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n A. H. Strong's Systematic Theology, p. 144, the trinity of the Godhead is
defined as follows: "In the nature of the one God there are three eternal
distinctions which are represented to us under the figure of persons, and these
three are equal." The word "trinity" does not appear in the
Bible, but the principle behind the doctrine certainly does appear as we shall
see in this study.
I. First, let us prove that each part of the trinity is God.
A. The Father is God.
1. John 6:27, "Labour not for the meat which perished...for him
hath God the Father sealed."
2. I Peter 1:1,2, "Elect...according to the foreknowledge of
God the Father".
3. There are many scriptures that teach that the Father is God, but
these two should suffice.
B. The son is God.
1. John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God".
2. Verse 14, "And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us
and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,
full of grace and truth".
a) When we compare these two verses we find that the Word, who is God,
is said to be Jesus.
b) Therefore Jesus is God.
3. John 10:29,30, "My Father, which gave them me, is greater
than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and
my Father are one".
a) Could there be any clearer scripture to teach that Jesus and His
Father are One?
C. The Holy Spirit is God.
1. Acts 5:3,4, "But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled
thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price
of the land?...thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God."
2. There is no difference between lying to the Holy Spirit and to God.
3. They are the same.
II. Second, let us prove the three parts of the Godhead are equal
A. I Peter 1:2, "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the
Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling
of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you and peace, be multiplied".
1. All three distinctions of the Godhead have a part in our salvation.
2. We are elected by God the Father, cleansed by the blood of Jesus, and
sanctified (set apart) by the Holy Spirit.
3. Without each part of the Godhead doing His job, we could not be saved.
B. Matt. 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".
1. This passage teaches that the authority of the Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit are equal.
2. It is not baptism unless the authority of all three parts of the
Godhead are used.
3. Some claim to baptize while baptizing only in the name (authority) of
Jesus.
4. But this is not baptism at all.
C. Matt. 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".
1. When Jesus began His personal ministry, He did not begin with only His
authority, but with the authority of the entire Godhead.
D. II Cor. 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.
Amen".
1. In this benediction, Paul prays that Jesus will give grace, God the
Father will give love, and the Holy Spirit will enable the believer to be in
communion (partnership) with the other two parts of the Godhead.
2. This combination will provide all the necessary ingredients for the
successful Christian life.
III. Third, let us distinguish between the three parts of the Godhead
A. The Father and Son are different from each other.
1. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have
everlasting life".
a) This well known passage makes the distinction between the begetter
and the begotten. God the Father was the sender, Jesus was the sent.
B. The Spirit and the Father are different from each other.
1. 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:"
a) Jesus declares that the Spirit comes from the Father, therefore the
Spirit is different from the Father.
C. The Son and the Spirit are different from each other.
1. John 14:16, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give
you another comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;"
a) Jesus is the first comforter, the Holy Spirit is the second
comforter and is sent at the request of Jesus.
b) Therefore, the Son and the Spirit are different.
IV. Conclusion
A. We do not believe in three Gods, but in one God who manifest Himself
to us in three distinct ways.
1. The doctrine of the Trinity is not self-contradictory and we will
make no attempt to explain away the mysteries of the nature of the
Godhead.
2. We can only search the scriptures, believing by faith what they
teach us, leaving the mystery for solution in eternity.
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