[PRP]
To quote James R. White in the Christian research Jounal, volume 21/#4 No discussion of the Trinity can begin with our a solid definition..
"Within the one Being that is God, there exist eternally three coequal and coeteral Persons, namely, the Father, ;the Son, and the Holy Spirit". The being of God is what makes God, God. It is the substance of God." "Being is what makes something what it is. Person is what makes someone who he or she is."
The plain teaching of the Word of God on the subject of the Trinity is built on three foundations:
1. Monotheism: There is only one God.
2. There are three Divine Persons.
3. The Persons are co-equal and co-eternal
Like God, man in the image of God was created, with a tri-part nature.
Genesis 1:26 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."
(1) In who's image did God make man? _______________________.
(2) If God is three persons, what would be the parallel three parts of man? __________,____________, and ___________
Job 32:8 But it is the spirit* in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. Psalm 31:9 Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.
To use Hank Hanigraph's word picture, when speaking of the Trinity, we speak of one what (the being of God) and three who's (the three persons divine Persons).
A. Lets look at Strong's concordance for a moment to determine the common meaning of some words. The word for God is 'elohiym, el-o-heem'; plural of Heb 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God; El is singular and hiym makes it plural: Like cherub (singular)-cherubims is plural. Like the word one 'echad, ekh-awd'; a numeral from Heb. 258; united, used in passages such as Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will eave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
(1 ) How many people in Gen. 2::24 made up the one flesh? _______________.
Deut 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
The word one refers to the group making up one. We would say, for instances, I am holding one bunch of grapes-separate yet one.
Genesis 3:22 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."
(1) "Like one of us" is that singular or plural? ______________.
B.: Isaiah paints some word pictures for us in the next passages
Isaiah 11:2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him--the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD--
(1) What are the three attributes of God pictured here and what person of God
would they refer to? ________________________________ _____________ Cor 1:30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness a d redemption.
________________________________________ ____________________ John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
________________________________________ _____________ Job 37:16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge?
II. While the Scripture doesn't use the word trinity, it does make clear the tri-part nature of God, and often refers to each person of God independently.
A. This passage in Isaiah is the person of God speaking about Jesus.
Isaiah 42:1 "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations.
(1) Who is talking here, who has the power to put His Spirit on anyone?
__________________________________.
Jesus quotes this passage, as referring to Himself, in Matthew 12:18. Isaiah 48:16 "Come near me and listen to this: "From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret; at the time it happens, I am there." And now the Sovereign LORD has sent me, with his Spirit.
(1) How many persons of God are mentioned here? _________.
B. Often, the attributes of each person of God, are revealed in word pictures that hold true throughout Scripture. Let's look at this next passage, as an example. Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD'S favor and the day of vengeance of our God comfort all who mourn, [3] and provide for those who grieve in Zion--to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
(1) What would the Crown of Beauty picture? ______________ Isa 28:5 In that day the LORD Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people.
(2) Who would the Oil of Gladness speak of? __________________ _______ Though somewhat obscure, though out Scripture, Oil always seems to characterize the person of the Holy Spirit. For example, if we examine these passages on the making of the sacred anointing oil (anointing is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit), in verse 33 we will see a sever penalty for the misuse of this oil. The penalty would seem out of line, if it were not an archetype of the Holy Spirit. Remember, their is no greater sin than the blaspheme of the Holy Spirit. (a ) Exodus 30:25 Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil. Exodus 30:31 Say to the Israelites, 'This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come. Exodus 30:33 Whoever makes perfume like it and whoever puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off from his people.'" Generally, when oil is mentioned in Scripture, the context is in conjunction with the work of the Holy Spirit; preparation or empowerment for service to the kingdom.
(3) Who would the garment of praise picture? ____________________________ Isa 61: 10 I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 63:8-10 He said, "Surely they are my people, sons who will not be false to me"; and so he [Jesus] became their Savior. [9] In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In His love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. [10] Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.
(1) At least two persons of God are clearly revealed in this passage, God the _____________ and the ________ ________
III. Sometimes the persons of God are so clearly identified, that you would have to choose to ignore them, not to acknowledge them.
Matthew 1:18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
(1) Who was the father of incarnate (Jesus). the ______________ ____________.
Matthew 1:20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
(1) This passage not only makes clear the virgin birth, but also defines who the true father of Jesus is! The father of Jesus is the ____________ _______________ of God.
Matthew 3:11 "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
(1) The person John is speaking about is Jesus, but who will Jesus baptize with?
__________________________________. (Since we have been dealing with symbolism in Scripture, we should understand that fire symbolizes purification, not just and outward cleansing.)
Matthew 3:16-17 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. Matthew 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
(1) Who was being baptized? _______________________________.
(2) Who came to rest on Him? ______________________________.
(3) Who is speaking? ______________________________________.
(4) Are all three persons of the Trinity shown together here?__________________
Matthew 28:19 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,
(1) Jesus commands his disciples to baptize in the name of who? the ________, the _______ and the _______ _______.
A. By the way, what is the name of the Father?
John 17:11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one.
(1) What name did the Father give Jesus? ___________
(2) whose name was it, before He gave it to Jesus?______
(3) So what is the name of God? __________
Luke 1:31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. This is why Scripture declares that Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
(1) What name was Mary commanded to give Jesus? ________
(1) How important is that name? ________________________
Luke 1:35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
(1) What two entities are in view here? The ________ ______ who will come in
the power of the ________ ________.
(2) Will you concede that the "Most High" refers to God the Father? _______
(3) According to John 17:11c . . . Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one-who is one with the Son?
(4) By necessary reasoning if Jesus and God are one, who else is included according to Luke 4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert,
Acts 5:31-32 God exalted Him (Jesus) to His own right hand as Prince and Savior that He might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.
(1) How many persons of the Trinity are clearly portrayed here? _________
IV. Remember that we spoke of the oil as a representation of the Holy Spirit, actually the work of the Holy Spirit.
Oil is a source of power or energy. The Holy Spirit functions as our source of power and strength, consecrating (setting apart) believers, for the work of service to the kingdom.
Luke 4:14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.
(1) In who's power did Jesus operate? the _____ ________.
Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sightfor the blind, to release the oppressed,
(1) Who did the work of anointing {chrio, khree'-o; akin to smear or rub with oil, i.e. (by impl.) to consecrate (set apart)}the _______ _________.
V. The Holy Trinity is clearly portrayed throughout Holy Scripture..
John 14:9-10 Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? [10] Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me! The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
(1) Did Jesus believe that He was one with the Father? _____
John 14:10b The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
(1) Where did Jesus say that person of the Father resided? __________________
A. Many religious teachers state the Jesus never claimed to be God.
John 10:33 "We are not stoning you for any of these,"replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."
(1) Did the religious authorities of that day understand Jesus to claimed to be
God? _______
Before the resurrection the Holy Spirit would not reside inside unrighteous men. After the
resurrection, when a believer can be justified, redeemed, the Holy Spirit would
indwell men. John 16:7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. John 14:17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
(1) After the resurrection where will the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Truth) reside? "and will be ____ you".
John 14:20 On that day (after the resurrection) you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
(1) In verse 17 we saw that the Holy Spirit indwells believers, according to verse 20, who else is in us? ________ the ________.
(2) How many persons of God is that? ______________.
1 Cor 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
(1) where does Paul say that the Holy Spirit reside? _______.
2 Cor 1:21-22 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, [22] set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
(1) Can you find all three of the persons that make up one God here? _________
B. Remember this is written by the Apostle Paul who declared that there is only one God. 1 Cor 8:6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
(1) How many god's did Paul say that there are? ______.
(2) How many persons of God does he mention? _________.
2 Cor 5:5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
(1) Paul now says that it is ________ who has made us.
(2) John speaking of Jesus, the living word, declares that "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." If Scripture is without error than Jesus must be? _____
Romans 8:9-11 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. [10] But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. [11] And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
(1) In verse 9 whose Spirit is living in the believer? the Spirit of ________.
(2) In verse 10 who is in you? ________.
(3) In verse 11 the Spirit is identified as the "Spirit of him who raise Jesus from the dead. Who would that be? ___________ the ___________.
(4) Paul seems to use the Spirit of Christ and the Spirit of God synonymously. Could it be that
Paul believes that they are one and the same?
Since Holy Scripture is always right and without error, can you think of any other theology that
would explain the blended use of God the Father, Jesus, the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of
God and the Holy Spirit, so inter-changedly, then that of the Trinity?.
Gen 1:1-2 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. [2] Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning. [3] Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please Email me, Greg at deans@interpath.com
RETURN TO Main Menu
