A Better Understanding of God (7), The Trinity, God in Three Persons

A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF GOD (7):

The Trinity: God in Three Persons

Victor M. Eskew

INTRODUCTION

A. The Bible teaches that there is one God (Mark 12:29).

And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commands is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord.

B. When we read through the Bible, however, we read of three distinct beings referred to as God.

1. God the Father (Jam. 3:9)

Therewith bless we God, even the Father…

2. The Word, that is, Jesus Christ (John 1:1)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

3. The Holy Spirit (Acts 5:4-5)

a. “…Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost…” (v. 4).

b. “…thou hast not lied unto me, but unto God” (v. 5).

C. How can there be three beings called God, but only one God can exist?

1. Some believe that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are distinct beings who all possess the divine nature or divine essence. This belief is called the Doctrine of the Trinity.

2. Others believe that there is one being who manifests Himself in three different ways to man, that is, as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This belief is called the “Oneness Doctrine.”

D. In this lesson, we want to prove that there are three distinct beings who are the one God. The title of our lesson is: “A Better Understanding of God: The Trinity, God in Three Persons.”

I. MORE THAN ONE CAN BE CALLED ONE

A. There are numerous examples of more than one being called one.

1. A husband and wife are one (Matt. 19:5-6a).

And said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh…”

2. All of the followers of Jesus are supposed to be one (John 17:20:21).

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

3. All humans are composed one blood, even though there are many blood types (Acts 17:26a).

And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth…

B. Everyone understands these examples. They do not argue away the distinctions just because they are called one.

C. John 10:30

I and my Father are one.

1. Jesus is not saying that they are one and the same being.

2. Jesus is referring to the qualities and the relationship that is shared between Him and His heavenly Father.

II. CONFUSING STATEMENTS IF THERE IS ONLY ONE BEING

A. If there is only one being in the Godhead, we have some very confusing statements found in the Bible.

1. The “let us” and “our” statements of Genesis 1:26.

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…

a. If there is only one being doing the creating, why didn’t He just say: “Let me make man in my image?”

b. Why use the plural pronouns “us” and “our” to describe one being?

2. How could He not know? (Matt. 13:32)

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

a. If the Father and Son are the same being, how could Jesus not know the hour.

b. QUESTION: Did the manifestation of the Son lose some of His divine knowledge when He became a man?

3. Did God come upon Himself in the form of the Spirit? (Luke 4:18).

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…

4. Did Jesus leave the earth and send Himself right back in the form of the Spirit? (John 16:7)

…for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

5. Did Jesus pray to Himself? (John 17:1)

These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son may glorify thee.

6. Will Jesus deliver the kingdom back to Himself at the resurrection? (1 Cor. 15:24).

Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father…

7. Did Jesus raise Himself from the dead? (Gal. 1:1)

Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.

8. Did God sent Himself into the world? (Gal. 4:4)

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.

9. Is Jesus sitting at His own right hand? (Col. 3:1)

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

B. All of these examples are very confusing if there is only one being in the Godhead. If there are three beings, the passages are very simple to understand.

III. PASSAGES THAT NOTE THREE BEINGS IN THE GODHEAD

A. Matthew 3:16-17

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

B. Matthew 28:19

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

C. John 15:26

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.

D. 2 Corinthians 13:14

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.

E. Ephesians 4:4-6

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

IV. ILLUSTRATIONS OF THREE BEING ONE

A. H2O: water, ice, steam

Water Steam Ice Stock Illustrations – 3,035 Water Steam Ice Stock Illustrations, Vectors & Clipart - Dreamstime