Theology Proper Grace Bible Institute 2015 Grace Bible Institute 2015

Theology Proper Grace Bible Institute 2015 Lesson 10 - The Trinity

Trinity Defined “There is one only and true God, but in unity of the Godhead there are three co-eternal and co-equal Persons, the same in substance but distinct in subsistence”

Trinity Defined “Positively, the doctrine of the Trinity or better – Triunity states that there is one God who is one in essence, but three in personality. By three in personality we do not mean three independent identities or Gods, but three persons who are co-equal, co-eternal, inseparable, interdependent, and eternally united in one absolute divine being.

Trinity Defined “Negatively, it does not mean there are three gods, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, which would be Tritheism, nor that there is one God, one personal divine being, who operated in three different modes, or forms. This would be true to the unity of God, but would miss the truth of the tri-personality of God. There is one divine Being, who is one in His essence, but who also exists in three Persons – thus -- Triunity is a better term than Trinity” (Dr. Randall Price).

Trinity Defined “Within the nature of the one God, there are three persons: one called Father, one called Son, and one called Holy Spirit”

Aspects of the Trinity God is one 5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, I Timothy 2:5

“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! Aspects of the Trinity God is one “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! Deut. 6:4

Aspects of the Trinity Each person of the Trinity is Deity

Aspects of the Trinity Oneness and threeness are not contradictory

Aspects of the Trinity All three Persons are eternal

Aspects of the Trinity All three Persons are the same essence (not inferior or superior to one another)

Aspects of the Trinity The trinity is a mystery and incomprehensible

God the Father There is a person called Father and He is called a God. 2 Pet.1:17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased”—2 Peter 1:17

God the Father The is a person called Father and God Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 2 John 1:3

the Son is addressed as God God the Father calls the Son God 8 But of the Son He says, "YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM. [Heb 1:8 NASB]

the Son is addressed as God Thomas calls Jesus Christ his Lord and his God. Jesus did not rebuke him. Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jn 20:28

God the Son Thomas calls Jesus Christ his Lord and his God. Jesus did not rebuke him. Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jn 20:28

the Son has the same names Jehovah states that His memorial name is “I AM” Ex. 3:14-15 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”  God, furthermore, said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations. Exod. 3:14-15

God the Son- I AM Jesus Christ states that He is the “I AM” John 8:58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” John 8:58

God the Son- I AM The Jews understood Jesus’ claim John 8:59 Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple. John 8:59

God the Son – Alpha & Omega Jehovah states the He is the “Alpha and Omega” Rev. 1:8  “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8

God the Son – Alpha & Omega The title is repeated Rev. 22:13 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Rev. 22:13

God the Son – Alpha & Omega Jesus Christ is identified as the “Alpha and Omega” “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Rev. 22:16

God the Son – First and Last Jehovah states that He is the “First and the Last…there is no God besides Me.” “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me. Isaiah 44:6

God the Son – First and Last Jesus Christ says that he is the “First and the Last” 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. [Rev 22:13 KJV]

the Son has the same attributes Jehovah states: “Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me. Isa. 43:10 “You are My witnesses,” declares the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen ,So that you may know and believe Me And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed , And there will be none after Me. Isaiah 43:10

the Son has the same attributes Jesus Christ, the Word was God John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

the Son is worshipped as God Jesus Christ quotes Deut. 6:13 – “You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” 13 You shall fear only the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name. Deut. 6:13

the Son is worshipped as God God the Father commands all the angels to worship Jesus Christ And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, “And let all the angels of God worship Him.” Heb. 1:6

God the Son - Conclusion There is a person who is called Son who is also called God.

God the Holy Spirit Ananias lied to one called the Holy Spirit (one can lie only to a person) But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land. Acts 5:3

God the Holy Spirit The person called the Holy Spirit is also called God. Acts 5:4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Acts 5:4

God the Holy Spirit Conclusion: There is a person who is called the Holy Spirit who is also called God.

God the Holy Spirit Singular (name) plural (three persons) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Summary- Trinity defined Definition of Trinity includes…. God is one in essence and unity I Tim. 2:5 God is three distinct persons Each of the three persons is Deity 5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, [1Ti 2:5 NASB]

God the Son God the Father calls the Son God

God the Son – Alpha & Omega Jehovah states the He is the “Alpha and Omega” Rev. 1:8