“In the beginning God . . .” With this simple but majestic phrase the Bible begins the revelation of God, of His creative power and of His purpose with mankind. The importance of this revelation is emphasized throughout the Scriptures, and is acknowledged by the Lord Jesus Himself just prior to His crucifixion. In the close fellowship of the upper room where Jesus had kept the Passover with His disciples He led them in prayer with these words to His Father: And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God . (John 17:3).
Two vital points are easily seen in these few words: (1) That the Lord Jesus acknowledged the unity of God, that His Father was supreme, the only true God; second, that life eternal (salvation) in God’s kingdom is dependent upon knowing Him. Therefore, knowing God as He is becomes of paramount importance to anyone who desires the blessings of eternal life in the age to come. The teaching of the Bible, then, concerning God becomes the basic cornerstone in the Christadelphian Statement of Faith. It is only here, in God’s Word, where God has revealed Himself to man, that one can become acquainted with the Father.
Other things can fortify one’s knowledge of Him. The wonders of nature, the complete balance that exists in the universe, the beauty and precise timing of the stars and planets, the design and perfection of the smallest flower — all these testify to the supreme intelligence and power that brought them into being. All these are convincing evidence that there is a God in heaven directing and sustaining all His works, but they do not speak of His character, His plans or what response He expects from His created beings. To the Bible one must turn for instruction in these things, and for those who do, God gives this assurance through Christ: “This is eternal life, that they might know Thee the only true God.“
The Scriptures are replete with instances of God’s communications with His children for their welfare and guidance. This has been accomplished primarily through the medium of angels representing His power and presence in the earth. In this manner God revealed Himself to our first parents in the Garden of Eden, and to Noah at the time of the flood, both of which were pregnant with lessons for those of coming generations who would heed the wisdom of the Eternal. To the fathers of Israel (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) God appeared with “exceeding great and precious promises”, which form the basis of the Gospel of salvation for all mankind. The Apostle Paul would later write to the Galatians (Galatians 3:8) that these promises constituted the Gospel that was preached beforehand to Abraham, saying: “In thee shall all nations be blessed.”
Through an unconsumed flaming bush God made Himself known to Moses by His Name, “I am”, or more correctly rendered, “I will be whom I will be”, the covenant name of God. In this name the plan and purpose of God is further developed and revealed to men, since it conveys the idea of a multitude of redeemed ones who, through the grace of God, will share His glory in the earth.
A later revelation was received by Moses from the thunderous heights of Sinai. The book of Deuteronomy records the instruction that God’s people (the children of Israel) were given through Moses, beginning with this commandment: “Hear, 0 Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:4).
The Jewish people received this testimony at a time when the rest of the world was polytheistic, believing in many pagan gods. But so improved was the Jewish nation by the convincing and dramatic manner by which they had received the Sinai law, that their belief in one God (and only one God) became deeply ingrained in their religious life and worship; so much so, in fact, that today, 3500 years later, it is a prominent characteristic of the Jewish community. This is a point that must not be overlooked, because God has said regarding the Jewish people; -. . . Ye are my witnesses . . . that I am God” (Isaiah 43:12). He said this particularly with revelation to His unity, speaking through Isaiah: “Ye are my witnesses . . . and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me” (Isaiah 43:10).
All through their history, as recorded in the Bible, the Jewish nation has been exposed to this same concept, the oneness of God. Time and again the counsel of their prophets (in regard to their continuance as a nation as well as individual salvation) was based upon the fact of God’s unity. The advice they received from Isaiah is still vital today: “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:22). Notice that individual salvation for all mankind is predicated on the fact of God’s unity. How completely this dovetailed into the teaching of Jesus that life eternal is equated with knowing God! To this all Scripture agrees. The Apostle Paul’s testimony is an excellent example. The world in his day was living under the influence of Roman pagan polytheism, and he takes note of this in writing to the Corinthians: “For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many and lords many). But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we by Him” (1st Corinthians 8:5,6).
Here the apostle recognizes both the unity and the creative power of God; two thoughts that really cannot be separated because creation (creative power and design) demands a singleness of purpose and source from which all things have come. These two thoughts are coupled together by the Lord God Himself (Isaiah 45:18): “For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else.”
So the testimony of God’s Word is most clear in explaining that God in His Oneness, in the unity of holiness, is also the great first cause, the Creator. Recognizing this the Psalmist David was moved to exclaim: “Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created” (Psalm 148:5). The depth of his feeling is captured in David’s 8th Psalm, verses 3,4: “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” Such expressions of awe and humility have always been aroused in those who acknowledge God’s majesty and the greatness of His power.
However, there is an aspect of God’s greatness that is not evident in the physical grandeur of the universe. It is an aspect that, if possible, is even more important to the welfare of mankind, and that is God’s moral greatness. Physical power is impressive and awe inspiring, but the moral goodness of God is the source of hope for the hearts of men. It is God’s justice, truth, mercy and love that become the guarantee of salvation to all who put their trust in Him.
God tells us through His prophet Jeremiah: . . Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:23, 24). From this it is evident that God places His moral character at the forefront of His greatness and that those who would understand and know Him must recognize this fact and strive to develop in themselves these same characteristics, if they would gain His favor.
During the sojourn of Moses on Mt. Sinai, he asked God for visual verification of His presence with Israel (Exodus 33rd chapter): “Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.” He then asked God to show him His glory. God honored this request and said: “I will make all my goodness pass before thee. and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee . . .” How God revealed Himself to Moses at this time is quite significant and provides an insight as to God’s own concept of what constitutes His Glory. It was not in a mighty manifestation of physical power; it was not in a tempestuous wind, a shattering earthquake or a blazing fire, but rather in the reverent calm of moral goodness. “And the Lord passed by before him. and proclaimed: The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth (Exodus 34 6)
The Psalmist David grasped the import of these words and enlarges on them from the depths of his experience and conviction in Psalm 145 8,9 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy The Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works
In summary then it is clear from the teaching of the Bible that there is but one true and living God the Father, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and that He has revealed Himself and His purpose with the earth in the pages of Holy Writ, further, His purpose includes the granting of eternal life to those who strive to know Him and respond to His Word, also that coupled with His unexcelled majesty and power, His glory is seen in His moral attributes in action His mercy, grace and kindness are not latent characteristics, but are demonstrated in what He has done He cares for His people, and He expects this trait to be reflected in His children in their relationship to Him and to each other The God whom we worship is worthy of all our praise, adoration and homage This cannot be expressed more beautifully than in this prayer of thanksgiving by David as recorded in 1st Chronicles 29 10 11 Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our Father, for ever and ever Thine 0 Lord is the greatness and the power, and the glory and the victory, and the majesty for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine, thine is the kingdom, 0 Lord, and thou art exalted as head over all
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One