Baptist Catechism: Question Three

General Revelation of God
19 because that which is known about God is evident [a]within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
Romans 1:19-20

The heavens tell of the glory of God;
And their expanse declares the work of His hands.
2 Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
Psalm 19:1-3

24 The God who made the world and everything that is in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made by hands;
Acts 17:24

Yesterday we discussed how we are to believe there is a God and it is a sinful disobedience and folly to not believe in Him. Now that we know we are to believe in Him, today we learn how we can know there is a God!

We learn in this answer that from the nature of man to the works of God throughout Creation, we can generally see the presence of a God. In Romans 1:20, we see his presence explained throughout creation. When we gaze upon His work, it is impossible to not see a general sense of the Creator’s attributes, especially His eternal power and divinity.

Psalm 19:1-3 tells us that from the night sky and the times of days and night, we see the glory of God being magnified for us, a beacon pointing to Him.

Acts 17:24 affirms that God is the creator of the heavens and the earth, and something created points to a creator. He doesn’t dwell in houses made by men, but dwells in Heaven and earth that He created.

This helps us generally know God exists, but we learn in the second half of the question that to truly know God, He must be specially revealed to us through the word and work of God’s Spirit. The Spirit of God will effectually call people to God, not only to know Him but to save people from their sins against Him.

Special Revelation of God
10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
1 Corinthians 2:10

15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is [a]inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for [b]rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness;
2 Timothy 3:15-16

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:10 and his surrounding context of that verse, that we are led by the Spirit to see Christ. Paul tells us that we know Christ through His crucifixion. It is through Jesus that we have forgiveness. It is through the Spirit of God that God calls us to Christ. Those He calls will answer the call. They will come to the Lord and Savior for the forgiveness of their sins. God will be our salvation.

We also see through 2 Timothy 3:15-16 that often times the word of God is used by the Spirit of God to bring people to repentance and salvation in Jesus. Paul attributes the Word of God, our Scriptures as being the wisdom that leads people to Jesus and His salvation for us. All scripture is God breathed and used to teach, rebuke, correct, and train.

The Spirit of God reveals who God is. Not only should God be known, but He makes it so we can intimately know Him! Amazing!