothing” (Job 26:7).

• “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth” (Ps 33:6).

• “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (Heb 11:3).

• “Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness”
(Acts 14:17).

• “...He gives to all life, breath, and all things” (Acts 17:25).

B. NATURAL ORDER WITHIN THE UNIVERSE

We witness order all around us—in the movement of the stars and planets, the passing of day and night, the changing of the seasons, and the cycle of life and death. From these things, we realize there must be a Master of the universe who created such order, and who continues to sustain everything by His power (Neh 9:6; Heb 1:3; 2 Pet 3:7). 

C. GOODNESS

The source of all goodness is God, for Jesus says, “No one is good but One, that is, God” (Mt 19:17). Because His nature is intrinsically good, He has provided us with moral values to help us discern right from wrong (Rom 2:14–16). In addition, He has given us an innate desire to seek Him and to worship Him. Hence, the Bible says, “Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them” (Rom 1:19).

D. MIRACLES

The Bible highlights the power of God to perform miraculous deeds in the lives of His people. Today, He continues to perform miracles in the true church. They enable people to know that He is God (1 Kgs 18:38–39) and prove that what is impossible with man is possible with Him (Mt 19:26).

E. GOD’S MANIFESTATION IN THE FLESH

Two thousand years ago, God manifested in the flesh as Jesus Christ—a miracle without precedent (1 Tim 3:16). The Bible says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jn 1:1). Jesus came to the world to seek and to save those who were lost (Lk 19:10) and to bear witness to what He had received from God (Jn 8:26). In doing so, Jesus revealed God who had never been seen by man
(Jn 1:18). Hence, He says, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9).

F. THE BIBLE

The Bible is the inspiration of God: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). It speaks of His work from the beginning of time, His relationship with man, His will and His truth. It contains many prophecies that continue to be fulfilled to this day. The whole book testifies to the power of God (Mk 12:24).    

G. THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God (Jn 4:24), who was poured out on believers for the first time on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4). Today, God gives the Holy Spirit to those in the true church. It is an experience we can see and hear (Acts 2:33). When this “power from on high” enters believers’ hearts

(Lk 24:49), it enables them to speak in spiritual tongues (Mk 16:17; Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6). In this way, the Spirit testifies that God is real, and that He is the one who bestows this grace (Lk 24:49; Jn 15:26).

H. THE CHURCH

The church is the body of Christ, “the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Eph 1:23). It is through the church that God’s will, wisdom, power, glory, truth and blessings are revealed (Eph 1:19; 3:9–10). It comprises God’s chosen people who have been brought forth by the word of truth, and for this reason, they are called the “firstfruits of His creatures” (Jas 1:18).

I.  JUSTICE

God’s nature is just, and His justice governs our lives and fate. The Bible says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal 6:7). On earth, God’s justice is administered by the authorities He has ordained (Rom 13:1–2), but it will be administered a final time by Jesus at His second coming (Rev 20:11–15). The Lord says, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Rev 22:12). 

J. THE EXISTENCE OF THE DEVIL

The Bible reveals the existence of the devil and the work of demons. Mark 5:1–20, for example, records the story of a demon-possessed man from Gadara who lived among the tombs and was delivered by Jesus (Mk 5:1–20). 

Today, there are people who continue to suffer on account of evil spirits. Within the True Jesus Church, ministers are able to cast them out in the name of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. From these experiences, we understand that demon-possession is real, and that it is a spiritual affliction that only God can resolve. 

Q7 Is it possible to know everything about God?

As human beings, we have limitations, meaning that God will transcend our complete understanding in this lifetime (Job 36:26; 1 Cor 13:12). Nevertheless, He has given us sufficient evidence to enable us to find Him and to reach out to Him (Acts 17:27). Moreover, in our faith journey, we can grow to know Him better by relying on His wisdom and revelation (Hos 6:3; Eph 1:17).

Q8 What do we know about His wisdom and knowledge?

We know that God is omniscient. The Bible declares, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Rom 11:33). He knows the thoughts and motives of man: “For He knows deceitful men; He sees wickedness also. Will He not then consider it?” (Job 11:11; cf. Ps 44:21; Ezek 11:5; Jn 2:24–25; 1 Cor 4:5). Also, He knows every word we speak (Ps 139:4). In short, everything is laid bare before His eyes (Heb 4:13).

Q9 What do we know about His power?

We know that God is omnipotent. The Bible says, “With God all things are possible” (Mt 19:26), meaning that nothing is too difficult for Him (Gen 18:14; Jer 32:17). Therefore, in the Bible, He is called the “Almighty God” (Gen 17:1), “the Almighty” (Job 37:23), and the “Lord God Almighty” (Rev 11:17). The Hebrew word for “God”,  el,^[1]  carries the meaning of “strength” or “mighty”.

 

© 2012 True Jesus Church.