The Names of God Bible Study Series: First Lesson Introduction

Facebook livestreaming was not working for us on Wednesday November 6, 2019. That bible study was the first in a new series being taught by Pastor Frank Menhart on The Names of God. Christine Szakal prepared this introduction for those interested in the new series who watch by live stream in order to help them be ready for lesson two.

The Bible Study held on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, was the beginning of a new series titled: “The Names of God Series – Lesson 1 Elohim”.  Each of God’s names reveals a wonderful aspect about His nature that can meet your deepest needs, comfort you in times of personal tragedy, and release you to new heights of praise in times of joy.

Our God is so vast that the heavens cannot contain Him (2 Chronicles 2:6 & 6:18). Likewise, His personality is so complex that one name cannot adequately describe Him. Throughout the Old Testament, God revealed Himself to His people through His various names. In the book of Isaiah, we are told that “He holds the span of the universe in His Hands.” Think about that for a moment. He holds the entire universe in His Hands! Knowing this, how can we ever doubt Him to care and provide for our every need?

The first title of God found in the Bible is “Elohim” in Genesis 1:1. This Hebrew word is translated as “God” in our English, and it means power or sovereignty. It appears over 2500 times in the Word of God. “El” is the root word for Elohim. It describes God’s greatness and glory. It displays His power and sovereignty.

There are two facets of God that make up the name Elohim.
1. Total power, might and sovereignty.
2. Complete creativity.

Some examples of how we see God’s creativity are the creation of the world and how He created eyes for the blind man to see. We see His creativity when He gives us new hearts or through His creation of healing one from sickness. The list goes on and on.

Another facet we can add is how He makes covenants with His creation—He makes promises. Romans 1:16 – I am not ashamed of the gospel, it is the power of God!

The Hebrew ending for Elohim is plural. Why? Because it describes the Divine Trinity of the Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We find several places in the Bible that confirm this plurality.
1. The creation of Adam in Gen 1:26-27.
2. Father, Son and Holy Spirit were all involved in this powerful creative process. (Genesis 1:2-3 and Colossians 1:16. We can add to these scriptures John 1:1 and John 1:14 where the Word became flesh.) All being active, present and full of creative power: ELOHIM!
3. Analogy: God is the Architect, Jesus is the Builder and the Holy Spirit is He Who Breathes life into the structure! Those Who are mighty and powerful; Those Who are creative and sovereign.
4. This increases the impact of Jesus’ shocking statement to the religious men of His day where in John 8:56-58 Jesus said, “. . . [B]efore Abraham was, I AM.”
Selah.

We will continue this series next Wednesday, November 13, 2019. Please join us. It is a wonderful honor to have a relationship with ELOHIM!