The Characteristics Of The Godhead

The Bible reveals that the Godhead consists of three persons; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three persons have certain characteristics, manifestations and operations which never change but are different and unique

The Father is eternally the Father

The Son is eternally the Son

The Holy Spirit is eternally the Holy Spirit

The characteristics and attributes of the Godhead are changeless. The Bible also affirms that God is one in operation, but three in revelation and manifestation.

1. Characteristics of the Father

The characteristics of the Father, consistent in every clear statement of Scripture and every God-created type and symbol are seen in the following:

1. The Father is the first Person in mode of operation. The First Cause, the Original, the Source, the Beginning, the Commencement, the Fountain-head of all wisdom. The Absolute. He is the source of every good thing.  “In the beginning God” (Genesis 1:1)
2. The Foundation of our redemption (John 3:16)
3. The Covenant-Maker and Keeper, the Covenant Promiser (Deuteronomy 7:9)
4. The Architect, Designer, Controller and Sustainer (Genesis 1)
5. Light, Life and Love
6. Glory, Majesty, Unapproachable Light, Holiness and fire (1 Timothy 6:16; Hebrews 12:29)
7. Invisible, Spiritual, Eternally the Father
8. The Begetter (John 3:16; 1:10-12)
9. Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient, Immutable, Eternal

2. Characteristics of the Son

The characteristics of the Son, consistent also in all clear statements of Scripture and every God-ordained type and symbol are seen in the following:

1. Second Person in mode of operation, for the purpose of redemption. Not inferiority, not inequality, but submission and obedience in redemption’s plan to the Father’s will. The subject one, the obedient Son.
2. The eternal Word (John 1:1-3)
3. The Mediator, Medium, and Umpire between God and man. The Intercessor, the Advocate (1 Timothy 2:5)
4. The God-Man. The union of the divine nature and human nature in the one Person. The Word made flesh (John 1:14-18). God manifest in the flesh.
5. The Only Begotten Son (John 3:16). The fullness of the Godhead bodily in human form (Colossians 1:19; 2:9)
6. Redeemer, Saviour, Grace of God personified (Titus 1:4).
7. Sacrificial body and blood. The ratification of the covenant by blood.
8. The central Person of the Godhead. The one in the midst
9. The visible revelation and expression of the invisible God in human form (Romans 1:19-20; Hebrews 1:3)
10. Eternally the Son. Co-equal in power, nature, attributes and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

3. Characteristics of the Holy Spirit

The characteristics of the Holy Spirit are always consistent throughout the Scriptures and the types and symbols of the Spirit are based on the following:

1. The third Person in mode of operation for the purposes of redemption. Not inferiority, nor inequality, but the servant Person in the Godhead, pointing to the Father and the Son.
2. Proceeding from the Father, through the Son (John 15:26; 16:16)
3. The Inspirer, Revelator, Illuminator of the Word, the written and living Word. The Communicator, the Teacher (2 Peter 1:20-21).
4. The Quickener, the Unction, the Anointing (1 John 2:20, 27)
5. The Sanctifying Power, the Indweller in the multitude of believers, the Presence in the Church (Acts 1:8)
6. Fruitfulness, Fruit of the Spirit, Mother Characteristics
7. Numberlessness, Multiplicity, Exhaustlessness
8. Eternally the Spirit. Invisible, Co-equal in nature, power, attributes and glory with the Father and the Son.