WHY BELIEVE IN THE TRINITY There is no single verse of scripture that comprehensively defines the Christians belief in a triune God. But this truth is revealed in a comprehensive study of the Bible. God reveals his truth to us in the scriptures in the same way that relationships grow and mature. Through a process of shared experiences and personal conversations. We discover in scripture that the Trinity is not an impersonal concept, but rather one aspect of the very intimate and personal truth concerning His being. The truth of God's being then is progressively revealed to us as we get to know Him through prayer, bible study, worship, and service. Who is He? What does He like and dislike? Whom does He love most intimately? What is His greatest passion and desire? All of these questions are revealed in the biblical disclosures of Gods person. These truths however come not simply through the intellect but by the revelation of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit inspired the prophets and apostles of old to write. So it is necessary that the Holy Spirit illuminate our hearts in order that we can know and understand God. IS THE TRINITY RATIONAL? As eternal, boundless spirit God is difficult for humanity to comprehend. We can know about God and even know Him in an intimate and personal way, yet we do not fully comprehend Him. Apostle Paul explained it this way. "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." 1 Cor. 2:11. As mortal creatures we relate to one another and the world around us through our five senses. God however is a Spirit; he is not mortal. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24 See Lk. 24:39. Apostle Paul speaks of spiritual eternal things this way. “while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." II Cor. 4:18 God does not consist of material substance and does not relate to the world through physical senses because He is a spirit. In fact He is referred to as being the invisible God in 1 Tim. 1:17. "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." Also read Col. 1:15: 1 Tim. 6:16. GOD IS A SPIRIT God is an infinite spirit, and he does not know our limitations. We live in a dimension in which we are constrained to one place in time and space. God however fills the universe. There is no place or time in which he does not exist. Psa. 90:2 declares, "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” God speaking through the prophets asks, "Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? ... Do not I fill heaven and earth? ..." Jer. 23:24, Read Psalms 139: 1 10: Isa. 57:15. God's presence fills the universe. A physical body is incapable of infinite dimension. And if such a body did exist it would be physically observable and materially exclusive. Some have tried to give God a physical body based on Gen. 1:27. Here God creates man in his own image. However, it is very important to note man is made in God's image and not God in man's image. Man possesses certain characteristics that are like God. Such as volition, intellect, and personality. But man does not possess the non transferable attributes of God such as omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence and eternal existence. Hosea 11:9 says, "...for I am God, and not man;" And in Exodus we are told that there is no one in the earth like Him. Exo 9:14. Also read Num 23:19, I Sam. 15:29. O n e G O D As God discloses himself to us, we find one truth repeated over and over again. That is that there is only one God. Mark 12:29 ... "The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:” Not only does He make it clear that there is only one. But the Bible declares that there is no one else that can lay claim to be God. "Thus, saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." Isa. 44:6 Also Read Deut. 4:35, Deut. 4:39, 1 Ki 8:60, Isa 45:5 Isa 45:6, Isa 44:8, Isa 43:10, Isa 45:21, Isa 45:22, Zec 14:9, Mark 12:29. After discovering that God is One we find that He is revealed in three persons. Each personage is revealed to be God and each bares the characteristics of God. GOD THE FATHER The Father is recognized as God and is referred to as God the Father in the following verses. John 6:27 "...for him hath God the Father sealed." Rom 1:7, Gal 1:1, Gal 1:3. GOD THE SON Jesus Christ, the Son, is called God by the His heavenly Father. "But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom". Jesus was incarnate (God in human form) during his ministry on earth. He however remained fully God. While conversing with Nicodemus on earth He spoke of himself as being simultaneously present in heaven. Jn 3:13 Jesus remained omnipresent (everywhere present) He retained the nontransferable traits of deity outside of his humanity. THE HOLY SPIRIT The scriptures speaks of the Holy Spirit as being God. "But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit You have not lied to men but to God.” Acts 5:3 4 The Holy Spirit is referred to as the Spirit of God. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? I Cor. 3:16. The Holy Spirit bares the characteristics of God. He is everywhere present. In Psalms 139:7 10 it says. "Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." The Holy Spirit shares in the work of redemption. See John 14:26; 16:7-9. He shares the message of Christ and reveals to us the person of Christ. Jesus said about the Holy Spirit. 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. THREE IN ONE Since there is only one God and since he is described as three separate persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit then we must conclude that the scriptures intent is that there is one triune God in three persons. Matthew 28:19 Refers to the Persons of the Trinity distinctly. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" The Three persons of the trinity are identified in the following text as separate and distinct. All three are interacting with the other while performing separate roles. "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." Mat 3:16 17. Also Read I Cor. 12:4 6; Mt. 17:1 3. For additional information contact: Grace Christian Fellowship 377 Deer Creek Rd. Pickens, SC 29640 Ph. (864) 343-8353 grace-christian-felloship.com
Grace Christian Fellowship 