1. Understanding the Divine Nature Romans 1:20

2. Understanding the Divine Nature  Romans 1:20 – the “divine nature” of God is “clearly seen” and can be “understood through what has been made”  Do you believe that you can better understand the divine nature of God by looking at the created world?  In this lesson we will examine the truth of this scripture by examining the nature of things in the created world so we might compare them to the “divine nature” of God  We will also see who possesses the divine nature…

3. Understanding the Divine Nature  The nature of things in the created world  Science identifies 5 “kingdoms” of living things in nature: monera, protista, fungi, plants, and animals.  What makes a living thing fit into the monera kingdom?  What makes a living thing fit into the protista kingdom?  The fungi kingdom? the plant kingdom? the animal kingdom?  It is something in their nature that makes them fit, certain characteristics common to all living things in that kingdom  The possession of certain characteristics allows us to classify that living thing into its kingdom. Example: A monera is a living organism whose cells have no nucleus, such as bacteria.  We will see that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each possesses the full characteristics of Deity, the divine nature.

4. Understanding the Divine Nature  Continuing up the scale: humanity  Though evolutionary science considers mankind a part of the animal kingdom, we know that God created man higher than the animals and gave man dominion (Genesis 1:28)  Not only is man higher on the scale than animals, man also has a nature, the human nature, that makes him different from animals, plants, fungi, protista, and monera.  All humans, male and female, possess the human nature.  Many humans, but one race: one humanity united in our traits!  Acts 14:15…when the Lystrans tried to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods, Paul told them, “We are also men of the same nature as you”  We are forbidden from accepting worship from men (Acts 12:21-23)  We are forbidden from worshiping men (Acts 10:25-26; Rom. 1:25)  Because there are beings higher than mankind…

5. Understanding the Divine Nature  Non-divine beings with a spiritual nature  God created all beings, including spiritual beings (Col. 1:16)  Angels have an angelic nature (Hebrews 1:7,14)  Satan spoke from his own nature as a liar (John 8:44)  Though their spiritual nature is higher than the human nature, it is lower than the nature of God.  Hebrews 2:9…while Jesus was a man, He was lower than angels  We are forbidden to worship these beings (Rev. 20:4; 22:8-9; Matt. 4:8-10)  From this we can better understand the divine nature…

6. Understanding the Divine Nature  The top of the scale: the Divine Nature  The divine nature is Deity.  To possess the divine nature is to be God  To possess the human nature is to be mankind  To posses the animal nature is to be animal  One humanity, many members – one Deity, three members!  The divine nature (divinity) is higher than all other natures  It cannot be displayed with man-made images (Acts 17:29)  It is eternal (Deut. 33:27; Rom. 16:26)  God’s thoughts and ways are higher than man’s (Isaiah 55:8-9)  Idols lack the divine nature, yet some serve them (Gal. 4:8)  Now let’s see Who possesses this divine nature…

7. Understanding the Divine Nature  Possessors of the divine nature  Jesus Christ is God  “is the exact representation of God’s nature” (Hebrews 1:3)  The fullness of Deity dwells in Him (Colossians 2:9)  Prior to human form, He existed in the equal form of God (Philippians 2:6)  Called Himself equal to God (John 5:18; 10:30-33)  Had divine authority to forgive sins (Luke 7:48; Matthew 9:2-8)  Glory to God is glory to the Son (John 11:4; 13:31-32)  The logos (Word of God Who became flesh) is God (John 1:1)  Accepted worship as God (Matt. 14:33; 28:9,17; John 9:38; 20:28)  Is the same forever (eternally) (Heb 13:8)  Conclusion: Jesus possesses the characteristics of Deity, has the divine nature…Jesus is God.

8. Understanding the Divine Nature  Possessors of the divine nature  The Holy Spirit is God  Searches the depths of Deity (1 Corinthians 2:10-11)  Has divine sovereignty and omniscience (Isaiah 40:13-14)  Possesses Deity’s divine knowledge (John 16:13)  Has divine will in distributing spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:11)  Speaks with divine power of prophecy (1 Timothy 4:1)  Commands Christ’s servants (Acts 13:2; 8:29)  To lie to the Holy Spirit is to lie to God (Acts 5:3-4)  Is eternal (Hebrews 9:14)  Conclusion: The Holy Spirit possesses the characteristics of Deity, has the divine nature…the Holy Spirit is God.

9. Understanding the Divine Nature  Possessors of the divine nature  The Heavenly Father is God  Exercises a role (but not rank) that is higher than the Son (John 5:30,36; 6:38, 10:28; 12:49; 14:28; 1 Cor. 11:3)  Exercises a role (but not rank) that is higher than the Holy Spirit (John 14:16,26; 16:13-15)  Sits upon the throne of God (Matthew 23:22; Revelation 3:21)  Is the Father of spirits (Hebrews 12:9; Matt. 23:9)  Is perfect (Matthew 5:48) and omniscient (Matthew 6:8)  Exercises divine authority to forgiven sins (Matthew 6:14-15)  Is the Lord of heaven and earth (Luke 10:21)  His will is supreme (Matthew 7:21; 26:42)  Receives worship as God (John 4:23-24)  Is called God the Father (Philippians 2:11)  Conclusion: Heavenly Father possesses the characteristics of Deity, has the divine nature…Heavenly Father is God.

10. Understanding the Divine Nature  Conclusion  Each living thing has a nature that connects it to living things with the same nature and distinguishes it from living things with different natures.  God’s divine nature is what makes the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit superior over all other things that God has created.  Romans 1:20 – His divine nature is clearly seen!  To speak of God is to speak of the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for they are united as one God, three persons with the same divine nature.  For this reason, we baptize “in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19)