The Trinity
Matthew 28:19
1 Corinthians 8:4-6
Names and Titles of God
Angel of Yahweh
Tri-unity
INTRODUCTION
In Matthew 28:19-20 at the Great Commission it is quite clear that the people are sent out in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit indicating that there are three personalities in the Godhead. There is therefore tri-unity or oneness of nature and purpose.
In many other passages in the Scriptures two or more members of the Godhead are mentioned as equal. Every cult in some way abrogates the Trinity. These cultic belief systems have been around since the first century.
Comprehension of the Trinty
It is quite difficult to comprehend the concept of three personalities and yet unity in the Godhead as it is a violation of our own intellect. Cultists will say that the Trinity does not make sense but this problem for the unbeliever is covered in 1 Corinthians 2:14 where the unbeliever cannot understand spiritual matters as they are spiritually discerned. Our perception of the mechanics of this is limited but we should not expect human logic alone to cope with this concept. We are creatures speaking of the creator and must accept the revelation provided.
It is important to note however that God has decided to reveal Himself to man in this way and that this is therefore the way in which he ought to be understood.
Trinity and unity have their own characteristics.
Trinity and Tri-unity
Trinity and unity have their own relationships in the Character of God. There is unity in character but trinity in personalities. As you go through the Bible where you have the character of God being expressed you have unity, where you have personalities dealing with mankind you have trinity. We can see the unity of the character of God in the different ways in which God has revealed Himself to man. In the case of trinity however we have to be careful with illustrations and concept as it is easy to go into heresy by taking it one step too far.
There are obviously many important reasons behind this. In eternity we will understand this fully, but here and now, as it has been revealed this way to us, we have the obligation to try our best to understand it’s significance for us. Trinity and unity have their corresponding words in the essence of God.
Unity ‑ essence or character; Trinity ‑ personality.
God is one in essence but revealed as three in person. This is especially true of times when one person of the Godhead is dealing with man. This doctrine actually assists us in understanding God.
In this subject we are introduced to the importance of theology. It is very important that the examples you use accurately reflect this doctrine otherwise some may be led astray. Both the Mormons and the Jehovah's Witnesses have a false view in this area and will confuse believers who are not well taught and have not thought this through thoroughly.
The word Trinity as such; is not found in the Bible, nor are other related doctrinal terms. Nevertheless the doctrine grows out of the Scriptures and therefore it is a Biblical teaching.
From the Scriptures we see that:‑[a] God is Spirit [b] God has manifested Himself to man at different times in different ways [c] The final manifestation through the Lord Jesus Christ is physical and visible [d] Man saw glimpses of God through all these manifestations.
There is a problem of comprehension as we are physical and God is spirit. We must worship God in spirit and in truth. We are to see this reality about our creator, Saviour, and lord through the means and terms in which it is revealed.
For example, the angel of the Lord is a clear manifestation of God and associated with God. There are many names of God, the two main ones being Elohim and Jehovah/Yahweh. Elohim is in the plural which shows unity and trinity. Often you will have singular and plural together in the same verse. The contribution of the New Testament is that whilst it does not contain specific reference to the tri-unity of God it does give a lot of evidence that points directly to the doctrine.
One Verse not to Use
It should be noted that it is clear from the evidence that we have that John did not write 1 John 5:7. This is important because if you want to talk about the trinity this is one verse you do not use. No Greek text has this verse in and it did not appear in versions prior to the fifteenth century. It has been inserted as a commentary. It entered the Vulgate, the Latin version of the Bible.
Erasmus in the fifteenth century left this verse out of the first edition of his Greek manuscript stating that it did not occur in any of the originals. He relented however and under pressure included it in the second and subsequent editions.
Verses in the New Testament
The prime passage for unity, trinity and tri-unity is Matthew 28:19, 20. Other key passages include Matthew 3:16‑17, John 10:30 and 2 Corinthians 13:14. In 1 Corinthians 8:4‑6 we have the unity of God maintained but the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ mentioned in the same language showing that they are equals.
Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who are growing do not tend to have general problems with the trinity. The people who have problems generally have problems with most doctrines, if they are saved at all.
Definitions:
"There is one only and true God but in the unity of the Godhead there are three co‑equal and co‑eternal persons, the same in substance but different in subsistence".
“There is one only and true God, but in the unity of the Godhead there are three coeternal and coequal Persons, the same in substance but different in subsistence”
There is one only and true God but in the unity of the Godhead there are three co‑equal and co‑eternal persons, the same in character but different in the work they do".
False Concepts
The theological perspective from where the Jehovah's Witnesses, Moslems and the Mormons are coming from is that the Father is said to have created the son (Jesus is a servant, a creation, not the creator) and therefore they are not co‑equal and co‑eternal. This is false. The second concept is one of “procession” where one sent the other, the Father sent the Son and the Son sent the Holy Spirit. They therefore say we do not have equality we have a hierarchy. This is not true from a Biblical basis when all the texts of the New Testament are compared with one another.
The Early Church
There were a number of people in the early church who had a Unitarian outlook.
The church in those times did not formulate any clear statement concerning the Trinity until the fourth century.
Theodotus of Byzantium about 210 viewed Jesus as a man who was given special powers by the Holy Spirit at His baptism. Another group at about the same time concluded that the Father was incarnated in the Son and suffered in the Son.
Arius [250-336] from Alexandria distinguished between the One Eternal God from the Son who was generated by the Father and thus had a beginning.
He was opposed by Athanasius who held to three persons in the Trinity of one essence.
It was as a result of controversy in the church that the teaching had to be clarified resulting in the Nicene Creed. In 381 at the Council of Constantinople this concept was given in its final form.
Practical Application
The practical outworking of the Trinity is demonstrated in various areas of practical doctrine
All persons of the Godhead are involved in Redemption - John 3:616, Revelation 13:8
Both the Son and the Spirit are involved in Revelation - John 1:18, 16:13
Fellowship with God can only be on the basis of fellowship in the Godhead. John 14:17
Priority without inferiority is seen in the proper relationship between men and women - 1 Corinthians 11:3
Prayer is seen to involve the Trinity with petitions addressed to the Father, in the power of the Spirit and through the Son. John 14:14, Ephesians 1:6, 2:18, 6:18
Baptism is in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit Matthew 28:19,20
DOCTRINES
NAMES AND TITLES OF GOD
1. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28: 19, 20) These titles emphasise the function of each member of the Trinity.
a) Father - the sovereign authority, who decreed the plan of salvation
b) Son - the obedient Son, who offered Himself as a sacrifice for sin according to the Father's will
c) Holy Spirit - the one who reveals the Son to mankind, thereby bringing honour and glory to Him
2. At the Lord's Baptism ‑ Matthew 3 where the Spirit descends, the Father speaking from heaven and the Son being baptised.
3. We have the Father sending the Son in John 3:16, in John 14‑17 we have the Son sending the Spirit.
4. We have the three fold titles of God Romans 5, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 1, Romans 15
5. The Holy Spirit is called God in Acts 5, 1 Corinthians 3 and called the Lord in 2 Corinthians 3:17.
6. The works of the Lord are ascribed to the Father John 17, the Holy Spirit responsible for the procreation of the Son Luke 1:35, 2:11; the Son doing the will of the Father John 8, 10, the Holy Spirit sustaining the Son. Matthew 18:28, John 3:34
7. The Trinity are involved in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ in the first advent. The death of the Lord Jesus Christ is the co operative work of the Trinity, the Father gives the son Romans 8:32, the Lord lays down his life John 10:18, the Holy Spirit empowers Him to offer Himself on the Cross Hebrews 9. On the Cross He addresses the other two members of the Trinity when He cried out "My God, My God why hast thou forsaken me?"
8. All three were involved in the resurrection
[a] the Father ‑ Colossians 2:12
[b] the Son as the person who was raised ‑ John 2:19, 10:18, 1 Peter 3:18
[c] The Holy Spirit was involved in His resurrection ‑ Romans 8:11 The Father, Son and the Holy Spirit will be involved in our resurrection.
9. The indwelling of the believer ‑ John 14:23, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit ‑ 1 Corinthians 6:19, we have the power in us ‑ Ephesians 4:6, the Lord in us ‑ Colossians 1:27
ANGEL OF YAHWEH
1. The Angel of Yahweh is identified as Yahweh (Genesis 16:7-13, 22:11-18, 31:11-13, Exodus 13:21 cf. 14:19, Judges 6:11-23).
2. The Angel of Yahweh is distinguished from Yahweh (Genesis 24:7, Exodus 23:20, 1 Chronicles 21:15-18, Zechariah 1:12-13).
3. The Angel of Yahweh is therefore a member of the Trinity - the same as Yahweh, but distinct from Yahweh.
4. God the Father and Holy Spirit cannot be seen by man face to face (Exodus 33:18-23; John 14:17).
5. Therefore, the Angel of Yahweh is the second Person of the Trinity: the pre-incarnate Lord Jesus Christ the Word/Logos.
a) Jesus Christ identifies Himself as Yahweh (I AM) (John 8:58)
b) The Lord Jesus Christ is the visible/manifest member of the Trinity (John 1:18, 6:46, 1 Timothy 6:15-16).
c) The Angel of Yahweh never appears after the Incarnation (John 1:18, 6:46, 1 Timothy 6:15, 16, 1 John 4:12)
d) Both the Angel of Yahweh and Jesus Christ are sent by Yahweh (the Father).
6. The Angel of Yahweh appeared only in the Old Testament.
a) He wrestled with Jacob. (Genesis 32:24-30)
b) He redeemed Jacob from all evil. (Genesis 48:16)
c) He spoke to Moses from the burning bush. (Exodus 3:2)
d) He protected Israel at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:19)
e) He prepared Israel for the Promised Land. (Exodus 23:20-23)
f) He reassured Joshua (Joshua 5:13-15)
g) He commissioned Gideon (Judges 6:11-23)
h) He ministered to Elijah. (1 Kings 19:5-7)
i) He saved Jerusalem from Sennacherib. (Isaiah 37:36)
j) He preserved Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego in the furnace. (Daniel 3:25)
TRINITY
1. There is one God. He has manifested Himself in three distinct personalities. (2 Samuel 23:1-3, Isaiah 48:16, Isaiah 63:7-10, Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:33, 2 Corinthians 13:14)
2. The oneness of God refers to the unity or sameness of character. All three members of the Trinity are equal (Philippians 2:6, Deuteronomy 6:4, Acts 17:29, Romans 1:20, Colossians 2:9), although they have different functions/purposes in relation to man.
3. The three members are distinguished according to their function in the plan of salvation (1 Peter 1:2-3)
a) The Father - the authority, who planned our salvation (Isaiah 14:27, John 4:34, 5:17, 12:44, 1 Corinthians 8:6a, Ephesians 3:11)
b) The Son - the obedient son, who was born as a man, died for our sins, and rose from the dead (John 4:34, 5:17, Hebrews 10:7)
c) The Holy Spirit - the ministering servant, who reveals the Son and sanctifies us (John 16:8-11).
4. The Word Logos also known as the Son was the only visible member of the Trinity. (John 1:18, 6:46, 1 Timothy 6:16, 1 John 4:12) He was revealed in the Old Testament in Christophonies (e.g. the Angel of Yahweh) and became flesh in the New Testament. (Exodus 3:14 cf. John 8:58; Psalm 10:16 cf. Revelation 11:15; Zechariah 14 cf. Revelation 19)
5. Evidences of the Trinity
a) Affirmed by the use of the title Elohim (plural, Gods) in the Old Testament and the plural pronoun "us" in (Genesis 1:26, 3:22, 11:7).
b) The worship of God we have repeated three times "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty (Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4)
c) The name (singular) of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit indicates Trinity. (Matthew 28:19-20)
d) The Lord's Baptism - the Spirit descends, the Father speaks from heaven and the Son is baptised. (Matthew 3)
6. Light is a good illustration of the Trinity. (1 John 1:5) Light is one, but has three elements.
a) Father - actinic light - that part of light which is invisible, nor felt.
b) Son - luminiferous - that part of light which is both seen and felt.
c) Spirit - calorific - that part of light which is not seen but felt.
TRINITY IN THE TITLES OF GOD
1. The three in one Matthew 28:19, 20,
2. The Lord's Baptism - Matthew 3:16-17 where the Spirit descends, the Father speaking from heaven and the Son being baptized.
3. We have the Father sending the Son in John 3:16, in John 14-17 we have the Son sending the Spirit.
4. We have the three fold titles of God Romans 5, 1 Corinthians 12: 4-6, Ephesians 1, Romans 15
5. The Holy Spirit is called God in Acts 5:1-5, 1 Corinthians 3 and called the Lord in 2 Corinthians 3:17.
6. The works of the Lord are ascribed to the Father John 17:1-5, the Holy Spirit responsible for the procreation of the Son Luke 1:35, 2:11; the Son doing the will of the Father John 8, 10, the Holy Spirit sustaining the Son. Matthew 18:28, John 3:34
7. The Trinity are involved in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ in the first advent. The death of the Lord Jesus Christ is the co operative work of the Trinity.
The Father gives the son Romans 8:32, the Lord lays down his life John 10:18, the Holy Spirit empowers Him to offer Himself on the Cross Hebrews 9:11-15.
On the Cross He addresses the other two members of the Trinity when He cried out "My God, My God why has thou forsaken me?"
8. All three were involved in the resurrection:
a) the Father - Colossians 2:12
b) the Son as the person who was raised - John 2:19, 10:18, 1 Peter 3:18
c) The Holy Spirit was involved in His resurrection - Romans 8:11. The Father, Son and the Holy Spirit will be involved in our resurrection.
9. The indwelling of the believer - John 14:23, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit - 1 Corinthians 6:19, we have the power in us - Ephesians 4:6, the Lord in us - Colossians 1:27
Matthew 28:19
1 Corinthians 8:4-6
Names and Titles of God
Angel of Yahweh
Tri-unity
INTRODUCTION
In Matthew 28:19-20 at the Great Commission it is quite clear that the people are sent out in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit indicating that there are three personalities in the Godhead. There is therefore tri-unity or oneness of nature and purpose.
In many other passages in the Scriptures two or more members of the Godhead are mentioned as equal. Every cult in some way abrogates the Trinity. These cultic belief systems have been around since the first century.
Comprehension of the Trinty
It is quite difficult to comprehend the concept of three personalities and yet unity in the Godhead as it is a violation of our own intellect. Cultists will say that the Trinity does not make sense but this problem for the unbeliever is covered in 1 Corinthians 2:14 where the unbeliever cannot understand spiritual matters as they are spiritually discerned. Our perception of the mechanics of this is limited but we should not expect human logic alone to cope with this concept. We are creatures speaking of the creator and must accept the revelation provided.
It is important to note however that God has decided to reveal Himself to man in this way and that this is therefore the way in which he ought to be understood.
Trinity and unity have their own characteristics.
Trinity and Tri-unity
Trinity and unity have their own relationships in the Character of God. There is unity in character but trinity in personalities. As you go through the Bible where you have the character of God being expressed you have unity, where you have personalities dealing with mankind you have trinity. We can see the unity of the character of God in the different ways in which God has revealed Himself to man. In the case of trinity however we have to be careful with illustrations and concept as it is easy to go into heresy by taking it one step too far.
There are obviously many important reasons behind this. In eternity we will understand this fully, but here and now, as it has been revealed this way to us, we have the obligation to try our best to understand it’s significance for us. Trinity and unity have their corresponding words in the essence of God.
Unity ‑ essence or character; Trinity ‑ personality.
God is one in essence but revealed as three in person. This is especially true of times when one person of the Godhead is dealing with man. This doctrine actually assists us in understanding God.
In this subject we are introduced to the importance of theology. It is very important that the examples you use accurately reflect this doctrine otherwise some may be led astray. Both the Mormons and the Jehovah's Witnesses have a false view in this area and will confuse believers who are not well taught and have not thought this through thoroughly.
The word Trinity as such; is not found in the Bible, nor are other related doctrinal terms. Nevertheless the doctrine grows out of the Scriptures and therefore it is a Biblical teaching.
From the Scriptures we see that:‑[a] God is Spirit [b] God has manifested Himself to man at different times in different ways [c] The final manifestation through the Lord Jesus Christ is physical and visible [d] Man saw glimpses of God through all these manifestations.
There is a problem of comprehension as we are physical and God is spirit. We must worship God in spirit and in truth. We are to see this reality about our creator, Saviour, and lord through the means and terms in which it is revealed.
For example, the angel of the Lord is a clear manifestation of God and associated with God. There are many names of God, the two main ones being Elohim and Jehovah/Yahweh. Elohim is in the plural which shows unity and trinity. Often you will have singular and plural together in the same verse. The contribution of the New Testament is that whilst it does not contain specific reference to the tri-unity of God it does give a lot of evidence that points directly to the doctrine.
One Verse not to Use
It should be noted that it is clear from the evidence that we have that John did not write 1 John 5:7. This is important because if you want to talk about the trinity this is one verse you do not use. No Greek text has this verse in and it did not appear in versions prior to the fifteenth century. It has been inserted as a commentary. It entered the Vulgate, the Latin version of the Bible.
Erasmus in the fifteenth century left this verse out of the first edition of his Greek manuscript stating that it did not occur in any of the originals. He relented however and under pressure included it in the second and subsequent editions.
Verses in the New Testament
The prime passage for unity, trinity and tri-unity is Matthew 28:19, 20. Other key passages include Matthew 3:16‑17, John 10:30 and 2 Corinthians 13:14. In 1 Corinthians 8:4‑6 we have the unity of God maintained but the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ mentioned in the same language showing that they are equals.
Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who are growing do not tend to have general problems with the trinity. The people who have problems generally have problems with most doctrines, if they are saved at all.
Definitions:
"There is one only and true God but in the unity of the Godhead there are three co‑equal and co‑eternal persons, the same in substance but different in subsistence".
“There is one only and true God, but in the unity of the Godhead there are three coeternal and coequal Persons, the same in substance but different in subsistence”
There is one only and true God but in the unity of the Godhead there are three co‑equal and co‑eternal persons, the same in character but different in the work they do".
False Concepts
The theological perspective from where the Jehovah's Witnesses, Moslems and the Mormons are coming from is that the Father is said to have created the son (Jesus is a servant, a creation, not the creator) and therefore they are not co‑equal and co‑eternal. This is false. The second concept is one of “procession” where one sent the other, the Father sent the Son and the Son sent the Holy Spirit. They therefore say we do not have equality we have a hierarchy. This is not true from a Biblical basis when all the texts of the New Testament are compared with one another.
The Early Church
There were a number of people in the early church who had a Unitarian outlook.
The church in those times did not formulate any clear statement concerning the Trinity until the fourth century.
Theodotus of Byzantium about 210 viewed Jesus as a man who was given special powers by the Holy Spirit at His baptism. Another group at about the same time concluded that the Father was incarnated in the Son and suffered in the Son.
Arius [250-336] from Alexandria distinguished between the One Eternal God from the Son who was generated by the Father and thus had a beginning.
He was opposed by Athanasius who held to three persons in the Trinity of one essence.
It was as a result of controversy in the church that the teaching had to be clarified resulting in the Nicene Creed. In 381 at the Council of Constantinople this concept was given in its final form.
Practical Application
The practical outworking of the Trinity is demonstrated in various areas of practical doctrine
All persons of the Godhead are involved in Redemption - John 3:616, Revelation 13:8
Both the Son and the Spirit are involved in Revelation - John 1:18, 16:13
Fellowship with God can only be on the basis of fellowship in the Godhead. John 14:17
Priority without inferiority is seen in the proper relationship between men and women - 1 Corinthians 11:3
Prayer is seen to involve the Trinity with petitions addressed to the Father, in the power of the Spirit and through the Son. John 14:14, Ephesians 1:6, 2:18, 6:18
Baptism is in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit Matthew 28:19,20
DOCTRINES
NAMES AND TITLES OF GOD
1. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28: 19, 20) These titles emphasise the function of each member of the Trinity.
a) Father - the sovereign authority, who decreed the plan of salvation
b) Son - the obedient Son, who offered Himself as a sacrifice for sin according to the Father's will
c) Holy Spirit - the one who reveals the Son to mankind, thereby bringing honour and glory to Him
2. At the Lord's Baptism ‑ Matthew 3 where the Spirit descends, the Father speaking from heaven and the Son being baptised.
3. We have the Father sending the Son in John 3:16, in John 14‑17 we have the Son sending the Spirit.
4. We have the three fold titles of God Romans 5, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 1, Romans 15
5. The Holy Spirit is called God in Acts 5, 1 Corinthians 3 and called the Lord in 2 Corinthians 3:17.
6. The works of the Lord are ascribed to the Father John 17, the Holy Spirit responsible for the procreation of the Son Luke 1:35, 2:11; the Son doing the will of the Father John 8, 10, the Holy Spirit sustaining the Son. Matthew 18:28, John 3:34
7. The Trinity are involved in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ in the first advent. The death of the Lord Jesus Christ is the co operative work of the Trinity, the Father gives the son Romans 8:32, the Lord lays down his life John 10:18, the Holy Spirit empowers Him to offer Himself on the Cross Hebrews 9. On the Cross He addresses the other two members of the Trinity when He cried out "My God, My God why hast thou forsaken me?"
8. All three were involved in the resurrection
[a] the Father ‑ Colossians 2:12
[b] the Son as the person who was raised ‑ John 2:19, 10:18, 1 Peter 3:18
[c] The Holy Spirit was involved in His resurrection ‑ Romans 8:11 The Father, Son and the Holy Spirit will be involved in our resurrection.
9. The indwelling of the believer ‑ John 14:23, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit ‑ 1 Corinthians 6:19, we have the power in us ‑ Ephesians 4:6, the Lord in us ‑ Colossians 1:27
ANGEL OF YAHWEH
1. The Angel of Yahweh is identified as Yahweh (Genesis 16:7-13, 22:11-18, 31:11-13, Exodus 13:21 cf. 14:19, Judges 6:11-23).
2. The Angel of Yahweh is distinguished from Yahweh (Genesis 24:7, Exodus 23:20, 1 Chronicles 21:15-18, Zechariah 1:12-13).
3. The Angel of Yahweh is therefore a member of the Trinity - the same as Yahweh, but distinct from Yahweh.
4. God the Father and Holy Spirit cannot be seen by man face to face (Exodus 33:18-23; John 14:17).
5. Therefore, the Angel of Yahweh is the second Person of the Trinity: the pre-incarnate Lord Jesus Christ the Word/Logos.
a) Jesus Christ identifies Himself as Yahweh (I AM) (John 8:58)
b) The Lord Jesus Christ is the visible/manifest member of the Trinity (John 1:18, 6:46, 1 Timothy 6:15-16).
c) The Angel of Yahweh never appears after the Incarnation (John 1:18, 6:46, 1 Timothy 6:15, 16, 1 John 4:12)
d) Both the Angel of Yahweh and Jesus Christ are sent by Yahweh (the Father).
6. The Angel of Yahweh appeared only in the Old Testament.
a) He wrestled with Jacob. (Genesis 32:24-30)
b) He redeemed Jacob from all evil. (Genesis 48:16)
c) He spoke to Moses from the burning bush. (Exodus 3:2)
d) He protected Israel at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:19)
e) He prepared Israel for the Promised Land. (Exodus 23:20-23)
f) He reassured Joshua (Joshua 5:13-15)
g) He commissioned Gideon (Judges 6:11-23)
h) He ministered to Elijah. (1 Kings 19:5-7)
i) He saved Jerusalem from Sennacherib. (Isaiah 37:36)
j) He preserved Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego in the furnace. (Daniel 3:25)
TRINITY
1. There is one God. He has manifested Himself in three distinct personalities. (2 Samuel 23:1-3, Isaiah 48:16, Isaiah 63:7-10, Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:33, 2 Corinthians 13:14)
2. The oneness of God refers to the unity or sameness of character. All three members of the Trinity are equal (Philippians 2:6, Deuteronomy 6:4, Acts 17:29, Romans 1:20, Colossians 2:9), although they have different functions/purposes in relation to man.
3. The three members are distinguished according to their function in the plan of salvation (1 Peter 1:2-3)
a) The Father - the authority, who planned our salvation (Isaiah 14:27, John 4:34, 5:17, 12:44, 1 Corinthians 8:6a, Ephesians 3:11)
b) The Son - the obedient son, who was born as a man, died for our sins, and rose from the dead (John 4:34, 5:17, Hebrews 10:7)
c) The Holy Spirit - the ministering servant, who reveals the Son and sanctifies us (John 16:8-11).
4. The Word Logos also known as the Son was the only visible member of the Trinity. (John 1:18, 6:46, 1 Timothy 6:16, 1 John 4:12) He was revealed in the Old Testament in Christophonies (e.g. the Angel of Yahweh) and became flesh in the New Testament. (Exodus 3:14 cf. John 8:58; Psalm 10:16 cf. Revelation 11:15; Zechariah 14 cf. Revelation 19)
5. Evidences of the Trinity
a) Affirmed by the use of the title Elohim (plural, Gods) in the Old Testament and the plural pronoun "us" in (Genesis 1:26, 3:22, 11:7).
b) The worship of God we have repeated three times "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty (Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4)
c) The name (singular) of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit indicates Trinity. (Matthew 28:19-20)
d) The Lord's Baptism - the Spirit descends, the Father speaks from heaven and the Son is baptised. (Matthew 3)
6. Light is a good illustration of the Trinity. (1 John 1:5) Light is one, but has three elements.
a) Father - actinic light - that part of light which is invisible, nor felt.
b) Son - luminiferous - that part of light which is both seen and felt.
c) Spirit - calorific - that part of light which is not seen but felt.
TRINITY IN THE TITLES OF GOD
1. The three in one Matthew 28:19, 20,
2. The Lord's Baptism - Matthew 3:16-17 where the Spirit descends, the Father speaking from heaven and the Son being baptized.
3. We have the Father sending the Son in John 3:16, in John 14-17 we have the Son sending the Spirit.
4. We have the three fold titles of God Romans 5, 1 Corinthians 12: 4-6, Ephesians 1, Romans 15
5. The Holy Spirit is called God in Acts 5:1-5, 1 Corinthians 3 and called the Lord in 2 Corinthians 3:17.
6. The works of the Lord are ascribed to the Father John 17:1-5, the Holy Spirit responsible for the procreation of the Son Luke 1:35, 2:11; the Son doing the will of the Father John 8, 10, the Holy Spirit sustaining the Son. Matthew 18:28, John 3:34
7. The Trinity are involved in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ in the first advent. The death of the Lord Jesus Christ is the co operative work of the Trinity.
The Father gives the son Romans 8:32, the Lord lays down his life John 10:18, the Holy Spirit empowers Him to offer Himself on the Cross Hebrews 9:11-15.
On the Cross He addresses the other two members of the Trinity when He cried out "My God, My God why has thou forsaken me?"
8. All three were involved in the resurrection:
a) the Father - Colossians 2:12
b) the Son as the person who was raised - John 2:19, 10:18, 1 Peter 3:18
c) The Holy Spirit was involved in His resurrection - Romans 8:11. The Father, Son and the Holy Spirit will be involved in our resurrection.
9. The indwelling of the believer - John 14:23, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit - 1 Corinthians 6:19, we have the power in us - Ephesians 4:6, the Lord in us - Colossians 1:27
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ReplyDeleteDear Adam, If you re visit this site and notice my comments, you will see that I am fully aware of the debate between Unitarians and Trinitarians. I was a Watchtower Witness for 49 years and never accepted the Trinity.
ReplyDeleteHowever after a lot of careful Study I realise that the Lord Yeshua was far more than a mere man.
The actual section explaining the Trinity in the course material was not written by me. I would explain what I believe in far simpler terms and in such a way that cannot be refuted by any Scholar.
Yeshua was in his pre incarnate form the WORD or LOGOS in Greek. When God spoke, it was the WORD that went forth and created, confirmed in Collosians 1. When the Word came to Earth that is when he was Begotten by means of the Holy Spirit.
The JEWS and ancient Israelites would not have known of this concept, but Isaiah refers to it in chapter 55, when he states SO MY WORD goes forth and achieves everything that HE commands.
I do not accept Modalism or Oneness teachings and am not totally happy with the way the Tri-Unity is taught in Christendom either.
May you be blessed and allow God to teach you who he really is and how he is Manifested to his children.
Blessings
David