Chapter Nine – Who and What Is God?

Next Part Designer, Creator and Sustainer

We have seen many things develop in the course of this book. We have looked at the ancient origins of the trinity doctrine—and its various links with other triune godheads—whether Hindu, Greek, Babylonian or others.

We have clarified and demystified various statements from trinitarian thinkers—and have shown the fallacy of this teaching. We then dispelled the so-called biblical proof texts of the trinity, both explaining them and pointing to many scriptures that show otherwise. We have shown that the Holy Spirit is not a person—but rather the power by which God works. Finally, we have seen that the “Jesus” of modern Christendom is not the Jesus Christ of the Bible.

Now that you understand what God is not, the question in this chapter’s title should be at the forefront of your mind: Who and what is God?

Throughout man’s history, he has sought the answer to this intriguing question. It has prompted many to deeply research the subject, almost always starting with what men say. Willing to throw aside the biblical evidence we have seen, so many cling to ideas and traditions of men. To them, God is whatever they were taught that He is—or whatever they want Him to be. This need not be the case with you!

In the Beginning…

There are two verses in God’s Word that begin with the phrase “In the beginning…”—Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1. Most are not aware of the important information that can be gleaned from these two passages—and the insight that they provide into the true nature of God.

In order to set the stage for all that is to follow, certain review is important. Genesis 1:1 states, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” We saw that the Hebrew word for “God” is elohim and that it is a collective noun, like family, team or group.

For instance, the Hebrew word translated “gods” in Exodus 12:12 is elohim. To the Hebrews, the word elohim referred to either the true Elohim (God) or false elohim (gods). In order to distinguish Himself from the false gods, the true God revealed His name to Israel as YHVH, which means “Eternal.” This was to show Israel that, unlike the false, non-existent gods around them, He is the God that is, always has been and always will be.

Also notice again Genesis 1:26: “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” In this verse, the Hebrew words asah and tselem are translated as “let Us make” and “in Our image” respectively, due to the fact that the Hebrew word elohim is plural. There has to be more than one Person being referred to here. We must ask again, “How many Beings comprise God?”

John 1:1-3 sheds more light on this question. Notice: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.” This passage reveals something very important! It states that the Word was “with” God and “was” God. How is this possible? Remember, God is a collective noun—just like your last name. For instance, if Robert Smith has a son named Paul, it can be said that Paul is with Smith (his father), and that he is Smith (Paul Smith).

But who is the “Word” in John 1:1-51? Jn 1:14 explains: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.” In other verses, Christ is called “God in the flesh.” This, coupled with Jn 1:14, clearly shows that the Word was Christ!

And since John makes it clear that the Word created all things, it becomes obvious that Christ was present at the creation of man. Just as the New Testament shows the relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son, the word Elohim expresses a family relationship. They are both God, but separate Beings.

Together, they had thought out and planned the creation of the universe. Christ, the “Word” (Greek: Logos, meaning “Spokesman”), brought those plans to fruition (as John 1:3, Ephesians 3:9 and Colossians 1:16 show). Hebrews 2:10 also shows this: “For it became Him [Christ], for whom are all things, and by whom are all things…”

As we see here, the Bible reveals that there are currently two Beings in the Godhead—the Father and Jesus Christ.