The Triune God
INTRODUCTION
Because God is God and we are not, there are many mysteries surrounding our faith. There are aspects of our faith that we must accept, without being able to fully explain them. One of the greatest of those mysteries is the Trinity.
The word “trinity” means “tri-unity” or “three-in-oneness.” The word “trinity” is never used in the Bible, but it is clearly taught. Beginning in Genesis to the book of Revelation, the concept of The Trinity is revealed.
The concept is first revealed in Genesis. Although is not specific about the three-in-oneness” of God, it does speak of God in plural terms. This comes out in both the creation of man and the fall of man. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." (Genesis 1:26)
And the Lord God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever."(Genesis 3:22)
The New Testament gives us a much clearer picture of the Trinity, even though it does not fully explain it. It is seen clearly in Jesus’ baptism. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:16-17)It is also clearly seen in the Great Commission given by Jesus. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,(Matthew 28:19) Keep in mind that the reference to “name” here refers to God’s authority.
The reality of the Trinity is demonstrated in the New Testament through the use of specific words to differentiate the persons of the Trinity. The word “theos” (God) is generally used to refer to God the Father. The word “kyrios” (Lord) is generally used for God the Son. So we see Paul referring to all three persons of the Trinity in his letters to the Corinthians.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14
The concept of the Trinity can be defined in the following way. God eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and each person is fully God, and there is one God. We will explore each of these facets of the Trinity and then look at what difference they make.
Study 1: God is Three Persons
God has revealed Himself to us as three distinct persons.
1. How do the following passages demonstrate the distinct nature of each of the three persons of God?
a. John 1:1-2,14
b. John 14:26
2. The three persons of the Trinity each play a different role in creation.
a. Genesis 1:1,3
b. Genesis 1:2
c. John 1:3
3.The three persons of the Trinity each play a different role in redemption.
a. John 3:16
b. John 6:38
c. John 3:5-8
4. The Trinity has eternally existed. How did Jesus hint at this in the following verses?
a. John 8:58
b. John 17:5
c. John 17:24
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1.How do you understand each person of the Trinity?
a. The Father
b. The Son
c. The Holy Spirit
2. How does understanding the three persons of the Trinity help us relate to God?
3. How does each person of the Trinity relate to you?
a. Romans 8:12-17
b. John 14:25-27
c. 1 John 3:1-3
Study 2: Each Person is Fully God
There is no difference in essence between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each one is fully God.
1. How do these verses demonstrate that the Son is fully God?
a. John 1:1
b. Hebrews 1:3
c. Colossians 1:15-17
2. How do these verses demonstrate that the Holy Spirit is fully God?
a. Matthew 28:19-20
b. 1 Corinthians 2:10-11
3. How do these verses demonstrate that the Father is fully God?
a. Exodus 20:2
b. Leviticus 19:4
c. Exodus 3:14
d. Exodus 4:10-11
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1. Why is it important that we understand that each person of the Trinity is fully God?
2. How did Jesus demonstrate that He is fully God?
a. John 2:1-11
b. Mark 4:35-41
c. Mark 2:1-12
3. How does the Holy Spirit demonstrate that He is God?
a. 1 Corinthians 2:10-16
b. Luke 12:10
c. John 16:5-15
Study 3: There is One God
Even though God has revealed Himself as a Trinity, He is still one God.
1. How do each of these verses affirm the oneness of God?
a. Deuteronomy 6:4-5
b. Isaiah 45:5-6
c. 1 Timothy 2:5
d. 1 Corinthians 8:6
2. Throughout history there have been several false understandings of the Trinity.
a. Modalism: God is not three distinct persons but one person who reveals himself to humanity in different modes at different times.
b. Arianism: God existed first. At some point before creation began he created the Son and the Holy Spirit. Therefore the Son and Holy Spirit are heavenly beings but are not equal with the Father.
c. Subordinationism: The Son is not a created being and he is divine but he is inferior to God. He is not equal to the Father in being or attributes. He is subordinate to the Father.
d. Adoptionism: Jesus was a created being like us. At his baptism God adopted him into a special relationship and conferred on Jesus supernatural powers.
e. Tritheism: The three persons of the Trinity are actually separate gods. Many evangelicals unintentionally tend toward this by recognizing the distinctiveness of the Father, Son and Spirit but fail to also recognize their unity.
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1. Why is it important that we understand that God is one?
2. Why is the idea of multiple gods dangerous?
3. How have multiple gods been portrayed throughout history?
4. Why is affirming that truth that God is one a source of comfort and confidence for us?
Study 4: Why the Doctrine of the Trinity is important
From a pragmatic point of view it would be a whole lot easier if we did not have to deal with the Trinity. It is one of the most difficult concepts in our faith. So why is it important?
1. The atonement is at stake. If Jesus is not fully God then he can’t be our savior.
a. Ephesians 2:13
2. Justification by faith alone is threatened. If Jesus was not fully God could we fully trust him to save us?
a. Romans 3:23-24
3. If Jesus is not God then we should not pray to him or worship him. The Scriptures clearly prohibit worship of created things.
a. Deuteronomy 5:7-10
4. If Jesus is created but also our savior then our salvation is not based on God but on another created being.
a. 1 Peter 1:17-21
5. The personal and independent nature of God is at stake. Without the Trinity there are no interpersonal relationships before creation and therefore God loses his personal qualities.
a. John 17:1-5
MAKE IT PERSONAL
Accepting the truth of the Trinity is an act of faith. We will never be able to explain it fully or comprehend it fully. All of our attempts to explain the Trinity in human terms will fall short of the reality. We must hold the realities of the Trinity in dynamic tension.
Use this last study to meditate on the different aspects of the Trinity. Ask God to confirm each aspect to you and to help you to embrace the truth that God eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and each person is fully God, and there is one God.
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