Who is God?

This is one of the many questions asked of the entire Congregation in The Baptismal Covenant. We always say the Baptismal Covenant as a congregation because it reminds us of the promises we have made or those that we made on our behalf at our Baptism. The first three are about who God is and the last five questions are about who we are as followers of Christ.

 

Today let’s take a look at whom God is.

 

The first question is: Do you believe in God the Father?

The answer is: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. (Book of Common Prayer, 304)

 

"The Creation of Adam" By Michaelangelo

This answer reminds us that we know that God has provided us with everything and that God created the universe and us. We don’t worry about how creation happened. We concern ourselves with who created us and we know that we are created out of love. Then we look to scripture to tell us more about the God created us.

 

Greek Orthodox Icon of
Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd

The second question is: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

The answer is:  I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. (Book of Common Prayer, 304)

Here we are reminded of Jesus miraculous birth and sacrificial death and life giving resurrection. Each aspect of Jesus’ life that are spoken in this response show us that Jesus Christ, the Son of God is a gift, given for our salvation. Each stage of Jesus Christ’s life demonstrates that God will stop at nothing, even death, to have a relationship with us. Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection tell us that God is Love.



Holy Spirit Rose Window made
by Stain Glass Inc. 
The third question about God is: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

The answer is: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. (Book of Common Prayer, 304)

It may seem strange to talk about the world when we state our belief in God the Holy Spirit but the Holy Spirit is how God continue to work in our world and in the Church. We see God’s active presence in our world though our relationships with one another. Each aspect mentioned above is a way that God is moving and working in our world. These are not the only places where God is working but as Christians we believe that the Church can be our primary experience of God in our world.


Conversation Starters:
  • How would describe God the Father?
  • Who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
  • Tell me about the Holy Spirit.
  • How do you know God is still working in the world around us?
  • What do you want your friends to know about God?
  • Tell me who God is in 8 words or less.







 






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