812 lines
75 KiB
HTML
812 lines
75 KiB
HTML
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
|
|
<html><head>
|
|
<title>Blue Letter Bible - Commentaries</title>
|
|
<script src="../../js/basepath.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/nav.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<div class="hide">
|
|
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" width="480">
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td valign="top" align="center" class="comnav" width="156">
|
|
<div class="supnav"><a href="./kjv/Gen/Gen001.html"><img src="./gifs/clearpixel.gif" border="0" width="154" height="1"><br> Go to<br>the Bible</a></div>
|
|
</td>
|
|
<td valign="top" align="left">
|
|
<img src="./gifs/nav2/int_sup1.gif" border="0" width="2" height="33"><img src="./gifs/clearpixel.gif" border="0" width="3" height="33"><br>
|
|
</td>
|
|
<td valign="top" align="center" class="comnav" width="156">
|
|
<div class="supnav"><a href="./c.html"> <img src="./gifs/clearpixel.gif" border="0" width="154" height="1"><br>Commentary<br>Menu</a></div>
|
|
</td>
|
|
<td valign="top" align="left">
|
|
<img src="./gifs/nav2/int_sup1.gif" border="0" width="2" height="33"><img src="./gifs/clearpixel.gif" border="0" width="3" height="33"><br>
|
|
</td>
|
|
<td valign="top" align="center" class="comnav" width="156">
|
|
<div class="supnav"><a href="./commentary/robert_bowman/index.html"><img src="./gifs/clearpixel.gif" border="0" width="154" height="1"><br>More Information on<br> Robert Bowman</a></div>
|
|
</td>
|
|
<td valign="top" align="left">
|
|
<img src="./gifs/nav2/int_sup1.gif" border="0" width="2" height="33"><br>
|
|
</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td valign="top" align="left" colspan="6">
|
|
<img src="./gifs/nav2/nav3but.gif" border="0" width="480" height="2"><br>
|
|
<img src="./gifs/clearpixel.gif" border="0" width="480" height="3"><br>
|
|
</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
</table>
|
|
|
|
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" width="480">
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td valign="top" align="left">
|
|
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center">
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td valign="top" align="center" class="comnav" width="116">
|
|
<div class="subnavA"><img src="./gifs/clearpixel.gif" border="0" width="114" height="67"><br></div>
|
|
</td>
|
|
<td valign="top" align="left" width="2"><img src="./gifs/nav2/int_sup4.gif" border="0" width="2" height="71"><br>
|
|
</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td valign="top" align="center" colspan="2" width="118">
|
|
<img src="./gifs/nav2/nav1but.gif" border="0" width="118" height="2"><br>
|
|
<img src="./gifs/clearpixel.gif" border="0" width="118" height="3"><br>
|
|
</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
</table>
|
|
</td>
|
|
<td valign="top" align="left">
|
|
<img src="./gifs/clearpixel.gif" border="0" width="3" height="73"><img src="./gifs/nav2/masts/robert_bowman.gif" border="0" width="238" height="73"><img src="./gifs/clearpixel.gif" border="0" width="3" height="73"><br>
|
|
</td>
|
|
<td valign="top" align="left">
|
|
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center">
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td valign="top" align="center" class="comnav" width="116">
|
|
<div class="subnavA"><img src="./gifs/clearpixel.gif" border="0" width="114" height="67"><br></div>
|
|
</td>
|
|
<td valign="top" align="left" width="2"><img src="./gifs/nav2/int_sup4.gif" border="0" width="2" height="71"><br>
|
|
</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
<tr>
|
|
<td valign="top" align="center" colspan="2" width="118">
|
|
<img src="./gifs/nav2/nav1but.gif" border="0" width="118" height="2"><br>
|
|
<img src="./gifs/clearpixel.gif" border="0" width="118" height="3"><br>
|
|
</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
</table>
|
|
</td>
|
|
</tr>
|
|
</table>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="head" id="toc">Robert M. Bowman, Jr.</div>
|
|
<div class="subhead">The Biblical Basis of the Doctrine of the Trinity</div>
|
|
<div class="main-left"><div class="pad2030">
|
|
<h2>An Outline Study</h2>
|
|
<ol type="i">
|
|
<li><a href="#trin_1">There Is One God</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#trin_2">This God is Known in the OT As Jehovah/Yahweh ("The Lord")</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#trin_3">God Is a Unique, Incomprehensible Being</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#trin_4">Is God One Person?</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#trin_5">The Father of Jesus Christ Is God</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#trin_6">Jesus Christ Is God</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#trin_7">The Holy Spirit Is God</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#trin_8">The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Are Distinct Persons</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#trin_9">Conclusion</a></li>
|
|
<li><a href="#trin_10">What Difference Does the Doctrine of the Trinity Make?</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
<h2>Introduction</h2>
|
|
<p>It is often alleged that the doctrine of the Trinity is not a biblical doctrine. While the word <i>Trinity</i> is not in the Bible, the substance of the doctrine is definitely biblical.</p>
|
|
<p>The following outline study presents an overview of the biblical basis of the doctrine of the Trinity. Comments on the texts have been kept to a bare minimum; the emphasis is on the many biblical texts themselves (about 700 references are listed, including references from 26 of the 27 books of the New Testament).</p>
|
|
<p>An exposition of many of the texts discussed here can be found in the author's book <i>Why You Should Believe in the Trinity</i> (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House,1989). Unfortunately, it is currently out of print, but you may be able to locate a copy through Amazon.com's out-of-print service.</p>
|
|
<p>A proper evaluation of the biblical evidence for the doctrine of the Trinity will depend on the faithful application of sound principles of biblical interpretation. Here I will mention just two principles which, if followed, would prevent almost all interpretive errors on this subject.</p>
|
|
<p>The first is to interpret the implicit in light of the explicit. That is, texts that explicitly state that such-and-such is true are to govern our understanding of passages that do not address the issue directly. For example, many passages of the Bible state explicitly that God is omniscient, that is, that he knows all things, including the thoughts of men and all future events (<a onclick="return mV('1Sa',16,7);">1Sa 16:7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Ch',28,9,17);">1Ch 28:9, 17</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Job',37,16);">Job 37:16</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Psa',139,'1-4');">Psa 139:1-4</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Isa',41,22,23);">Isa 41:22-23</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Isa',42,9);">42:9</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Isa',44,7);">44:7</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jer',17,10);">Jer 17:10a</a>). These texts must govern our understanding of passages which might seem to imply, but which do not assert, that God did not know something (e.g., <a onclick="return mV('Gen',3,'9-13');">Gen 3:9-13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Gen',4,9);">4:9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Gen',18,9, 20,21);">18:9, 20, 21</a>).</p>
|
|
<p>The other principle is that we interpret logically but not rationalistically. Using the same illustration, if God knows everything ahead of time, then logically He must have known that Adam and Eve would fall into sin. However, to argue that if God knew Adam and Eve would sin then they would not be responsible for their choosing to sin is not "logical," is rationalistic. It may be difficult to understand how persons could be responsible for their sinful actions if God knew ahead of time that they would sin, but it is not illogical (not self-contradictory) to say so.</p>
|
|
<p>It should be noted that a study of the Trinity should not be undertaken apart from a study of the nature of God.</p>
|
|
</div>
|
|
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="#top">Return to Top</a></div>
|
|
<div class="pad2030">
|
|
<a name="trin_1"></a>
|
|
<h2>I. There is One God</h2>
|
|
<ol type="A">
|
|
<li><b>One God: Explicit Statements</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>OT: <a onclick="return mV('Deu',4,35,39);">Deu 4:35, 39</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Deu',32,39);">32:39</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Sa',22,32);">2Sa 22:32</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Isa',37,20);">Isa 37:20</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Isa',43,10);">43:10</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Isa',44,'6-8');">44:6-8</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Isa',45,5,14,21,22);">45:5, 14, 21-22</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',46,9);">46:9</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>NT: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',5,44);">Jhn 5:44</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',3,30);">Rom 3:30</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Rom',16,27);">16:27</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('1Cr',8,'4-6');">1Cr 8:4-6</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Gal',3,20);">Gal 3:20</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Eph',4,6);">Eph 4:6</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('1Ti',1,17);">1Ti 1:17</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('1Ti',2,5);">2:5</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jam',2,19);">Jam 2:19</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jud',1,25);">Jud 25</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>None like God (in his essence)</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>Explicit statements: <a onclick="return mV('Exd',8,10);">Exd 8:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Exd',9,14);">9:14</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Exd',15,11);">15:11</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('2Sa',7,22);">2Sa 7:22</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('1Ki',8,23);">1Ki 8:23</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('1Ch',17,20);">1Ch 17:20</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Psa',86,8);">Psa 86:8</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Isa',40,18,25);">Isa 40:18, 25</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Isa',44,7);">44:7</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Isa',46,5,9);">46:5, 9</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jer', 10,6,7);">Jer 10:6-7</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Mic',7,18);">Mic 7:18</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Being like God a Satanic lie: <a onclick="return mV('Gen',3,5);">Gen 3:5</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',14,14);">Isa 14:14</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',8,44);">Jhn 8:44</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Fallen man become "like God" only in that he took upon himself to know good and evil, not that he acquired godhood: <a onclick="return mV('Gen',3,22);">Gen 3:22</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Only one <i>true</i> God</b>: <a onclick="return mV('2Ch',15,3);">2Ch 15:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',10,10);">Jer 10:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',17,3);">Jhn 17:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Th',1,9);">1Th 1:9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Jo', 5,20,21);">1Jo 5:20-21</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>All other "gods" are therefore false gods (idols), not gods at all</b>: <a onclick="return mV('Deu',32,21);">Deu 32:21</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Sa',12,21);">1Sa 12:21</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',96,5);">Psa 96:5</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',37,19);">Isa 37:19</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa', 41,23,24,29);">41:23-24, 29</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',2,11);">Jer 2:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',5,7);">5:7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',16,20);">16:20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',8,4);">1Cr 8:4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr', 10,19,20);">10:19-20</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Demons, not gods, are the power behind false worship</b>: <a onclick="return mV('Deu',32,17);">Deu 32:17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',106,37);">Psa 106:37</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',10,20);">1Cr 10:20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Gal',4,8);">Gal 4:8</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>How human beings are meant to be "like God"</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>The image of God indicates that man is to represent God and share his moral character, not that man can be metaphysically like God: <a onclick="return mV('Gen',1,26,27);">Gen 1:26-27</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Gen',5,1);">Gen 5:1</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('1Cr',11,7);">1Cr 11:7</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Eph',4,24);">Eph 4:24</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Col',3,10);">Col 3:10</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The goal of being like Christ has the following aspects only:<br><br>
|
|
<ol type="a">
|
|
<li>Sharing His moral character: <a onclick="return mV('1Jo',3,2);">1Jo 3:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',8,29);">Rom 8:29</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Being raised with glorified, immortal bodies like His: <a onclick="return mV('Phl',3,21);">Phl 3:21</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',15,49);">1Cr 15:49</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Becoming partakers of the divine nature refers again to moral nature ("having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust"), not metaphysical nature:
|
|
<a onclick="return mV('2Pe',1,4);">2Pe 1:4</a>; see also <a onclick="return mV('Heb',12,10);">Heb 12:10</a>; on the meaning of "partakers," see <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',10,18,20);">1Co 10:18, 20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',1,17);">2Co 1:17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Pe',5,1);">1Pe 5:1</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Are mighty or exalted men gods?</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>Scripture never says explicitly that men <i>are</i> gods</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Powerful, mighty men are explicitly said not to be gods: <a onclick="return mV('Eze',28,2,9);">Eze 28:2, 9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',31,3);">Isa 31:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Th',2,4);">2Th 2:4</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Men and God are opposite, exclusive categories: <a onclick= "return mV('Num',23,19);">Num 23:19</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Isa',31,3);">Isa 31:3</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Eze',28,2);">Eze 28:2</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Hsa',11,9);">Hsa 11:9</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Mat',19,26);">Mat 19:26</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jhn',10,33);">Jhn 10:33</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Act',12,22);">Act 12:22</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('1Cr',14,2);">1Cr 14:2</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Moses was "as God," not really a god: <a onclick="return mV('Exd',4,16);">Exd 4:16</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Exd',7,1);">7:1</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Eze',32,21);">Eze 32:21</a> speaks of warriors or soldiers as "mighty gods," but in context they are so regarded by their pagan nations, not by God or Israel; cf. <a onclick="return mV('Eze',28,2);">Eze 28:2, 9</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The <i>elohim</i> before whom accused stood in Exodus was God Himself, not judges, as many translations incorrectly render: <a onclick="return mV('Exd',22,8,9,28);">Exd 22:8-9, 28</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('Deu',19,17);">Deu 19:17</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The use of <i>elohim</i> in <a onclick="return mV('Psa',82,'all');">Psa 82</a>, probably in reference to wicked judges, as cited by Jesus in <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',10,'34-36');">Jhn 10:34-36</a>, does not mean that men really can be gods.
|
|
<br><br>
|
|
<ol type="a">
|
|
<li>It is Asaph, not the Lord, who calls the judges <i>elohim</i> in <a onclick="return mV('Psa',82,1,6);">Psa 82:1, 6</a>. This is important, even though we agree that Psa 82 is inspired</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Asaph's meaning is not "Although you are gods, you will die like men," but rather "I called you gods, but in fact you will all die like the men that you really are"</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The Psalmist was no more saying that wicked judges were truly gods than he was saying that they were truly "sons of the Most High" (v. <a onclick="return mV('Psa',82,1,6);">6b</a>)</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Thus, <a onclick="return mV('Psa',82,1);">Psa 82:1</a> calls the judges <i>elohim</i> in irony. They had quite likely taken their role in judgment (cf. point 5 above) to mean they were <i>elohim</i>, or gods, and Asaph's message is that these so-called gods were mere men who would die under the judgment of the true <i>elohim</i> (vss. <a onclick="return mV('Psa',82,1,2,7,8);">1-2, 7-8</a>)</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Christ's use of this passage in <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',10,'34-36');">Jhn 10:34-36</a> does not negate the above interpretation of <a onclick="return mV('Psa',82,'all');">Psalm 82</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The words, "The Scripture cannot be broken," means "the Scripture cannot go without having some ultimate fulfillment" (cf. <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',7,23);">Jhn 7:23</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mat',5,17);">Mat 5:17</a>). Thus Jesus is saying that what the OT judges were called in irony, He is in reality; He does what they could not do, and is what they could never be (see the Adam-Christ contrasts in <a onclick="return mV('Rom',5,'12-21');">Rom 5:12-21</a> and <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',15,21,22,45);">1Cr 15:21-22, 45</a> for a similar use of OT Scripture)
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The clause, "those against whom the word of God came" (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',10,35);">Jhn 10:35</a>) shows that this "word" was a word of judgment against the so-called gods; which shows that they were false gods, not really gods at all</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Finally, these wicked men were certainly not "godlike" or "divine" by nature, so that in any case the use of <i>elohim</i> to refer to them must be seen as figurative, not literal</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Even if men were gods (which they are not), this would be irrelevant to Jesus, since He was God as a preexistent spirit before creation: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,1);">Jhn 1:1</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Are angels gods?</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>Scripture never explicitly states that angels <i>are</i> gods</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Demonic spirits are not gods,<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',10,20);">1Cr 10:20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Gal',4,8);">Gal 4:8</a>; thus, being "mighty spirits" does not make angels gods</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Satan is therefore also a false god: <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',4,4);">2Cr 4:4</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Psa',8,5);">Psalm 8:5</a> does not teach that angels are gods
|
|
<br><br>
|
|
<ol type="a">
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Psa',8,5);">Psa 8:5</a> is paraphrased in <a onclick="return mV('Heb',2,7);">Heb 2:7</a>, not quoted literally (cf. <a onclick="return mV('Psa',68,18);">Psa 68:18</a> with <a onclick="return mV('Eph',4,8);">Eph 4:8</a>). In <a onclick="return mV('Psa',8,5);">Psa 8:5</a>, <i>elohim</i> certainly means God, not angels, since <a onclick="return mV('Psa',8,'3-8');">Psa 8:3-8</a> parallels <a onclick="return mV('Gen',1,1,8,16,36,27,28);">Gen 1:1, 8, 16, 26-28</a>. Note that the Psalmist is speaking of man's exalted place in creation, whereas Hebrews is speaking of the lower place taken by Christ in becoming a man. Thus, <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',2,7);">Heb 2:7</a> may not mean to equate angels with gods at all</li>
|
|
<br/>
|
|
<li>Even if <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',2,7);">Heb 2:7</a> does imply that angels are "gods," in the context of <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',1,'all');">Hebrews 1</a>-<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',2,'all');">2</a> these angels would be those falsely exalted above Christ: Note <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',1,6);">Heb 1:6</a> (which quotes <a onclick="return mV('Psa',97,7);">Psa 97:7</a>, which definitely speaks of "gods" in the sense of false gods); and cf. <a onclick="return mV('Col',2,16);">Col 2:16</a> on the problem of the worship of angels</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Elsewhere in the Psalms angels, if spoken of as gods (or as "sons of the gods"), are considered false gods: <a onclick="return mV('Psa',29,1);">Psa 29:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',86,'8-10');">86:8-10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',89,6);">89:6</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Psa',95,3);">95:3</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Psa',96,'4-5');">96:4-5</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Psa',97,'7-9');">97:7-9</a> (note that these false gods are called "angels" in the Septuagint); <a onclick= "return mV('Psa',135,'5');">Psa 135:5</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Psa',136,'2');">Psa 136:2</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Psa',97,'7-9');">Psa 138:1; cf. <a onclick= "return mV('Exd',15,11);">Exd 15:11</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Exd',18,11);">18:11</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Deu',10,17);">Deu 10:17</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('1Ch',16,25);">1Ch 16:25</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('2Ch',2,5);">2Ch 2:5</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Even if the angels were gods (which the above shows they are not), that would be irrelevant to Jesus, since He is not an angelic being, but the Son who is worshipped by the angels as their Creator, Lord, and God: <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',1,'1-13');">Heb 1:1-13</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Conclusion</b>: If there is only one God, one true God, all other gods being false gods, neither men nor angels being gods, and none even like God by nature - all of which the Bible says repeatedly and explicitly - then we must conclude that there is indeed only one God</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="#top">Return to Top</a></div>
|
|
<div class="pad2030">
|
|
<a name="trin_2"></a>
|
|
<h2>II. This One God Is Known in the OT as "Jehovah/Yahweh" ("The Lord")</h2>
|
|
<ol type="A">
|
|
<li><b>Texts where Jehovah is said to be <i>elohim</i> or <i>el</i></b>: <a onclick="return mV('Deu',4,35, 39);">Deu 4:35, 39</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',100,3);">Psa 100:3</a>; etc.</li>
|
|
<br/>
|
|
<li><b>Texts where the compound name "Jehovah God" (<i>Yahweh Elohim</i>) is used</b>:
|
|
<a onclick="return mV('Gen',2,3);">Gen 2:3</a>; <a href= "#"onclick="return mV('Gen',9,26);">9:26</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Gen',24,3);">24:3</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Exd',3,'15-18');">Exd 3:15-18</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Exd',4,4);">Exd 4:4</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('2Sa',7,22,25);">2Sa 7:22, 25</a>; etc.</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Only one Yahweh/Jehovah</b>: <a onclick="return mV('Deu',6,4);">Deu 6:4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mar',12,29);">Mar 12:29</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Conclusion: Jehovah is the only God, the only <i>El</i> or <i>Elohim</i></b></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="#top">Return to Top</a></div>
|
|
<div class="pad2030">
|
|
<a name="trin_3"></a>
|
|
<h2>III. God Is a Unique, Incomprehensible Being</h2>
|
|
<ol type="A">
|
|
<li><b>Only one God, thus unique</b>: See I.A.</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>None are even like God</b>: see I.B.</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>God cannot be fully comprehended</b>: <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',8,'2-3');">1Cr 8:2-3</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>God can only be known insofar as the Son reveals Him</b>: <a onclick="return mV('Mat',11,'25-27');">Mat 11:25-27</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,18);">Jhn 1:18</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Analogical language needed to describe God</b>: <a onclick="return mV('Eze',1,'26-28');">Eze 1:26-28</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',1,'13-16');">Rev 1:13-16</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>God is transcendent, entirely distinct from and different than the universe, as the carpenter is distinct from the bench</b>
|
|
<br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>Separate from the world:
|
|
<a onclick="return mV('Isa',40,22);">Isa 40:22</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Act',17,24);">Act 17:24</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Contrasted with the world: <a onclick="return mV('Psa',102,'25-27');">Psa 102:25-27</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Jo',2,'15-17');">1Jo 2:15-17</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Created the world: <a onclick="return mV('Gen',1,1);">Gen 1:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',33,6);">Psa 33:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',102,25);">102:25</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Isa',42,5);">Isa 42:5</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Isa',44,24);">44:24</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jhn',1,3);">Jhn 1:3</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Rom',11,36);">Rom 11:36</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Hbr',1,2);">Heb 1:2</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Hbr',11,3);">11:3</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="#top">Return to Top</a></div>
|
|
<div class="pad2030">
|
|
<a name="trin_4"></a>
|
|
<h2>IV. Is God One Person?</h2>
|
|
<ol type="A">
|
|
<li><b>God is one God (cf. I above), one Yahweh, one Lord (cf. II above), one Spirit</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',4,24);">Jhn 4:24</a>)</li>
|
|
<br/>
|
|
<li><b>However, the Bible never says that God is "one person"</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Hbr',1,3);">Heb 1:3</a> KJV speaks of God's "person," but the word used here, <i>hupostasis</i>, is translated "substance" in <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',11,1);">Heb 11:1</a> KJV; also in <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',1,3);">Heb 1:3</a> "God" refers specifically to the Father</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Gal',3,20);">Gal 3:20</a> speaks of God as one party in the covenant between God and man, not as one person</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Job',13,8);">Job 13:8</a> KJV speaks of God's "person," but ironically the Hebrew literally means "his faces"</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>The use of singular and plural pronouns for God</b><br/><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>Over 7000 times God speaks or is spoken of with singular pronouns (I, He, etc.); but this is proper because God is a single individual <i>being</i>; thus these singular forms do not disprove that God exists as three "persons" as long as these persons are not separate beings</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>At least three times God speaks of or to himself using plural pronouns
|
|
(<a onclick="return mV('Gen',1,26);">Gen 1:26</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Gen',3,22);">3:22</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Gen',11,7);">11:7</a>), and nontrinitarian interpretation cannot account for these occurrences</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<ol type="a">
|
|
<li>A plural reference to God and the angels is possible in <a onclick="return mV('Isa',6,8);">Isa 6:8</a>, but not in the Genesis texts: in <a onclick="return mV('Gen',1,26);">Gen 1:26</a> "our image" is explained in <a onclick="return mV('Gen',1,27);">Gen 1:27</a>, "in God's image"; in <a onclick="return mV('Gen',3,22);">Gen 3:22</a> "like one of us" refers back to <a onclick="return mV('Gen',3,5);">Gen 3:5</a>, "like God."</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The "literary plural" (possibly, though never clearly, attested in Paul) is irrelevant to texts in which God is <i>speaking</i>, not writing</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The "plural of deliberation" (as in "Let's see now...") is apparently unattested in biblical writings, and cannot explain <a onclick="return mV('Gen',3,22);">Gen 3:22</a> ("like one of us")</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The "plural of amplitude" or of "fullness" (which probably does explain the use of the plural form <i>elohim</i> in the singular sense of "God") is irrelevant to the use of plural pronouns, and again cannot explain <a onclick="return mV('Gen',3,22);">Gen 3:22</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The "plural of majesty" is <i>possibly</i> attested in <a onclick="return mV('1Ki',12,9);">1Ki 12:9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Ch',10,9);">2Ch 10:9</a>; more likely <a onclick="return mV('Ezr',4,18);">Ezr 4:18</a>; but none of these are certain; and again, it cannot explain <a onclick="return mV('Gen',3,22);">Gen 3:22</a>; also nothing in the context of the Genesis texts suggests that God is being presented particularly as King</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>The uniqueness of God (cf. III above) should prepare us for the possibility that the one divine Being exists uniquely as a plurality of persons</b></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="#top">Return to Top</a></div>
|
|
<div class="pad2030">
|
|
<a name="trin_5"></a>
|
|
<h2>V. The Father of Jesus Christ Is God</h2>
|
|
<ol type="A">
|
|
<li><b>Explicit statements</b>: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',17,3);">Jhn 17:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',8,6);">1Cr 8:6</a>; etc</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>The expression</b>, "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ": <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',1,3);">2Cr 1:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eph',1,3);">Eph 1:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Pe',1,3);">1Pe 1:3</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="#top">Return to Top</a></div>
|
|
<div class="pad2030">
|
|
<a name="trin_6"></a>
|
|
<h2>VI. Jesus Christ Is God</h2>
|
|
<ol type="A">
|
|
<li><b>Explicit statements</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Isa',9,6);">Isa 9:6</a>; note <a onclick="return mV('Isa',10,21);">10:21</a>. Translations which render "mighty hero," are inconsistent in their rendering of <a onclick="return mV('Isa',10,21);">10:21</a>. Also note that <a onclick="return mV('Eze',32,21);">Eze 32:21</a> is (a) not in the same context, as is
|
|
<a onclick="return mV('Isa',10,21);">Isa 10:21</a>, and (b) speaking of false gods, cf. I.G.5. above</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,1);">Jhn 1:1</a> Even if Jesus is here called "a god" (as some have argued), since there is only one God, Jesus is that God. However, the "a god" rendering is incorrect. Other passages using the Greek word for God (<i>theos</i>) in the same construction are always rendered "God":
|
|
<a onclick="return mV('Mar',12,27);">Mar 12:27</a>;
|
|
<a onclick="return mV('Luk',20,38);">Luk 20:38</a>;
|
|
<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',8,54);">Jhn 8:54</a>;
|
|
<a onclick="return mV('Phl',2,13);">Phl 2:13</a>;
|
|
<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',11,16);">Heb 11:16</a>.
|
|
Passages in which a shift occurs
|
|
from <i>ho theos</i> ("the God")
|
|
to <i>theos</i> ("God") never imply a shift in meaning: <a onclick="return mV('Mar',12,27);">Mar 12:27</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Luk',20,37,38);">Luk 20:37-38</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',3,2);">Jhn 3:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',13,3);">13:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',1,21);">Rom 1:21</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Th',1,9);">1Th 1:9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',9,14);">Heb 9:14</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Pe',4,10,11);">1Pe 4:10-11</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,18);">Jhn 1:18</a>. The best manuscripts have "the unique God" (<i>monogenês</i>, frequently rendered "only-begotten," actually means "one of a kind," "unique," though in the NT always in the context of a son or daughter). Even if one translates "only-begotten," the idea is not of a "begotten god" as opposed to an "unbegotten god."</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Jhn',20,28);">Jhn 20:28</a>. Compare <a onclick="return mV('Rev',4,11);">Rev 4:11</a>, where the same construction is used in the plural ("our") instead of the singular ("my"). See also <a onclick="return mV('Psa',35,23);">Psa 35:23</a>. Note that Christ's response indicates that Thomas' acclamation was not wrong. Also note that <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',20,17);">Jhn 20:17</a> does show that the Father was Jesus' "God" (due to Jesus becoming a man), but the words "my God" as spoken by Thomas later in the same chapter must mean no less than in v. <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',20,17);">17</a>. Thus, what the Father is to Jesus in His humanity, Jesus is to Thomas (and therefore to us as well)</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Act',20,28);">Act 20:28</a>: "the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." The variant readings (e.g. "the church of the Lord") show that the original was understood to mean "His own blood," not "the blood of His own [Son]" (since otherwise no one would have thought to change it). Thus all other renderings are attempts to evade the startling clarity and meaning of this passage</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Rom',9,5);">Rom 9:5</a>. While grammatically this is not the only possible interpretation, the consistent form of doxologies in Scripture, as well as the smoothest reading of the text, supports the identification of Christ as "God" in this verse</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Tts',2,13);">Tts 2:13</a>. Grammatically and contextually, this is one of the strongest proof-texts for the deity of Christ. Sharp's first rule, properly understood, proves that the text should be translated "our great God and Savior" (cf. same construction in <a onclick="return mV('Luk',20,37);">Luk 20:37</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',1,6);">Rev 1:6</a>; and many other passages). Note also that Paul always uses the word "manifestation" ("appearing") of Christ: <a onclick="return mV('2Th',2,8);">2Th 2:8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Ti',6,14);">1Ti 6:14</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Ti',1,10);">2Ti 1:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Ti',4,1,8);">4:1, 8</a>.
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Hbr',1,8);">Heb 1:8</a>. The rendering, "God is your throne," is nonsense - God is not a throne, He is the one who sits on the throne! Also, "God is your throne," if taken to mean God is the source of one's rule, could be said about any angelic ruler - but <a onclick="return mV('Heb',1,'all');">Hebrews 1</a> is arguing that Jesus is superior to the angels</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('2Pe',1,1);">2Pe 1:1</a>. The same construction is used here as in <a onclick="return mV('Tts',2,13);">Tts 2:13</a>; see the parallel passages in <a onclick="return mV('2Pe',1,11);">2Pe 1:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Pe',2,20);">2:20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Pe',3,2,18);">3:2, 18</a>.
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('1Jo',5,20);">1Jo 5:20</a>. Note that the most obvious antecedent for "this" is Jesus Christ. Also note that the "eternal life" is Christ, as can be seen from <a onclick="return mV('1Jo',1,2);">1Jo 1:2</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Jesus is Jehovah/Yahweh</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Rom',10,'9-13');">Rom 10:9-13</a>: Note the repeated "for," which links these verses closely together. The "Lord" of <a onclick="return mV('Rom',10,'13');">10:13</a> must be the "Lord" of <a onclick="return mV('Rom',10,9,12);">10:9, 12</a>.
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Phl',2,'9-11');">Phl 2:9-11</a>. In context, the "name that is above every name" is "Lord" (vs. <a onclick="return mV('Phl',2,'11');">11</a>), i.e., Jehovah</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Hbr',1,10);">Heb 1:10</a>: Here God the Father addresses the Son as "Lord," in a quotation from <a onclick="return mV('Psa',102,25);">Psa 102:25</a> (cf. <a onclick="return mV('Psa',102,24);">102:24</a>, where the person addressed is called "God"). Since here the Father addresses the Son as "Lord," this cannot be explained away as a text in which a creature addresses Christ as God/Lord in a merely representational sense</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('1Pe',2,3,4);">1Pe 2:3-4</a>: This verse is nearly an exact quotation of <a onclick="return mV('Psa',34,8);">Psa 34:8a</a>, where "Lord" is Jehovah. From <a onclick="return mV('1Pe',2,'4-8');">1Pe 2:4-8</a> it is also clear that "the Lord" in v. <a onclick="return mV('1Pe',2,3);">3</a> is Jesus</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('1Pe',3,'14-15');">1Pe 3:14-15</a>: these verses are a clear reference to <a onclick="return mV('Isa',8,12,13);">Isa 8:12-13</a>, where the one who is to be regarded as holy is Jehovah</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Texts where Jesus is spoken of as the "one Lord" (cf. <a onclick= "return mV('Deu',6,4);">Deu 6:4</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Mar',12,29);">Mar 12:29</a>): <a onclick= "return mV('1Cr',8,6);">1Cr 8:6</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Eph',4,5);">Eph 4:5</a>; cf. <a onclick= "return mV('Rom',10,12);">Rom 10:12</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('1Cr',12,5);">1Cr 12:5</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Jesus has the titles of God</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>Titles belonging only to God<br><br>
|
|
<ol type="a">
|
|
<li>The first and the last: <a onclick="return mV('Rev',1,17);">Rev 1:17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',22,13);">22:13</a>; cf. <a onclick="return mV('Isa',44,6);">Isa 44:6</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>King of kings and Lord of lords: <a onclick="return mV('1Ti',6,15);">1Ti 6:15</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',17,14);">Rev 17:14</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',19,16);">19:16</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br/>
|
|
<li>Titles belonging in the ultimate sense only to God<br><br>
|
|
<ol type="a">
|
|
<li>Savior: <a onclick="return mV('Luk',2,11);">Luk 2:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',4,42);">Jhn 4:42</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Jo',4,14);">1Jo 4:14</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Tts',2,13);">Tts 2:13</a>, cf. v. <a onclick= "return mV('Tts',2,10);">10</a>; etc.; cf. <a onclick="return mV('Isa',43,11);">Isa 43:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',45,'21-22');">45:21-22</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Ti',4,10);">1Ti 4:10</a>; <br><br>on Jesus becoming the source of salvation; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',5,9);">Heb 5:9</a>, cf. <a onclick="return mV('Exd',15,2);">Exd 15:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',118,14);">Psa 118:14, 21</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Shepherd: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',10,11);">Jhn 10:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',13,20);">Heb 13:20</a>; cf. <a onclick="return mV('Psa',23,1);">Psa 23:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',40,11);">Isa 40:11</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Rock:<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',10,4);">1Cr 10:4</a>; cf. <a onclick="return mV('Isa',44,8);">Isa 44:8</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Jesus received the honors due to God alone</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>Honor: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',5,23);">Jhn 5:23</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Love: <a onclick="return mV('Mat',10,37);">Mat 10:37</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Prayer: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,14);">Jhn 14:14</a> (text debated, but in any case it is Jesus who <b>answers</b> the prayer); <a onclick="return mV('Act',1,'24-25');">Act 1:24-25</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Act',7,'59-60');">7:59-60</a> (cf. <a onclick="return mV('Luk',23,34,46);">Luk 23:34, 46</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',10,12,13);">Rom 10:12-13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',1,2);">1Cr 1:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',12,'8-10');">2Cr 12:8-10</a> (where "the Lord" must be Jesus, cf. v. <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',12,'8-10');">9</a>); <a onclick="return mV('2Th',2,16,17);">2Th 2:16-17</a>; etc. </li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Worship (<i>proskuneô</i>): <a onclick="return mV('Mat',28,17);">Mat 28:17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',1,6);">Heb 1:6</a> (cf. <a onclick="return mV('Psa',97,7);">Psa 97:7</a>); cf. <a onclick="return mV('Mat',4,10);">Matt 4:10</a> </li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Religious or sacred service (<i>latreuô</i>): <a onclick="return mV('Rev',22,13);">Rev 22:13</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Doxological praise: <a onclick="return mV('2Ti',4,18);">2Ti 4:18</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Pe',3,18);">2Pe 3:18</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',1,'5-6');">Rev 1:5-6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',5,13);">5:13</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Faith: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',3,16);">Jhn 3:16</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,1);">14:1</a>; etc</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Jesus does the works of God</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>Creation: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,3);">Jhn 1:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',8,6);">1Cr 8:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Col',1,16,17);">Col 1:16-17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',1,2);">Heb 1:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',3,14);">Rev 3:14</a> (where <i>archê</i> probably means ruler);
|
|
<br><br>
|
|
on "through" and "in" cf. <a onclick="return mV('Rom',11,36);">Rom 11:36</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',2,10);">Heb 2:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Act',17,28);">Act 17:28</a>; cf. also <a onclick="return mV('Isa',44,24);">Isa 44:24</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Sustains the universe: <a onclick="return mV('Col',1,17);">Col 1:17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',1,3,11,12);">Heb 1:3, 11-12</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Salvation:
|
|
<ol type="a">
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>In General: See C.2.a. above</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Forgives sins: <a onclick="return mV('Mat',9,'1-8');">Mat 9:1-8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mar',2,'1-12');">Mar 2:1-12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Luk',5,'17-26');">Luk 5:17-26</a>; note that Jesus forgives sins not committed against Him</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>All of them: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',5,'17-29');">Jhn 5:17-29</a> (including judgment, cf. <a onclick= "return mV('Mat',25,'31-46');">Mat 25:31-46</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('2Cr',5,10);">2Cr 5:10</a>)</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Jesus has all the incommunicable attributes of God</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>All of them: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,1);">Jhn 1:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Phl',2,6);">Phl 2:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Col',1,15);">Col 1:15</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Col',2,9);">Col 2:9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',1,3);">Heb 1:3</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Self-existent: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',5,26);">Jhn 5:26</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Unchangeable: <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',1,'10-12');">Heb 1:10-12</a> (in the same sense as YHWH);
|
|
<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',13,'8');">13:8</a> </li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Eternal: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,1);">Jhn 1:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',8,58);">8:58</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',17,5);">17:5</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Col',1,17);">Col 1:17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',1,2);">Heb 1:2</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Omnipresent: <a onclick="return mV('Mat',18,20);">Mat 18:20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mat',28,20);">28:20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',3,13);">Jhn 3:13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eph',1,23);">Eph 1:23</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eph',4,10);">4:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Col',3,11);">Col 3:11</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Omniscient: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',16,30);">Jhn 16:30</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',21,17);">21:17</a>; cf. <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',2,'23-24');"> 2:23-24</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Incomprehensible:<a onclick="return mV('Mat',11,'25-27');">Mat 11:25-27</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br/>
|
|
<li><b>Jesus is "equal with God"</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Jhn',5,18);">Jhn 5:18</a>: Although John is relating what the Jews understood Jesus to be claiming, the context shows they were basically right: In v. <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',5,17);">17</a> claimed to be exempt from the Sabbath along with His Father, and in <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',5,'19-29');">5:19-29</a> Jesus claimed to do all of the world of the Father and to deserve the same honor as the Father</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Phl',2,6);">Phl 2:6</a>: Jesus did not attempt to seize recognition by the world as being equal with God, but attained that recognition by humbling himself and being exalted by the Father (vv. <a onclick="return mV('Phl',2,'7-11');">7-11</a>)</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Jesus is the <i>Son</i> of God</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>"Son" in Scripture can mean simply one possessing the nature of something, whether literal or figurative (e.g. "Son of man," "sons of thunder," "sons of disobedience," cf. <a onclick="return mV('Mar',3,7);">Mar 3:7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eph',2,1);">Eph 2:1</a>)</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Usually when "son of" is used in relation to a person (son of man, son of Abraham, son of David, etc.) the son possesses the nature of his father</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Jesus is clearly not the <b>literal</b> Son of God, i.e., He was not physically procreated by God</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>On the other hand, Jesus is clearly the Son of God in a unique sense (cf. "only-begotten son," <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,14);">Jhn 1:14</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',3,16,18);">3:16, 18</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Jo',4,9);">1Jo 4:9</a>) and in a preeminent sense (i.e. the term is more fitting for Him than for anyone else)</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Scripture is explicit that the Son possesses God's essence or nature (cf. F. above)</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Jesus' repeated claim to be the Son of God was consistently understood by the Jewish leaders as a blasphemous claim to equality with God, an understanding Jesus never denied: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',5,'17-23');">Jhn 5:17-23</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',8,58,59);">8:58-59</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',10,'30-39');">Jhn 10:30-39</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',19,7);">Jhn 19:7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mat',26,'63-65');">Mat 26:63-65</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Jesus is therefore by nature God's Son, not God's creation or God's servant; Jesus is God's Son who <b>became</b> a servant for our sake and for the Father's glory (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',13,'13-15');">Jhn 13:13-15</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',17,4);">Jhn 17:4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Phl',2,'6-11');">Phl 2:6-11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',1,'4-13');">Heb 1:4-13</a>;<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',3,'1-6');">Heb 3:1-6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',5,8);">Heb 5:8</a>; etc.)</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Objections</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Pro',8,22);">Pro 8:22</a>: This text is not a literal description of Christ, but a poetic personification of wisdom (cf. all of Proverbs 1-9, esp. <a onclick="return mV('Pro',8,'12-21');">Pro 8:12-21</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Pro',9,'1-6');">Pro 9:1-6</a>), poetically saying that God "got" His wisdom before He did anything - i.e., that God has always had wisdom</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Col',1,15);">Col 1:15</a>: Does not mean that Christ is the first creature, since He is here presented as the Son and principal heir of the Father (cf. vv. <a onclick="return mV('Col',1,'12-44');">12-44,</a>); thus "firstborn" here means "heir" (cf. <a onclick="return mV('Gen',43,33);">Gen 43:33</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Gen',48,'14-20');">48:14-20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Exd',4,22);">Exd 4:22</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Ch',5,'1-3');">1Ch 5:1-3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',89,27);">Psa 89:27</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',31,9);">Jer 31:9</a>); note that v. <a onclick="return mV('Col',1,16);">16</a> speaks of the Son as the Creator, nor creature (cf. E.1. above)</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Rev',3,14);">Rev 3:14</a>: "Beginning" (<i>archê</i>) in Rev. as a title means source or one who begins, i.e. Creator (cf. <a onclick="return mV('Rev',1,8);">Rev 1:8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',21,6);">21:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',22,13);">22:13</a>); elsewhere Christ is called the <i>archê</i> in the sense of "ruler," <a onclick="return mV('Col',1,18);">Col 1:18</a>, cf. plural <i>archai</i>, "rulers," in <a onclick="return mV('Col',1,16);">Col 1:16</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Col',2,10,15);">2:10, 15</a>; also <a onclick="return mV('Luk',12,11);">Luk 12:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',8,38);">Rom 8:38</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eph',3,10);">Eph 3:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eph',6,12);">6:12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Tts',3,1);">Tts 3:1</a>; cf. <a onclick="return mV('Luk',20,20);">Luk 20:20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jud',1,6);">Jud 6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',15,24);">1Cr 15:24</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eph',1,21);">Eph 1:21</a>. </li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('1Cr',11,3);">1Cr 11:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',15,28);">15:28</a>: Jesus is still subordinate to God, but as the Son to the Father; i.e., they are equal in nature, but the Son is subordinate relationally to God</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Jhn',20,17);">Jhn 20:17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',15,6);">Rom 15:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',15,24);">1Cr 15:24</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',1,3);">2Cr 1:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',1,6);">Rev 1:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',3,12);">3:12</a>: Jesus calls the Father "My God" because He is still man as well as God; note the distinction between "My God" and "your God" in <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',20,17);">Jhn 20:17</a> (i.e., Jesus never speaks of "our God" including Himself with the disciples)</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Mar',13,32);">Mar 13:32</a>: Jesus' statement that He did not know the time of His return is to be explained by His voluntary acceptance of the humble form and likeness of a man (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',2,7);">Phl 2:7</a>); in fact Jesus, as God, did know all things (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',16,30);">Jhn 16:30</a>), and after His resurrection He does not including Himself as not knowing (<a onclick="return mV('Act',1,'6-7');">Act 1:6-7</a>)</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Mar',10,'17-18');">Mar 10:17-18</a>: Jesus does not deny being God, but simply tells the man that he has no business calling anyone "good" in an unqualified sense except God</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Hbr',5,14);">Heb 5:14</a>: Jesus was tempted, cf. <a onclick="return mV('Jam',1,13);">Jam 1:13</a>; but note that Jesus could not sin, <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',5,19);">Jhn 5:19</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,18);">Jhn 1:18</a>: No one has seen God, but men have seen Jesus, e.g. <a onclick="return mV('1Jo',1,1,2);">1Jo 1:1-2</a>; but note that no man can see the glorified Jesus either, <a onclick="return mV('1Ti',6,16);">1Ti 6:16</a>, and to see Jesus is to see the Father, <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,9);">Jhn 14:9</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('1Ti',1,17);">1Ti 1:17</a>: God cannot die, but Jesus did, e.g. <a onclick="return mV('Phl',2,8);">Phl 2:8</a>; but note that no one could take Jesus' life from Him, He could not remain dead, and He raised Himself: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',10,18);">Jhn 10:18</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Act',2,24);">Act 2:24</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',2,'19-22');">Jhn 2:19-22</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('1Cr',8,6);">1Cr 8:6</a>: Father called God, Jesus called Lord: but here "God" and "Lord" are synonymous (cf. v. <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',8,5;">5</a>; cf. also <a onclick="return mV('Rom',14,'3-12');">Rom 14:3-12</a> for a good example of "God" and "Lord" as interchangeable); moreover, this text no more denies that Jesus is God than it does that the Father is Lord (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',11,25);">Mat 11:25</a>); cf. <a onclick="return mV('Jud',1,4);">Jud 4</a>, where Jesus is the only Lord</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('1Ti',2,5);">1Ti 2:5</a>: Jesus here supposedly distinct from God; but Jesus is also distinct from (fallen) men, yet is Himself a man; likewise Jesus is distinct from God (the Father), but is also God</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Deu',4,12,'15-25');">Deu 4:12, 15-25</a>; God not appear in a human form to Israel, lest they fall into idolatry; but this does not rule out His appearing in human form later after they had learned to abhor idolatry</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>In many texts Jesus is distinguished from God: He is the Son of God, was sent by God, etc.; in all these texts "God" is used as a name for the person most commonly called God, i.e., the Father</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="#top">Return to Top</a></div>
|
|
<div class="pad2030">
|
|
<a name="trin_7"></a>
|
|
<h2>VII. The Holy Spirit Is God</h2>
|
|
<ol type="A">
|
|
<li><b>Equated with God</b>: <a onclick="return mV('Act',5,'3-4');">Act 5:3-4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',3,17,18);">2Cr 3:17-18</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Has the incommunicable attributes of God</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>Eternal: <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',9,14);">Heb 9:14</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Omnipresent: <a onclick="return mV('Psa',139,7);">Psa 139:7</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Omniscient: <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',2,10,11);">1Cr 2:10-11</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Involved in all the works of God</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>Creation: <a onclick="return mV('Gen',1,2);">Gen 1:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',104,30);">Psa 104:30</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Incarnation: <a onclick="return mV('Mat',1,18,20);">Mat 1:18, 20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Luk',1,35);">Luk 1:35</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Resurrection: <a onclick="return mV('Rom',1,4);">Rom 1:4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',8,11);">8:11</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Salvation: <a onclick="return mV('Rom',8,'1-27');">Rom 8:1-27</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Is a person</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>Has a name: <a onclick="return mV('Mat',28,19);">Mat 28:19</a>; note that even though "name" <b>might</b> be used of a nonperson, here, in conjunction with the Father and the Son, it must be used of a person</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Is the "Helper"<br><br>
|
|
<ol type="a">
|
|
<li>Is <b>another Helper</b>: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,16);">Jhn 14:16</a>, cf. <a onclick="return mV('1Jo',2,1);">1Jo 2:1</a>; note also that "Helper" (<i>paraklêtos</i>) was used in Greek always or almost always of persons</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Is sent in Jesus' name, to teach: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,26);">Jhn 14:26</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Will arrive, and then bear witness: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',15,26,27);">Jhn 15:26-27</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Is sent by Christ to convict of sin, will speak not on his own but on behalf of Christ, will glorify Christ, thus exhibiting humility: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',16,'7-14');">Jhn 16:7-14</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Is the <b>Holy</b> Spirit, in contrast to unholy spirits: <a onclick="return mV('Mar',3,'22-30');">Mar 3:22-30</a>, cf. <a onclick="return mV('Mat',12,32);">Mat 12:32</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Ti',4,1);">1Ti 4:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Jo',3,24);">1Jo 3:24-4:6</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Speaks, is quoted as speaking: <a onclick= "return mV('Jhn',16,13);">Jhn 16:13</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Act',1,16);">Act 1:16</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Act',8,29);">8:29</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Act',10,19);">10:19</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Act',11,12);">11:12</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Act',13,2);">13:2</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Act',16,6);">16:6</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Act',20,23);">20:23</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Act',21,11);">21:11</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Act',28,'25-26');">28:25-26</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('1Ti',4,1);">1Ti 4:1</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Hbr',3,'7-11');">Heb 3:7-11</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Hbr',10,'15-17');">10:15-17</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('1Pe',1,11);">1Pe 1:11</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Rev',2,7,11,17,29);">Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 29</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Rev',3,6,13,22);"> 3:6, 13, 22</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Can be lied to: <a onclick="return mV('Act',5,3);">Act 5:3</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Can make decisions, judgments: <a onclick="return mV('Act',15,28);">Act 15:28</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Intercedes for Christians with the Father: <a onclick="return mV('Rom',8,26);">Rom 8:26</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>"Impersonal" language used of the Spirit paralled by language used of other persons<br><br>
|
|
<ol type="a">
|
|
<li>The Holy Spirit as fire: <a onclick="return mV('Mat',3,11);">Mat 3:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Luk',3,16);">Luk 3:16</a>; cf. <a onclick="return mV('Exd',3,'2-4');">Exd 3:2-4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Deu',4,24);">Deu 4:24</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Deu',9,3);">9:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',12,29);">Heb 12:29</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The Holy Spirit poured out: <a onclick="return mV('Act',2,17,33);">Act 2:17, 33</a>; cf. <a onclick="return mV('Isa',53,12);">Isa 53:12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Phl',2,17);">Phl 2:17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Ti',4,6);">2Ti 4:6</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Being filled with the Holy Spirit: <a onclick="return mV('Eph',5,18);">Eph 5:18</a>, etc.; cf. <a onclick="return mV('Eph',3,17,19);">3:17, 19</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eph',14,10);">14:10</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="#top">Return to Top</a></div>
|
|
<div class="pad2030">
|
|
<a name="trin_8"></a>
|
|
<h2>VIII. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Are Distinct Persons</h2>
|
|
<ol type="A">
|
|
<li><b><a onclick="return mV('Mat',28,19);">Mat 28:19</a></b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>"<b>the</b> Father and <b>the</b> Son and <b>the</b> Holy Spirit": use of definite article before each personal noun indicates distinct persons unless explicitly stated otherwise; compare <a onclick="return mV('Rev',1,17);">Rev 1:17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',2,8,26);">2:8, 26</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The views that "Father" and "Son" are distinct persons but not the Holy Spirit, or that the Holy Spirit is not a person at all, or that all three are different offices or roles of one person, are impossible in view of the grammar (together with the fact that in Scripture a "spirit" is a person unless context shows otherwise)</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Does singular "name" prove that the three are one person? No; cf. <a onclick="return mV('Gen',5,2);">Gen 5:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Gen',11,14);">11:14</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Gen',48,6);">48:6</a>; and esp. <a onclick="return mV('Gen',48,16);">48:16</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>"Name" need not be personal name, may be title: <a onclick="return mV('Isa',9,6);">Isa 9:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mat',1,23);">Mat 1:23</a>. If a single personal name is sought, the name shared by all three persons is "Yahweh" or "Jehovah"</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b><a onclick="return mV('Act',2,38);">Act 2:38</a> and <a onclick="return mV('Mat',28,19);">Mat 28:19</a></b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>Neither passage specifies that certain words are to be spoken during baptism; nor does the Bible ever record someone saying, "I baptize you in the name of...."</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Those said to be baptized in the name of Jesus (whether or not the formula "in the name of Jesus" was used) were people already familiar with the God of the OT:<br><br>
|
|
<ol type="a">
|
|
<li>Jews: <a onclick="return mV('Act',2,5);">Act 2:5, 38</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Act',22,16);">22:16</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Samaritans:
|
|
<a onclick="return mV('Act',8,5);">Act 8:5, 12, 16</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>God-fearing Gentiles:
|
|
<a onclick="return mV('Act',10,1,2,22,48);">Act 10:1-2, 22, 48</a></li>
|
|
<br/>
|
|
<li>Disciples of John the Baptist: <a onclick="return mV('Act',19,'1-5');">Act 19:1-5</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The first Christians in Corinth were Jews and God-fearing Gentiles: <a onclick="return mV('Act',18,'1-8');">Act 18:1-8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',1,13);">1Cr 1:13</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Trinitarian formula for baptism (if that is what <a onclick="return mV('Mat',28,19);">Mat 28:19</a> is) was given in context of commissioning apostles to take the gospel to "all the nations," including people who did not know of the biblical God</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ are two persons</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>The salutations: <a onclick="return mV('Rom',1,7);">Rom 1:7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',1,3);">1Cr 1:3</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('2Cr',1,2);">2Cr 1:2</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Gal',1,3);">Gal 1:3</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Eph',1,2);">Eph 1:2</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Eph',6,23);">6:23</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Phl',1,2);">Phl 1:2</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('1Th',1,1);">1Th 1:1</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('2Th',1,1,2);">2Th 1:1, 2</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('1Ti',1,1,2);">1Ti 1:1, 2</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('2Ti',1,2);">2Ti 1:2</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Tts',1,4);">Tts 1:4</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Phm',1,3);">Phm 3</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jam',1,1);">Jam 1:1</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('2Pe',1,2);">2Pe 1:2</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('2Jo',1,3);">2Jo 3</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Two witnesses: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',5,31,32);">Jhn 5:31-32</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',8,'16-18');">8:16-18</a>; cf. <a onclick="return mV('Num',35,30);">Num. 35:30</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Deu',17,6);">Deu 17:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Deu',19,15);">19:15</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The Father sent the Son: <a onclick= "return mV('Jhn',3,16,17);">Jhn 3:16-17</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Gal',4,4);">Gal 4:4</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('1Jo',4,10);">1Jo 4:10</a>; etc.; cf. <a onclick= "return mV('Jhn',1,6);">Jhn 1:6</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jhn',17,18);">17:18</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jhn',20,21);">20:21</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The Father and the Son love each other: <a onclick= "return mV('Jhn',3,35);">Jhn 3:35</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jhn',5,20);">5:20</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jhn',14,31);">14:31</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jhn',15,9);">15:9</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jhn',17,'23-26');">17:23-26</a>; cf. <a onclick= "return mV('Mat',3,17);">Mat 3:17</a> par.; <a onclick= "return mV('Mat',17,5);">17:5</a> par.; <a onclick= "return mV('2Pe',1,17);">2Pe 1:17</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The Father speaks to the Son, and the Son speaks to the Father: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',11,41,42);">Jhn 11:41-42</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',12,28);">Jhn 12:28</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',17,'1-26');">Jhn 17:1-26</a>; etc</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The Father knows the Son, and the Son knows the Father: <a onclick="return mV('Mat',11,27);">Mat 11:27</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Luk',10,22);">Luk 10:22</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',7,29);">Jhn 7:29</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',8,55);">8:55</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',10,15);">10:15</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Jesus our Advocate with the Father: <a onclick="return mV('1Jo',2,1);">1Jo 2:1</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Jesus is not God the Father</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Isa',9,6);">Isa 9:6</a>: "Father of eternity" means eternal; compare other names formed with word "father":<br><i>Abialbon</i>, "father of strength" = strong (<a onclick="return mV('2Sa',23,31);">2Sa 23:31</a>);<br><i>Abiasaph</i>, "father of gathering" = gatherer (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',6,24);">Exd6:24</a>);<br><i>Abigail</i>, a woman's name(!), "father of exultation" = exulting (<a onclick="return mV('1Ch',2,16);">1Ch 2:16</a>)</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Jhn',10,30);">Jhn 10:30</a><br/><br>
|
|
<ol type="a">
|
|
<li>Jesus did not say, "I am the Father," nor did He say, "the Son and the Father are one person."</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The first person plural <i>esmen</i> ("we are") implies two persons</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The neuter word for "one" (<i>hen</i>) is used, implying essential unity but not personal unity (compare <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',17,'21-23');">Jhn 17:21-23</a>)</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Jhn',5,43);">Jhn 5:43</a>: Jesus' coming in His Father's name means not that He was the Father because He had the Father's name, but that, while others come in their own name (or their own authority), Jesus does <b>not</b>; He comes in His Father's name (on His Father's authority)</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Jhn',8,19);">Jhn 8:19</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',16,3);">16:3</a>: Ignorance of Jesus is indeed ignorance of the Father, but that does not prove that Jesus is the one He calls "My Father."</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,'6-11');">Jhn 14:6-11</a><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="a">
|
|
<li>Jesus and the Father are one being, not one person</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Jesus said, "I am <b>in</b> the Father," not "I am the Father."</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The statement, "the Father is in Me," does not mean Jesus is the Father; compare <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,'20');">Jhn 14:20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',17,'21-23');">17:21-23</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,18);">Jhn 14:18</a>: An older adult brother can care for his younger siblings, thus preventing them from being "orphans," without being their father</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Col',2,9);">Colossians 2:9</a>:
|
|
Does not mean that Jesus is the Father, or that Jesus is an incarnation of the Father; rather, since "Godhead" (<i>theotês</i>) means Deity, the state of being God, the nature of God, Jesus is fully God, but not the only person who is God. "The Godhead" here <i>does not equal</i> the Father (note that Jesus is in the Father, <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',10,38);">Jhn 10:38</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,10,11);">Jhn 14:10-11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',17,21);">Jhn 17:21</a>), but the nature of the Father</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The Father and the Son are both involved in various activities:<br>—raising Jesus<br> (<a onclick="return mV('Gal',1,1);">Gal 1:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',2,'19-22');">Jhn 2:19-22</a>),<br>—raising the dead<br> (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',5,21);">Jhn 5:21</a>); <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',6,39,40,44,54);">6:39-40, 44, 54</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',6,14);">1Cr 6:14</a>),<br>—answering prayer<br> (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,13,14);">Jhn 14:13-14</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',15,16);">15:16</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',16,23);">16:23</a>),<br>—sending the Holy Spirit<br> (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,16);">Jhn 14:16</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',15,26);">15:26</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',16,7);">16:7</a>),<br>—drawing people to Jesus<br> (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',6,44);">Jhn 6:44</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jhn',12,32);">12:32</a>), etc. <br/>These common works do prove that the two persons are both God, but not that Jesus is the Father</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>The Son existed before his Incarnation, even before creation</b><br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Pro',30,4);">Pro 30:4</a>: This is <b>not</b> predictive prophecy; "prophecy" in <a onclick="return mV('Pro',30,1);">Pro 30:1</a> translates <i>massa</i>, which is rendered elsewhere as "burden."</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The Son created all things: See VI.E.1</a>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Jesus was "with" (<i>pros</i> or <i>para</i>) God the Father before creation: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,1);">Jhn 1:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',17,5);">17:5</a>; <i>pros</i> in <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,1);">Jhn 1:1</a> does not mean "pertaining to," although it does in <a onclick="return mV('Heb',2,17);">Heb 2:17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Heb',5,1);">5:1</a> (which use <i>pros</i> with <i>ta</i>)</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Jesus, the Son of God, existed before John the Baptist (who was born before Jesus): <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,15);">Jhn 1:15</a>, cf. <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,'14-18', '29-34');">1:14-18, 29-34</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Jesus, the Son, came down from heaven, sent from the Father, and went back to heaven, back to the Father: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',3,13,31);">Jhn 3:13, 31</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',6,33,38,41,46,51,'56-58',62);">6:33, 38, 41, 46, 51, 56-58, 62</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',8,23,42);">8:23, 42</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',13,3);">13:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',16,27,28);">16:27-28</a>; cf. <a onclick="return mV('Act',1,'10-11');">Act 1:10-11</a>; cf. the sending of the Holy Spirit, <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',16,'5-7');">Jhn 16:5-7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Pe',1,12);">1Pe 1:12</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Jesus, speaking as the Son (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',8,'54-56');">Jhn 8:54-56</a>), asserts His eternal preexistence before Abraham: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',8,58);">Jhn 8:58</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The Son explicitly said to exist "before all things": <a onclick="return mV('Col',1,17);">Col 1:17</a>, cf. <a onclick="return mV('Col',1,17);">Col 1:12-20</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>These statements cannot be dismissed as true only in God's foreknowledge<br><br>
|
|
<ol type="a">
|
|
<li>We are <b>all</b> "in God's mind" before creation; yet such passages as <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,'1');">Jhn 1:1</a> and <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',17,'5');">17:5</a> clearly mean to say something unusual about Christ</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>To say that all things were created <b>through</b> Christ means that He must have existed at creation</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>No one else in Scripture is ever said to have been with God before creation</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Texts which speak of the Son being begotten "today" do not mean He became the Son on a certain day, since they refer to His exaltation at the <b>resurrection</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Act',13,33);">Act 13:33</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',1,'3-5');">Heb 1:3-5</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',5,5);">5:5</a>; cf. <a onclick="return mV('Psa',2,7);">Psa 2:7</a>; cf. also <a onclick="return mV('Rom',1,4);">Rom 1:4</a>)</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Jesus is not the Holy Spirit</b><br/><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>The Holy Spirit is "another Comforter": <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,16);">Jhn 14:16</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('1Jo',2,1);">1Jo 2:1</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Jesus sent the Holy Spirit: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',15,26);">Jhn 15:26</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',16,7);">16:7</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The Holy Spirit exhibits humility in relation to, and seeks to glorify, Jesus (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',16,13,14);">Jhn 16:13-14</a>)</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The Son and the Holy Spirit are distinguished as two persons in <a onclick="return mV('Mat',28,19);">Mat 28:19</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus: <a onclick="return mV('Luk',3,22);">Luk 3:22</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Is Jesus the Holy Spirit?<br><br>
|
|
<ol type="a">
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('2Cr',3,17);">2Cr 3:17</a>: the Spirit is here called "Lord" in the sense of being Yahweh or God, not Jesus (cf. v. <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',3,16);">16</a>, citing <a onclick="return mV('Exd',34,34);">Exd 34:34</a>; cf. v. <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',3,17);">17</a> in the Revised English Bible); note <a onclick="return mV('Act',28,'25-27');">Act 28:25-27</a>, cf. <a onclick="return mV('Isa',6,'8-10');">Isa 6:8-10</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('1Cr',15,45);">1Cr 15:45</a>: Jesus is "a life-giving Spirit," not in the sense that He is the Holy Spirit whom He sent at Pentecost, but in the sense that He is the glorified God-man; and as God He is Spirit by nature. All three persons of the Trinity are Spirit, though there are not three divine Spirits; and only one person is designated "the Holy Spirit."</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Rom',8,27,34);">Rom 8:27, 34</a>: the fact that two persons intercede for us is consistent with the fact that we have two Advocates (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,16);">Jhn 14:16</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',8,26);">Rom 8:26</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Jo',2,1);">1Jo 2:1</a>)</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,18);">Jhn 14:18</a>: Jesus here refers to His appearances to the disciples after the resurrection (compare <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,19);">14:19</a>), not to the coming of the Spirit</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Jesus and the Holy Spirit are both involved in various activities:
|
|
<br>—raising Jesus<br> (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',2,'19-22');">Jhn 2:19-22</a>;<a onclick="return mV('Rom',8,'9-11');">Rom 8:9-11</a>),
|
|
<br>—raising the dead<br> (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',5,21);">Jhn 5:21</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',6,39,40,44,54);">6:39-40, 44, 54</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',8,'9-11');">Rom 8:9-11</a>),
|
|
<br>—dwelling in the believer<br> (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,16);">Jhn 14:16</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',13,5);">2Cr 13:5</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Col',1,27);">Col 1:27</a>),
|
|
<br>—interceding for the believer<br> (<a onclick="return mV('Rom',8,26);">Rom 8:26</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',7,25);">Heb 7:25</a>),
|
|
<br>—sanctifying believers<br> (<a onclick="return mV('Eph',5,26);">Eph 5:26</a>;<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',1,2);">1Pe 1:2</a>), etc.
|
|
<br>These works prove that the two persons are both God, but not that Jesus is the Holy Spirit.
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>The Father is not the Holy Spirit</b>
|
|
<br><br>
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>The Father sent the Holy Spirit: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,15);">Jhn 14:15</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',15,26);">15:26</a></li>
|
|
<br >
|
|
<li>The Holy Spirit intercedes with the Father for us: <a onclick="return mV('Rom',8,'26-27');">Rom 8:26-27</a></li>
|
|
<br >
|
|
<li>The Father and the Holy Spirit are distinguished as two persons in <a onclick="return mV('Mat',28,19);">Mat 28:19<a/></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>Is the Father the Holy Spirit?
|
|
<ol type="a">
|
|
<li><a onclick="return mV('Mat',1,18);">Mat 1:18</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Luk',1,35);">Luk 1:35</a>: It is argued that the Holy Spirit is the Father of the incarnate Son of God; this argument ignores the fact that the "conception" is not a product of physical union between a man and a woman!</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li>The Father and the Holy Spirit are both said to be active in various activities;
|
|
<br>—the resurrection of Jesus <br> (<a onclick="return mV('Gal',1,1);">Gal 1:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',8,11);">Rom 8:11</a>),
|
|
<br>—comforting Christians<br> (<a onclick="return mV('2Cr',1,3,4);">2Cr 1:3-4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,26);">Jhn 14:26</a>),
|
|
<br>—sanctifying Christians <br> (<a onclick="return mV('Jud',1,1);">Jud 1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Pe',1,2);">1Pe 1:2</a>), etc.
|
|
<br>The most these facts prove is that the two work together; they do not prove the two are one person</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="#top">Return to Top</a></div>
|
|
<div class="pad2030">
|
|
<a name="trin_9"></a>
|
|
<h2>IX. Conclusion: The Bible teaches the Trinity</h2>
|
|
<ol type="A">
|
|
<li><b>All the elements of the doctrine are taught in Scripture</b>.
|
|
<ol type="1">
|
|
<li>One God</li>
|
|
<li>The Father is God</li>
|
|
<li>The Son is God</li>
|
|
<li>The Holy Spirit is God</li>
|
|
<li>The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three persons (i.e., they are not each other, nor are they impersonal; they relate to one another personally)</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</li>
|
|
<br/>
|
|
<li><b>The New Testament presents a consistent triad of Father, Son, Holy Spirit (God, Christ, Spirit)</b>: <a onclick="return mV('Mat',28,19);">Mat 28:19</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Co',13,34);">2Cr 13:34</a>; also <a onclick="return mV('Luk',1,35);">Luk 1:35</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Luk',3,21,22);">3:21-22</a> par.; <a onclick="return mV('Luk',4,'1-12');">4:1-12</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jhn',4,'10-25');">Jhn 4:10-25</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jhn',7,'37-39');">7:37-39</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jhn',14,'all');">Jhn 14</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jhn',15,'all');">15</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jhn',16,'all');">16</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jhn',20,21,22);">20:21-22</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Act',1,'4-8');">Act 1:4-8</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Act',2,33,38,39);">2:33, 38-39</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Act',5,3,4,9,'30-32');">5:3-4, 9, 30-32</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Act',7,'55-56');">7:55-56</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Act',10,'36-38', '44-48');">10:36-38, 44-48</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Act',11,'15-18');">11:15-18</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Act',15,'8-11');">15:8-11</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Act',20,38);">20:38</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Act',28,'25-31');">28:25-31</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Rom',1,'1-4');">Rom 1:1-4</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Rom',5,'5-10');">5:5-10</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Rom',8,'2-4','9-11','14-17');">8:2-4, 9-11, 14-17</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('1Cr',6,11);">1Cr 6:11</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('1Cr',12,'4-6',11,12,18);">12:4-6, 11-12, 18</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('2Cr',1,'19-22');">2Cr 1:19-22</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('2Cr',3,'6-8','14-18');">3:6-8, 14-18</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Gal',3,'8-14');">Gal 3:8-14</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Gal',4,'4-7');">4:4-7</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Eph',1,'3-17');">Eph 1:3-17</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Eph',2,18);">2:18, 21-22</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Eph',3,'14-19');">3:14-19</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Eph',4,'4-6','29-32');">4:4-6, 29-32</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Eph',5,'18-20');">5:18-20</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Phl',3,3);">Phl 3:3</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('1Th',1,'3-6');">1Th 1:3-6</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('2Th',2,13,14);">2Th 2:13-14</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Tts',3,'4-6');">Tts 3:4-6</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Hbr',2,3,4);">Heb 2:3-4</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Hbr',9,14);">9:14</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Hbr',10,'28-31');">10:28-31</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('1Pe',1,2);">1Pe 1:2</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('1Jo',3,'21-24');">1Jo 3:21-24</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('1Jo',4,13,14,);">4:13-14</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jud',1,20,21);">Jud 20-21</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Rev',2,18, '27-29');">Rev 2:18, 27-29</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b>Therefore, the Bible does teach the Trinity</b>.
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="#top">Return to Top</a></div>
|
|
<div class="pad2030">
|
|
<a name="trin_10"></a>
|
|
<h2>X. What Difference Does the Doctrine of the Trinity Make?</h2>
|
|
<ol type="A">
|
|
<li><b><i>Sovereignty</i></b>: Because the three persons have each other, we can be assured that God created us only to share the love they have and not as a means to His own end: <a onclick="return mV('Act',17,25);">Act 17:25</a>; <a onclick= "return mV('Jhn',17,'21-26');">Jhn 17:21-26</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b><i>Mystery</i></b>: The triune God is totally unlike anything in our world, and therefore greater than anything we can comprehend: <a onclick="return mV('Rom',11,'33-36');">Rom 11:33-36</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',40,18);">Isa 40:18</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b><i>Salvation</i></b>: God alone planned our salvation, came to save us, and dwells in us to complete our salvation: <a onclick="return mV('1Pe',1,2);">1Pe 1:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eph',1,'3-18');">Eph 1:3-18</a>; etc</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b><i>Prayer</i></b>: We pray to the Father through the Son, and also pray to the Son directly, in the Spirit: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,13,14);">Jhn 14:13-14</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eph',2,18);">Eph 2:18</a>; etc</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b><i>Worship</i></b>: We worship Father andSon in the Spirit: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',4,23,24);">Jhn 4:23-24</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Phl',3,3);">Phl 3:3</a>; <a href= "#"onclick="return mV('Hbr',1,8);">Heb 1:8</a>; etc</li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b><i>Love</i></b>: The love among the three persons is the basis and model for our love for one another: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',17,26);">Jhn 17:26</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b><i>Unity</i></b>: The unity of the three persons is the basis and model for the unity of the church: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',17,'21-23');">Jhn 17:21-23</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b><i>Humility</i></b>:
|
|
As the persons of the Trinity seek the glory of each other, so we should seek the interests of others above our own: <a onclick="return mV('Phl',2,'5-11');">Phl 2:5-11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',16,13,14);">Jhn 16:13-14</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b><i>Sonship</i></b>: We are "sons of God" as we are united with the Son of God by the work of the Holy Spirit and the adoption of the Father: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,'12-23');">Jhn 1:12-23</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',8,'14-17');">Rom 8:14-17</a></li>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<li><b><i>Truth</i></b>:
|
|
All those who wish to worship and love God must seek to know Him as He is in truth, for God, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is truth: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',4,24);">Jhn 4:24</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',14,6,17);">14:6, 17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',15,26);">15:26</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',16,13);">16:13</a></li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="#top">Return to Top</a></div>
|
|
</div> </div>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainFooter.js" type="text/javascript"></script> |