Reformed Confessions & Catechisms

The Being & Unity of God

11 passages across 7 documents address The Being & Unity of God. The full text of each is below.

About this doctrine

I. The Incomprehensibility and Knowability of the Divine Essence

"God cannot be defined, for the reason that he is immense, and because we are ignorant of his essence." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"His essence, indeed, is incomprehensible, utterly transcending all human thought; but on each of his works his glory is engraven in characters so bright, so distinct, and so illustrious, that none, however dull and illiterate, can plead ignorance as their excuse." "the most direct path and the fittest method is, not to attempt with presumptuous curiosity to pry into his essence, which is rather to be adored than minutely discussed, but to contemplate him in his works, by which he draws near, becomes familiar, and in a manner communicates himself to us." [John Calvin - Institutes]

"Already immediately when it makes a beginning, it stands before the Incomprehensible. From Him it takes its beginning, for out of Him are all things. But also in the further loci, when it descends to the creatures, it considers these no otherwise than in their relation to God, as they are out of and through and unto Him. Thus then the knowledge of God is the only dogma, the exclusive content of the whole dogmatics."

"There is no knowledge of God as He is in Himself. We are human beings and He is the Lord our God. There is no name that fully expresses his being; no definition that circumscribes Him. He is infinitely far exalted above our imagination, above our thought, above our language." [Herman Bavinck - Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 2]

"God, therefore, is in his nature a substance, or essence, which is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable; the common subject of all divine perfections, and the common agent of all divine acts." [Charles Hodge – Systematic Theology]

"it is impossible for any one to give a perfect description of God; since he is incomprehensible. No words can fully express, or set forth, his perfections." [Thomas Ridgley - WLC - A Body of Divinity]

II. The Essential Names and Theological Descriptions of God

"God is a spiritual essence, intelligent, eternal, different from all creatures, incomprehensible, most perfect in himself, immutable, of immense power, wisdom and goodness; just, true, pure, merciful, bountiful, most free, hating sin—which is, the eternal Father, who from eternity begat the Son in his own image; the Son, who is the co-eternal image of the Father; and the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, as has been divinely revealed by the sure word delivered by the Prophets and Apostles, and divine testimonies..." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"God is a spirit." "God is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth" [Thomas Vincent - The Shorter Catechism]

"Thus in Scripture He is called El, the Strong One, Elschaddai the Mighty One, Jahveh, the Being One, further Father, Son, Spirit, good, merciful, gracious, righteous, holy etc., all concepts that first apply to creatures and then are transferred to God in an eminent sense." [Herman Bavinck - Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 2]

"God is a Spirit, in and of himself, infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection, all sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, every where present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth." [Thomas Ridgley - WLC - A Body of Divinity]

III. The Oneness and Unicity of God (Unitas Singularitatis)

"The unity of God is proven, in the first place, by the express testimony of Scripture. "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, is one God." "See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no God with me." "I am the First and the Last, and beside me there is no God." "We know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one." "There is one God, and one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus."" [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"the Scripture, in order to direct us to the true God, distinctly excludes and rejects all the gods of the heathen, because religion was universally adulterated in almost every age." [John Calvin - Institutes]

"The God of revelation is no abstract unity, but the living, true God, who in the infinite fullness of his life includes the highest diversity." [Herman Bavinck - Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 2]

"The unitas singularitatis. This attribute stresses both the oneness and the unicity of God, the fact that He is numerically one and that as such He is unique. It implies that there is but one Divine Being, that from the nature of the case there can be but one, and that all other beings exist of and through and unto Him." [Louis Berkhof - Systematic Theology]

"There is but one only, the living and true God." [Thomas Vincent - The Shorter Catechism]

"The Lord Jehovah (one God in three people) is the true, living, eternal God; and him we must have for our God." [Thomas Watson - The Ten Commandments (Modernized)]

"Scripture is very express in asserting the unity of the Godhead. It is said, 'The Lord our God is one Lord;' and 'I, even I, am he; and there is no God with me;' and 'The Lord, he is God; there is none else besides him;' and elsewhere, 'Thou art God alone.'" [Thomas Ridgley - WLC - A Body of Divinity]

IV. Rational Arguments and Proofs of the Divine Unity

"He who alone reigns over all, and governs all things in the same way, and so possesses supreme power and majesty, cannot be more than one. But there is no one, beside God, who is so supreme and great, that no greater can either exist or be conceived of."

"There cannot be more than one being that is omnipotent, for if there were many, they would mutually hinder and oppose each other, and so would not be omnipotent." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"There cannot be more than one being that is infinite, or immense; for if there were more than one, no one would be everywhere. Hence, there cannot be many Gods, but only one God, who alone is infinite."

"There can be but one first cause of all things. God is that first cause. Therefore, he is one God, excluding all others." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"There is but one Omnipotent Power. If there are two omnipotent, we must always suppose a contest between the two: that which one would do, the other, being equal, would oppose; and so all things would be brought into confusion." [Thomas Watson - The Ten Commandments (Modernized)]

"There is but one independent being, who is in and of himself, and derives his perfections from no other; and therefore there can be but one God." "As it implies that divine perfection is boundless, so it denotes that he sets bounds to the perfections of all others. If, therefore, there are other gods, their perfections must be limited; but that which is not infinite, is not God." [Thomas Ridgley - WLC - A Body of Divinity]

"God is infinite, and there cannot be more than one infinite Being, forasmuch as one infinite Being doth set bounds and limits unto all other beings, and nothing that is bounded and limited can be infinite." [Thomas Vincent - The Shorter Catechism]

V. The Simplicity and Qualitative Oneness of the Essence (Unitas Simplicitatis)

"The unitas simplicitatis. While the unity discussed in the preceding sets God apart from other beings, the perfection now under consideration is expressive of the inner and qualitative unity of the Divine Being. When we speak of the simplicity of God, we use the term to describe the state or quality of being simple, the condition of being free from division into parts, and therefore from compositeness. It means that God is not composite and is not susceptible of division in any sense of the word." [Louis Berkhof - Systematic Theology]

"By the term, Essence, we are to understand, in reference to this subject, that which the eternal Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are considered, and declared to be, singly and absolutely in themselves, and which is common to the three. By the term, Person, however, we are to understand that which the three persons of the Godhead are considered and declared to be individually and relatively, or as compared with each other, and which they are according to the mode of existence peculiar to each." "the persons do not constitute something abstracted or separated from the essence which they have in common, nor that the essence is any fourth thing separate from the three persons; but each of them is the entire and self-same essence of the Divinity. But the difference consists in this, that the persons are each distinct from the other, whilst the essence is common to the three." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"While he proclaims his unity, he distinctly sets it before us as existing in three persons. These we must hold, unless the bare and empty name of Deity merely is to flutter in our brain without any genuine knowledge." "the essence of God being simple and undivided, and contained in himself entire, in full perfection, without partition or diminution"

"When we profess to believe in one God, by the name God is understood the one simple essence, comprehending three persons or hypostases; and, accordingly, whenever the name of God is used indefinitely, the Son and Spirit, not less than the Father, is meant." [John Calvin - Institutes]

"By the doctrine of the simplicitas Dei, Christian theology was after all safeguarded against the error of assuming an essential difference between the two." "Every attribute is God’s essence. God is what he has. In creatures there is a distinction between what they are and what they have; a human being is still a human being, even if he has lost the image of God and has become a sinner. But in God all attributes are his essence itself." [Herman Bavinck - Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 2]

"As we are not to assert a plurality of gods, so we are not to think or speak of God in such a way as tends to overthrow the simplicity of the divine nature." "When we speak of the divine perfections, as being in God, we suppose them all essential to him, as opposed to what is accidental. An accident is generally described as what belongs, or is superadded, to a being or subject..."

"But this is by no means to be affirmed of the divine being and attributes; for to suppose God to be destitute of any of them, is as much as to say that he is not infinitely perfect, or that he is not God." [Thomas Ridgley - WLC - A Body of Divinity]

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Heidelberg Catechism

Question 25

Q. Since there is only one divine being, why do you speak of three: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

A. Because that is how God has revealed himself in his Word: these three distinct persons are one, true, eternal God.

Scripture proofs
  • Deut. 6:4; 1 Cor. 8:4, 6.

    Deut. 6:4 Hear, O Israel: YHWH our God, YHWH [is] One.

    1 Cor. 8:4, 6 4 Therefore concerning the eating of the [things] sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world and that [there is] no God except one. 6 yet to us [there is] one God the Father, of whom [are] all things, and we for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom [are] all things, and we through Him.

  • Matt. 3:16–17; 28:18–19; Luke 4:18 (Isa. 61:1); John 14:26; 15:26; 2 Cor. 13:14; Gal. 4:6; Titus 3:5–6.

    Matt. 3:16–17 16 And having been baptized, Jesus immediately went up from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and coming upon Him. 17 And behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, “This is My Son, the Beloved, in whom I was well pleased.”

    28:18–19 18 And having come near, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on the earth was given to Me. 19 Therefore, having gone, disciple all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

    Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because of which He anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth the oppressed in deliverance,

    Isa. 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord YHWH [is] upon me, because YHWH has anointed me to bring [good] news [to] the poor. He has sent me to bind the [wounds] of the broken of heart, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and to the bound the opening of their bonds;

    John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you⁺ all things and will remind you⁺ of all the things that I said to you⁺.

    15:26 When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you⁺ from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes forth from the Father, He will testify about Me.

    2 Cor. 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit [be] with all of you⁺.

    Gal. 4:6 And because you⁺ are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

    Titus 3:5–6 5 not by works in righteousness that we did, but according to His mercy, He saved us through the washing of regeneration and a renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity9 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity7 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 67 shared proof texts · shared topicSecond Helvetic Confession · Chapter 3: Of God; The Unity and the Trinity5 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 64 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 94 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics
Belgic Confession

Article 1: The Only God

We all believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that there is a single and simple spiritual being, whom we call God—eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, unchangeable, infinite, almighty; completely wise, just, and good, and the overflowing source of all good.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity4 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity4 shared topicsSecond Helvetic Confession · Chapter 11: Of Jesus Christ, Being True God and Man, and the Only Savior of the World3 shared topicsCanons of Dort · First Head: Rejection of the Errors3 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree3 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 5: Of Providence3 shared topics
Belgic Confession

Article 10: The Deity of Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ, according to his divine nature, is the only Son of God—eternally begotten, not made nor created, for then he would be a creature. He is one in essence with the Father; coeternal; the exact image of the person of the Father and the "reflection of his glory," being in all things like him. He is the Son of God not only from the time he assumed our nature but from all eternity, as the following testimonies teach us when they are taken together. Moses says that God "created the world"; and John says that "all things were created by the Word," which he calls God. The letter to the Hebrews says that "God made the world by his Son." Paul says that "God created all things by Jesus Christ." And so it must follow that he who is called God, the Word, the Son, and Jesus Christ already existed when all things were created by him. Therefore the prophet Micah says that his origin is "from ancient times, from eternity." And Hebrews says that he has "neither beginning of days nor end of life." So then, he is the true eternal God, the Almighty, whom we invoke, worship, and serve.

Scripture proofs
  • Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3.

    Col. 1:15 [He] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation,

    Heb. 1:3 who, being the radiance of [His] glory and the exact imprint of His substance and bearing all things by the word of power—through His having made purification of sins—sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

  • Gen. 1:1.

    Gen. 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

  • John 1:3.

    John 1:3 All things came into being through Him, and without Him not even one [thing] came into being that has come into being.

  • Heb. 1:2.

    Heb. 1:2 in these last days spoke to us in [His] Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the ages,

  • Col. 1:16.

    Col. 1:16 because in Him were created all things in the heavens and on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or lordships or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.

  • Mic. 5:2.

    Mic. 5:2 And you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the thousands of Judah: From you will come forth unto Me One to be Ruler in Israel, and his goings forth [are] of old, from everlasting.

  • Heb. 7:3.

    Heb. 7:3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but having been made like the Son of God, remains a priest in perpetuity.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 4: Of Creation4 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity3 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 4: Of Creation3 shared proof texts · shared topicSecond Helvetic Confession · Chapter 11: Of Jesus Christ, Being True God and Man, and the Only Savior of the World2 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator2 shared proof texts · shared topicHeidelberg Catechism · Question 352 shared proof texts
Westminster Confession of Faith

Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity

1. There is but one only, living, and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions; immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will, for his own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek him; and withal, most just, and terrible in his judgments, hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.

2. God hath all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of himself; and is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which he hath made, nor deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them. He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things; and hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them whatsoever himself pleaseth. In his sight all things are open and manifest, his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to him contingent, or uncertain. He is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands. To him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience he is pleased to require of them.

3. In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost: the Father is of none, neither begotten, nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.

Scripture proofs
  • Deut. 6:4; 1 Cor. 8:4, 6. (See Gal. 3:20.)

    Deut. 6:4 Hear, O Israel: YHWH our God, YHWH [is] One.

    1 Cor. 8:4, 6 4 Therefore concerning the eating of the [things] sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world and that [there is] no God except one. 6 yet to us [there is] one God the Father, of whom [are] all things, and we for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom [are] all things, and we through Him.

    Gal. 3:20 Now the mediator is not of one; but God is one.

  • 1 Thess. 1:9; Jer. 10:10.

    1 Thess. 1:9 For they themselves report concerning us what kind of entrance we had to you⁺, and how you⁺ turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God,

    Jer. 10:10 And YHWH [is] the true God; He [is] the living God, and King forever! At His wrath the earth trembles, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.

  • Job 11:7–9; Job 26:14. (See Ps. 139:6.)

    Job 11:7–9 7 Can you find out the searching of God? Or can you find out unto the limit of Shaddai? 8 The heights of the heavens—what can you do? [They are] deeper than Sheol—what can you know? 9 Longer than the earth [is] its measure, and wider than the sea.

    Job 26:14 Behold, these are the edges of His ways, and how faint of a word do we hear of Him! And the thundering of His might, who can understand?”

    Ps. 139:6 [Such] knowledge [is] wonderful for me; it is high, I am not able to atttain it.

  • John 4:24.

    John 4:24 God [is] Spirit, and it is necessary for those worshiping Him to worship in spirit and truth.”

  • 1 Tim. 1:17. (See John 1:18.)

    1 Tim. 1:17 Now to the King of the ages, the immortal, invisible, the only God, [be] honor and glory to the ages of the ages! Amen.

    John 1:18 No one has ever yet seen God. The only begotten God, the One being in the bosom of the Father, He has made [Him] known.

  • Deut. 4:15–16. (Cf. John 4:24 with Luke 24:39.)

    Deut. 4:15–16 15 And guard greatly your⁺ souls, for you⁺ did not see any form when YHWH spoke to you⁺ at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, 16 lest you⁺ act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female—

    John 4:24 God [is] Spirit, and it is necessary for those worshiping Him to worship in spirit and truth.”

    Luke 24:39 See My hands and My feet, that I am He. Touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you⁺ see Me having.”

  • Acts 14:11, 15; James 1:17; Mal. 3:6; 1 Kings 8:27; Jer. 23:23–24.

    Acts 14:11, 15 11 And the crowds, having seen what Paul had done, lifted up their voice in Lycaonian, saying, “The gods have come down to us, having become like men!” 15 and saying, “Men, why do you⁺ do these things? We also are men of like nature with you⁺, proclaiming the gospel to you⁺ to turn from these vain [things] to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them,

    James 1:17 Every good act of giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

    Mal. 3:6 “For I, YHWH, do not change; and you⁺, sons of Jacob, have not been consumed.

    1 Kings 8:27 But will indeed God dwell on the earth? Behold, the heavens and the heavens of the heavens cannot contain You. How much less this house that I have built?

    Jer. 23:23–24 23 “[Am] I a God nearby,” a declaration of YHWH, “And not a God far away?” 24 “Can a man hide himself in the hidden places, and I shall not see him?” A declaration of YHWH. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” A declaration of YHWH.

  • Ps. 90:2. (See 1 Tim. 1:17.)

    Ps. 90:2 In the [time] before the mountains were brought forth, or You formed the earth and the world, and from forever even to forever, You [are] God.

    1 Tim. 1:17 Now to the King of the ages, the immortal, invisible, the only God, [be] honor and glory to the ages of the ages! Amen.

  • 1 Kings 8:27; Jer. 23:23–24.

    1 Kings 8:27 But will indeed God dwell on the earth? Behold, the heavens and the heavens of the heavens cannot contain You. How much less this house that I have built?

    Jer. 23:23–24 23 “[Am] I a God nearby,” a declaration of YHWH, “And not a God far away?” 24 “Can a man hide himself in the hidden places, and I shall not see him?” A declaration of YHWH. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” A declaration of YHWH.

  • Ps. 90:2. (See 1 Tim. 1:17.)

    Ps. 90:2 In the [time] before the mountains were brought forth, or You formed the earth and the world, and from forever even to forever, You [are] God.

    1 Tim. 1:17 Now to the King of the ages, the immortal, invisible, the only God, [be] honor and glory to the ages of the ages! Amen.

  • Ps. 145:3. (See Rom. 11:34.)

    Ps. 145:3 Great [is] YHWH and to be praised greatly, and of His greatness there is no searching out.

    Rom. 11:34 “For who knew the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?”

  • Gen. 17:1; Rev. 4:8.

    Gen. 17:1 And Abram was a son of ninety years and nine years, and YHWH appeared to Abram and said to him, “I [am] El-Shaddai; walk before Me and be blameless.

    Rev. 4:8 And the four living creatures, one by one of them had six wings respectively, full of eyes all around and within; and they do not have rest day and night, saying: “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, the One who was and who is and who is coming!”

  • Rom. 16:27.

    Rom. 16:27 [to] the only wise God [be] the glory unto the ages of the ages, which [is] through Jesus Christ! Amen.

  • Isa. 6:3. (See Rev. 4:8.)

    Isa. 6:3 And this one cried to this one and said: “Holy, holy, holy [is] YHWH of Hosts; the fullness of all the earth [is] His glory!”

    Rev. 4:8 And the four living creatures, one by one of them had six wings respectively, full of eyes all around and within; and they do not have rest day and night, saying: “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, the One who was and who is and who is coming!”

  • Ps. 115:3. (See Isa. 14:24.)

    Ps. 115:3 And our God [is] in the heavens; all that he has pleased, He has done.

    Isa. 14:24 YHWH of Hosts has sworn, saying, “Surely as I have purposed, so it will be, and as I have counseled, [so] it will stand:

  • Isa. 45:5–6. (See Ex. 3:14.)

    Isa. 45:5–6 5 I [am] YHWH, and there is no other; besides Me there are no gods. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, 6 so that they may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides Me. I [am] YHWH, and there is no other—

    Ex. 3:14 And God said to Moses, “Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘Ehyeh has sent me to you⁺.’”

  • Eph. 1:11.

    Eph. 1:11 in Him, in whom also we obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of the One working all things according to the counsel of His will

  • Prov. 16:4; Rom. 11:36. (See Rev. 4:11.)

    Prov. 16:4 YHWH has made everything for its own end—even the wicked for the day of evil.

    Rom. 11:36 For from Him and through Him and unto Him [are] all things. To Him [be] the glory to the ages! Amen.

    Rev. 4:11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.”

  • 1 John 4:8. (See 1 John 4:16; John 3:16.)

    1 John 4:8 The one not loving has not known God, because God is love.

    1 John 4:16 And we have known and have believed the love that God has in us. God is love, and the one remaining in love remains in God, and God remains in him.

    John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave the Son, the only begotten, so that everyone believing in Him shall not perish but shall have eternal life.

  • Ex. 34:6–7.

    Ex. 34:6–7 6 And YHWH passed before his face and proclaimed, “YHWH, YHWH God, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving devotion and truth, 7 keeping loving devotion to the thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and he will surely not acquit [the guilty], visiting iniquity of fathers upon sons and upon sons of sons, upon a third and upon a fourth.”

  • Heb. 11:6.

    Heb. 11:6 And without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him], for it is necessary for the one coming to God to believe that He is and [that] He becomes a rewarder to those seeking Him out.

  • Neh. 9:32–33. (See Heb. 10:28–31.)

    Neh. 9:32–33 32 And now, our God—the God the great, the mighty, and fearsome, keeping the covenant and the kindness, should not all the hardship that has found us seem little before Your face—for our kings, for our princes, and for our priests, and for our prophets, and for our fathers, and for all Your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until this day. 33 And You [are] righteous over all that has come upon us, for faithfully You have acted, and we have been wicked.

    Heb. 10:28–31 28 Anyone having set aside the law of Moses dies without mercies on the basis of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment do you⁺ think he will be worthy of, the one having trampled upon the Son of God, and having deemed common the blood of the covenant in which he was sanctified, and having insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know the One having said, “Vengeance [is] Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 [It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

  • Rom. 1:18; Ps. 5:5–6. (See Ps. 11:5.)

    Rom. 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, suppressing the truth in unrighteousness,

    Ps. 5:5–6 5 The one boasting shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. 6 You will destroy those speaking falsehood; a man of blood and deceit YHWH abhors.

    Ps. 11:5 YHWH tests the righteous, and His soul hates the wicked one and the lover of violence.

  • Ex. 34:7a. (See Nah. 1:2–3, 6.)

    Ex. 34:7 keeping loving devotion to the thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and he will surely not acquit [the guilty], visiting iniquity of fathers upon sons and upon sons of sons, upon a third and upon a fourth.”

    Nah. 1:2–3, 6 2 A God jealous and avenging [is] YHWH; avenging [is] YHWH and owner of fury; avenging [is] YHWH on His adversaries, and He is watching for His enemies. 3 YHWH [is] slow to anger and great in power; and YHWH does not entirely acquit. In the whirlwind and in the storm [is] His way, and the clouds [are] the dust of His feet. 6 Before the face of His indignation, who can stand? And who can stand up in the burning of His anger? His fury is poured out like the fire, and the rocks are torn down by Him.

  • Jer. 10:10. (See John 5:26.)

    Jer. 10:10 And YHWH [is] the true God; He [is] the living God, and King forever! At His wrath the earth trembles, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.

    John 5:26 For just as the Father has life in Himself, so also He gave to the Son to have life in Himself.

  • Acts 7:2.

    Acts 7:2 And he began to speak: “Men, brothers and fathers, listen! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, being in Mesopotamia before his dwelling in Haran,

  • Ps. 119:68.

    Ps. 119:68 You [are] good, and the One doing good; may You teach me Your statutes.

  • 1 Tim. 6:15. (See Rom. 9:5.)

    1 Tim. 6:15 which He will show in [His] own times, the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of those being kings and the Lord of those being lords,

    Rom. 9:5 whose [are] the fathers, and from whom [is] Christ according to the flesh, being God over all, blessed to the ages! Amen.

  • Acts 17:24–25.

    Acts 17:24–25 24 The God having made the world and all things that [are] in it, He, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in hand-made temples, 25 nor is He served by hands of men as needing anything—He [who] gives to all life and breath and all things.

  • Luke 17:10.

    Luke 17:10 Thus also you⁺, when you⁺ may have done all the [things] having been directed you⁺, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have done that which we were obligated to do.’”

  • Rom. 11:36.

    Rom. 11:36 For from Him and through Him and unto Him [are] all things. To Him [be] the glory to the ages! Amen.

  • Rev. 4:11; Dan. 4:25, 35. (See 1 Tim. 6:15.)

    Rev. 4:11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.”

    Dan. 4:25, 35 25 That they shall drive you away from men, and with the beasts of the field shall be your dwelling; and they shall make you eat grass like oxen, and from the dew of heaven they shall wet you; and seven times shall pass over you, until that you come to know that the Most High [is] ruling over the kingdom of men, and to whom that, He chooses He gives it. 35 and all those dwelling in the earth are regarded as nothing, and He does according to His will among the host of the heaven and those dwelling in the earth; and there is no one who can strike on His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

    1 Tim. 6:15 which He will show in [His] own times, the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of those being kings and the Lord of those being lords,

  • Heb. 4:13.

    Heb. 4:13 And there is no created thing hidden before Him, but all things [are] bare and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom [is] our account.

  • Rom. 11:33–34; Ps. 147:5.

    Rom. 11:33–34 33 O, the depth of riches, both of wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways! 34 “For who knew the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?”

    Ps. 147:5 Great [is] our Lord, and abundant in power; of His understanding there is no numbering!

  • Acts 15:18; Ezek. 11:5.

    Acts 15:18 known from the age.’

    Ezek. 11:5 And fell upon me the Spirit of YHWH, and He said to me, “Say, thus says YHWH: Thus you⁺ have said, O house of Israel—and the [things] coming upon your⁺ spirit I know.

  • Ps. 145:17; Rom. 7:12.

    Ps. 145:17 Righteous [is] YHWH in all His ways, and kind in all His works.

    Rom. 7:12 So indeed, the law [is] holy, and the commandment [is] holy and righteous and good.

  • Rev. 5:12–14.

    Rev. 5:12–14 12 saying in a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb having been slain to receive the power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And I heard every creature that is in heaven and upon the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and everything in them, saying: “To the One sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb, blessing and honor and glory and might to the ages of the ages!” 14 And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell and worshiped.

  • Matt. 3:16–17; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14. (See Eph. 2:18.)

    Matt. 3:16–17 16 And having been baptized, Jesus immediately went up from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and coming upon Him. 17 And behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, “This is My Son, the Beloved, in whom I was well pleased.”

    Matt. 28:19 Therefore, having gone, disciple all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

    2 Cor. 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit [be] with all of you⁺.

    Eph. 2:18 For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

  • John 1:14, 18. (See Heb. 1:2–3; Col. 1:15.)

    John 1:14, 18 14 And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. And we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 18 No one has ever yet seen God. The only begotten God, the One being in the bosom of the Father, He has made [Him] known.

    Heb. 1:2–3 2 in these last days spoke to us in [His] Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the ages, 3 who, being the radiance of [His] glory and the exact imprint of His substance and bearing all things by the word of power—through His having made purification of sins—sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

    Col. 1:15 [He] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation,

  • John 15:26; Gal. 4:6.

    John 15:26 When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you⁺ from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes forth from the Father, He will testify about Me.

    Gal. 4:6 And because you⁺ are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

Parallel passages (6+)London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity45 shared proof texts · 8 shared topicsWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 423 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 722 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 612 shared proof texts · shared topicHeidelberg Catechism · Question 259 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsSecond Helvetic Confession · Chapter 3: Of God; The Unity and the Trinity6 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics
Westminster Shorter Catechism

Question 4

Q. What is God?

A. God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.

Scripture proofs
  • Deut. 4:15–19; Luke 24:39; John 1:18; John 4:24; Acts 17:29.

    Deut. 4:15–19 15 And guard greatly your⁺ souls, for you⁺ did not see any form when YHWH spoke to you⁺ at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, 16 lest you⁺ act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female— 17 the likeness of any animal that [is] on the earth, or the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air, 18 the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, or the likeness of any fish that [is] in the water beneath the earth. 19 And lest you lift up your eyes to the heavens and you see the sun and the moon and the stars—all the host of the heavens—and you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which YHWH your God has given as a heritage to all the peoples under the whole heavens.

    Luke 24:39 See My hands and My feet, that I am He. Touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you⁺ see Me having.”

    John 1:18 No one has ever yet seen God. The only begotten God, the One being in the bosom of the Father, He has made [Him] known.

    John 4:24 God [is] Spirit, and it is necessary for those worshiping Him to worship in spirit and truth.”

    Acts 17:29 Therefore, being offspring of God, we ought not to consider the Divine Being to be like gold or silver or stone, a graven thing of man’s craft and imagination.

  • 1 Kings 8:27; Ps. 139:7–10; Ps. 145:3; Ps. 147:5; Jer. 23:24; Rom. 11:33–36.

    1 Kings 8:27 But will indeed God dwell on the earth? Behold, the heavens and the heavens of the heavens cannot contain You. How much less this house that I have built?

    Ps. 139:7–10 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your face? 8 If I ascend [to] the heavens, there You [are]; and if I make my bed [in] Sheol, behold, You! 9 [If] I lift up the wings of the morning, if I settle in the furthest part of the sea, 10 even there Your hand will guide me, and Your right hand will hold me fast.

    Ps. 145:3 Great [is] YHWH and to be praised greatly, and of His greatness there is no searching out.

    Ps. 147:5 Great [is] our Lord, and abundant in power; of His understanding there is no numbering!

    Jer. 23:24 “Can a man hide himself in the hidden places, and I shall not see him?” A declaration of YHWH. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” A declaration of YHWH.

    Rom. 11:33–36 33 O, the depth of riches, both of wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways! 34 “For who knew the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?” 35 Or “who first gave to Him, and it will be given back to him?” 36 For from Him and through Him and unto Him [are] all things. To Him [be] the glory to the ages! Amen.

  • Deut. 33:27; Ps. 90:2; Ps. 102:12, 24–27; Rev. 1:4, 8.

    Deut. 33:27 A habitation [is] the eternal God and underneath [are] the arms everlasting. And He will thrust out from before you the enemy and will say, ‘Destroy.’

    Ps. 90:2 In the [time] before the mountains were brought forth, or You formed the earth and the world, and from forever even to forever, You [are] God.

    Ps. 102:12, 24–27 12 But You, O YHWH, dwell forever, and Your memorial to generation and generation. 24 I said, “O my God, do not take me up in the midst of my days; Your years [are] generation [to] generations. 25 Before time You founded the earth, and the heavens [are] the work of Your hands. 26 They will perish, but You will stand; and all of them will wear out like a garment—like clothing, You will pass them on, and they will pass away. 27 And You are the same, and Your years will not end.

    Rev. 1:4, 8 4 John, To the seven churches in Asia: Grace to you⁺ and peace from the One who is and who was and who is coming, and from the seven Spirits before His throne, 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty.

  • Ps. 33:11; Mal. 3:6; Heb. 1:12; Heb. 6:17–18; Heb. 13:8; James 1:17.

    Ps. 33:11 The counsel of YHWH stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation and [to] generation.

    Mal. 3:6 “For I, YHWH, do not change; and you⁺, sons of Jacob, have not been consumed.

    Heb. 1:12 and like a robe You will roll them up, and like a garment they will be changed; but You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end.”

    Heb. 6:17–18 17 in which God, willing to show more abundantly the unchangeableness of His purpose to the heirs of the promise, guaranteed [it] by an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which [it is] impossible [for] God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, having fled for refuge to take hold of the hope being set before [us],

    Heb. 13:8 Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday and today and to the ages.

    James 1:17 Every good act of giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

  • Ex. 3:14; Ps. 115:2–3; 1 Tim. 1:17; 1 Tim. 6:15–16.

    Ex. 3:14 And God said to Moses, “Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘Ehyeh has sent me to you⁺.’”

    Ps. 115:2–3 2 Why should the nations say, “Where now [is] their God?” 3 And our God [is] in the heavens; all that he has pleased, He has done.

    1 Tim. 1:17 Now to the King of the ages, the immortal, invisible, the only God, [be] honor and glory to the ages of the ages! Amen.

    1 Tim. 6:15–16 15 which He will show in [His] own times, the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of those being kings and the Lord of those being lords, 16 the One alone having immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no one of men has seen nor is able to see, to whom [be] honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

  • Ps. 104:24; Rom. 11:33–34; Heb. 4:13; 1 John 3:20.

    Ps. 104:24 How many are Your works, O YHWH! All of them You have made in wisdom; the earth is full of Your creatures.

    Rom. 11:33–34 33 O, the depth of riches, both of wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways! 34 “For who knew the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?”

    Heb. 4:13 And there is no created thing hidden before Him, but all things [are] bare and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom [is] our account.

    1 John 3:20 that if our heart may condemn [us], that God is greater than our heart, and He knows all things.

  • Gen. 17:1; Ps. 62:11; Jer. 32:17; Matt. 19:26; Rev. 1:8.

    Gen. 17:1 And Abram was a son of ninety years and nine years, and YHWH appeared to Abram and said to him, “I [am] El-Shaddai; walk before Me and be blameless.

    Ps. 62:11 Once God has spoken; twice I have heard this, that strength [is] unto God,

    Jer. 32:17 “Ah Lord YHWH! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! There is not anything [too] difficult for You—

    Matt. 19:26 And having looked on [them], Jesus said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things [are] possible.”

    Rev. 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty.

  • Hab. 1:13; 1 Peter 1:15–16; 1 John 3:3, 5; Rev. 15:4.

    Hab. 1:13 Purer of eyes than to behold evil, and You are not able to look on wickedness. Why do You look on those acting treacherously, [and] remain quiet when the wicked is devouring one more righteous than he?

    1 Peter 1:15–16 15 But according as the One having called you⁺ [is] holy, be holy yourselves also in all [your] conduct, 16 because it has been written: “You⁺ shall be holy, because I am holy.”

    1 John 3:3, 5 3 And everyone having this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 5 And you⁺ know that He appeared so that He should take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.

    Rev. 15:4 Who should not fear [You], O Lord, and will glorify Your name? For [You] alone [are] holy. For all the nations will come and will worship before You, because Your righteous acts were revealed.”

  • Gen. 18:25; Ex. 34:6–7; Deut. 32:4; Ps. 96:13; Rom. 3:5, 26.

    Gen. 18:25 Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked. Far be it from You! Shall the Judge of all the earth not do justice?”

    Ex. 34:6–7 6 And YHWH passed before his face and proclaimed, “YHWH, YHWH God, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving devotion and truth, 7 keeping loving devotion to the thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and he will surely not acquit [the guilty], visiting iniquity of fathers upon sons and upon sons of sons, upon a third and upon a fourth.”

    Deut. 32:4 The Rock—perfect His work [is], for all His ways [are] just; a God of truth and without injustice, righteous and upright [is] He.

    Ps. 96:13 before YHWH, for He is coming—for He is coming to judge the earth! He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.

    Rom. 3:5, 26 5 But if our unrighteousness proves God’s righteousness, what will we say? God, inflicting the wrath, [is] unrighteous? I speak according to man. 26 for the demonstration of His righteousness in the present time, for Him to be just and justifying the one of the faith from Jesus.

  • Ps. 103:5; Ps. 107:8; Matt. 19:17; Rom. 2:4.

    Ps. 103:5 the One filling your beauty with the good; your youth is renewed like the eagle.

    Ps. 107:8 Let them give thanks to YHWH for His loving devotion, and His wonders to the sons of man!

    Matt. 19:17 And He said to him, “Why do you ask Me about the good? One is good. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

    Rom. 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

  • Ex. 34:6; Deut. 32:4; Ps. 86:15; Ps. 117:2; Heb. 6:18.

    Ex. 34:6 And YHWH passed before his face and proclaimed, “YHWH, YHWH God, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving devotion and truth,

    Deut. 32:4 The Rock—perfect His work [is], for all His ways [are] just; a God of truth and without injustice, righteous and upright [is] He.

    Ps. 86:15 But You, O Lord, [are] a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in in loving devotion and faithfulness.

    Ps. 117:2 For mighty [is] His loving devotion toward us, and the faithfulness of YHWH [is] forever. Hallelu YAH!

    Heb. 6:18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which [it is] impossible [for] God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, having fled for refuge to take hold of the hope being set before [us],

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 728 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity23 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity17 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day8 shared proof textsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 1227 shared proof texts · shared topicHeidelberg Catechism · Question 967 shared proof texts
Westminster Shorter Catechism

Question 5

Q. Are there more Gods than one?

A. There is but one only, the living and true God.

Scripture proofs
  • Deut. 6:4; Isa. 44:6; Isa. 45:21–22; 1 Cor. 8:4–6.

    Deut. 6:4 Hear, O Israel: YHWH our God, YHWH [is] One.

    Isa. 44:6 Thus says YHWH, the King of Israel and his Redeemer—YHWH of Hosts: “I [am] the First, and I [am] the Last, and besides Me there are no gods.

    Isa. 45:21–22 21 Declare [it] and approach, even let them take counsel together: Who has reported this from of old, from that time having declared it? Is it not I, YHWH? And [there is] no other God besides Me, and a righteous God bringing salvation [there is] none besides Me. 22 Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I [am] God, and there is no other.

    1 Cor. 8:4–6 4 Therefore concerning the eating of the [things] sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world and that [there is] no God except one. 5 For even if indeed there are [those] called gods, whether in heaven or on earth—just as there are many gods and many lords— 6 yet to us [there is] one God the Father, of whom [are] all things, and we for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom [are] all things, and we through Him.

  • Jer. 10:10; John 17:3; 1 Thess. 1:9; 1 John 5:20.

    Jer. 10:10 And YHWH [is] the true God; He [is] the living God, and King forever! At His wrath the earth trembles, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.

    John 17:3 Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You sent.

    1 Thess. 1:9 For they themselves report concerning us what kind of entrance we had to you⁺, and how you⁺ turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God,

    1 John 5:20 Now we know that the Son of God is come, and He has given to us understanding, so that we may know the One who [is] true; and we are in the One who [is] true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 810 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity5 shared proof texts · shared topicLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity4 shared proof texts · shared topicHeidelberg Catechism · Question 253 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 63 shared proof textsSecond Helvetic Confession · Chapter 3: Of God; The Unity and the Trinity2 shared proof texts
Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 2

Q. How doth it appear that there is a God?

A. The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but his Word and Spirit only do sufficiently and effectually reveal him unto men for their salvation.

Scripture proofs
  • Rom. 1:19–20; Acts 17:28. (See Ps. 19:1–3.)

    Rom. 1:19–20 19 because that which [is] known of God is manifest among them, for God has revealed [it] to them. 20 For from the creation of the world His invisible [qualities], both His eternal power and divinity, are clearly seen, being understood by the things made, for them to be without excuse.

    Acts 17:28 ‘For in Him we live and move and are.’ As also some of the poets among you⁺ have said, ‘For we are also [His] offspring.’

    Ps. 19:1–3 1 For the one directing. A Psalm of David. The heavens are recounting the glory of God, and the firmament is declaring the work of and His hands. 2 Day after day it pours forth speech, and night after night it shows forth knowledge. 3 Without speech and without words, their voice not being heard,

  • 1 Cor. 2:9–10; 1 Cor. 1:20–21; 2 Tim. 3:15–17. (See Isa. 59:21.)

    1 Cor. 2:9–10 9 But as it has been written: “What no eye has seen, and no ear has heard, and has not gone up upon the heart of man—as much as God prepared for those loving Him.” 10 For God revealed [it] to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.

    1 Cor. 1:20–21 20 Where [is] the wise [man]? Where [is] the scribe? Where [is] the debater of this age? Did not God make foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through wisdom did not know God, God was well pleased through the foolishness of the preaching to save those believing.

    2 Tim. 3:15–17 15 and that from infancy you have known the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 Every Scripture [is] God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, [and] for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, having been completely equipped toward every good work.

    Isa. 59:21 “And Me, this [is] My covenant with them,” says YHWH. “My Spirit who [is] upon you, and My words that I have put in your mouth, they will not depart from your mouth and from the mouth of your seed, and from the mouth of the seed of your seed, says YHWH, from now and even to forever.”

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scripture11 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scripture10 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day4 shared proof textsWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 23 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 33 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 1033 shared proof texts
Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 7

Q. What is God?

A. God is a Spirit, in and of himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection; all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, every where present, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.

Scripture proofs
  • John 4:24.

    John 4:24 God [is] Spirit, and it is necessary for those worshiping Him to worship in spirit and truth.”

  • Ex. 3:14; Job 11:7–9; Ps. 145:3; Ps. 147:5.

    Ex. 3:14 And God said to Moses, “Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘Ehyeh has sent me to you⁺.’”

    Job 11:7–9 7 Can you find out the searching of God? Or can you find out unto the limit of Shaddai? 8 The heights of the heavens—what can you do? [They are] deeper than Sheol—what can you know? 9 Longer than the earth [is] its measure, and wider than the sea.

    Ps. 145:3 Great [is] YHWH and to be praised greatly, and of His greatness there is no searching out.

    Ps. 147:5 Great [is] our Lord, and abundant in power; of His understanding there is no numbering!

  • Acts 7:2.

    Acts 7:2 And he began to speak: “Men, brothers and fathers, listen! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, being in Mesopotamia before his dwelling in Haran,

  • 1 Tim. 6:15.

    1 Tim. 6:15 which He will show in [His] own times, the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of those being kings and the Lord of those being lords,

  • Matt. 5:48.

    Matt. 5:48 You⁺ shall be perfect, therefore, as your⁺ heavenly Father is perfect.[]

  • Ex. 3:14; Gen. 17:1; Rom. 11:35–36.

    Ex. 3:14 And God said to Moses, “Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘Ehyeh has sent me to you⁺.’”

    Gen. 17:1 And Abram was a son of ninety years and nine years, and YHWH appeared to Abram and said to him, “I [am] El-Shaddai; walk before Me and be blameless.

    Rom. 11:35–36 35 Or “who first gave to Him, and it will be given back to him?” 36 For from Him and through Him and unto Him [are] all things. To Him [be] the glory to the ages! Amen.

  • Ps. 90:2; Deut. 33:27.

    Ps. 90:2 In the [time] before the mountains were brought forth, or You formed the earth and the world, and from forever even to forever, You [are] God.

    Deut. 33:27 A habitation [is] the eternal God and underneath [are] the arms everlasting. And He will thrust out from before you the enemy and will say, ‘Destroy.’

  • Mal. 3:6.

    Mal. 3:6 “For I, YHWH, do not change; and you⁺, sons of Jacob, have not been consumed.

  • 1 Kings 8:27; Ps. 145:3. (See Rom. 11:34.)

    1 Kings 8:27 But will indeed God dwell on the earth? Behold, the heavens and the heavens of the heavens cannot contain You. How much less this house that I have built?

    Ps. 145:3 Great [is] YHWH and to be praised greatly, and of His greatness there is no searching out.

    Rom. 11:34 “For who knew the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?”

  • Ps. 139:1–13.

    Ps. 139:1–13 1 For the one directing. A Psalm of David. O YHWH, You have searched me and know [me]. 2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You discern my thought from afar. 3 You have fanned My wandering and my lying down, and You are aware of all my ways. 4 For [there is] not a word on my tongue—behold, O YHWH, You have known it all. 5 Behind and before, You hem me in, and You have laid Your hand upon me. 6 [Such] knowledge [is] wonderful for me; it is high, I am not able to atttain it. 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your face? 8 If I ascend [to] the heavens, there You [are]; and if I make my bed [in] Sheol, behold, You! 9 [If] I lift up the wings of the morning, if I settle in the furthest part of the sea, 10 even there Your hand will guide me, and Your right hand will hold me fast. 11 And I said, “Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light [become] night around me”— 12 even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night shines like the day—as the darkness, so [is] the light. 13 For You have possessed my kidneys; You covered me in the womb of my mother.

  • Rev. 4:8; Gen. 17:1; Matt. 19:26.

    Rev. 4:8 And the four living creatures, one by one of them had six wings respectively, full of eyes all around and within; and they do not have rest day and night, saying: “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, the One who was and who is and who is coming!”

    Gen. 17:1 And Abram was a son of ninety years and nine years, and YHWH appeared to Abram and said to him, “I [am] El-Shaddai; walk before Me and be blameless.

    Matt. 19:26 And having looked on [them], Jesus said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things [are] possible.”

  • Heb. 4:13. (See Ps. 147:5.)

    Heb. 4:13 And there is no created thing hidden before Him, but all things [are] bare and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom [is] our account.

    Ps. 147:5 Great [is] our Lord, and abundant in power; of His understanding there is no numbering!

  • Rom. 11:33–34; Rom. 16:27.

    Rom. 11:33–34 33 O, the depth of riches, both of wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways! 34 “For who knew the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?”

    Rom. 16:27 [to] the only wise God [be] the glory unto the ages of the ages, which [is] through Jesus Christ! Amen.

  • 1 Peter 1:15–16; Rev. 15:4; Isa. 6:3.

    1 Peter 1:15–16 15 But according as the One having called you⁺ [is] holy, be holy yourselves also in all [your] conduct, 16 because it has been written: “You⁺ shall be holy, because I am holy.”

    Rev. 15:4 Who should not fear [You], O Lord, and will glorify Your name? For [You] alone [are] holy. For all the nations will come and will worship before You, because Your righteous acts were revealed.”

    Isa. 6:3 And this one cried to this one and said: “Holy, holy, holy [is] YHWH of Hosts; the fullness of all the earth [is] His glory!”

  • Deut. 32:4; Rom. 3:5, 26.

    Deut. 32:4 The Rock—perfect His work [is], for all His ways [are] just; a God of truth and without injustice, righteous and upright [is] He.

    Rom. 3:5, 26 5 But if our unrighteousness proves God’s righteousness, what will we say? God, inflicting the wrath, [is] unrighteous? I speak according to man. 26 for the demonstration of His righteousness in the present time, for Him to be just and justifying the one of the faith from Jesus.

  • Ex. 34:6; Ps. 117:2; Deut. 32:4.

    Ex. 34:6 And YHWH passed before his face and proclaimed, “YHWH, YHWH God, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving devotion and truth,

    Ps. 117:2 For mighty [is] His loving devotion toward us, and the faithfulness of YHWH [is] forever. Hallelu YAH!

    Deut. 32:4 The Rock—perfect His work [is], for all His ways [are] just; a God of truth and without injustice, righteous and upright [is] He.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 428 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity22 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity12 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 1225 shared proof texts · shared topicCanons of Dort · First Head, Article 18: The Proper Attitude toward Election and Reprobation4 shared proof textsWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 1014 shared proof texts
Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 8

Q. Are there more Gods than one?

A. There is but one only, the living and true God.

Scripture proofs
  • Deut. 6:4; 1 Cor. 8:4, 6; Isa. 45:21–22; Isa. 44:6.

    Deut. 6:4 Hear, O Israel: YHWH our God, YHWH [is] One.

    1 Cor. 8:4, 6 4 Therefore concerning the eating of the [things] sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world and that [there is] no God except one. 6 yet to us [there is] one God the Father, of whom [are] all things, and we for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom [are] all things, and we through Him.

    Isa. 45:21–22 21 Declare [it] and approach, even let them take counsel together: Who has reported this from of old, from that time having declared it? Is it not I, YHWH? And [there is] no other God besides Me, and a righteous God bringing salvation [there is] none besides Me. 22 Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I [am] God, and there is no other.

    Isa. 44:6 Thus says YHWH, the King of Israel and his Redeemer—YHWH of Hosts: “I [am] the First, and I [am] the Last, and besides Me there are no gods.

  • Jer. 10:10; John 17:3; 1 Thess. 1:9; 1 John 5:20.

    Jer. 10:10 And YHWH [is] the true God; He [is] the living God, and King forever! At His wrath the earth trembles, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.

    John 17:3 Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You sent.

    1 Thess. 1:9 For they themselves report concerning us what kind of entrance we had to you⁺, and how you⁺ turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God,

    1 John 5:20 Now we know that the Son of God is come, and He has given to us understanding, so that we may know the One who [is] true; and we are in the One who [is] true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 510 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity5 shared proof texts · shared topicLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity4 shared proof texts · shared topicHeidelberg Catechism · Question 253 shared proof texts · shared topicSecond Helvetic Confession · Chapter 3: Of God; The Unity and the Trinity2 shared proof textsWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 462 shared proof texts
Second Helvetic Confession

Chapter 11: Of Jesus Christ, Being True God and Man, and the Only Savior of the World

Moreover, we believe and teach that the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, was from all eternity predestinated and foreordained of the Father to be the Savior of the world. And we believe that He was begotten, not only then, when He took flesh of the virgin Mary, nor yet a little before the foundations of the world were laid, but before all eternity; and that of the Father, after an unspeakable manner. For Isaiah says, "Who can tell His generation?" (53:8). And Micah says, "Whose egress hath been from everlasting" (5:2). And John says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word" (1:1). Therefore, the Son is co-equal and consubstantial with the Father, as touching His divinity: true God, not by name only, or by adoption, or by special favor, but in substance and nature (Phil. 2:6). Even as the apostle says elsewhere, "This is the true God, and life everlasting" (1 John 5:20). Paul also says, "He hath made His Son the heir of all things, by whom also He made the world: the same is the brightness of His glory, and the engraved form of His person, bearing up all things by His mighty word" (Heb. 1:2–3). "Likewise in the gospel the Lord Himself says, "Father, glorify thou Me with Thyself, with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was" (John 17:5). Also elsewhere it is written in the gospel, "The Jews sought how to kill Jesus, because He said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God" (John 5:18).

We, therefore, abhor the blasphemous doctrine of Arius, and all the Arians, uttered against the Son of God; and especially the blasphemies of Michael Servetus the Spaniard, and of his accomplices, which Satan by them has, as it were, drawn out of hell, and most boldly and impiously spread abroad throughout the world against the Son of God.

We teach also and believe that the eternal Son of the eternal God was made the Son of man, of the seed of Abraham and David (Matt. 1:1–25), not by the means of any man, as Ebion affirmed; but that He was most purely conceived by the Holy Ghost, and was born of Mary, who was always a virgin, even as the history of the gospel declares. And Paul says, "He took in no sort the angels, but the seed of Abraham" (Heb. 2:16). And John the apostle says, "He that believeth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God" (1 John 4:3). The flesh of Christ, therefore, was neither flesh in show only, nor yet flesh brought from heaven, as Valentinus and Marcion dreamed.

Moreover, our Lord Jesus Christ did not have a soul without sense and reason, as Apollinaris thought; nor flesh without a soul, as Eunomius taught: but a soul with its reason and flesh with its senses, by which senses He felt true grief in the time of His passion, even as He Himself witnessed when He said, "My soul is heavy even to death" (Matt. 26:38) and "My soul is troubled" (John 12:27).

We acknowledge, therefore, that there are in one and the same Jesus Christ our Lord two natures, the divine and the human nature; and we say that these two are so conjoined or united that they are not swallowed up, confounded, or mingled together, but rather united or joined together in one person, the properties of each nature being safe and remaining still: so that we worship one Christ our Lord, and not two; I say, one true God and man; as touching His divine nature of the same substance with the Father, and as touching His human nature of the same substance with us and "like unto us in all things, sin only excepted" (Heb. 4:15).

As, therefore, we detest the heresy of Nestorius, which makes two Christs of one, and dissolves the union of the person; so do we curse the madness of Eutyches and of the Monothelites or Monophysites who overthrow the propriety of the human nature.

Therefore, we do not teach that the divine nature in Christ suffered or that Christ according to His human nature is yet in the world, and so in every place. For we do neither think nor teach that the body of Christ ceased to be a true body after His glorification, or that it was deified, and so deified that it put off its properties, as touching body and soul, and became altogether a divine nature and began to be one substance alone: and, therefore, we do not allow or receive the unwitty subtleties, and the intricate, obscure, and inconstant disputations of Schwenkfeld and such other vain janglers about this matter; neither are we Schwenkfeldians.

Moreover, we believe that our Lord Jesus Christ did truly suffer and die for us in the flesh as Peter says (1 Peter 4:1). We abhor the most horrible madness of the Jacobites and all the Turks, which abandon the passion of our Lord. Yet we deny not but that "the Lord of glory (according to the saying of Paul) was crucified for us" (1 Cor. 2:8). For we reverently and religiously receive and use the communication of expressions drawn from Scripture, and used of all antiquity in expounding and reconciling places of Scripture which at first sight seem to disagree one from another.

We believe and teach that the same Lord Jesus Christ, in that true flesh in which He was crucified and died, rose again from the dead; and that He did not rise up another flesh instead of that which was buried, nor took a spirit instead of flesh, but retained a true body: therefore, while His disciples thought that they saw the spirit of their Lord Christ, He showed them His hands and feet, which were marked with the prints of the nails and wounds, saying, "Behold my hands and my feet, for I am He indeed: handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have" (Luke 24:39).

We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ, in the same flesh, did ascend above all the visible heavens into the very highest heaven, that is to say, the seat of God and of the blessed spirits, unto the right hand of God the Father. Which, although it signifies an equal participation of glory and majesty, yet it is also taken for a certain place of which the Lord, speaking in the gospel, says that "He will go and prepare a place for His" (John 14:2). Also the apostle Peter says, "The heavens must contain Christ, until the time of restoring of all things" (Acts 3:21). And out of heaven the same Christ will return unto judgment, even then, when wickedness shall chiefly reign in the world, and when Antichrist, having corrupted true religion, shall fill all things with superstition and impiety, and shall most cruelly destroy the church with fire and bloodshed. Now Christ shall return to redeem His, and to abolish Antichrist by His coming and to judge the quick and the dead (Acts 17:31). For the dead shall arise and "those which shall be found alive in that day" (which is unknown unto all creatures) "shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye" (1 Cor. 15:51–52). And all the faithful shall be taken up to meet Christ in the air (1 Thess. 4:17) that thenceforth they may enter with Him into heaven, there to live forever (2 Tim. 2:11), but the unbelievers, or ungodly, shall descend with the devils into hell, there to burn forever, and never to be delivered out of torments (Matt. 25:41).

We, therefore, condemn all those which deny the true resurrection of the flesh, and those which think amiss of the glorified bodies; as did John of Jerusalem, against whom Jerome wrote. We also condemn those which have thought that both the devils and all the wicked shall at length be saved and have an end of their torments: for the Lord Himself has absolutely set it down that, "Their fire is never quenched, and their worm never dieth" (Mark 9:44). Moreover we condemn the Jewish dreams that before the day of judgment there shall be a golden world in the earth; and that the godly shall possess the kingdoms of the world, their wicked enemies being trodden under foot: for the evangelical truth, Matthew 24 and 25, and Luke 21, and the apostolic doctrine in the second epistle to the Thessalonians 2, and in the second epistle to Timothy 3 and 4, are found to teach far otherwise.

Furthermore, by His passion or death, and by all those things which He did and suffered for our sakes from the time of His coming in the flesh, our Lord reconciled His heavenly Father unto all the faithful (Rom. 5:10), purged their sin (Heb. 1:3), spoiled death, broke asunder condemnation and hell, and by His resurrection from the dead, brought again and restored life and immortality (2 Tim. 1:10). For He is our righteousness, life, and resurrection (John 6:44); and, to be short, He is the fullness and perfection, the salvation and most abundant sufficiency of all the faithful. For the apostle says, "So it pleaseth the Father that all fullness should dwell in Him" (Col. 1:19); and "In Him ye are complete" (Col. 2:10).

For we teach and believe that this Jesus Christ our Lord is the only and eternal Savior of mankind, yes, and of the whole world; in whom are saved by faith all that ever were saved before the Law, under the Law, and in the time of the gospel, and so many as shall yet be saved to the end of the world. For the Lord Himself in the gospel says, "He that entereth not in by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up another way, he is a thief and a robber" (John 10:1). "I am the door of the sheep" (v. 7). And also in another place of the same gospel He says, "Abraham saw my day, and rejoiced" (John 8:56). And the apostle Peter says, "Neither is there salvation in any other, but in Christ; for among men there is given no other name under heaven whereby they might be saved" (Acts 4:12). We believe, therefore, that through the grace of our Lord Christ we shall be saved, even as our fathers were. For Paul says that "All our fathers did eat the same spiritual meat and drink the same spiritual drink, for they drank of the spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ" (1 Cor. 10:3–4). And, therefore, we read that John said that "Christ was that Lamb which was slain from the beginning of the world" (Rev. 13:8) and that John the Baptist witnesses that "Christ is that Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world" (John 1:29). Wherefore we do plainly and openly profess and preach that Jesus Christ the only Redeemer and Savior of the world, the King and High Priest, the true and looked for Messiah, that holy and blessed one (I say) whom all the shadows of the Law, and the prophecies of the prophets, did prefigure and promise; and that God supplied and sent Him unto us so that now we are not to look for any other. And now there remains nothing but that we all should give all glory to Him, believe in Him, and rest in Him only, condemning and rejecting all other aids of our life. For they are fallen from the grace of God, and make Christ of no value unto themselves, whosoever they be that seek salvation in any other things besides Christ alone (Gal. 5:4).

And to speak many things in few words, with a sincere heart we believe, and with liberty of speech we freely profess, whatsoever things are defined out of the Holy Scriptures, and comprehended in the creeds, and in the decrees of those four first and most excellent Councils held at Nicaea, Constantinople, Ephesus, and Chalcedon, together with blessed Athanasius' Creed, and all other creeds like to these, touching the mystery of the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ; and we condemn all things contrary to the same. And thus do we retain the Christian, sound, and catholic faith, whole and inviolable, knowing that nothing is contained in the foresaid creeds which is not agreeable to the Word of God, and makes wholly for the sincere declaration of the faith.

Scripture proofs
  • Phil. 2:6

    Phil. 2:6 Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider to be equal with God something to be grasped,

  • 1 John 5:20

    1 John 5:20 Now we know that the Son of God is come, and He has given to us understanding, so that we may know the One who [is] true; and we are in the One who [is] true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

  • Heb. 1:2–3

    Heb. 1:2–3 2 in these last days spoke to us in [His] Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the ages, 3 who, being the radiance of [His] glory and the exact imprint of His substance and bearing all things by the word of power—through His having made purification of sins—sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

  • John 17:5

    John 17:5 And now, glorify Me—You, Father, with Yourself—with the glory that I had with You before the world existed.

  • John 5:18

    John 5:18 Therefore because of this, the Jews were seeking more to kill Him, because not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was also calling God His own Father, making Himself equal to God.

  • Matt. 1:1–25

    Matt. 1:1–25 1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham: 2 Abraham begat Isaac, and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob begat Judah and his brothers. 3 And Judah begat Perez and Zerah out of Tamar, and Perez begat Hezron, and Hezron begat Aram. 4 And Aram begat Amminadab, and Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon. 5 And Salmon begat Boaz out of Rahab, and Boaz begat Obed out of Ruth, and Obed begat Jesse, 6 and Jesse begat David the king. And: David begat Solomon out of her who [was] of Uriah, 7 and Solomon begat Rehoboam, and Rehoboam begat Abijah, and Abijah begat Asaph. 8 And Asaph begat Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat begat Joram, and Joram begat Uzziah. 9 And Uzziah begat Jotham, and Jotham begat Ahaz, and Ahaz begat Hezekiah. 10 And Hezekiah begat Manasseh, and Manasseh begat Amos, and Amos begat Josiah, 11 and Josiah begat Jeconiah and his brothers at the deportation to Babylon. 12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah begat Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begat Zerubbabel, 13 and Zerubbabel begat Abiud, and Abiud begat Eliakim, and Eliakim begat Azor. 14 And Azor begat Zadok, and Zadok begat Achim, and Achim begat Eliud. 15 And Eliud begat Eleazar, and Eleazar begat Matthan, and Matthan begat Jacob, 16 and Jacob begat Joseph, the husband of Mary, out of whom was begotten Jesus, the One being called Christ. 17 Therefore all the generations from Abraham until David [were] fourteen generations, and from David until the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon until the Christ fourteen generations. 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was thus: His mother Mary, having been betrothed to Joseph, before their coming together was found having in womb from the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being righteous and not willing to make an example of her, resolved to send her away secretly. 20 But [on] his having pondered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph son of David, you should not be afraid to receive Mary [as] your wife, for that having been begotten in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bear a Son, and you will call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 And all this has come to pass so that it might be fulfilled, that having been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 23 “Behold, the virgin will have in womb, and she will bear a son, and they will call His name Immanuel,” which is, being translated, “God with us.” 24 And Joseph, having been awoken from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and received his wife. 25 And he did not know her until she bore a Son, and he called His name Jesus.

  • Heb. 2:16

    Heb. 2:16 For surely [it is] not the angels He lays hold of, but He lays hold of the seed of Abraham.

  • 1 John 4:3

    1 John 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not of God, and this is that of the antichrist, which you⁺ heard that is coming, and now is already in the world.

  • Matt. 26:38

    Matt. 26:38 Then He says to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch with Me.”

  • John 12:27

    John 12:27 Now My soul has been troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But because of this I came to this hour.

  • Heb. 4:15

    Heb. 4:15 For we do not have a high priest not being able to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one having been tempted in all things by the same way, without sin.

  • 1 Peter 4:1

    1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, Christ having suffered in the flesh, you⁺ also arm yourselves with the same mind, because the one having suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

  • 1 Cor. 2:8

    1 Cor. 2:8 which none of the rulers of this age has known. For if they had known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

  • Luke 24:39

    Luke 24:39 See My hands and My feet, that I am He. Touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you⁺ see Me having.”

  • John 14:2

    John 14:2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. And if not so, would I have told you⁺ that I am going to prepare a place for you⁺?

  • Acts 3:21

    Acts 3:21 whom indeed it is necessary for heaven to receive until the times of restoration of all things, of which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from the age.

  • Acts 17:31

    Acts 17:31 because He set a day in which He is about to judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He appointed, having provided a guarantee to all, having raised Him out from the dead.”

  • 1 Cor. 15:51–52

    1 Cor. 15:51–52 51 Behold, I speak to you⁺ a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

  • 1 Thess. 4:17

    1 Thess. 4:17 Then we, the living remaining, will be caught up together with them in the clouds for the meeting of the Lord in the air; and so we will be always with the Lord.

  • 2 Tim. 2:11

    2 Tim. 2:11 Trustworthy [is] the word: For if we died together [with Him], we will also live together [with Him];

  • Matt. 25:41

    Matt. 25:41 Then also He will say to those on [His] left, ‘Depart from Me, the cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

  • Mark 9:44

    Mark 9:44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (KJV)

  • Matthew 24

    Matthew 24 on BibleHub ↗

  • Luke 21

    Luke 21 on BibleHub ↗

  • Rom. 5:10

    Rom. 5:10 For if, being enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we will be saved in His life!

  • Heb. 1:3

    Heb. 1:3 who, being the radiance of [His] glory and the exact imprint of His substance and bearing all things by the word of power—through His having made purification of sins—sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

  • 2 Tim. 1:10

    2 Tim. 1:10 and now having been made manifest through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, having indeed abolished death and having brought to light life and immortality through the gospel,

  • John 6:44

    John 6:44 No one is able to come to Me unless the Father, the One having sent Me, should draw him, and I will raise him up in the last day.

  • Col. 1:19

    Col. 1:19 because all the fullness was well pleased to dwell in Him,

  • Col. 2:10

    Col. 2:10 And you⁺ are made complete in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority,

  • John 10:1

    John 10:1 “Truly, truly, I say to you⁺, the one not entering through the door to the fold of the sheep, but going up another way, he is a thief and a robber.

  • John 8:56

    John 8:56 Abraham your⁺ father exulted that he should see My day, and he saw and rejoiced.”

  • Acts 4:12

    Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no other, for there is not another name under heaven having been given among men by which it is necessary for us to be saved.”

  • 1 Cor. 10:3–4

    1 Cor. 10:3–4 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink; for they were drinking from the spiritual rock accompanying [them], and the rock was Christ.

  • Rev. 13:8

    Rev. 13:8 And all dwelling on the earth will worship it, [everyone] whose name has not been written in the book of life of the Lamb having been slain from the foundation of the world.

  • John 1:29

    John 1:29 On the next day he sees Jesus coming to him and says, “Behold, the Lamb of God, the One taking away the sin of the world!

  • Gal. 5:4

    Gal. 5:4 You⁺ were severed from Christ, whoever are being justified in the law; you⁺ fell away from grace.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator15 shared proof texts · 10 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator8 shared proof texts · 14 shared topicsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 359 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsBelgic Confession · Article 26: The Intercession of Christ4 shared proof texts · 7 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 11: Of Justification4 shared proof texts · 7 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 7: Of God's Covenant with Man4 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics
London Baptist Confession (1689)

Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity

1. The Lord our God is but one only living and true God; whose subsistence is in and of himself, infinite in being and perfection; whose essence cannot be comprehended by any but himself; a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light, which no man can approach unto, who is immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, every way infinite, most holy, most wise, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will, for his own glory, most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, the rewarder of them that diligently seek him, and withal most just and terrible in his judgments, hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.

2. God having all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of himself: is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creature which he hath made, nor deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them; he is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things, and he hath most sovereign dominion over all creatures, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever himself pleaseth; in his sight all things are open and manifest, his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to him contingent or uncertain; he is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands; to him is due from angels and men, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience, as creatures they owe unto the Creator, and whatever he is further pleased to require of them.

3. In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, the Father, the Word (or Son), and Holy Spirit, of one substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence, yet the essence undivided, the Father is of none neither begotten nor proceeding, the Son is eternally begotten of the Father, the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son, all infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and being; but distinguished by several peculiar, relative properties, and personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our communion with God, and comfortable dependence on him.

Scripture proofs
  • 1 Cor. 8:4, 6; Deut. 6:4.

    1 Cor. 8:4, 6 4 Therefore concerning the eating of the [things] sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world and that [there is] no God except one. 6 yet to us [there is] one God the Father, of whom [are] all things, and we for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom [are] all things, and we through Him.

    Deut. 6:4 Hear, O Israel: YHWH our God, YHWH [is] One.

  • Jer. 10:10; Isa. 48:12.

    Jer. 10:10 And YHWH [is] the true God; He [is] the living God, and King forever! At His wrath the earth trembles, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.

    Isa. 48:12 Listen to Me, O Jacob, and Israel, My called one! I [am] He; I [am] the First; also I [am] the Last.

  • Ex. 3:14.

    Ex. 3:14 And God said to Moses, “Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘Ehyeh has sent me to you⁺.’”

  • John 4:24.

    John 4:24 God [is] Spirit, and it is necessary for those worshiping Him to worship in spirit and truth.”

  • 1 Tim. 1:17; Deut. 4:15–16.

    1 Tim. 1:17 Now to the King of the ages, the immortal, invisible, the only God, [be] honor and glory to the ages of the ages! Amen.

    Deut. 4:15–16 15 And guard greatly your⁺ souls, for you⁺ did not see any form when YHWH spoke to you⁺ at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, 16 lest you⁺ act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female—

  • Mal. 3:6.

    Mal. 3:6 “For I, YHWH, do not change; and you⁺, sons of Jacob, have not been consumed.

  • 1 Kings 8:27; Jer. 23:23.

    1 Kings 8:27 But will indeed God dwell on the earth? Behold, the heavens and the heavens of the heavens cannot contain You. How much less this house that I have built?

    Jer. 23:23 “[Am] I a God nearby,” a declaration of YHWH, “And not a God far away?”

  • Ps. 90:2.

    Ps. 90:2 In the [time] before the mountains were brought forth, or You formed the earth and the world, and from forever even to forever, You [are] God.

  • Gen. 17:1.

    Gen. 17:1 And Abram was a son of ninety years and nine years, and YHWH appeared to Abram and said to him, “I [am] El-Shaddai; walk before Me and be blameless.

  • Isa. 6:3.

    Isa. 6:3 And this one cried to this one and said: “Holy, holy, holy [is] YHWH of Hosts; the fullness of all the earth [is] His glory!”

  • Ps. 115:3; Isa. 46:10.

    Ps. 115:3 And our God [is] in the heavens; all that he has pleased, He has done.

    Isa. 46:10 declaring from the beginning the end, and from of old that which has not been done, saying, ‘My counsel will stand, and I will do all My delight;’

  • Prov. 16:4; Rom. 11:36.

    Prov. 16:4 YHWH has made everything for its own end—even the wicked for the day of evil.

    Rom. 11:36 For from Him and through Him and unto Him [are] all things. To Him [be] the glory to the ages! Amen.

  • Ex. 34:6–7; Heb. 11:6.

    Ex. 34:6–7 6 And YHWH passed before his face and proclaimed, “YHWH, YHWH God, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving devotion and truth, 7 keeping loving devotion to the thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and he will surely not acquit [the guilty], visiting iniquity of fathers upon sons and upon sons of sons, upon a third and upon a fourth.”

    Heb. 11:6 And without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him], for it is necessary for the one coming to God to believe that He is and [that] He becomes a rewarder to those seeking Him out.

  • Neh. 9:32–33.

    Neh. 9:32–33 32 And now, our God—the God the great, the mighty, and fearsome, keeping the covenant and the kindness, should not all the hardship that has found us seem little before Your face—for our kings, for our princes, and for our priests, and for our prophets, and for our fathers, and for all Your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until this day. 33 And You [are] righteous over all that has come upon us, for faithfully You have acted, and we have been wicked.

  • Ps. 5:5–6.

    Ps. 5:5–6 5 The one boasting shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. 6 You will destroy those speaking falsehood; a man of blood and deceit YHWH abhors.

  • Ex. 34:7; Nah. 1:2–3.

    Ex. 34:7 keeping loving devotion to the thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and he will surely not acquit [the guilty], visiting iniquity of fathers upon sons and upon sons of sons, upon a third and upon a fourth.”

    Nah. 1:2–3 2 A God jealous and avenging [is] YHWH; avenging [is] YHWH and owner of fury; avenging [is] YHWH on His adversaries, and He is watching for His enemies. 3 YHWH [is] slow to anger and great in power; and YHWH does not entirely acquit. In the whirlwind and in the storm [is] His way, and the clouds [are] the dust of His feet.

  • John 5:26.

    John 5:26 For just as the Father has life in Himself, so also He gave to the Son to have life in Himself.

  • Ps. 148:13.

    Ps. 148:13 Let them praise the name of YHWH, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor above the earth and the heavens!

  • Ps. 119:68.

    Ps. 119:68 You [are] good, and the One doing good; may You teach me Your statutes.

  • Job 22:2–3.

    Job 22:2–3 2 “Can a man be useful to God? Can even a wise one benefit Him? 3 Is it pleasure to Shaddai that you are righteous, or gain that you perfect your ways?

  • Rom. 11:34–36.

    Rom. 11:34–36 34 “For who knew the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?” 35 Or “who first gave to Him, and it will be given back to him?” 36 For from Him and through Him and unto Him [are] all things. To Him [be] the glory to the ages! Amen.

  • Dan. 4:25, 34–35.

    Dan. 4:25, 34–35 25 That they shall drive you away from men, and with the beasts of the field shall be your dwelling; and they shall make you eat grass like oxen, and from the dew of heaven they shall wet you; and seven times shall pass over you, until that you come to know that the Most High [is] ruling over the kingdom of men, and to whom that, He chooses He gives it. 34 And at the end of the days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to the heavens, and my understanding returned to me, and to the Most High I offered blessing, and to the One Living forever I gave praise and honor: “For His dominion [is] a dominion everlasting, and His kingdom [is] from generation to generation; 35 and all those dwelling in the earth are regarded as nothing, and He does according to His will among the host of the heaven and those dwelling in the earth; and there is no one who can strike on His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

  • Heb. 4:13.

    Heb. 4:13 And there is no created thing hidden before Him, but all things [are] bare and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom [is] our account.

  • Ezek. 11:5; Acts 15:18.

    Ezek. 11:5 And fell upon me the Spirit of YHWH, and He said to me, “Say, thus says YHWH: Thus you⁺ have said, O house of Israel—and the [things] coming upon your⁺ spirit I know.

    Acts 15:18 known from the age.’

  • Ps. 145:17.

    Ps. 145:17 Righteous [is] YHWH in all His ways, and kind in all His works.

  • Rev. 5:12–14.

    Rev. 5:12–14 12 saying in a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb having been slain to receive the power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And I heard every creature that is in heaven and upon the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and everything in them, saying: “To the One sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb, blessing and honor and glory and might to the ages of the ages!” 14 And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell and worshiped.

  • 1 John 5:7; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14.

    1 John 5:7 For there are three testifying:

    Matt. 28:19 Therefore, having gone, disciple all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

    2 Cor. 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit [be] with all of you⁺.

  • Ex. 3:14; John 14:11; 1 Cor. 8:6.

    Ex. 3:14 And God said to Moses, “Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘Ehyeh has sent me to you⁺.’”

    John 14:11 Believe Me that I [am] in the Father and the Father [is] in Me; but if not, believe because of the works themselves.

    1 Cor. 8:6 yet to us [there is] one God the Father, of whom [are] all things, and we for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom [are] all things, and we through Him.

  • John 1:14, 18.

    John 1:14, 18 14 And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. And we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 18 No one has ever yet seen God. The only begotten God, the One being in the bosom of the Father, He has made [Him] known.

  • John 15:26; Gal. 4:6.

    John 15:26 When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you⁺ from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes forth from the Father, He will testify about Me.

    Gal. 4:6 And because you⁺ are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

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