AboutElder Greg Madden Expertise As a born-again, Holy Ghost filled minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ I am avalible to answer questions conserning most all Biblical doctrines, the gifts and fruit of the Spirit, "Pentecostal/Apostolic" issues, and the history of the pentecostal movement.
For more info check out our web site at... http://www.forministry.com/USOKPENTEMMM1
Experience My wife Darla and I have been married for twenty three years. We both gave our hearts to the Lord a few months after we were married during a revival meeting. A few weeks later I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and I have not been the same since!
In those twenty three years we have only attended one church, Heartland Harvest Church (Pastor Jeff Burns). I have served there as an Elder for twelve years. We minister in song with the choir and worship team. I am also the new members class coordinator.
In 1993 the Lord called me to "...preach the Gospel where ever I open the door..." Darla and I have had the privilege of ministering God's Word to churches in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. In those meetings we have seen the Lord save, heal, deliver, and fill people will His Spirit.
Organizations I am ordained through Heartland Harvest Church, and with the World Harvest Ministerial Fellowship. I also am a licensed minister with the State of Oklahoma, and I am currantly enrolled with the Ames Bible College.
Question Dear Mr. Elder Greg Madden:
I am a Muslim and believer of Christ. The reason I am seeking about the name of God is that I am interested in knowing how the word "elohiym" is used in the Bible. I read some place that the word "god" is relative and not "absolute" and it is not a name.
1. I also read somewhere that the word "god" is ued as a name in an absolute (certain) sense in the first chapter of Genesis. There it is not a title. There the word "God" is not used in a "relative" sense. Please explain me what you understand by the absolute name?
2. As you wrote: "The word "God" is both His name and and title." To understand it better, I'd like to have some examples from the Bible when it is a name and when it is a title, if you please.
I would appreciate your enlightenment.
Respectfully yours,
Farooq
Answer Farooq,
Thank you for you answering my questions. This does help clarify things. As to your questions...
1. The word "God" is absolute when used in reference to God Himself. However, the word "god" also relative when used in reference to anything, or anyone, other that God Himself. In other words, it depends upon the context in which the word "god" is being used.
2. Perhaps you misunderstood what I meant by "The word "God" is both His name and and title." His Name is His Title, and His Title is His Name. So as in the case of Gen.1:1, the word "God" is His name, and His title.
Farooq, perhaps the misunderstand is in the definition of the nature of God Himself. Who He is, His attributes, His character. Please allow me to share with you what I have learned from the Holy Bible about this subject...
The Bible teaches us about the eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, sovereign, and immutable triune God; and in the unity of the Godhead where three personalities, equal in every divine perfection and attribute, execute distinct, harmonious offices, in the great work of redemption. This does not mean that there are three “people” called God, but rather a way of saying God eternally exists in three personally distinct ways. Scriptures declare that there is only one God, Who is eternally (past, present, and future) manifested as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Another way of understanding this definition of the nature of God is to understand His attributes. His omniscience (He knows all things), His omnipotence (He is all powerful), and His omnipresence (He is everywhere at the same time, and at all times). His omnipresence allows us to see how He can be Father, Son, and Holy Spirit at the same time. Being omnipresent He is not only everywhere at the same time, He is everywhere at every time. God is here, now, at this present time. But He is also in the future. He is already there because He is not limited by time. He is also in the past. You see, time is linier. Time had a starting point (Gen. 1:1) and it will come to an end (Rev. 10:6). But God is eternal. He has no beginning, and He will have no end. Therefore time itself existents within God, God is not limited within time. God is the Father, the Son, and the Spirit eternally (in the past, in the present, and in the future).
Farooq, you mentioned that you are "a Muslim and believer of Christ". Does this mean that you are a Muslim, or are you a Christian, or something else?
I hope this helps answer your questions. Please let me know if you have any further ones.
