The Being, Names, and Attributes of God

Opening Text: Psalm 8

IV. God’s Name(s)

A. God’s Name reveals His Being and Attributes - It is God revealed.

B. “In Scripture a name is a DESCRIPTION of the person bearing it...All that which can be known of God by virtue of his revelation is called by Scripture: God’s name.” AND “The name of God in Scripture does not designate him as he exists in himself, but in his manifold revelation and relation to the creature.”-Herman Bavinck in The Doctrine of God

C. Francis Turretin (17th century) recognized 3 things implied by God’s Name1. God’s eternity and independence as a necessary being existing of Himself (Aseity)2. God’s causality and efficiency of all that is (Sovereignty)3. God’s immutability and faithfulness in His covenant promises

D. “In the most general sense of the word, then, the name of God is His self- revelation...especially in His relations to man.” -Louis Berkhof

E. “Everywhere in Scripture it is emphasized that the name of the Lord is God himself, as he reveals himself to us, the implication of all his perfections.” -Herman Hoekesma

[Scripture References: Gen 2:19-20; 4:26; Ex 20:7; Deut 12:5; 28:58; 2Sam 7:13; 2Chr. 20:9; Ps 8:1,9; 20:1; 48:10; 75:1; 76:2; 105:1, 3; Prov 18:10; Is 56:6;Jer 23:25-27; Ez 36:20-28]

F. When considering God’s Being, we recognized God is Personal = Absolute, self- existent personality; and, that He is a Communicating God/a God of fellowship (He is Triune). We were discussing the question “What is God?”

G. Now, as we discuss His Name(s) we do so asking, “Who is God?” This serves as a link between the possibility of the knowledge of God and the content of our knowledge; or, knowing about Him and knowing Him covenantally by faith in Christ Jesus.

H. Names Scripture places central significance or particular emphasis on:

1. Jehovah from JHWH (or Yahweh from YHWH) = I AM THAT I AM; I AM

a. The essential virtues of Divine Being

b. “The Jews regarded this name as God’s name par excellence, the name descriptive of God’s essence, God’s proper name, the glorious name, the name of four letters, the Tetragrammaton...” -Bavinck

c. Also, “I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE” Remember: God IS

d. God is the ever-faithful One; It’s God’s covenantal name

e. It’s God’s revealing Himself as the God of grace and His

unchangeableness - not only His being, but His relationship to His people

f. 1st use = Gen 6:5-8; 14:22; 15:7; Ex 3:14-15;

Lev 24:11,16; Ps 83:18; Is 10:23-24; ; 41:4; 42:8; Jer 2:19,22; Hosea 12:9; 13:4

g. In the New Testament see Rev 1:4,8,17; 2:8; 21:6; 22:13 = “I AM the

Alpha and Omega,” “the first and the last,” “the beginning and the end,” “who is and who was and who is to come”

2. Qadosh = The Holy One (Hagios NT)

a. Absolute and incomparable ethical perfection

b. 1st use = Ex 19:6; Lev 19:2, 20:26; 21:6-8; 1Sam 2:2; Job 6:10;

Ps 22:3; 46:4; 71:22; 99:3-5; (It is very prominent in Isaiah) Is 1:4; 5:19; 6:1-7;12:6; 57:5

c. In the New Testament see Lk 1:35,49; Jn 17:11; Acts 3:14; 4:27,30;

1Pet 1:15-16; 2:9; 1Jn 2:20; Rev 4:8; 6:10

***All God’s attributes may be deduced from these two names. Jehovah reveals the essential virtues of Divine Being, and Qadosh His absolute and incomparable ethical perfection.***

3. Jesus = Jehovah (is) salvation (Mt 1:21)

a. Jesus is the full revelation of God’s Being and Attributes; therefore, the

full revelation of God (Jn 1:1-3, 14, 18; 14:9; Col 1:15; 2:9; Heb 1:1-4).

b. “Jesus bears the name ‘Jehovah’ that it is most fully and gloriously

displayed as Triune.” - David J. Engelsma

c. “This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all

generations” - Ex 3:15. (consider the “I AM” statements in John’s Gospel).

d. Salvation in no other name: Acts 2:21; 4:12; Phil 2:9-10; 1Jn 2:23

I. Some other Names found in Scripture (many which we will meet as we study God’s attributes)

1. El/Eljon or Elyon/Elohim (Theos in NT: Mt 5:7; Lk 1:32,35,75; Acts 7:48; 16:7; Heb 17:1)

a. El = Most basic/general name; God, the Strong and Mighty One; Usually used in combination with...(Gen 14:18-22; Job 20:29; Ps 16:1; Is 43:12; 46:9)

b. Eljon/Elyon = God Most High; High and Exalted One (Gen 14:18-22; Num 24:16; Ps 9:2; Is 14:14)

c. Elohim = Plural of “El”; reveals God as the absolutely excellent One (in Three Persons, blessed Trinity); it expresses His transcendence with respect to creation (Most of Genesis; all of Ch 1-9 except 6:5-8); Extremely prominent in OT until Isaiah ff (Gen 1; Ex 1:17-21; Lev 19; Num 24; Deut 1; ...)

2. El Shaddai = Almighty; All-powerful One (Gen 17:1; Ex 6:3; Num 24:4)

3. Sabaoth = Hosts; Reflects God’s Kingly glory (1Sam 1:3; Ps 84:1; Is 1:24)

4. Adonai = Lord; Ruler; Owner; To Whom all is subject (Gen 18:3,27; Ex 4:13;

2Kings 7:6; Ps 110:1,5); (Kurios in NT; pertaining to Christ = Mt 22:41-46; Jn 13:13)

5. Father (Pater in NT: see below)

a. Father of Israel: Deut 32:6; Ps 103:13; Is 63:16; 64:8

b. Father of Jesus: Rom 15:6; 2Cor 1:3; Eph 1:3; Rev 1:6

c. “My Father” (not “Our”) by Jesus: Mt 11:25-27; 25:34; Jn 17:25

d. “Our Father” through faith in Christ (Gal 3:26): Mt 6:9; Jn 20:17; 1Cor 8:6; 2Cor 1:2; Eph 3:14-15; Heb 12:9

Questions to Consider and Discuss:

1. 1)  How should these truths impact our worship (Neh 9:5)?

2. 2)  How should we understand the 3rd commandment & oaths and vows (Num 30:2)?

3. 3)  What happens as we learn more about God (Deut 29:29)?

“The whole secret of mysticism is this: that man can understand everything by the help of what he does not understand.” -G.K. Chesterton

4) Consider what baptism in “the name” entails (Lev 24:11,16 cf. Mt 28:19)?