1. Understanding God A Study of The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
Several months ago, a brother asked me to preach on the Holy Spirit
I want to treat this subject in 2 parts: I believe it is necessary to introduce a study of the HS by first understanding what the Bible says about the nature of God, or more specifically, the Godhead – what some call the Trinity or the triune (3-part or tripartite) nature of God.
Today, we will study the Godhead as our first step in the study of the HS
A Study of
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

2. Who is God ? The Names of God God as Three Distinct Beings
Apparently, many have asked this question from the beginning of time as we know it. Some have asked in awe and reverence. Some have asked in scorn, placing their souls in danger of hellfire. But it is always a question that demands and answer, and God has given us a very complete answer in the scriptures. Today we will but touch on all the Bible has to tell us, but my hope is that you will find this treatment of the subject useful for deepening your own understanding of our great God.
We will break this discussion into 2 parts as shown –
First let’s understand the significance of the names of God and how this relates to the Godhead
Then we will look at the nature of the Godhead itself

3. The Names of God
We must understand that names are important, and that the words of God reveal this in many places in the scriptures.
God Himself has a Formal Title, a descriptive title, and a proper name
Both His titles & His proper name reveal much about Him
We will begin here and we will address this briefly today

4. God is Deity El (Elohim) Adonai Jehovah
God is DEITY – the concept of DEITY means supreme being. There is only one and it is GOD
We will focus on three words used repeatedly in the OT
El Adonai, & Jehovah
Each of these words describes God uniquely and helps us, His
Children, to understand Him better
NOTE PRONUNCIATION ISSUES

5. God as El El – “ale” strong (mighty) one
The Names of God
God as El
El – “ale” strong (mighty) one
The Formal Title of the One God
El denotes the overwhelming power and might of deity
Used 250 times in the OT
Scholars claim that this word is derived from the word ELAH in Aramaic. This would require that Aramaic developed as a language before Hebrew. The Aramaic ELAH is believed by scholars to also be the linguistic precursor to Allah in Islam. ELAH is found in the OT in the portions of Jeremiah and Daniel written in Aramaic.
ELAH is believed to be equivalent to the Hebrew “Eloah.” This word is very obscure, and it MAY mean two (dual) in nature. Uncertain.
(Note: No one really knows for sure how ancient Hebrew was pronounced, could be “ale” or “el” )

6. God as Elohim Elohim – “el-o-heem” (plural of El) – strong ones
The Names of God
God as Elohim
Elohim – “el-o-heem”
(plural of El) – strong ones
Appears 2570 times in the OT - “The Supreme Being who is to be feared”
Plural and refers to more than 2, or in other words, 3 or more.
Also used as a general term for all false gods in the OT
The use of Elohim so frequently in the scriptures in linguistic evidence of the “plural” nature of God.
God as Elohim tells us that God is three or more in nature.
But what else? Is God Three? Or more than Three? And three or more what? Beings? Personalities? Manifestations?

7. God as Elohim God = Elohim The Names of God
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth Genesis 1:1
Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” Genesis 1:26
God = Elohim
God speaking as one being, but yet described in the plural (>2)

8. The Multiple Being Multiple Beings! God as Elohim
Multiple Personalities? No! Personalities vary, they are human traits
Multiple Manifestations? No! God appeared or acted in a great number of ways. These were simply choices God made based on the circumstances, not inherent to His nature.
Multiple Beings!
Examples of manifestations of God: The burning bush, the pillar of cloud, the pillar of fire, fire from heaven, the Angel of God, thunder & lightening,
still small voice, etc.
These are simply ways in which God chooses to present Himself or His power in specific situations.
These various manifestations alone do not justify the use of the plural Elohim.

9. Compounds of El God as El El Shaddai: God Almighty [“el shad-dah’ee”]
(Gen. 17:1; 35:11; Ex. 6:31; Ps. 91:1, 2)
El Elyon: The Most High God
(Gen. 14:19; Ps. 9:2; Dan. 7:18, 22, 25)
El Olam: The Everlasting God
(Gen. 16:13)
So, in the OT testament, God refers to Himself in BOTH the singular and the plural.
Confusing to the human mind. Somewhat perhaps, because we exist only as individual beings with one essence or nature.
But this does not make it impossible for understand that God is this way.
God nature does not make it impossible for us to believe on Him unless we choose to disbelieve.

10. God as Lord & Master Lord = Adonai (master) The Names of God
O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!
Psalm 8:1,9
Lord = Adonai (master)
Some might argue this is not a name or title of God. I believe it is a title. Master = the one we must obey, or who commands us.
Adonai is found 300 times in the OT in reference to God -
ALWAYS plural when referring to God – first use is in Genesis 15:2
Used often in Isaiah as Adonai Jehovah, also used 200x in Ezekiel, 10x in Daniel 9
Also Exodus 4:10, Judges 6:15, 2 Samuel 7:18-20, Psalm 8:1,9, 109:21-28, 114:7, 135:5, 141:8
Found 215 times in reference to human masters, always in singular form “adon”

11. God as Himself The Names of God
Then Moses said to God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?“
Exodus 3:13

12. God as Himself The Names of God
And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"
Exodus 3:14
“I AM WHO I AM” or “I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE” -> “Haw-yaw asher Haw-yaw” [H1961] [H834] [H1961]
“I AM” -> “Haw-yaw” [H1961]

13. God as Himself The Names of God
Moreover God said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'The LORD 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 to all generations.”
Exodus 3:15
LORD = YHWH

14. God as Himself The Names of God
And God spoke to Moses and said to him:
"I am the LORD. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name LORD I was not known to them.”
LORD = YHWH Exodus 6:2-3
LORD = YHWH
God Almighty = El Shaddai

15. God is YHWH The Name of the One God YHWH – Jehovah – “ye-ho-vaw”
God as Himself
God is YHWH
YHWH – Jehovah – “ye-ho-vaw”
Often given as “Yah-weh”
Written as LORD and GOD in most Bibles
“To Exist,” “To Be,” or “I AM”
The Name of the One God
YHWH is the proper name of God as He has revealed it to humankind!
YHWH, written in Hebrew without any vowel points, is unpronounceable
The name “Jehovah” is one attempt to place vowels into the name in order to pronounce it.

16. Jehovah In Israel – too sacred to be spoken
YHWH: never written with vowel points
Scholars call it the Tetragrammaton

17. Compounds of Jehovah God as Himself
Jehovah Ro’i The Lord my Shepherd (Ps. 23:1)
Jehovah Sabbaoth The Lord of Hosts (1 Sam. 1:3)
Jehovah Elohim Israel The Lord, the God of Israel (Jud. 5:3)
Jehovah Jireh The Lord will provide (Gen. 22:14)
Jehovah Nissi The Lord is my Banner (Ex. 17:15)
Jehovah Shalom The Lord is Peace (Jud. 6:24)
Jehovah Tsidkenu The Lord our Righteousness (Jer. 23:6)
Jehovah Shammah The Lord is there (Ezek. 48:35)
Jehovah Rophe The Lord Who Heals (Ex. 15:22-26)
Jehovah M’Kaddesh The Lord your Sanctifier (Ex. 31:13)

18. Jehovah God YHWH - Elohim – Adonai I AM Strong Masters Ones
Do you wonder if somehow I am stretching this idea of these 3 words being titles and names of God?
Lokk at 2 verses where all 3 appear together…

19. YHWH - Adonai - Elohim
For in You, O LORD, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.
Psalm 38:15
And now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are true…
David (2 Samuel 7:28)
Here are just 2 verses of several in the Bible that contain all three names and titles for God
Follow the colors to see where each name appears in each verse.
By studying these verses we see that all 3 names are indeed applicable to the the same being – GOD.

20. One God 3 Names! YHWH - Elohim - Adonai
Each name gives us a clear indication of the great and awesome majesty of our Holy and Almighty God!
YHWH – “I AM” – the eternal and unending nature of God
Elohim – GOD in plural terms – supreme, strong and powerful
Adonai – GOD as master and Lord – the One we must obey to be saved.
Now, I want us to turn our attention to the plural nature of GOD. The Bible teaches us much more about this Truth.

21. Who is God ? The Names of God God as Three Distinct Beings
Let’s now move on to the second part of this study of God – the 3 Beings that make up God
By studying this subject we will come to a full knowledge of why
two plural words – Elohim and Adonai – are used to describe GOD

22. The Essence of God
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead…
Paul (Romans 1:20)
First, let’s recognize a word in the NT that is used to describe the literal essence or being of God.
Here it is in Romans 1:20
The GODHEAD also be understood as the Divinity of God, or the Divine Nature of God

23. The Godhead GOD The Father (Elohim) (YHWH)
The GODHEAD is made up of 3 distinct beings, the first is God the Father..

24. The Father is GOD
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:3

25. The Godhead GOD The Father The Son IS (Elohim) 1 Cor. 1:3 (YHWH)
Emmanuel

26. The Son is GOD
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God
…and the Word became 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.
John 1:1,14
Also Col 2:9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily…

27. The Godhead GOD The Father The Son The Holy Spirit IS (Elohim) IS
1 Cor.
1:3 IS
(YHWH)
GOD
(Elohim) IS
John 1:1-14
The Son
Emmanuel
The Holy Spirit

28. The Holy Spirit is GOD
But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?
While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."
Acts 5:3-4
You cannot lie to an object or an attribute, you can only lie to a BEING! This being is equated to God.
Also, we see in 1 Corinthians 12 that spiritual gifts come from God and from the HS. Thus HS = God.
In addition, the Holy Spirit has the essence or nature of Deity (the Godhead) in that He is eternal (Heb. 9:14), He is omniscient (1 Cor. 2:10-11), and He is omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-10). Also, the Holy Spirit possesses the power of Deity in that He was involved in creation (Gen. 1:1-2), He possesses the power of God (Psalm 104:30), He is the being trough which miracle s are done (Matthew 12:28, 1 Cor. 12:7-11))
Also 1 Corinthians 2:9-16, esp. v11
But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.“ 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

29. The Godhead GOD The Father The Son The Holy Spirit IS (Elohim) IS IS
1 Cor.
1:3 IS
(YHWH)
GOD
(Elohim) IS
John 1:1-14 IS
Acts 5:3-4
The Son
Emmanuel
The Holy Spirit

30. Here Is Where Many Stumble!
If the Father is God…
and the Son is God…
and the Holy Spirit is God…
Then the Father, Son & Holy Spirit are simply different views or manifestations of one being - God
Bad Reasoning! A conclusion reached without a full examination of the Bible. So let’s continue

31. NO! Not According to the Bible…

32. Jesus is not the Father:
…that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
1 John 1:3
Also 2 John 3 - Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Also 1 John 4: And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
Also John 3:16,
1 John 3: Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. (All 3 mentioned here!)

33. The Godhead GOD The Father The Son The Holy Spirit IS IS NOT (Elohim)
1 Cor.
1:3 IS
IS NOT
1 John 1:3
(YHWH)
GOD
(Elohim) IS
John 1:1-14 IS
Acts 5:3-4
The Son
Emmanuel
The Holy Spirit

34. The Holy Spirit is not the Son:
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--
`the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you
John 14:16-17
This passage refers to all three Beings of God at the same time!
The point is that Jesus is speaking of the Holy Spirit as separate and distinct from Himself.
John 16: "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.”
1 John 3: Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. (All 3 mentioned here!)
Also Acts 10:38, Luke 4:1, 18, Matthew 12:18,28

35. The Godhead GOD The Father The Son The Holy Spirit IS IS NOT (Elohim)
1 Cor.
1:3 IS
IS NOT
1 John 1:3
(YHWH)
GOD
(Elohim) IS
John 1:1-14 IS
Acts 5:3-4
The Son
Emmanuel
The Holy Spirit
IS NOT
John 14:16

36. The Holy Spirit is not the Father:
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Matthew 3:16-17
In this passage we see all three Beings of God in action at the same time!
Here the Holy Spirit manifests Himself as a dove!
John 14:26 - "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
John 15:26 - "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
1 John 3: Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. (All 3 mentioned here!)
ALL 3 BEINGS MENTIONED: John 14:16-17, John 16:7-15, Acts 10:38, Ephesians 3:1-5, 1 John 3:21-24

37. The Godhead GOD GOD The Father The Son The Holy Spirit IS IS NOT
1 Cor.
1:3 IS
IS NOT
1 John 1:3
IS NOT
Matt 3:16-17
(YHWH)
GOD
(Elohim)
GOD IS
John 1:1-14 IS
Acts 5:3-4
The Son
Emmanuel
The Holy Spirit
IS NOT
John 14:16

38. ONE GOD! Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
Moses (Deuteronomy 6:4)
Jesus (Mark 12:29)
O LORD God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.
Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:15)
Moses - De 10:17 "For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.
Hannah’s prayer - 1Sa 2:2 "No one is holy like the LORD, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.
Hezekiah’s prayer - 2Ki 19:15 Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said: "O LORD God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. (also Isaiah 37:16)

39. United in Being & Will I and My Father are One…
Jesus (John 10:30)
For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
Paul (1 Corinthians 2:11)