All three persons of the Trinity equally possess the same divine attributes.
Holy. God is distinct and set apart from all else. He is morally pure and cannot sin.
His attitudes, thoughts, words, motives, actions, and reactions are inherently righteous. His revelations, proclamations, commandments, principles, designs, and assessments are eternally true.
Holy is the only divine attribute the Bible repeats three times in immediate, uninterrupted succession when describing God, underscoring its special importance and breathtaking splendor.
Infinite. God is boundless, and his attributes are immeasurable. While on earth, Jesus was infinite, yet he lived within the bounds of his humanity most of the time.
Eternal. God always was, always is, and always will be. He has neither beginning nor end. He exists apart from time, the nonspatial continuum he created.
While on earth, Jesus generally submitted to time constraints, but sometimes he acted outside them. His first miracle, turning water into wine, was one such instance. He compressed the years required to produce an exceptional vintage into an instant.
Self-existent. God is neither a conception nor a creation. He exists independently of any cause. If he were a construct, his designer would be God. Jesus has been alive in bodily form since eternity past.
Self-sufficient. God is complete in every respect. He has no needs or deficiencies. He cannot improve. God is self-sustaining and requires no outside support. His life cannot be extinguished. He is the source of all other life.
Jesus set aside his self-sufficiency during his time on earth. For example, he required parental care in his childhood. His earthly body died on the cross, but his spirit did not. He now has a resurrected version of that same body.
Omniscient. God knows everything. His knowledge of the past, present, and future is complete. He is fully aware of all possible outcomes. He cannot learn.
Jesus set aside his omniscience when he left heaven and grew intellectually as he aged. In other words, he learned, humanly speaking, what he already knew as God.
Omnipotent. God is all-powerful. He rules every realm—seen and unseen. His power is unlimited and unwavering. It neither waxes nor wanes. Jesus demonstrated this omnipotence through his miracles.
Omnipresent. God exists outside of time and space, yet in the person of the Holy Spirit, he is transcendently active throughout these realms. He does not inhabit natural things like trees, rocks, or animals, but we are always in the presence of his personhood, handiwork, and outreach.
Jesus generally traveled within the bounds of space and time during his earthly life, though not always. He once walked on water, and after his resurrection, he moved instantly from place to place without restriction.
Sovereign. God reigns supreme over all things. His plans always prevail in the end. God acts according to his will alone. He never does anything he does not will. He cannot be manipulated or coerced.
Immutable. God cannot change his character. His attributes are unchangeable. He is the same today as he was yesterday and will be tomorrow.
Wise. God knows best. His assessments and decisions are always well-informed and accurate. He thinks logically and acts with discernment, guided by an eternal perspective. He is never mistaken.
Faithful. God is true to his word. He cannot lie. His allegiance is steadfast and reliable. He always keeps his promises and fulfills his commitments.
Love. God cares deeply for his creation, especially us. He is profoundly warm and tenderly affectionate. His love is unfailing, unconditional, and everlasting.
Good. Everything God thinks, says, and does is virtuous. He cannot commit or condone evil. He produces goodness in and around the lives of spiritually reborn believers through every experience, including suffering.
Gracious. God is kind, generous, noble, and magnanimous. He is free from all resentment and vindictiveness. He is unselfishly devoted to our well-being.
Just. God holds everyone accountable for unrighteousness without bias or favoritism. He will not allow himself to be mocked without consequence. He ultimately avenges the unrepentant enemies who defy him, abuse his people, and misuse his name. God’s justice is always reasonable, equitable, and proportionate. His judgments are always guided by truth and fairness.
Merciful. God is compassionate, benevolent, patient, and forbearing. He blesses us more than we deserve. He delays his judgment so the defiant have time to repent of their sins. Only after they have persistently ignored his many entreaties does he unleash his justice.
