Who is God?

Presbyterians believe, with many other Christians, that there is only one living and true God, and that God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable.” (Book of Confessions, 7.004). These words from one of the early statements of faith have shaped Presbyterian beliefs for over three hundred years.


If God is unchangeable, why are there so many words to describe God?

Human language has always been inadequate to describe God. We don’t have one word, in English, Greek, Hebrew, Latin, or any other language, which describes the totality of God’s being.

The Bible uses a wide variety of words and literary forms to tell us who and what God is and what God means to us. The primary way that Christians have articulated their understanding of God is through the doctrine of the Trinity, which says that while there is only one God, God is revealed to us in three different natures, or Persons. Within this doctrine, Christians have traditionally understood God as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each of these different Persons reveals the same God to us in a particular and unique way.

Father:
God the Father created the universe and made men and women in God’s image, reflecting the goodness, wisdom, and love of the Creator.

Son:
God the Son, also called “the Redeemer,” came to us as a human, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus embodies God’s love for all people, He lived among us, healed the sick, and taught us about God’s love by His own example. Through His death and resurrection, we are given forgiveness of sins and victory over death.

Holy Spirit: 
God the Holy Spirit abides in us, inspiring us to understand the Word of God as recorded in the Bible and to share what we believe with other people.

 
What does it mean to serve God?

Like other Christians, Presbyterians believe that God created us and that we are children of God the Father—that we are brothers and sisters of Jesus, the Son of God. God loves us unconditionally, as a parent loves a child, and will not abandon us. In return, God expects us to love others as God loves us, to respect and care for the world God created for us, to share the good news of Jesus Christ, and to work for peace, freedom, and justice for all people in the world.
 

RETURN TO WHAT WE BELIEVE