What Does God Look Like?

Did the Church Come Before the Bible?

Did the Church Come Before the Bible?Yes, the Church came before the New Testament Bible. The early Christian Church was established through the teachings of Jesus and His apostles, while the New Testament was written, compiled, and canonized over the following centuries. The Church played a crucial role in preserving and assembling the Bible as we know it today.Biblical and Historical ContextThe Early Church: The Church began on Pentecost (Acts 2), shortly after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. The apostles spread the Gospel orally and through letters to various Christian communities.New Testament Writings: The books of the New Testament were written between approximately 50–100 AD. These writings, including the Gospels and Epistles, were initially circulated independently.Canonization: The Church determined the canon of the New Testament through councils and theological consensus over several centuries, finalizing it by the 4th century.The Relationship Between the Church and the BibleThe Church was guided by the teachings of Jesus and the apostles before the New Testament was fully written and compiled. Early Christians relied on oral tradition and apostolic letters to sustain their faith until the Bible was formalized.ConclusionThe Church predates the Bible, as it was established by Jesus and His apostles. The Church’s role in preserving and compiling Scripture highlights its foundational importance in the development of Christian faith.

Who Created God?

The Question of Who Created God One of the most profound and complex questions in theology is, "Who created God?" The Bible teaches that God is eternal and uncreated. He has no beginning or end, which sets Him apart from everything else in creation. To understand this, we must look to the nature of God as revealed in Scripture. The Eternal Nature of God The Bible clearly affirms that God is self-existent. In Exodus 3:14, when Moses asks for God's name, God responds, "I AM THAT I AM." This name signifies that God has no origin or end; He exists independently of time and space. God is the Alpha and the Omega, as described in Revelation 22:13: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." This means that God was never created, but has always existed. The Creator of All Things Genesis 1:1 opens the Bible with the declaration, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." While everything in the universe was created by God, God Himself is not a created being. He is the Creator, as affirmed in Isaiah 45:18: "For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited." This emphasizes that while creation had a beginning, God is eternal and unchanging. The Mystery of God's Eternality God’s eternal existence is a mystery that transcends human understanding. Psalms 90:2 says, "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." God’s nature as the eternal Creator highlights the infinite and incomprehensible aspect of His being, a truth that believers accept by faith.

How Old is God?

How Old Is God?The question of God’s age is a theological one that cannot be answered in the same way as the age of a human being. According to Christian doctrine, God is eternal, meaning He has no beginning and no end. This concept is deeply rooted in the teachings of Scripture, which reveal that God exists outside of time and space as we understand it. God is not subject to the limitations of time and age. In fact, the Bible describes God as the "Alpha and the Omega," meaning the beginning and the end (Revelation 22:13).The Eternal Nature of GodIn Psalm 90:2, it is written, "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." This verse emphasizes that God has existed forever, even before the creation of the earth and the universe. God’s existence is not measured by time but is beyond time, as He is eternal in nature. The Bible teaches that God has no age or limitations and exists outside the confines of temporal reality (Isaiah 40:28, 1 Timothy 1:17).God’s ImmutabilityOne of the attributes of God that is important to understanding His timelessness is His immutability. God does not change, and He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). This unchanging nature of God reinforces His eternal existence. Unlike human beings or created things, God is not subject to aging, decay, or death. His nature and being remain constant, and He is fully present in all times and places simultaneously.God as the Creator of TimeIn Christian theology, God is not bound by time because He is the creator of time itself. The opening verse of the Bible states, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). This creation of time and space by God means that He exists outside of the timeline He has created. The idea of time as something created by God further reinforces the concept of His eternal nature. God is not constrained by the limitations of time and is fully sovereign over it (Psalm 102:25-27, Isaiah 46:10).ConclusionGod is eternal and has no age in the way humans or created beings do. He exists beyond time, without beginning or end. The Bible describes God as "everlasting" and "unchanging," emphasizing His eternal nature. As the Creator of time, God is not bound by it, and His existence transcends the limitations of age or temporal measurements (Revelation 22:13, Hebrews 13:8).

Can God Hear Silent Prayers?

Can God Hear Silent Prayers?The Bible assures that God is omniscient, knowing the thoughts and intentions of every heart. Silent prayers, though unspoken, are fully heard by God because He perceives even the deepest thoughts of His people. This demonstrates His intimate knowledge and care for each individual.Biblical Evidence for Silent PrayersHannah’s Prayer: In 1 Samuel 1:13, Hannah prayed silently for a child, and though her lips moved, her voice was not heard. Yet, God responded to her heartfelt petition and granted her a son.God’s Knowledge of Thoughts: Psalm 139:4 declares: "For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether."Prayer from the Heart: Romans 8:26 affirms that the Holy Spirit intercedes for believers, even when words fail: "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought."The Power of Silent PrayerSilent prayers allow believers to connect with God in any circumstance, offering a means of constant communication with Him. Whether in moments of stillness or in situations where speaking aloud is impossible, God’s attentiveness remains unwavering.ConclusionGod hears silent prayers as clearly as spoken ones. His ability to perceive the heart’s intentions assures believers that they can communicate with Him anytime and anywhere, relying on His understanding and care.