What is the nature of God?

1. God’s Eternal Existence

God is without beginning or end, existing before the foundation of the world and transcending time itself. As Psalm 90:2 says, “Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.” This statement underscores the eternal nature of God—He is the uncaused Cause, the Creator who is not dependent on anything else for His being.

In archaeological research, the concept that ancient civilizations universally held beliefs about a supreme deity or deities who predated all creation supports the notion that humans have long acknowledged the possibility of an eternal, uncreated God. Combined with the scriptural testimony, such findings reinforce the idea of a supernatural Being independent of human origin or invention.

2. God as Spirit and Creator

John 4:24 states, “God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth,” describing God’s non-physical nature. He is not limited by space or time, which allows Him to sustain and uphold the universe at every moment.

Genesis 1:1 declares, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Scientific findings on the complexity and orderliness of the universe—such as the fine-tuning of physical constants and the presence of information-rich biological systems—have been used in various fields of science to indicate a purposeful design rather than random chance. This aligns with passages like Psalm 19:1: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”

3. God’s Oneness and Trinity

Within God’s oneness is a tri-unity of Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Deuteronomy 6:4 proclaims, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.” Yet Scripture also affirms the full deity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

• The Father is consistently presented as God (Ephesians 4:6).

• Jesus declares, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30), and in John 1:1 we see, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

• The Holy Spirit is conflated with God in passages like Acts 5:3–4, where lying to the Holy Spirit is equated with lying to God.

Though beyond human comprehension, this triune nature is woven into all of Scripture, with no contradictions among the earliest biblical manuscripts. Such manuscript evidence, including early papyri and codices, testifies to the consistency of the text through centuries of transmission.

4. God’s Attributes

God’s attributes reveal His character, inviting deeper understanding and relationship.

a. Holiness

God is utterly pure and set apart. Isaiah 6:3 reflects this truth: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.” This holiness sets a moral standard for creation.

b. Love

God’s nature is characterized by self-giving love. First John 4:8 says, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” In the historical unfolding of salvation, this love was chiefly demonstrated in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

c. Omnipotence

God is all-powerful. Luke 1:37 states, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” From the creation of the universe to the resurrection of Christ, Scripture repeatedly points to divine power at work.

d. Omniscience

God knows all things. Psalm 139:4 affirms, “Even before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, O LORD.” Historically and philosophically, discussions about an all-knowing God have underscored the idea that no human thought or event escapes His notice.

e. Omnipresence

God is fully present in every place. Psalm 139:7–8 proclaims, “Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.” This attribute comforts believers, assuring them of God’s constant nearness.

f. Immutability

God does not change. Malachi 3:6 states, “Because I, the LORD, do not change, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed.” Despite the unfolding of events in history, God’s essence and character remain steadfast.

5. God’s Sovereignty over History

From a biblical timeline perspective, genealogies in books like Genesis and 1 Chronicles show that God’s hand guides history, unfolding His redemptive plan. Archaeological sites confirming key biblical events (for example, the Tel Dan Stele referencing the House of David) provide tangible testimony that the narrative of Scripture intersects with historical reality.

God’s sovereignty displays His rule over all nations and each individual life. Proverbs 21:1 declares, “The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.” This illustrates that God’s authority extends even over the affairs of earthly rulers.

6. God’s Redemptive Purpose and the Resurrection

Central to God’s nature is His desire to redeem humanity. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the focal point demonstrating both God’s power and His saving purposes. First Corinthians 15:3–4 emphasizes the historic claim: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Extensive historical and manuscript evidence supports the authenticity of the resurrection accounts, with early Christian creeds (such as the one in 1 Corinthians 15) verifying the consistent belief in the risen Christ just a few years after the events occurred. Coupled with archaeological and textual studies—such as the Dead Sea Scrolls demonstrating the care in transmitting sacred texts—this reinforces the trustworthiness of the message.

7. God’s Relationship with Humanity

While transcendent, God also draws near and invites personal relationship. James 4:8 encourages, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” The practical implication is that God is not merely an abstract concept but a personal Being who seeks communion with His creation.

Throughout Scripture, miracles, healings, and other divine interventions underscore His willingness to act in human history. Modern accounts of miracles and transformative testimonies have further highlighted that He continues to work in extraordinary ways.

8. Practical Implications for Understanding God

A clear view of God’s nature shapes ethics, worship, and life purpose.

• Since God is holy, believers are called to reflect His holiness by living morally upright lives (1 Peter 1:16).

• Because God is love, human relationships find their standard in selfless love (John 13:34–35).

• Understanding His omnipotence and sovereignty brings assurance amid life’s uncertainties (Romans 8:28).

• Embracing His immutability gives confidence that He will always keep His promises (Numbers 23:19).

9. The Ultimate End: Glorifying God

All creation exists for God’s glory. First Corinthians 10:31 commands, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” A proper understanding of God’s nature leads to worship and loving obedience, fulfilling the chief purpose of every individual life.

10. Conclusion

God’s nature, as presented in Scripture, is the foundation of all reality. He is eternal, Creator, Spirit, perfectly holy, all-loving, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. He encompasses three coeternal Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—yet remains one indivisible Being. Through vast manuscript evidence, archaeological discoveries, and consistent testimony within Scripture, the picture emerges of a God who is both sovereign over history and intimately involved with humanity.

This God, from everlasting to everlasting, orchestrates the redemptive plan that climaxes in the resurrection of Jesus. Understanding and embracing His nature is the key to finding meaning, hope, and the ultimate purpose of glorifying Him.