Doctrines of Grace: WCF 2 – The True and Living Triune God

WCF 2 – The True and Living Triune God

Ch. 2

Of God, and of the Holy Trinity

2:1 There is but one only (Deu_6:4; 1Co_8:4, 1Co_8:6) living, and true God (Jer_10:10; 1Th_1:9): who is infinite in being and perfection (Job_11:7-9, Job_26:14), a most pure spirit (Joh_4:24), invisible (1Ti_1:17), without body, parts (Deu_4:15, Deu_4:16; Luk_24:39; Joh_4:24), or passions (Act_14:11, Act_14:15), immutable (Mal_3:6; Jam_1:17), immense (1Ki_8:27; Jer_23:23, Jer_23:24), eternal (Psa_90:2; 1Ti_1:17), incomprehensible (Psa_145:3), almighty (Gen_17:1; Rev_4:8), most wise (Rom_16:27), most holy (Isa_6:3; Rev_4:8), most free (Psa_115:3), most absolute (Exo_3:14), working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will (Eph_1:11), for His own glory (Pro_16:4; Rom_11:36); most loving (1Jo_4:8, 1Jo_4:16), gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin (Exo_34:6, Exo_34:7); the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb_11:6); and with all most just and terrible in His judgments (Neh_9:32, Neh_9:33), hating all sin (Psa_5:5, Psa_5:6), and who will by no means clear the guilty (Exo_34:7; Nah_1:2, Nah_1:3).

2:2 God hath all life (Joh_5:26), glory (Act_7:2), goodness (Psa_119:68), blessedness (Rom_9:5; 1Ti_6:15), in and of Himself; and is alone in and unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which He hath made (Act_17:24, Act_17:25), not deriving any glory from them (Job_22:2, Job_22:23), but only manifesting His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them: He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things (Rom_11:36); and hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them whatsoever Himself pleaseth (Dan_4:25, Dan_4:35; 1Ti_6:15; Rev_4:11). In His sight all things are open and manifest (Heb_4:13); His knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature (Psa_147:5; Rom_11:33, Rom_11:34), so as nothing is to Him contingent, or uncertain (Eze_11:5; Act_15:18). He is most holy in all His counsels, in all His works, and in all his commands Psa_145:17; Rom_7:12). To Him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience he is pleased to require of them (Rev_5:12-14).

2:3 In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost (Mat_3:16, Mat_3:17; Mat_28:19; 2Co_13:14; 1Jo_5:7). The Father is of none, neither begotten, nor proceeding: the Son is eternally begotten of the Father: the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son (Joh_1:14, Joh_1:18).