Theology: The Doctrine of God - Part 1

 Temple Baptist Church - 2-16-2025

Genesis 1:1

 

Theology – theos (God) logos (Word)

 

Introduction: As we read the first four words in the Bible, we are reminded that there are aspects of God that will remain beyond our understanding until we stand before Him in eternity. Only then will all questions be answered. Until that time, we rely on God's Word to reveal what He wants us to know. Theology is not mere speculation; it is grounded in biblical revelation. As we journey in our faith, we should strive to "know Him" deeply, as the Apostle Paul spoke of knowing Christ.

 

Philippians 3:8-11 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

 

A. Hosea 4:6 declares that God’s people are destroyed due to a lack of knowledge. This statement indicates that God's people have the capacity to understand and should seek to know Him yet often fail to do so. In our time, many believers find salvation but are not deeply taught the Word of God, often due to superficial sermons and preachers who prioritize pleasing messages. After salvation, we should dedicate our lives to learning about and truly knowing God.

 

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

 

B. Over the past few weeks, we did an elemental study of Bibliology, the study of the Bible. I did so because if we do not believe that we hold the Word of God in our hands, the foundation upon which everything that we believe is cracked or destroyed.

 

C. This morning, we will begin a study on Theology, the study of God. People are so confused concerning who God is and what God can do. As I begin, I must begin where the Bible begins: Genesis 1:1.

 

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

 

D. I often assert that the most profound theological truth in the Bible is encapsulated in the phrase, "In the beginning God!" This foundational statement of faith captures the essence of theology. It defies complete understanding and explanation, yet it is a truth I wholeheartedly believe: "In the beginning God!"

 

I. The Existence of God

 

A. Different perspectives and beliefs about the existence of God. Given the constraints of time, we cannot explore every philosophy or belief system in the world. However, there are several significant viewpoints, both affirming and denying God's existence, that have direct or indirect impacts on our lives.

 

1. Atheism – the rejection of belief in the existence of God.

2. Agnosticism – the view that human reason is incapable of providing sufficient rational grounds to justify knowledge of whether God exists or not. It includes:

a. Agnostic atheists: those who do not believe in any deity but do not deny the possibility of its existence.

b. Agnostic theists: those who believe in a God but do not claim to have knowledge of it.

3. Deism – the belief that reason and observation of the natural world can determine that the universe has a creator, without the need for organized religion. Deists typically believe that this Supreme Being does not intervene in human affairs or alter the natural laws of the universe. There are two main forms:

a. Classical deism

b. Modern deism

4. Pantheism – the belief that the universe in all its changing forms is a manifestation of the one unchanging universal substance, which is God. Everything is God, and God is everything; thus, God is identified with nature and is not independent of it.

5. Polytheism – the belief in many gods, all of whom have equal intelligence and power.

6. Monotheism – the belief in only one god (as in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Bahá'í). This God is knowable and has an intimate relationship with humanity.

7. Humanism – the belief that human ideas are central and that man is responsible solely to himself, effectively making man his own god.

8. Theism – the belief in a God, a Creator, who is both beyond and within the world and can intervene supernaturally. This God is the Creator and Sustainer, sovereignly controlling the world, with everything finding meaning and substance in His being.

 

B. Nowhere in the Bible is there an effort to prove the existence of God; it is a statement of fact. God can be known to exist:

 

1. Because of the universal belief in God. Psalm 14:1 states, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." People all over the world believe in the existence of a supreme being or beings to which they feel morally accountable and seek to appease or worship. This belief is not derived from the Bible alone, as not everyone has access to it; rather, it is intrinsic and comes from within the very heart of humanity.

 

Romans 2:12-16 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (13) (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. (14) For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: (15) Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) (16) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

 

By "nature," we refer to the inherent state of all things. In the spiritual sense, this denotes the light and law that God instills within every individual. The knowledge of God is inherent in humanity. Deny or forsake it if you will, but its presence cannot be altered.

 

2. Because of the origination of things.

 

a) When we observe something, we naturally wonder about its origin. If we see a house, we ask who built it. Similarly, when we look at the world, we ask how it came to be. Did it create itself, or is there an external cause?

 

b) The answer is straightforward and logical: the complexity of both the universe and human beings indicates a divine design. It's improbable that such intricate systems emerged by chance. Believing in a spontaneous explosion that led to the creation of the universe and the marvelously made human being requires more faith than believing in God.

 

c) The Bible says, "Every house is builded by some man;" likewise, the world we live in was created by an infinitely powerful and wise designing mind.

 

Psalms 19:1-6 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. (2) Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. (3) There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. (4) Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, (5) Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. (6) His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

 

Romans 1:18-21 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

 

II. The Eternality of God

 

A. God has always been! He is infinite in His person.

 

1. "In the beginning, God!" This phrase touches on the idea of eternity or infinity—concepts that are difficult for us to fully understand. In our finite minds, everything seems to have both a beginning and an end. But God has always existed. He is eternal.

2. We perceive time and space as linear, stretching from the past to the future. Eternity, in human terms, extends infinitely in both directions without end. It represents a continual state that never changes. This is the realm where God exists—the high and lofty One dwells in eternity.

3. Eternity is also the way God views everything. Before He created anything, He already knew the beginning from the end and the end from the beginning. Eternity is a constant state of perfection, without change or sequence. It neither grows nor diminishes—it remains perpetually the same. It is a fundamental characteristic of God's nature.

4. Everything originates from God, created by His will and for His pleasure. The concept of God's eternality can only be grasped through faith in the record He provides, for nothing existed before Him, and no one was with Him. His testimony is true.

 

Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

 

Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

 

Proverbs 8:22-27 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. (23) I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. (24) When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. (25) Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: (26) While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. (27) When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:

 

John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God.

 

Colossians 1:15-17 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (16) For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (17) And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

 

B. God is! God exists not only in the past but also in the present. He dwells in an eternal now. This truth is evident in the way God describes Himself. Years ago, the "God Is Dead" theory emerged in our world, yet even this was foreseen in the omniscience of God (a topic we will address later).

2 Peter 3:3-4 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, (4) And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

 

1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Those who reject God’s existence will ultimately face the consequences of their deliberate denial and disobedience to the Supreme Ruler of the universe.

 

Exodus 3:13-14 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? (14) And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. (I AM means to exist or to continue to exist. Therefore, Jehovah God said in my words, “I exist that I continue to exist.”)

 

 

John 8:57-59 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? (58) Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. (59) Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

 

Many times, the Lord Jesus Christ used the words I am when referring to Himself. The Jews fully understood what He said to them and took up stones to stone Him. The same thing took place in John 10:31 when He declared oneness with the Father, thus making Himself God.

 

C. God is eternals and always will be! God's existence is as boundless as eternity itself. Something with an eternal nature never begins to exist, for having a beginning means it did not always exist. Likewise, something eternal never ceases to exist. God is immutable, not subject to change.

 

Isaiah 44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

 

Psalms 90:1-2 A Prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. (2) Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

 

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

 

Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

 

Revelation 1:17-18 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: (18) I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Corinth

Temple Baptist Church - 2-12-2025

1 Corinthians 1:1-3; Acts 18:1-11

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  The author of the book is the Apostle Paul. (1:1, 16:21).

 

B.  The place of he was writing from was. Ephesus. (16:8).

 

C.  The time of his writing.  Possible in the spring of 57 A.D., shortly before the Jewish feast of Pentecost (16:8), during his third missionary journey (Acts 19:1-41).

 

D.  Three things make the Corinthian Church stand out to me.

 

1.  The Carnality of the Corinthian Church.  Fifteen of the sixteen chapters were an open rebuke of said carnality!

 

2.  The Maturity of the Corinthian Church, found in 2 Corinthians, as they got the things that were wrong right.  They did not get mad, they got right!

 

3.  The Love that the great Apostle Paul had for this carnal church.  It was the only church epistle where Paul signed it this way: 

 

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.  (24)  My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.” (1 Corinthians 16:23-24) 

 

E.  To understand the carnal condition of this “baby” church, full of new converts,  we need to look at Corinth in Paul’s day.

 

F.  The Background of Corinth: Corinth was situated on the Isthmus of Greece (called Achaia in the Bible) between the Ionian Sea and the Aegean Sea, above the Mediterranean Sea. About 50 miles to the east was the city of Athens.

 

1.  Isthmus - a narrow strip of land with sea on either side, forming a link between two larger areas of land.

 

2.  This made Corinth possibly the most important trade city in its day. 

 

a)  Bridge between two major trade routes to the east because of the proximity of two seas to cross.

 

b)  A great port for trade ships as they could easily unload on one side and load on the other side of the isthmus, making trade goods easily accessible going east to west or west to east.

 

G.  The Corinth of Paul's day was relatively new. 

 

1.  The old Corinth (which was famous and powerful in the days of the Peloponnesian War) was burned in 146 B.C. by the Romans.  Because it was a city devoted to the gods, a hundred years were required to pass before the city could be rebuilt. 

 

2.  In 46 B.C., Julius Caesar rebuilt the city, populated it with a colony of veterans and freedmen, and named it Julia Corinthus.  It soon became a very important commercial center.

 

3. With a population of 400,000 and being a prominent center of commerce in the Mediterranean world, it was a place for all sorts of vice.  An example of its immorality was found in the temple of Venus (Aphrodite), which hosted 1000 priestesses dedicated to prostitution in the name of

religion. 

 

4.  The city's close proximity to the city of Athens probably added to the problem of intellectualism.  As noticed in the epistle, such an environment had its effect upon the church in Corinth.  It is amazing that a church existed at all in such a city.  Only God!

 

H.  The Background of the Church at Corinth:  The establishment of the church occurred during Paul's second missionary journey.  It is recorded by Luke in Acts 18:1-18, which can be divided into three sections:

 

1. Abiding with Aquila and Priscilla, fellow tentmakers; reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath (Acts 18:1-6).

 

After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;  (2)  And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.  (3)  And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.  (4)  And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.  (5)  And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.  (6)  And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. 

 

 

2. In the house of Justus, abiding there and teaching for a year and six months (Ac 18:7-11)

 

And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.  (8)  And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.  (9)  Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:  (10)  For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.  (11)  And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

          3) An incident before Gallio, proconsul of Achaia (Ac 18:12-18)

 

And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,  (13)  Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.  (14)  And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:  (15)  But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.  (16)  And he drave them from the judgment seat.  (17)  Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.  (18)  And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

 

J.  These newborn babes in Christ were adversely affected by the immoral environment and thus the church was affected.

 

K.  Paul wrote 1 Corinthians in order to correct sinful practices and to refute false doctrine.

 

1.  Chapter 1 - Paul dealt with division in the church.

2.  Chapter 2 - Paul dealt with Intellectualism.

3.  Chapter 3 - Paul dealt with carnality.

4.  Chapter 4 - Paul dealt with stewardship and faithfulness.

5.  Chapter 5 - Paul dealt with immorality.

6.  Chapter 6 - Paul dealt with lawsuits and the sanctity of the body.

7.  Chapter 7 - Paul dealt with family problems.  Marriage to widows.

8.  Chapter 8 - Paul dealt with offending the brethren.

9.  Chapter 9 - Paul dealt with taking care of God’s men.

10.  Chapter 10 – Paul dealt with tempting the Lord through sinfulness.

11.  Chapter 11 – Paul dealt with submission to authority.

12.  Chapter 12 – Paul dealt with ignorance concerning spiritual gifts.

13.  Chapter 13 – Paul dealt with brotherly love.

14.  Chapter 14 – Paul dealt with the misuse of tongues.

15.  Chapter 15 – Paul dealt with heresy concerning the resurrection.

16.  Chapter 16 – Paul dealt with problems concerning giving.

 

HOW DID THIS CHURCH GET SO WORLDLY?

 

1.  There was the problem with both the pulpit and the pew.

 

a.  Verse 1.  Paul establishes his position and authority.  “Paul, called to be an apostle”  One sent forth with orders – authority.  I don’t know who the pastor was, but there was a total breakdown of authority and godly example so necessary for the welfare of a church.  People learn by seeing and hearing.

 

b.  They had a pastor but evidently there was no authority - 1 Peter 5:2  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

 

1)  He failed to take the oversight – to watch over and protect from sin and Satan.

 

2)  He failed to feed – to ground them in God’s Word.

 

3)  Or, they had a pastor, and they failed to listen to him - 1 Timothy 4:16  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

 

4)  I do not believe that it was the third option because when Paul wrote to them, they listened and responded.

 

5)  The key to the church’s success was the faithfulness of the pastor and pulpit.

 

6)  The pastor is to be first an example, then he can effectively preach to the congregation.

 

1 Corinthians 11:1   Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

 

2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

 

2.  Therefore, there was a problem in The Church – vs. 2  “the church of God”  They were divided, suing one another, committing sin against one another and their own bodies, etc.

 

a.  In the Church we see unity instead of disunity – “church”  a called out assembly.  Called out of the world to worship and exhort one another.

 

John 15:19  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

 

b.  In the Church we see purpose - Matthew 28:19-20  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

          1)  To evangelize

 

          2)  To instruct

 

3.  We See The Conversion – vs. 2  “called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours”  Saints-a most holy thing - purity-service  Not called to go to heaven, but called to be saints.

 

a.  It was a changing conversion - Galatians 6:15  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

 

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

b.  It was a common conversion - Romans 3:22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

 

Romans 10:12   For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.