The Counsel of the Westminster: Q. VII. What is God?

The Church of Christ cannot be creedless and live.
Especially in an age of doubt and confusion,
it is her duty to define the Christian faith and proclaim it to the world.

By despising the wisdom of the past,
our generation has chosen to travel through the
same history of pain, error, and correction that men of old had already
gone through and recorded for our admonition.

What Man is to Believe Concerning God

"Preaching of the word, being the power of God unto salvation, and one of the greatest and most excellent works belonging to the ministry of the gospel, should be so performed, that the workman need not be ashamed, but may save himself, and those that hear him."

- Westminster Confession of Faith:
Of Preaching the Word

Man has been given a gift. The privilege to speak of God,
of which no one in the world has ever imagined.

Question VI: What is God?

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 abounding in goodness and truth.


a Spirit. "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth"
(John 4:24).


In and of Himself Infinite:

in being. "Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven--what can you do? Deeper than Sheol--what can you know?"
(Job 11:7-8)

in glory. "And Stephen said: 'Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,' "
(Act 7:2)

in blessedness. "which he will display at the proper time--He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,"
(1Ti 6:15)

in perfection. "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
(Mat 5:48)


He is:

all-sufficient. "If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine."
(Psa 50:12)


eternal. "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God."
(Psa 90:2)

unchangeable. "For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed."
(Mal 3:6)

incomprehensible. "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!"
(1Ki 8:27)

every where present. "You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?"
(Psa 139:2-7)

almighty. "And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, 'Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!' "
(Rev 4:8)

knowing all things. "And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account."
(Heb 4:13)
"Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure."
(Psa 147:5)

most wise. "to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen."
(Rom 16:27)

most holy. "And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!' "
(Isa 6:3)
"Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."
(Rev 15:4)

most just. "The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He."
(Deu 32:4)

most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, abounding in goodness and truth. "The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,"
(Exo 34:6)