Who is God according to the Bible?

The Bible, provides a comprehensive portrayal of God, encompassing His nature, attributes, and relationship with humanity. Understanding Him according to the Bible involves exploring His depiction in both the Old and New Testaments, which together form a coherent narrative about His identity and His interaction with the world.

God in the Old Testament

The Old Testament presents God as the eternal, all-powerful Creator of the universe. The very first verse of the Bible, Genesis 1:1, declares:

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." 

This sets the stage for understanding Him as the originator of all that exists. He is depicted as omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipresent (present everywhere). He reveals Himself to Moses in Exodus 3:14 as:

"I AM WHO I AM" 

This signifies His self-existence and eternal nature. This name, Yahweh, becomes central to Israel’s understanding of God as the covenant-keeping deity who delivers them from bondage in Egypt and guides them to the Promised Land. Throughout the Old Testament, He is shown as having a personal and covenantal relationship with His people, Israel. He is depicted as a just and righteous judge who upholds the moral order, punishing wrongdoing and rewarding faithfulness.

Moreover, His attributes of love, mercy, and justice are recurrent themes. For instance, in Psalm 103:8, it states, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” Yet, His justice is equally emphasized, as seen in Isaiah 61:8, “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing.”

God in the New Testament

The New Testament builds on the Old Testament’s portrayal of God but adds significant depth through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the incarnate Son of God, revealing His nature in human form. John 1:1 and 1:14 state:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." 

Jesus’ life and teachings provide profound insights into His Father’s character. He emphasizes the Father’s love and mercy, encapsulated in verses like John 3:16:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." 

Jesus portrays Him as a loving Father, accessible and caring, as evidenced in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), which begins with “Our Father in heaven.”

The New Testament also highlights the Creator’s redemptive plan through Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection, offering salvation to humanity. Romans 5:8 captures this essence:

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 

This act of atonement signifies the ultimate expression of His justice and love, providing a means for humanity to be reconciled with Him.

The Attributes of God

Biblical descriptions of God’s attributes are manifold and deeply integrated into the narrative. His holiness is a fundamental aspect, depicted as His utter separation from sin and moral perfection (Isaiah 6:3, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty”). His immutability, or unchanging nature, is affirmed in Malachi 3:6, “I the Lord do not change.”

His omnipotence is demonstrated through His creative power and His sovereignty over all events. Jeremiah 32:17 reflects this, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” His omniscience is portrayed in passages like Psalm 139:1-4, which declare that He knows every detail of our lives.

The Bible also portrays Him as compassionate and loving, with an enduring commitment to humanity. This is perhaps most beautifully summarized in 1 John 4:8: \

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 

This concept of divine love is central to the biblical portrayal of God, highlighting His desire for a personal relationship with each individual.

He is a Spirit Being (John 4:24). He is One: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal Persons (Matthew 3:16-17). He is infinite (1 Timothy 1:17) – yet He desires an intimate connection with humans. He is without equal (2 Samuel 7:22), unchanging (Malachi 3:6), omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-12), omniscient (Psalm 147:5; Isaiah 40:28), and omnipotent (Revelation 19:6).

He is loving (1 John 4:8), just (Isaiah 61:8), holy (1 Peter 1:16), compassionate (Exodus 33:19), merciful (Ephesians 2:4), truthful (John 3:33), longsuffering (Romans 2:4), forgiving (Exodus 34:7), good (James 1:17), and full of grace (1 Timothy 1:14).

The attribute of love is an identifying part of His essential nature; without it He would not be “God.” It is His mercy that moderates His judgments and makes Him “longsuffering” (Exodus 34:6). It is this same unchanging character of God that gives poor, helpless sinners the hope for eternal life (Psalms 103:8–14; 145:8; Jeremiah 29:11; 31:3). Love is the pre-eminent quality of the Creator with respect to His creatures. It is the controlling power in His divine government.

While God is gracious to repentant sinners, He cannot afford to weaken His government by failing to uphold its righteousness and justice (Psalms 85:10; 89:14). His justice is an essential part of His nature no less than His mercy; without it, He could not be God.

Although we read in the Scriptures that He rejoices in mercy (Micah 7:18), we never read that He delights in executing judgments upon His created beings. On the contrary, His judgments are said to be a “strange work” (Isaiah 28:21).

He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1, 26; Psalm 146:6; Nehemiah 9:6; Colossians 1:17; John 1:3; Ephesians 3:9; Hebrews 1:2). By His power all things (material or immaterial) cohere. And He Sustains His creation (Psalm 104:27).

He showed us His infinite love on the cross when He offered His Son to die to atone for the penalty of human sin.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

This divine self-sacrificing love makes it possible for us to be “called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1). “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

There are no limits to the love of God. There are none to whom He withholds the privileges of saving grace. But there is one condition—belief in, and willing cooperation with Him (John 1:12).

His love is offered to all humanity, but only those who choose to accept it will be blessed with eternal life in God’s presence. It is the realization of God’s goodness and love that should inspire us to repent of our sins (Romans 2:4).

He is our heavenly Father (Matthew 6:9). No other word than “Father” so fully expresses the love and tender care of God toward His created beings. Humanity is as a speck of dust amidst the wonders of the galaxy and beyond. The Psalmist writes, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him…” (Psalms 8:3, 4).

Despite our inferiority to His omni-everything, and despite sin separating the human family from God, He still invites us to call Him Father. This should awaken in us awe, humility, and earnest gratitude (Isaiah 57:15).

God’s Relationship with Humanity

The Bible consistently illustrates God’s desire to establish and maintain a relationship with humanity. In the Old Testament, this is exemplified through the covenants made with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David, each representing a progressive unfolding of His plan for His people. The New Testament culmination of these covenants is found in Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection are seen as the ultimate fulfillment of His promises.

His relational nature is further emphasized by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in believers, as described in passages like John 14:16-17 and Acts 2:38. The Holy Spirit acts as a guide, comforter, and source of strength, facilitating an intimate and ongoing relationship between God and individuals.

Conclusion

According to the Bible, God is the eternal, all-powerful Creator, characterized by holiness, love, justice, and mercy. He reveals Himself through His actions in history, His covenants with His people, and supremely through Jesus Christ. The portrayal of Him in the Bible is rich and multifaceted, depicting Him as both transcendent and immanent, majestic yet personal, a righteous judge, and a loving Father. This comprehensive biblical depiction underscores the profound nature of God’s relationship with humanity, centered on love, redemption, and eternal fellowship.