By What Means Can We Know That God Exists?
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesA querist asks, “By what means can we know that God exists and thus come to know and understand Him?
There are only two ways or means by which man can come to a knowledge of God’s existence:
1) By Observing the Created Universe — In Psalm 19:1-4 – NKJV, the Holy Spirit through David teaches us the following about the created universe:
“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world.”
Regarding the created universe relative to God’s existence, the inspired writer Paul writes these words in Romans 1:20 – NKJV:
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”
Paul is simply saying that a careful examination of God’s creation [“the things that are made”] not only declare the “invisible attributes” of God — His power and glory (cf. Romans 1:20 – NKJV; Psalm 19:1 – NKJV), but His provision for mankind and all living things (Acts 14:17; Acts 17:25; cf. Genesis 1:29-30). Thus the man who rejects the existence of God is not only “without excuse,” but according to God, he is a “fool” (Psalm 10:4; Psalm 53:1).
2) By the Revelation of God’s Word — The only other way or means for us to come to a knowledge of God is through His revealed will made known by the Holy Spirit to inspired men “” God’s prophets and apostles (Ephesians 3:1-5; cf. John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:13; Gal. 1:11-12; Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
Regarding the completed revelation of God to man through His word, Jesus Himself said in John 15:15 – NKJV:
“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you” (Emphasis mine).
Our Lord tells us that “all” the inspired [God-breathed] words He received from His Father were revealed to the apostles by Him and by the Holy Spirit (cf. John 14:26; John 15:26), therefore, there will not be any additional revelation from the mind of God to man (cf. Jude 1:3 – KJV).
Thus through God’s fully revealed and inspired Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17 – NKJV), man has been given all he spiritually needs that is:
“profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Dear reader, let us use these two great evidences of God’s existence to (1) increase our knowledge of Him and His great love for us (cf. Romans 12:2; Ephesians 1:16-18; Colossians 1:9-10; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18; John 3:16-17; 1 John 4:9; Romans 5:6-9); and (2) render complete and unreserved obedience to His will (Matthew 7:21 – NKJV; Romans 6:17 – NKJV; James 1:22 – NKJV).