What We Believe: The Faith of the Presbyterian Church (Who is God?)

At Sligo Presbyterian Church, we're discussing what Presbyterians believe and how Presbyterian congregations govern themselves. During the series, we’re answering the following questions:

• Session 1 - Who are we?
• Session 2 - Who is God?
• Session 3 - Why did Christ come?
• Session 4 - What does the Holy Spirit do?
• Session 5 - How can we respond?

In our second session, we answered the question, "Who Is God?" A recording of the discussion and the passages used are below.

I Corinthians 8:4, 6 [New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition]

Even though food is offered to idols, we know that none of the idols in this world are alive. After all, there is only one God. ...We have only one God, and he is the Father. He created everything, and we live for him. Jesus Christ is our only Lord. Everything was made by him, and by him life was given to us.

I Timothy 1:17 [New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition]

I pray that honor and glory will always be given to the only God, who lives forever and is the invisible and eternal King! Amen.

I John 4:8-10 [New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition]

God is love, and anyone who doesn’t love others has never known him. God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to give us life. Real love isn’t our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven.

Malachi 3:6 [New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition]

Descendants of Jacob, I am the Lord All-Powerful, and I never change. That’s why you haven’t been wiped out,

I Peter 2:8, 9 [New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition]

They disobeyed the message and stumbled and fell over that stone, because they were doomed.  But you are God’s chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done.  

Ephesians 1:4 [New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition]

Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people.

Romans 9:10-16 [New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition]

Don’t forget what happened to the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Even before they were born or had done anything good or bad, the Lord told Rebekah that her older son would serve the younger one. The Lord said this to show that he makes his own choices and that it wasn’t because of anything either of them had done. That’s why the Scriptures say that the Lord liked Jacob more than Esau. Are we saying that God is unfair? Certainly not! The Lord told Moses that he has pity and mercy on anyone he wants to. Everything then depends on God’s mercy and not on what people want or do.

John 15:16 [New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition]

You did not choose me. I chose you and sent you out to produce fruit, the kind of fruit that will last. Then my Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name.

What We Believe - Who Is God?

Pastor Rudiger is leading a 5-week class immediately after the worship service. During each meeting, we’ll discuss one of the basic questions on which our faith is grounded. This is a great opportunity for anyone who may be interested in joining our congregation but who still may have some questions about the word “presbyterian.” During this second session, we looked at the question: Who Is God? 

Below are the passages we considered during the class:

I Corinthians 8:4, 6 - Even though food is offered to idols, we know that none of the idols in this world are alive. After all, there is only one God. ...We have only one God, and he is the Father. He created everything, and we live for him. Jesus Christ is our only Lord. Everything was made by him, and by him life was given to us.

I Timothy 1:17 -  I pray that honor and glory will always be given to the only God, who lives forever and is the invisible and eternal King! Amen.

I John 4:8-10 - God is love, and anyone who doesn’t love others has never known him. God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to give us life. Real love isn’t our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven.

Malachi 3:6 - Descendants of Jacob, I am the Lord All-Powerful, and I never change. That’s why you haven’t been wiped out,

I Peter 2:8, 9 - They disobeyed the message and stumbled and fell over that stone, because they were doomed.  But you are God’s chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done.  

Ephesians 1:4 - Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people.

Romans 9:10-16 - Don’t forget what happened to the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Even before they were born or had done anything good or bad, the Lord told Rebekah that her older son would serve the younger one. The Lord said this to show that he makes his own choices and that it wasn’t because of anything either of them had done. That’s why the Scriptures say that the Lord liked Jacob more than Esau. Are we saying that God is unfair? Certainly not! The Lord told Moses that he has pity and mercy on anyone he wants to. Everything then depends on God’s mercy and not on what people want or do.

John 15:16 - You did not choose me. I chose you and sent you out to produce fruit, the kind of fruit that will last. Then my Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name.