The Godhead (The Trinity) The concept of a “Trinity” is “strange” to some Difficult to explain for others (Difference in 3 Gods & 3 Persons – but just 1 God?) Denied by the Oneness Pentecostals (UPC / “Jesus Only”) Catholic Nicene Trinity – No submission within Godhead Jehovah’s Witnesses deny that Jesus is part of Godhead

The Godhead The Godhead

The Godhead Deity – that which is divine (Godhood) “Manhood” – that which makes man a man Used three times: Acts 17:29 Rom. 1:20 Col. 2:9 ASV - “Divinity” (Rom. 1:20) “Divine Nature” (BDAG)

The Godhead The Godhead Three Beings in Godhead

Three Beings in Godhead Matt. 3:16-17 – Three at baptism of Jesus Matt. 17:1-5 – Father & Son at transfiguration John 8:16-18 – Jesus & the Father John 8:28, 38 – Diff. in Father and Son John 14:26/ 15:26 – Three John 14:28 – Father greater than I John 17:20-21 – One as believers are one Gen. 1:26 – Let us make man in our… Gen. 3:22; 11:7– “us”

Three Beings in Godhead 2 Cor. 13:14 – Jesus, God & Holy Spirit Eph. 4:4-6 – One Lord, One Spirit, One Father John 20:17 – Jesus ascended to Father

Three Beings in Godhead Term “God” Is Used: “The word ‘God’ is not the name of a personality; it is the name of a nature, a quality of being.” Wayne Jackson, The Biblical Doctrine of the Godhead, Christiancourier.com

Three Beings in Godhead Term “God” Is Used: Comprehensively – To include the Father, Son & Holy Spirit At Creation (Gen. 1:1) Father (Acts 17:24; Rev. 4:11) Son (John 1:1-3; Col. 1:16; Eph. 3:9) Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:2; Job 33:4) “Let us make man…” (Gen. 1:26) Specifically – Referring to only one of the three beings Father (1 Cor. 8:6) Son (Heb. 1:8; John 1:1-3) Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-5)

Three Beings in Godhead All three involve in creation (Gen. 1:2, 26; 3:22) All three at baptism of Jesus (Mt. 3:16-17) All three bear record in heaven (1 Jno. 5:7)

The Godhead The Godhead Three Beings in Godhead Person Defined

Person Defined Webster: A being characterized by conscious apprehension, rationality, and a moral sense.” Boles: “A person is a being conscious of self, subsisting in individuality and identity, and endowed with intuitive reason, rational sensibility, and a free will.” (p. 33) A spirit can be a person Father is a person (Heb. 1:3) Father is a Spirit (Jn. 4:24) without flesh and bones (Lk. 24:39)

Has Characteristics of a Person Holy Spirit Has Characteristics of a Person Has a mind (Rom. 8:27) Has a will (1 Cor. 12:11) Has knowledge (1 Cor. 2:10-11) Can speak (1 Tim. 4:1; Gal. 4:6) Bears witness (Rom. 8:16) Teaches (John 14:26; 1 Cor. 2:13) Testifies (John. 15:26) Guides (John 16:15; Rom. 8:14) Commands & restrains (Acts 13:2; 16:6-7) Appoints (Acts 20:28) Reproves (John 16:7-8) Intercedes (Rom. 8:26) Invites (Rev. 22:17) Can be lied to (Acts 5:3) Can be resisted (Acts 7:51) Can be quenched (1 Th. 5:19) Done despite to (Heb. 10:29) Can be vexed (Isa. 65:10) Can be grieved (Eph. 4:30) Personal pronouns: John 16:13 John 14:26 John 15:26

The Godhead The Godhead Three Beings in Godhead Person Defined God is One

God is One One God Deut. 4:35, 39 – none other beside Deut. 6:4 – “Lord is one” Isa. 44:8 – “is there a God besides me?” Isa. 45:5 – “I am the Lord, there is no other” Mark 12:29 – “The Lord our God, the Lord is one” John 5:44 – “the only God” 1 Cor. 8:4 – “there is no other God but one” Jas. 2:19 – “You believe there is one God…”

Not Used in the Identical Sense 1 3 Distinct Personalities Divine Nature No Contradiction!

1 3 Harmony Distinction in Divine Nature Personalities Isa. 44:24 God is alone John 8:29 Jesus is not alone Distinction in Personalities Divine Nature Contrast to Idols

1 3 Harmony Distinction in Divine Nature Personalities Mark 12:32 None other John 5:32 Is another Distinction in Personalities Divine Nature Contrast to Idols

God is One One God “One God” Does Not Mean “One Person” One Blood (Acts 17:26) – does not mean one person One Body (Eph. 4:4) – does not mean one person One Flesh (Matt 19:5) – does not mean one person One Nation (2 Sam. 7:23) – does not mean one person

God is One One God “One God” Does Not Mean “One Person” One God – Three Persons

Father Holy Son Spirit God (Deity) (John 20:17) (Acts 5:3-4) (Heb. 1:8)

Father Holy Son Spirit John 14:26 Is Not God (Deity) (John 20:17) (Acts 5:3-4) Son (Heb. 1:8)

Father Holy Son Spirit John 8:16-18 John 14:26 Is Not Is Not God (Deity) Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4) Son (Heb. 1:8)

Father Holy Son Spirit John 8:16-18 John 14:26 Is Not Is Not God (Deity) Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4) Son (Heb. 1:8) Is Not Acts 10:38; John 16:7-8

Shell IS Is Not Is Not Egg White IS Yolk IS Is Not

Body 1 Thess. 5:23 IS Is Not Is Not Man Soul IS Spirit IS Is Not

Father Holy Son Spirit John 8:16-18 John 14:26 Is Not Is Not God (Deity) Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4) Son (Heb. 1:8) Is Not Acts 10:38; John 16:7-8

God is One One God “One God” Does Not Mean “One Person” One God – Three Persons God is “One” in Unity John 10:30 John 17:20-23

God is One Man & Woman Gen. 2:24 Matt. 19:5 Father, Son, Spirit Two Become One Gen. 2:24 Matt. 19:5 echad hen Father, Son, Spirit God is One Deut. 6:4 Mark 12:29

God is One One God “One God” Does Not Mean “One Person” One God – Three Persons God is “One” in Unity Submission within Godhead Mark 14:36 1 Cor. 15:28

The Godhead The Godhead Three Beings in Godhead Person Defined God is One Consequences

Consequences Jesus is setting at his own right hand (Acts 2) No mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5) Jesus is his own Father (John 5:19-21) Jesus really knows what he said he didn’t know (Matt. 24:36-37) All believers are one person (John 17:20-22) A delusional God – refers to one person as “us” (Gen. 1:26)

The Godhead The Godhead Three Beings in Godhead Person Defined God is One Consequences