The Doctrine of God: God's Eternal Plan and Purpose.

The Divine Decrees

See <http://www.theopedia.com/decrees-of-god> for a full treatment of this subject.Also

see<https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/divinedecrees.html> by William G.T. Shedd

Questions for Research and Review. L.B. 49

1. What is the Divine Decree?
2. Why do we sometimes speak of Decrees in the plural?
3. What are the Characteristics of the Divine Decree?
4. What is the nature of God’s Decree concerning sin?
5. What objections are raised against the Doctrine of the Decrees?

Other questions for further study:

1. Is foreknowledge the same as foreordination or predestination? Acts 2:23; Romans 8:29; 11:2; 1 Peter 1:2
2. How does the Bible indicate that Christ was also an object of Predestination? Ps 2:7; Isaiah 42:1; 1 Peter 1:20; 2:4; In what sense is this to be understood?
3. What indications do we have that the Angels were also objects of Predestination? 1 Tim 5:21. How should we conceive of this?

Westminster Shorter Catechism Q. 7 defines the decrees of God to be “his eternal purpose according to the counsel of his own will, whereby he has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.” God does not act until he has decided to act, and his decision is free and voluntary. Hence, the actions of God can no more be separated from the decrees of God than the actions of a man can be from his decisions. W. Shedd

The Doctrine of God :The Person of the Holy Spirit.

Introduction.

Though the Modernists, Socinians, and Unitarians speak of Him as mere Influence or force, The Bible clearly portrays Him as a Person.

Note carefully these Scriptures:

Joh 14:16  And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be forever with you--the Spirit of truth.

Joh 14:17  That Spirit the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him. You know Him, because He remains by your side and is in you.

Joh 14:26  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will teach you everything, and will bring to your memories all that I have said to you.

From these verses we see that the Holy Spirit is an advocate, comforter or Helper.

Barnes :Another Comforter - Jesus had been to them a counsellor, a guide, a friend, while he was with them. He had instructed them, had borne with their prejudices and ignorance, and had administered consolation to them in the times of despondency. But he was about to leave them now to go alone into an unfriendly world. The other Comforter was to be given as a compensation for his absence, or to perform the offices toward them which he would have done if he had remained personally with them. And from this we may learn, in part, what is the office of the Spirit. It is to furnish to all Christians the instruction and consolation which would be given by the personal presence of Jesus, Joh_16:14. To the apostles it was particularly to inspire them with the knowledge of all truth, John 14:26 He was to be their Teacher.

Joh 15:26  "When the Advocate is come whom I will send to you from the Father's presence--the Spirit of Truth who comes forth from the Father's presence--He will be a witness concerning me.

Jesus says that the Spirit of truth, comes forth from the Father's Presence and that He will be a witness concerning Jesus. He will reveal the truth about Christ.

Cp also John 16:7-15

Rom 8:26  In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness; for we do not know what prayers to offer nor in what way to offer them. But the Spirit Himself pleads for us in yearnings that can find no words,

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities, [weaknesses].... The Spirit of God which dwells in us, by whom we are led, who is the spirit of adoption to us, who has witnessed to our spirits, that we are the children of God, whose firstfruits we have received, over and above, and besides what he has done for us, "also helpeth our infirmities"; whilst we are groaning within ourselves, both for ourselves and for others, and are waiting patiently for what we are hoping for. The people of God, all of them, more or less, have their infirmities in this life. They are not indeed weak and infirm, in such sense as unregenerate persons are, who have no spiritual strength, are ignorant of their weakness, do not go to Christ for strength, nor derive any from him, and hence can perform nothing that is spiritually good: nor are they all alike infirm; some are weaker in faith, knowledge, and experience, than others; some are of more weak and scrupulous consciences than others be:... John Gill

but the Spirit itself — rather, “Himself.” (See end of Rom_8:27).

maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered — that is, which cannot be expressed in articulate language. Sublime and affecting ideas, for which we are indebted to this passage alone! “As we struggle to express in articulate language the desires of our hearts and find that our deepest emotions are the most inexpressible, we ‘groan’ under this felt inability. But not in vain are these groanings. For ‘the Spirit Himself’ is in them, giving to the emotions which He Himself has kindled the only language of which they are capable; so that though on our part they are the fruit of impotence to utter what we feel, they are at the same time the intercession of the Spirit Himself in our behalf.”JFB

Note that He has Intelligence.

Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you.

He has feeling.

Eph 4:30  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you are sealed until the day of redemption.

He has will or Volition.

Act 16:7  having come to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia. But the Spirit did not allow them.

1Co 12:11  But the one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing separately to each one as He desires.

The Scriptures represent the Holy Spirit as speaking, searching, testifying,commanding, convincing and interceding.

He is clearly distinguished from His own Power in these verses. Luke 1:35;  4:14; Acts 10 38 and 1 Cor 2:4

His Special Characteristic is that He proceeds from the father and the Son by spiration.

Joh 15:26  And when the Comforter has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He shall testify of Me.

Joh 16:7  But I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you. But if I depart, I will send Him to you.

Rom 8:9  But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.

In general it is said that it is the Task of the Holy Spirit to bring things to completion both in creation and redemption.

Genesis 1:3 Job 26:13; Luke 1:35; John 3:34; 1 Cor 12 :4-11 and Ephesians 2:22

The Son of God.    (Notes from Louis Berkhof pp43-44)

The Doctrine of God: God the Son.

The Eternal Generation of the Son.

Introduction.

Questions for Research and Review.

1. In what sense can we speak of the general Fatherhood of God? Look at these Scriptures! : 1 Cor 8:6; Ephesians 3:14-15; Hebrews 12:9; James 1:17 and also Numbers 18:22
2. Can you prove the Deity of the Incarnate Son? John 1:1; 20:28; Philippians 2:6; Titus 2:13; Jerm. 23:5-6; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:3; Rev 1:8; Colossians 1:17; John 14:1;                2 Cor.13:14.
3. How do the following passages prove the Personality of the Holy Spirit?;Gen: 1:2; 6:3; Luke 12:12; John 14:26; 15:26; 16:8; Acts 8 :29; 13:2; Romans 8:11; 1:Cor.2:10-11.
4. What works are ascribed to the Spirit in Ps.33: 6; 104:30; Ex 28:3; 2 Peter 1 :21; 1 Cor 3:16; 12:4???

The Second Person of the Trinity is called “The Son” or “the Son of God”. He bears this Name, however, not only as the only Begotten of the Father, ( see Scriptures below)

Joh 1:14  And the Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us. And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and of truth.

We beheld his glory - This is a new proof of what he was affirming - “that the word of God became man.” The first was, that they had seen him as a man. He now adds that they had seen him in his proper glory “as God and man united in one person,” constituting him the unequalled Son of the Father. There is no doubt that there is reference here to the transfiguration on the holy mount. See Mat_17:1-9. To this same evidence Peter also appeals, 2Pe_1:16-18. John was one of the witnesses of that scene, and hence he says, “we beheld his glory,” Mar_9:2. The word “glory” here means majesty, dignity, splendor. Barnes Notes

The glory as of the only-begotten of the Father - The dignity which was appropriate to the only-begotten Son of God; such glory or splendor as could belong to no other. and as properly expressed His Rank and Character. This glory was seen eminently on the mount of transfiguration. It was also seen in His miracles, his doctrine, his resurrection, his ascension; all of which were such as to illustrate the perfections, and manifest the glory that belongs only to the Son of God.

Only-begotten - This term is never applied by John to any but Jesus Christ. It is applied by him five times to the Saviour, Joh_1:14, Joh_1:18; Joh_3:16, Joh_3:18; 1Jo_4:9. It means literally an only child.(the One and Only Son) Then, as an only child is especially dear to a parent, it means one that is especially beloved. Compare Gen_22:2, Gen_22:12, Gen_22:16; Jer_6:26; Zec_12:10. On both these accounts it is bestowed on the Saviour.

1.As he was eminently the Son of God, sustaining a special relation to Him in His divine nature, exalted above all human beings and angels, and thus worthy to be called, by way of eminence, His only Son. Saints are called His “sons” or children, because they are born of His Spirit, or are like Him; but the Lord Jesus is exalted far above all, and deserves eminently to be called His only-begotten Son.

2. He was especially dear to God, and therefore this appellation, implying tender affection, is bestowed upon him.A,Clark

Joh 1:18  No one has seen God at any time; the Only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

Only Begotten : G3439 μονογενής monogenēs Thayer Definition:

1) single of its kind, only

1a) used of only sons or daughters (viewed in relation to their parents)

1b) used of Christ, denotes the only begotten son of God

Part of Speech: adjective

Only Begotten ISBE

ōn´li bḗ-got-´'n (μονογενής, monogenḗs): Although the English words are found only 6 times in the New Testament, the Greek word appears 9 times, and often in the Septuagint. It is used literally of an only child: “the only son of his mother” (Luk_7:12); “an only daughter” (Luk_8:42); “mine only child” (Luk_9:38); “Isaac ... his only begotten” (Heb_11:17). In all other places in the New Testament it refers to Jesus Christ as “the only begotten Son of God” (Joh_1:14, Joh_1:18; Joh_3:16, Joh_3:18; 1Jo_4:9). In these passages, too, it might be translated as “the only son of God”; for the emphasis seems to be on His uniqueness, rather than on His sonship, though both ideas are certainly present. He is the son of God in a sense in which no others are. “Monogenēs describes the absolutely unique relation of the Son to the Father in His divine nature; prōtótokos describes the relation of the Risen Christ in His glorified humanity to man” (Westcott on Heb_1:6).

Christ's uniqueness as it appears in the above passages consists of two things:

(a) He reveals the Father: “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (Joh_1:18). Men therefore behold His glory, “glory as of the only begotten from the Father” (Dan_1:14).

(b) He is the mediator of salvation: “God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him” (1Jo_4:9; Joh_3:16); “He that believeth not (on him) hath been judged already” (Joh_3:18).

(c) Other elements in His uniqueness may be gathered from other passages, as His sinlessness, His authority to forgive sins, His unbroken communion with the Father, and His unique knowledge of Him. To say that it is a uniqueness of nature or essence carries thought no farther, for these terms still need definition, and they can be defined only in terms of His moral consciousness, of His revelation of God, and especially of His intimate union as Son with the Father.  

See also John 33:16,18 Galatians 4:4

Messiah is the Chosen of God.

Mat 8:29  They cried aloud, "What hast Thou to do with us, Thou Son of God? Hast Thou come here to torment us before the time?"

Mat 26:63  Jesus however remained silent. Again the High Priest addressed Him. "In the name of the ever-living God," he said, "I now put you on your oath. Tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God."

Mat 26:64  "I am He," replied Jesus. "But I tell you that, later on, you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND of Omnipotence, AND COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY."

Joh 1:48  "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. "Before Philip called you," said Jesus, "when you were under the fig-tree I saw you."

Joh 1:49  "Rabbi," cried Nathanael, "you are the Son of God, you are Israel's King!"

Joh 11:27  "Yes, Master," she replied; "I thoroughly believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

He is the One and Only Son of God also by virtue of of His Special birth through the Operation of the Holy Spirit.

Luk 1:32  He will be great and He will be called 'Son of the Most High.' And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His forefather David;

Luk 1:35  The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for this reason your holy offspring will be called 'the Son of God.'

His Special Characteristic as the Second Person of the Trinity is that He is eternally begotten of the Father.

Psa 2:7  I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me, Thou art my son; This day have I begotten thee.

Act 13:33  that God hath fulfilled the same unto our children, in that he raised up Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

Heb 1:5  For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee? and again, I will be to him a Father, And he shall be to me a Son?

By means of Eternal Generation the father is the cause of the Personal Existence of the Son within the Divine Being.

The Works More Particularly ascribed to Him are works of Mediation.

1. He mediated the Work of Creation. John 1:3;10; Hebrews 1:2,3;
2. He mediates the Work of Redemption. Ephesians 1:3-14.

Doctrine of God:To whom then will you compare God?

Read carefully this Chapter of the Prophet Isaiah.

Isa 40:1  Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.

Isa 40:2  Speak lovingly to the heart of Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is done, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she has received of Jehovah's hand double for all her sins.

The wailing Wall or kotel in Jerusalem

Isa 40:3  The voice of him who cries in the wilderness, Prepare the way of Jehovah, make straight a highway in the desert for our God.

Isa 40:4  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked places shall be made level, and the rough places smooth;

Isa 40:5  and the glory of Jehovah shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of Jehovah has spoken.

Isa 40:6  The voice said, Cry! And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the beauty of it is as the flower of the field.

Isa 40:7  The grass withers, the flower fades, because the Spirit of Jehovah blows on it; surely the people is grass.

Isa 40:8  The grass withers, the flower fades; but the Word of our God shall stand forever.

Isa 40:9  Go up for yourself on the high mountain, bringer of good tidings to Zion. Lift up your voice with strength, O you who bring good tidings to Jerusalem; lift up, do not be afraid. Say to the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

Isa 40:10  Behold, the Lord Jehovah will come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.

Isa 40:11  He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those with young.

Isa 40:12  Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and measured out the heavens with a span? And who has shut up the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

Isa 40:13  Who has directed the Spirit of Jehovah, and what man taught Him counsel?

Isa 40:14  With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him and taught Him in the path of judgment, and taught Him knowledge, and made known the way of understanding to Him?

Isa 40:15  Behold, the nations are like a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the scales; behold, He takes up the coastlands as a very little thing.

Isa 40:16  And Lebanon is not enough to burn, nor the beasts of it enough for a burnt offering.

Isa 40:17  All nations before Him are as nothing; and to Him they are thought to be less than nothing, and vanity.

Isa 40:18  To whom then will you compare God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him?

Isa 40:19  The workman melts a graven image, and the goldsmith spreads it over with gold, and casts silver chains.

Isa 40:20  He too poor for that offering chooses a tree that will not rot; he looks for a skillful workman to prepare a graven image that will not totter.

Isa 40:21  Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?

Isa 40:22  It is He who sits on the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in;

Isa 40:23  who brings the rulers to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth as vanity.

Isa 40:24  Yes, they shall not be planted; yes, they shall not be sown. Yes, their stump shall not take root in the earth. And He shall also blow on them, and they shall wither, and the tempest shall take them away like stubble.

Isa 40:25  To whom then will you compare Me, or am I equaled? says the Holy One.

Isa 40:26  Lift up your eyes on high, and behold, who has created these, who brings out their host by number? He calls them all by names by the greatness of His might, for He is strong in power; not one is lacking.

Isa 40:27  Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, My way is hidden from Jehovah and my judgment has passed over from my God?

Isa 40:28  Have you not known? Have you not heard, that the everlasting God, Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not grow weak nor weary? There is no searching of His understanding.

Isa 40:29  He gives power to the weary; and to him with no vigor; He increases strength.

Isa 40:30  Even the young shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall;

Isa 40:31  but those who wait on Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.