Page 14 - Bible Doctrines II w videos short

Incommunicable Attributes.

Independence.
God does not need creatures for help. However, it is a requirement for creatures to glorify Him. Luke
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summarizes this thought very well; “ The God who made the world and everything in it—he is Lord of
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heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands. Neither is he served by human hands, as
though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things” (Acts 17:24-
25 [CSB]). So, God does not need anything from mankind. In showing that everything belongs to God,
Job says, “Who confronted me, that I should repay him? Everything under heaven belongs to me” (Job
41:11 [CSB]). Prophet Isaiah states that God speaks of his sons and daughters as “everyone who bears
my name and is created for my glory” (Isa. 43:7 [CSB]). So, everyone including the nation of Israel were
created to glorify God. God is self-existence. That means that no one can add anything to Him, and He
needs nothing from anyone. He has no lack or deficiency, and he depends on no one for His being or
continued existence.

Unchangeableness (or Immutability)
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God does not change in His being, perfections, purposes, and promises. The Psalmist says that “ Long
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ago you established the earth, and the heavens are the work of our hands. They will perish, but you
will endure; all of them will wear out like clothing. You will change them like a garment, and they will
pass away” (Psa. 102:25-27 [CSB]). Usually, garments or clothing do not last long. So is the earth, the
heavens, and other remaining creatures. Isaiah says that “ Remember the former things, those of long
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ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from
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the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all
that I please.’ From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.
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What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do” (Isa. 46:9-11 [NIV]). God the
Father is the I am, His purpose will stand, and will do everything for His pleasure but not man’s nor for
any creature.

Even though the unchangeableness of God is a biblical teaching, some however, continue to deny this
doctrine. Their denial is based on God’s avoidance to destroy the people of Israel (Exod. 32:9-14),
addition of fifteen years to the life of Hezekiah (Isa. 38:1-6; cf. 2 Kgs. 20:1-11; 2 Chron. 32:24), or failure
to bring promised judgment upon Nineveh when the people repented. In response to that attack,
Gruden says that “these instances should all be understood as true expressions of God’s present
attitude or intention with respect to the situation as it exists at that moment. . . God responds
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differently to different situations.”

Still, some said that genuine existence requires the aspects of process and change to occur. In simple
terms, for God to be considered as someone who exists, somethings about Him or His being should be
changing. Despite that attack, orthodox (good) Christians continue to support the attribute of
immutability as a biblical teaching.

Eternity (Infinite)
There is no beginning, end, and succession of moments in His being. He sees all time equally brightly. He
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sees events in time and acts in time. To be infinite means not be able to be restricted or stopped. “This
doctrine teaches that time does not limit God.” The Psalmist says that “Before the mountains were
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born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity, you are God” (Psa.
90:2 [CSB]). In His being, God is timeless. Apostle John says that “Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you,
before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58 [CSB]). It is possible that this passage clearly declares the name of

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