We all believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that there is a single and simple spiritual being, whom we call God -- eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, unchangeable, infinite, almighty; completely wise, just, and good, and the overflowing source of all good. (The Belgic Confession, article 1)
I. There is but one only living and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will, for his own glory, most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek him; and withal most just and terrible in his judgments; hating all sin; and who will by no means clear the guilty.
II. God hath all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of himself; and is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which he hath made, nor deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them; he is the alone foundation of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom, are all things; and hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever himself pleaseth. In his sight all things are open and manifest; his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature; so as nothing is to him contingent or uncertain. He is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands. To him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience he is pleased to require of them. (The Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter II)
These two confessions mention a number of God's attributes.
There are several classifications of God's attributes. Most among Protestant theologians divide God's attributes into communicable and incommunicable. The incommunicable attributes belong only to God (for example, eternity, immensity), while the communicable attributes to some extend may belong to people (for example, wisdom and justice). However, there are some difficulties with putting some of God's attributes into one of these groups. For example, God is omniscient, that is, He knows everything. Human being has some knowledge, but human knowledge is limited. Human being has the attribute of knowledge, but not the attribute of omniscience.
There are similar difficulties with other classifications. So, many theologians do not use these classifications.
1. Personality
God is a Person. He has self-consciousness and self-determination. He has attributes of personality - mind, emotions, and will. He can speak, see, hear.
God said to Moses, "I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" (Exodus 3:14)
But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases. (Job 23:13)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. (Genesis 1:3)
2. Spirituality
God's nature is spiritual. He is not physical.
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)
3. Invisibility
God is invisible.
No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. (John 1:18)
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)
4. Life
God is living.
But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath. (Jeremiah 10:10)
For they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. (1 Thessalonians 1:9)
5. Independence (aseity)
God does not need people or any other creatures. However, people can praise and worship Him.
24 "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.
25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else." (Acts 17:24-25)
6. Immutability
God is immutable in His being, attributes, intentions, and promises.
But you remain the same, and your years will never end. (Psalm 102:27)
I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. (Malachi 3:6)
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)
7. Eternity
God has no beginning nor end.
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (Psalm 90:2)
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, 'Destroy him!' (Deuteronomy 33:27)
For this is what the high and lofty One says — he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." (Isaiah 57:15)
But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath. (Jeremiah 10:10)
8. Omnipresence
God is everywhere at the same time.
23 "Am I only a God nearby," declares the LORD, "and not a God far away?
24 Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:23-24)
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. (Psalm 139:7-10)
9. Immensity
God is not limited by space, has no sizes or dimensions.
But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! (1 Kings 8:27)
10. Unity (unitas singularitas)
God is one.
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:5)
11. Simplicity (unitas simplicitas)
God does not consist of any parts or components. Neither does He consist of His attributes.
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)
12. Truthfulness
God is true in His nature and also in His words and actions.
But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath. (Jeremiah 10:10)
We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true — even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. (1 John 5:20)
13. Faithfulness
God is faithful in His promises.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. (Deuteronomy 7:9)
14. Omniscience
God knows everything.
Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge? (Job 37:16)
15. Wisdom
God uses His knowledge in the best way in order to fulfill His purpose.
To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:27)
16. Holiness
God is different from everything and is separated from sin.
For this is what the high and lofty One says — he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." (Isaiah 57:15)
There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. (1 Samuel 2:2)
17. Righteousness
Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the men of Judah and people of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. (Daniel 9:7)
The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. (Psalm 144:17)
18. Justice
God is just toward everyone.
For God does not show favoritism. (Romans 2:11)
19. Omnipotence
God is almighty.
I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself known to them. (Exodus 6:3)
20. Sovereignty
God is sovereign in His position and authority.
To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. (Deuteronomy 10:14)
Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. (Chronicles 29:12)
21. Perfection
God is perfect in everything.
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)
22. Goodness
God is the highest standard of good. All His works are worthy to be approved.
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone." (Luke 18:19)
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100:5)
23. Love
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8)
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. (1 John 4:16)
24. Hatred
God hates sin.
The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. (Psalm 11:5)
Because of all their wickedness in Gilgal, I hated them there. Because of their sinful deeds, I will drive them out of my house. I will no longer love them; all their leaders are rebellious. (Hosea 9:15)
25. Grace
God kindly deals with people who do not deserve that.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8)
26. Mercy
God is compassionate to people who are guilty or who suffer.
For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath. (Deuteronomy 4:31)
As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. (James 5:11)
27. Long-suffering
God is patient to those who upset or provoke Him.
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86:15)
He prayed to the LORD, "O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. (Jonah 4:2)
28. Peace (order)
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. (1 Corinthians 14:33)
29. Jealousy
God's jealousy means that He always defends His honor.
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me. (Exodus 20:5)
30. Will
God decides what to do and what not to do.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will. (Ephesians 1:11)
"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." (Revelation 4:11)
31. Freedom
God does what He wants.
Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. (Psalm 115:3)
All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?" (Daniel 4:35)
32. Bliss
God is fully satisfied with Himself and everything that reflects His attributes.
Which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords. (1 Timothy 6:15)
That conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me. (1 Timothy 1:11)
33. Beauty
God is full of desired attributes.
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. (Psalm 27:4)
34. Glory
Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. (Isaiah 43:7)
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