Theology Proper - Who is God?                           Lesson 19

f. Truth - Veracity

  1. Definition: Veracity means that everything that God discloses or reveals is absolutely certain.

In the O.T. truth = tm,a/  derived from !m;a’’’’’’’’’’’’’’

          qal - to confirm, support

          niphal - to be established, be faithful, dependable

          hiphil - to be certain, assured therefore to believe

          root idea of the word is absolute certainty

          Deut. 7:9;  Psa. 31:5

Ø      In the N.T. truth = avlhqh,j true, truthful, honest;  real, genuine  

 

Ø      Also seen in the adjective faithful pisto.j  trustworthy, reliable sure, true, unfailing

Heb. 11:1  Faith in the right object is certainty

 

 

  2. Ways that it is expressed in Scripture

     #1 - Scripture makes absolute statements that God is truth.

Ø     John 3:33   o` qeo.j avlhqh,j evstin

 

Ø      1 Cor 1:9 - pisto.j o` qeo.j

 

Ø      1 Ths 5:24 - pisto.j

 

     #2 Do the same by making a strong negative statement

Ø      Titus 1:2 - statement about God's character

 

Ø      Heb. 6:18 - i.e. always tells the truth

Whatever God discloses is absolutely certain because He is true and faithful.

 

  3. Applications of veracity - What does God's truthfulness mean to me??

     #1 - 1 John 1:9 - The basis of assurance of forgiveness is in God's truthfulness - veracity.

 

 

 

 

     #2 - Rom 3:4 Let God be found true!

 

 

     #3 - God's veracity is inseparably linked to His word.

 

2 Cor 1:20 (promises in context = the written word includes the OT canon;

 

Ps 138:2 - also links the Word with the character

 

 

     #4 - Num. 23:19 [whole argument]

          Context: people were doubting God's word - which is an assault on His character.

         

If God is true can it be at the same time somehow that His promise is not true??

         

2 Sam. 7:28

          His Words are true because He keeps them!!

Ø      Heb. 10:23

 

Ø      Word uses superlatives to describe God's faithfulness.

            Lam. 3:23  Great is thy faithfulness.

         

 

  Ps 36:5  Thy faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

 

 How does He show His faithfulness?

 

 

4. If God is true, what should be our response as believers.

Ø      Ps 91:4 - God is true therefore we are to trust in Him.

 

 

Overview

1. Everything God reveals is absolute truth, it is absolutely certain.

        - The scripture is absolutely clear on this point.

  - includes prophecy, yet unfulfilled; will occur exactly as stated

 

2. Consequently - if we believe it, then every promise in the word will be taken unquestionably and we will never have to worry, to doubt because we know that this is His Word and therefore we are able to rest in it and this ought to settle all the instability problems once and for all.

 

3. But there is a problem isn't there!!  even for the Christian!

 

  - knowing what scripture says and putting it into practice, believing it & applying it.  Putting it into shoe leather.