1b. The Triune God
Many state that the word ‘Trinity’ is not even in the bible …so how can we ask people to believe in a God who is a ‘trinity’?
Deut 6:4
4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
NKJV (Also Is 43:10-11)
It should be noted that the very Hebrew word for ‘one’ implies a ‘composite unity’
Now as Christians who have encountered the risen Christ we know that He, as the Son of God, is God every bit as much as we know that the Spirit of God, who dwells in us as Christians, is God….and that the Father who sent Him, is God!
This would appear to present a contradiction to the above verse and we will examine how the scriptures actually teach that the triune being who is our God, YHWH, exists in three persons each of which, while having different functions, are co-equal and ‘ONE’
There is much truth in the following scripture …..and I ask those who are Christians to hear what your spirit is telling you…for that is how the Spirit of Truth will lead you into all truth.
1 Cor 2:13-14
13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. NKJV
We will look at the following issues to ‘prove’ to your spirits that the Father and The Holy Spirit and Jesus are ONE
1) We will look at some of the names ascribed to each ‘person’ of the Godhead….and see how they are intertwined.
2) We will look then at the attributes which make up the character and person of God…..and then see how each of these attributes is also ascribed to Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
3) We will then look at the character/glory which they each have
4) We will then look at the different functions which they perform
5) Was Jesus ever worshipped?…(thou shalt worship the Lord thy GOD only)
1) The Names of God
The Father (Abba) (‘who art in heaven’) Deut 32:6
God (Elohim – the sovereign and incomparable God of gods),
LORD (YHWH - the being one),
I AM that I AM (also Rev 1:8) // (Rev 22-13-16) ***
The First and the Last/Alpha and Omega (Is 44:6, Rev 1:8) ***
The LORD of lords (Deut 10:17)
The God of gods
The Holy One of Israel
The Lord of heaven and earth
The Father...who is God (John 4:23) ...is SPIRIT (John 4:24)...and the Jesus (The LORD) is the SPIRIT 2 Cor 3:17)
The Holy Spirit (‘who hovered over the waters’… .and … ‘dwells in our hearts’)
The Spirit
The Spirit of God (the breath or wind of Elohim)
The Spirit of the Lord
The Spirit of the Holy God
The Spirit of Truth
The Spirit of Holiness
The Spirit of Life
The Spirit of Christ
The Spirit of Grace
The Spirit of Glory
The Spirit of the Father
Jesus – (Yeshua – YHWH is salvation) (‘who became flesh and dwelt among us’)
I AM (John 8:48) (Rev 1:8, Rev 1:17, Rev 21:4-6, Rev 22:13-16)***
The Lord of lords (Rev 17:14, 19:16)***
The King of kings (Rev 17:14, 19:16)
The First and Last/Alpha and Omega (Rev 1:17, Rev 21:4-6, Rev 22:13-16)***
Immanuel – God with us ***
Isa 9:6 Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…and He will be called…
Wonderful,
Counselor, ...another Counselor? (John 14:16)…like the Holy Spirit
Mighty God,…..(this is one most critics pretend does not exist)***
Everlasting Father, ...(this is another one most critics pretend does not exist)***
Prince of Peace.
Zech12:10
God speaking … ‘They shall look to me whom they have pierced’
THE Son of God
The Christ
The Holy One of God
The King of the Jews
The Lord
The Light
The Way
The Truth
The revealer of the Father
The Life...the bread of Life
The Word
The Healer
The one who baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and fire
The one who laid down his life...and the one who had power to take it up again
The one who was to return to judge the world
2) The Attributes of God
Creator of All (Father Gen 1:1, Is 45:18, Is 64:8) (Holy Spirit – Gen 1:2, 26, Psalm 104:30, Job 33:4) (Jesus - John 1:3, Col 1:16, Rev 4:11)
Sovereignty (Father – Elohim) (Holy Spirit – Is 61:1) (Jesus – Mat 28:18)
Omniscience (F – Rom 11:33) (H/S – 1 Cor 2:10) ( J - Mat 9:4)
Omnipresence(F – Mat 19:26) (H/S – Ps 139:7) (J – Mat 28:20)
Omnipotence (F – Jer 32:27) (H/S – Rom 15:9) (J – Mat 28:18, Eph 1:20-23)
Eternal/First and Last (Father – Is 44:6, Rev 1:8) (Holy Spirit – Heb 9:14) (Jesus - Col 1:17, Rev 22:13-16)
Spirit….invisible (Father – John 4:23-24) (Holy Spirit – Rom 8:9) (Jesus – Rom 8:9, 2 Cor 3:17)
Sets the rules (Father Ex:20 Ten commandments) (Holy Spirit .. John 8:13-14) (Jesus Mat 5:21-22, John 13:34)
Judges (Father – Gen 18:25) (Holy Spirit – Acts 5) (Jesus – John 5:22)
The one to be worshipped (Father – Ex 34:14, John 4:23) (Holy Spirit - John 4:24*) (Jesus – Mat 14:33, Mat 28:17, John 9:35-38, John 21:28, Rev 1:17, Rev 5:6-14)
The one who is to be believed in (Father – Gen 15:6) (Holy Spirit - ***) (Jesus – John 9:35, Mat 18:6, John 17:20, John 14:1)
The giver of LIFE (Father – Gen 3:7) (Holy Spirit – Gen 3:7) (Jesus – John 1:4, 1 John 5:11-12, John 5:21)
The one whose Name we are to be baptized in – all three (Mat 28:19)
Note The worship of the Holy Spirit is not something detailed separately in the scriptures.
3) The Character/Glory of God
merciful (Father - 1Pet1:3) (Holy Spirit – Phil 2:1) (Jesus – Jude 21)
compassionate (Father – Luke 15:20) (Holy Spirit - ***) (Jesus – Mat 9:36)
loving (Father – John 3:16, 1 John 4:8) (Holy Spirit – Rom 15:30) (J – Eph 5:25)
faithful (Father – Exodus 33:6, Hos 11:12 ) (Holy Spirit - ***) (Jesus – Rev19:11)
forgiving (Father Ex 33:7) (Holy Spirit – Heb 10:15-17) (Jesus Mark 2:7)
just (Father – Gen 18:25) (Holy Spirit – Mic 3:8) (Jesus – John 5:30)
holy (Father – Lev 11:44) (Holy Spirit – Rom 1:4) (Jesus – Luke 4:34)
true (Father - John 7:28, 8:26) (Holy Spirit – John 16:13, 1 John 5:6) (Jesus – John 14:6)
Lord (Father – Rom 10:12) ( Holy Spirit - 2 Cor 3:17) (Jesus – Luke 2:11)
4) The different functions of the various ‘persons’ of the Godhead…..(yet beautifully interwoven)
Father (the planner of our salvation)
The Giver – of Jesus…and the Spirit
The giver of people to Jesus (John 6:36, 44, John 10:29, John 17:6)
The source of Life
The forgiver of sins
The rewarder of those who seek Him
The keeper of the saints
The one who saves us (Is 43:3, 1 Tim 1:1, Jude 25)
Jesus (the procurer of our salvation)
The one who shall save HIS people (Luke 2:11, 2 Pet 1:11, vs Jude 25)
The forgiver of sins
The baptizes in the Holy Spirit
The giver of eternal life
The giver of grace, our redeemer, our righteousness, our holiness, our sanctifier, our wisdom and our glory
Holy Spirit (the one who applies our salvation)
Comforter – another one…to be with us forever
Counselor
Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father – to lead us into all truth
The one who convicts the WORLD of sin, righteousness and judgment
The agent of our rebirth
The Power we receive when baptized in the Holy Spirit
5) Was Jesus ever worshipped?
‘Thou shalt worship the Lord thy GOD and Him only shalt thou serve” (Deut 6, Mat 4)
Joshua and the Commander of the army of the Lord…and others who encountered ‘THE angel of the Lord’
Wise men – Mat 2:11
Leper – Mat 8:2
Ruler – Mat 9:18
Apostles – Mat 14:33
Canaanite woman – Mat 15:25
Women at the tomb – Mat 28:9
Thomas – John 20:28 (My Lord and my GOD)
The Elders – Rev 5:14
Did Jesus ever claim to be God?
It is clear that on many occasions things Jesus said were understood by the Jews to have been claims to be God….or equal with Him. Some were direct statements others revelations received by those who ‘heard’
I am from above…(John 8:23-25) like the Father who art in heaven***
Before Abraham was I AM (John 8:58-59) = blasphemy ***
Are you the Son of God?…It is as you say = blasphemy (Mat 26:63-65)
The Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins (Mark 2:7) = blasphemy
I and the Father are one (John 10:30) = blasphemy
All should honor the Son JUST AS they honor the Father (John 5:23)***
If you had known me you would have known my Father also (John 8:19)
You have heard it said (about adultery...ie the Law of God)...but I say unto you...(Mat 5:27)
AS the Father knows me EVEN SO I know the Father (John 10:15) ***
I am in the Father and the Father is in Me (John 14:11)
All things that the Father has are mine (John 16:15)
Did being the Messiah mean he was God?
Did being the ‘King of the Jews’ mean he was God?
Did His Apostles believe he was God?
The Word who was God (John 1:1)
The ONLY begotten Son (John 1:14 & 18)
The exact image of God (Heb 1:3)
The image of the Invisible God (Col 1:15)
The fullness of the Deity in bodily form (Col 2:9)
Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped (Phil 2:5-6)
My Lord and my GOD (John 20:23 ..Ps 35:23)
The Lord is that Spirit....and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty (2 Cor 3:17)
1 Tim 6:14-16
….until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen
What manner of man is this?
Did the apostle Paul encounter Jesus as God? (Acts 9:3-5)
Did the apostle Thomas encounter Jesus as God? (John 20:26-29)
Did the apostle Peter encounter Jesus as God? (Luke 5:8)
Did the apostle John encounter Jesus as God? (Rev 1:8, 17&18, 11:17, 21:4-6 and 22:13&16)
Did the million or so early Christian martyrs (who died for calling Jesus Lord (ie God) and refusing to acknowledge Ceasar as a God) die over a misunderstanding?
Millions are still dying today throughout the Middle East for calling Jesus Lord and rejecting Allah and his prophet….what certainty motivates them to do this?
CS Lewis…
I am trying to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him, 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.' That is the sort of thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or He would be the devil of hell. You must make a choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God; or else a madman or something worse."[1]
*******Have you encountered the real Jesus?*****
If you have encountered Jesus as your savior …and have been born of His Spirit…and now have a heart that cries ‘Abba Father’ please do not tell me you do not believe in a triune God….you may not understand the Godhead….but you should KNOW HIM
Informal versus supporting the tri-unity of God (some of them anyway)
Gen 1:26…let us make man in our likeness
Gen 18:1-10 …the three visitors who appeared to Abraham …and the LORD said
Is 48:16…from the time that it was, there am I; and now the Lord God and His Spirit hath sent me
Matt 3:16-17 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
John 15:26…when the Comforter has come whom I shall send to you from the Father, He shall testify of me
Acts 10:38-39 ..how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Rom 8:9-11…the Spirit of God…the Spirit of Christ…and He who raised Christ from the dead dwell in us
Rom 15:30-31 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,
1 Cor 6:10-11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
2 Cor 13:14 The grace of our Lord Jesus Chris, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you
1 Peter 1:1-2 .. elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:
1 John 5:6-8 for there are three that bear witness in heaven…the Father the Word and the Holy Spirit and these three are one
…and there are three that bear witness on earth
Luke 1:35 … And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
Acts 7:55-56 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"
Heb 9:14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
1 Tim 3:16
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness :
‘God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.’
Do you require God to be in a form your mind can easily comprehend?….or do you accept that God is God and we are to believe and accept Him as He has chosen to reveal Himself to us…and disclose Himself in His Word?
The bible does not show any conflict between the ‘persons’ of the triune Godhead…or positional shuffling. They are not competing for glory and they don’t get offended if you pray to the wrong one. They work in a glorious harmony to reach and restore fallen mankind into a relationship with God.