The number of cults and sects that are hung up on the Triune nature of God is ever growing in size. It is one of the most, if not the most important doctrine of the corporal Christian church. When we speak of the Trinity of God – we are identifying His tri-personal existence as Father, Son, and Holy-Spirit. Three distinct Persons in one Holy God.
GOD IS A PERSON AND CAN ONLY BE KNOWN THROUGH REVELATION. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT HE REVEALED HIMSELF THROUGH HIS PROPHETS. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT HE REVEALS HIMSELF THROUGH HIS SON – JESUS CHRIST.
- The Father is always recognized as God, and is all the fulness of the Godhead invisible. John 1:18 – And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
- The Son is recognized as God, and is all the fulness of the Godhead manifested in the flesh. John 1:14 – 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.
- The Holy Spirit is recognized as God, and is all the fulness of the Godhead acting upon man, convicting him of sin. John 16:7,11 – 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. 8 And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on Me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. and guiding the believer into all truth. John 16:12,15 – I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall shew it unto you.
- The doctrine of the Trinity is not explicit in the Old Testament, but it is implied. Gen. 1:26 – And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
- The doctrine of the Trinity is revealed in the New Testament. Matt.3:16,17 – 16 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: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased. In the preceding Scripture, we have Christ being baptized in water, the Father speaking from heaven, and the Holy Spirit descending as a dove.
- The natural world speaks of the Trinity. In creation, we have space, time and matter in one creation. In space, we have energy, motion and phenomena in one substance. In time, we have past, present, and future in one time. In man, we have body, soul, and spirit in one man. 1 Thess. 5:23 – And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the Holy Trinity, we have Father, Son and Holy Spirit in One God.
This concludes our study of the nature of God. I pray it has enriched your understanding of Him – though we have but scratched the surface. The next study series will attempt to plumb the depths of Scripture for a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ – the Son of God, and God the Son.
COLOSSIANS 1:10-13
King James Version (KJV)
The Vine Vigil 