8135 knowing God, nature of

To know God is not merely to know things about him, such as his character, but also to experience his presence and power. To know God is to be transformed by him. Human knowledge of God is as a result of God’s revelation of himself.

The origin of knowing God

Knowing God depends on revelation Ro 11:33-36 See also Isa 40:13; Dt 29:29; Nu 12:6; Nu 23:3; Job 12:22; Isa 40:5; Isa 65:1; Eze 20:5; Da 2:20-23,28
Am 4:13; Mt 11:25-27 pp Lk 10:21-22 Jesus Christ praises the Father for the revelation the disciples receive; Ro 16:25-26; Gal 1:12; Eph 3:4-5

God gives knowledge of his reality through creation Ro 1:20 See also Ps 8:1; Ps 19:1-4; Ps 97:6; Ac 14:17; Ac 17:24-27

God gives knowledge of his mercy and his will through Scripture, both law and gospel Ro 1:17 See also Dt 31:13; Ac 10:36; 1Co 1:20-21; Heb 8:10-11; Jer 31:33-34

God gives knowledge of himself through Jesus Christ Mt 11:27 pp Lk 10:22 See also Jn 3:2; Jn 8:19; Jn 10:32; Jn 14:7; Jn 16:30; Jn 17:3; Col 2:2; 2Ti 1:9-10; 1Pe 1:20-21

God gives knowledge of himself and his ways through the Spirit Eph 1:17 See also Isa 11:2; Jn 14:16-17,26; Jn 15:26; Jn 16:12-15; Ac 4:31; 1Co 2:9-11; 1Co 12:8; Eph 3:16-19; 1Pe 1:12

God gives knowledge of his greatness and grace through experience of him, submission to him and in answer to prayer Ps 56:9-11 See also Ex 9:29; Ps 17:6-7; Ps 66:19-20; Isa 41:19-20; Isa 45:3-6; Isa 50:4; Isa 60:16; Jer 22:16; Jer 24:7; Eze 6:7

The nature of knowing God

Knowing his character Jnh 4:2 See also Dt 7:9; Ps 9:10; Ps 36:10; Ps 135:5; 1Th 4:3-5; 1Jn 4:8,16

Knowing his words and works Am 3:7 See also Ge 41:25 Pharaoh; Ex 6:6-7; Ex 7:5,17; Ex 18:11; Dt 29:29 Samuel: 1Sa 3:7,21 David: 1Sa 17:46; 2Sa 7:21 pp 1Ch 17:19; 2Sa 7:27 pp 1Ch 17:25
2Ki 8:10 Elisha; 2Ki 19:19 Hezekiah; Ps 147:19; Eze 20:9; Lk 2:26 Simeon; Jn 17:8; Ac 2:22; Ac 22:14

To know Jesus Christ is to know God Jn 14:6; Col 1:15 See also Mt 16:16-17; Jn 8:19; Jn 15:15; Jn 16:15; Jn 17:26; Col 2:2-3; 1Jn 5:20

To know God is to experience his salvation Jn 17:3 See also Ps 17:6-7; Isa 25:9; Isa 43:12; Isa 52:10; Isa 56:1; 1Jn 5:13,20

See also