Understanding Who Is God

Minister Christopher Robert Holder

Testimony of God Ministries Inc

November 19, 2024

Who is God (the Holy Spirit Being)?

And How Did God Reveal Himself to Humanity?

Listening to the Inner Voice of Your Heart

God speaks to humanity not in the outward noise of the world but within the depths of the human spirit. To discern Him, we must be attentive to the inner voice of the heart, where His Spirit communicates.

The Nature of God

The Scriptures reveal that:

God is Spirit — a non-material, invisible personal being (John 4:24).
He is self-conscious, self-determining, self-sufficient, and self-sustaining.
This Spirit—God—is:
- Infinite (Psalm 147:5)
- Eternal (Deuteronomy 33:27)
- Unchangeable in His being (Malachi 3:6)
- Full of power (Jeremiah 32:17)
- Wise (Romans 16:27)
- Holy (Isaiah 6:3)
- Just (Deuteronomy 32:4)
- True (John 17:17)

God’s Progressive Revelation

1. God always spoke to Humanity

From the beginning, God spoke through Adam and continued to reveal His purposes through prophets. These words were:

Reported in human language.
Passed down orally.
Recorded as Scripture.

Thus, the Books of the Old Testament (Genesis to Malachi) contain the record of God’s mysteries awaiting fuller revelation.

Hebrews 1:1 (AMP):

“God, having spoken to the fathers long ago in [the voices and writings of] the prophets in many separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the truth], and in many ways…”

2. God’s Full Revelation in Jesus Christ

At the appointed time, God entered history in the person of Jesus — the Incarnate God.

Jesus revealed the mysteries hidden in ages past (Romans 16:25–26).
His life, death, and resurrection are recorded in the 27 Books of the New Testament (Matthew to Revelation).

Hebrews 1:2 (AMP):

“…has in these last days spoken [with finality] to us in [the person of One who is by His character and nature] His Son [namely Jesus], whom He appointed heir and lawful owner of all things, through whom also He created the universe [that is, the universe as a space-time-matter continuum].”

Examples of God’s Revelation

A. Old Testament: Perceived Mysteries

1 Kings 19:9–18 — Elijah at Mount Horeb:

Elijah, discouraged, hides in a cave.
God commands him to stand on the mountain.
Elijah sees:
- A violent wind — but the Lord was not in the wind.
- An earthquake — but the Lord was not in the earthquake.
- A fire — but the Lord was not in the fire.
Finally, a gentle whisper (still small voice).
Elijah recognizes this as the true presence of God and covers his face.

Lesson: God is not always revealed in dramatic displays, but in the quiet voice of His Spirit.

B. New Testament: Revelation Knowledge through the Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:10–16 — Paul on the Mind of God:

v. 10 — “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.”
v. 11 — Just as only a person’s spirit knows their thoughts, only the Spirit of God knows the mind of God.
v. 12–13 — Believers receive the Spirit so they can understand what God has freely given.
v. 16 — “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.”

Lesson: The Spirit reveals to believers the thoughts and purposes of God, granting access to divine wisdom.

Summary and Application

God is Spirit — infinite, eternal, and holy.
He revealed Himself progressively:
- Through prophets in the Old Testament.
- Fully through Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
He speaks inwardly — the still small voice of His Spirit within the believer’s heart.
Through the Spirit, believers share the mind of Christ — understanding God’s will and walking in His wisdom.

The Meaning of “God” in Hebrew

The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) uses several names and titles for God, each carrying unique aspects of His nature and attributes:

Elohim (אֱֹלהִ ים)
- Plural form but used with singular verbs when referring to the one true God.
- Emphasizes God’s majesty, greatness, and power as Creator.
- Often translated into English simply as “God.”
YHWH (יְהוָה) – The Tetragrammaton
- Considered the most sacred name of God.
- From the root “הָיָה) “to be), meaning “I AM” or “the Eternal One.”
- In English Bibles, it is often rendered as “LORD” (in all caps).
- Jewish tradition avoids pronouncing it; instead, they say Adonai (Lord) or HaShem (The Name).
El (אֵ ל)
- A shorter form meaning “Mighty One” or “God.”
- Sometimes used in compound names, e.g., El Shaddai (“God Almighty”), El Elyon (“God Most High”).
Adonai (אֲדֹונָי)
- Means “Lord” or “Master.”
- Used in prayer and reading to respectfully substitute for YHWH.

The Meaning of “God” in English

In English, the word “God” is a general term for the supreme divine being, but it does not
capture the multiple dimensions contained in Hebrew names. English Bibles translate Hebrew
titles into:

God (for Elohim)
LORD (for YHWH)
Lord (for Adonai)
Almighty, Most High, Eternal, etc. (depending on the compound name).

Thus, English conveys the concept, but Hebrew preserves the specific character traits and relationship aspects of God.

Translation vs. Transliteration

Translation

Meaning-based: it conveys the sense or definition of the word in another language
Example: ים ִלהֱֹא (Elohim) → God.
The translation tells you what the word means.

Transliteration

Sound-based: it preserves the original pronunciationM (as closely as possible) using another language’s alphabet
Example: ים ִלהֱֹא → Elohim (not “God,” but the Hebrew sound in English letters).
The transliteration tells you how the word sounds.

Illustration:

Hebrew: הָוהְי
Translation: “LORD”
Transliteration: “YHWH” or “Yahweh”

In summary:

Hebrew reveals different names of God, each emphasizing His identity and attributes.
English translations simplify these into “God” or “Lord,” but this often reduces nuance.
Translation explains meaning; transliteration carries over the sound.

Names of God in Hebrew and English

Hebrew	Transliteration	English Translation	Meaning / Emphasis
אֱלֹהִים	Elohim	God	Majestic, all-powerful Creator (plural of majesty, yet singular in action).
הָוהְי (יהוה)	YHWH / Yahweh	LORD (all caps)	The Eternal One, “I AM WHO I AM,” God’s covenant name.
אֵל	El	God	The Mighty One, general word for God, often used in compounds.
אֵל שַׁדַּי	El Shaddai	God Almighty	All-sufficient God, the One who nourishes and sustains.
אֵל עֶלְיוֹן	El Elyon	God Most High	God as exalted above all powers and authorities.
אֲדֹנָי	Adonai	Lord / Master	Sovereign Lord, Master over all creation.
יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת	YHWH Tzevaot	LORD of Hosts	Commander of heavenly armies, ruler in battle.
יְהוָה יִרְאֶה	YHWH Yireh (Jehovah Jireh)	The LORD will Provide	God’s provision (from Abraham’s story, Gen. 22:14).
יְהוָה רֹפְאֶכָה	YHWH Ropheka / Rapha	The LORD who Heals	God as healer and restorer (Ex. 15:26).
יְהוָה נִסִּי	YHWH Nissi	The LORD is my Banner	God as victory and rallying point (Ex. 17:15).
יְהוָה שָׁלוֹם	YHWH Shalom	The LORD is Peace	God as source of wholeness and peace (Judg. 6:24).
יְהוָה רֹעִי	YHWH Ro‘i / Raah	The LORD is my Shepherd	God as personal guide and protector (Ps. 23:1).
יְהוָה צִדְקֵנוּ	YHWH Tsidkenu	The LORD our Righteousness	God as the one who makes us righteous (Jer. 23:6).
יְהוָה שָׁמָּה	YHWH Shammah	The LORD is There	God’s abiding presence (Ezek. 48:35).

Note on Use:

Translation shows the meaning (e.g., “God Almighty”).
Transliteration preserves the Hebrew sound (e.g., “El Shaddai”).
Many English Bibles standardize to “God” or “Lord,” but the Hebrew names reveal
deeper aspects of His nature.

The Primary Word: Θεός (Theós)

Greek: Θεός
Transliteration: Theós
Translation: God, the supreme deity.
Usage: This is the standard word for “God” throughout the New Testament, used over 1,300 times.
Root idea: Derived from an older Indo-European root meaning “the one who is worshipped” or “divine being.”

Example verses:

John 1:1 — “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God (Theós), and the Word was God.”
1 Cor. 8:6 — “Yet for us there is one God (Theós), the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist.”

Related Expressions

a) ὁ Θεός (ho Theós) – the God

Often with the article ὁ (ho) = “the,” emphasizing the true God in contrast to false gods.

Example: Ephesians 4:6 — “One God and Father of all…”
κύριος (kýrios) – Lord

Transliteration: kýrios

Translation: Lord, master.

Used both for God the Father and for Jesus, especially to convey His divine authority.

Example: Philippians 2:11 — “Every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (kýrios).”
θεῖος (theíos) – divine

Transliteration: theíos

Translation: divine, pertaining to God.

Example: 2 Peter 1:3 — “…through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness (theías dynameōs — divine power).”
θεότης (theótēs) – deity, Godhead

Transliteration: theótēs

Translation: the state of being God, divine nature.

Example: Colossians 2:9 — “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity (theótēs) dwells bodily.”
θεῖον (theíon) – divinity

Transliteration: theíon

Translation: divine nature, godhead.

Example: Acts 17:29 — “We ought not to think that the Divine Being (theíon) is like gold or silver or stone.”

Contrast with “gods” (false deities)

Greek: θεοί (theoí) — plural form.

Example: 1 Cor. 8:5 — “For even if there are so-called gods (theoí), whether in heaven or on earth…”

Paul distinguishes the one true Θεός from idols or false deities.

Summary

Θεός (Theós) = God (supreme deity, Father, used of Jesus too).
κύριος (kýrios) = Lord, title of divinity.
θεότης (theótēs) / θεῖος (theíos) / θεῖον (theíon) = terms describing divinity, deity, or God’s nature.
The NT writers consistently use these terms to affirm the uniqueness of the one true God revealed in Jesus Christ, contrasting Him with idols.