Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8135 knowing God, nature of

8135 knowing God, nature of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8100 The life of faith » 8134 knowing God » 8135 knowing God, nature of

To know God is not merely to know things about him, such as his character, but also to experience his presence and power. To know God is to be transformed by him. Human knowledge of God is as a result of God's revelation of himself.

The origin of knowing God

Knowing God depends on revelation

Romans 11:33-36 See also Isaiah 40:13; Deuteronomy 29:29; Numbers 12:6; Numbers 23:3; Job 12:22; Isaiah 40:5; Isaiah 65:1; Ezekiel 20:5; Daniel 2:20-23,28 Amos 4:13; Matthew 11:25-27 pp Luke 10:21-22 Jesus Christ praises the Father for the revelation the disciples receive; Romans 16:25-26; Galatians 1:12; Ephesians 3:4-5

God gives knowledge of his reality through creation

Romans 1:20 See also Psalm 8:1; Psalm 19:1-4; Psalm 97:6; Acts 14:17; Acts 17:24-27

God gives knowledge of his mercy and his will through Scripture, both law and gospel

Romans 1:17 See also Deuteronomy 31:13; Acts 10:36; 1 Corinthians 1:20-21; Hebrews 8:10-11; Jeremiah 31:33-34

God gives knowledge of himself through Jesus Christ

Matthew 11:27 pp Luke 10:22 See also John 3:2; John 8:19; John 10:32; John 14:7; John 16:30; John 17:3; Colossians 2:2; 2 Timothy 1:9-10; 1 Peter 1:20-21

God gives knowledge of himself and his ways through the Spirit

Ephesians 1:17 See also Isaiah 11:2; John 14:16-17,26; John 15:26; John 16:12-15; Acts 4:31; 1 Corinthians 2:9-11; Corinthians 12:8; Ephesians 3:16-19; 1 Peter 1:12

God gives knowledge of his greatness and grace through experience of him, submission to him and in answer to prayer

Psalm 56:9-11 See also Exodus 9:29; Psalm 17:6-7; Psalm 66:19-20; Isaiah 41:19-20; Isaiah 45:3-6; Isaiah 50:4; Isaiah 60:16; Jeremiah 22:16; Jeremiah 24:7; Ezekiel 6:7

The nature of knowing God

Knowing his character

Knowing his words and works

Amos 3:7 See also Genesis 41:25 Pharaoh; Exodus 6:6-7; Exodus 7:5,17; Exodus 18:11; Deuteronomy 29:29

Samuel:

1 Samuel 3:7,21

David:

1 Samuel 17:46; 2 Samuel 7:21 pp 1 Chronicles 17:19; 2 Samuel 7:27 pp 1 Chronicles 17:25 2 Kings 8:10 Elisha; 2 Kings 19:19 Hezekiah; Psalm 147:19; Ezekiel 20:9; Luke 2:26 Simeon; John 17:8; Acts 2:22; Acts 22:14

To know Jesus Christ is to know God

John 14:6; Colossians 1:15 See also Matthew 16:16-17; John 8:19; John 15:15; John 16:15; John 17:26; Colossians 2:2-3; 1 John 5:20

To know God is to experience his salvation