Thursday, February 19, 2009

Bible Doctrine Series-The Spirituality of God

God’s spirituality is basic to His personality. The attributes of personality arise out of the spirit. God is a spiritual being. A. Biblical Proof. John 4:24; Romans 1:20; 1 Timothy 1:17; Colossians 1:15 B. The meaning of Spirituality. 1. Spirit is the invisible source of personality, Spirit can: Perceive—Mark 2:8 Purpose—Acts 19:21 Speak—Matthew 10:20 Rejoice—Luke 1:47 Love—Romans 15:30 Pray—Romans 8:26 Think—Romans 8:27 Fellowship—Philippians 2:1 Worship—John 4:24 The source of personality is not the brain although personality functions through the brain. Spirit is not a synonym for personality; it is the metaphysical source. God, then, is the very essence of personality. 2. Spirit has no necessary connection with matter; it cannot be apprehended by physical means (i.e., by empiricism) (Luke 24:39). 3. However, God has chosen to manifest Himself in various ways (John 1:32—dove; Exodus 3:2-6—burning bush; etc.). He has chosen to manifest Himself permanently in Jesus (John 14:9; Acts 7:56). 4. The Bible speaks of God having bodily parts (called anthropomorphism's) (parts such as eyes, arms, feet, hands, etc.) only to aid finite minds in understanding the infinite God. God is the very essence of personality because He is pure spirit. Personality is a group (or cluster) of functions (or characteristics) that arise from spirit. A. Life--God is living. 1 Timothy 4:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; John 5:26; Jeremiah 20:10. Life means that God is able to do things; He has within Himself the source of being and activity (potential energy or activity). B. Intelligence. (Comprised of knowledge, understanding and wisdom) Proverbs 3:19-20; Romans 11:33. Knowledge is the perception of facts. Understanding is the insight into the meaning of the facts. Wisdom is the ability to put the facts together for good ends (Nazi Germany had the first two but not the last). C. Purpose. Ephesians 3:11. Purpose is reacting to a future goal as if it was already present. D. Action. Genesis 1:1; John 5:17. God is active. He not only can do things (life), He does them. E. Freedom. Job 23:13; Daniel 4:35; Ephesians 1:11. God is wholly self-determined; He is not bound by anything outside of Himself. He can do anything consistent with His nature. His actions are determined by His own will and pleasure. F. Self-consciousness. Exodus 3:14; 1 Corinthians 2:10b, 11b. Only God knows Himself completely. G. Emotion. Jeremiah 31:2; Genesis 6:6; Proverbs 6:16. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

No comments:

Post a Comment