Trinity Part Seven

The following passages are those which are sited most often to Aprove@ that God is a Trinity.

CHRIST IS GOD

AIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made@ (John 1:1-3).

AAnd 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 1:14).

Note: The Greek word Atheos@ meaning a divine being, is translated AGod.@ The Son is a divine being. He is God begotten from God (Pro. 8:22-30). John says that Christ was Abegotten of the Father.@ He was the Word of God, before He became flesh.

Christ is our AEverlasting Father@ (Isa. 9:6) but God is His Father(Pro. 8:22-30, 2 John 1:3). He is our AMighty God@ (Isa. 9:6) but THE Father is AHis God@ (Eph. 1:17, Rev. 3:12, Rev. 1:6). We might say that God the Father is our divine Grandfather.

CHRIST ATHE ETERNALLY BLESSED GOD@

[The Jews] Aof whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen@ (Romans 9:5).

[Compare other translations.] Ato them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ. God who is over all be blessed for ever. Amen@ (RSV).

Note: Of course Christ is God [divine] because He is the Son of the Divine Father, and He is over all things to the church.

EQUAL WITH GOD

[Christ] Awho, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery [#725 a thing to be seized] to be equal with God@ (Philippians 2:5).

Note: Christ existed in the form of God. This is plain. I believe this means that He existed both in bodily and in spirit form. He was present and omnipresent, matter and energy, visible and invisible - just like His Father. Some have interpreted the phrase Adid not consider it robbery@ to mean that Christ did consider Himself equal with God. Other translations do not convey this meaning.

Christ did not consider it a thing to be seized to be equal with God. He was content with His position as the Son of God, and the representative or Aword@ of God. Lucifer on the other hand, sought to take the place of God, by force if necessary.

Consider other translations:

NIV Philippians 2:6 AWho, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,@

NAS Philippians 2:6 Awho, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,@

NAB Philippians 2:6 Awho, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,@

AAll should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him@ (John 5:23). [The Spirit is not honored.]

AThe Jews answered Him, saying, AFor a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God@ (John 10:33).

Note: While on this earth, Christ went out of His way to say that He did not consider Himself equal with God His Father. He said, AMy Father is greater than all@ (John 14:28). AMy teaching is not mine, but His Who sent me@ (John 7:16). I do Athe works which the Father has given Me to finish@ (John 5:36). AThe Son can do nothing of Himself@ (John 5:19).AI have come in My Father=s name@ (John 5:43).

The reason why all men were to honor the Son as they honored the Father (John 5:23) was because the Son spoke for the Father. According to Paul, God the Father is now and always will be the Head, even of Christ (1Cor. 11:3, 1Cor. 15:28).

JESUS FORGIVES SIN - SOMETHING ONLY GOD CAN DO.

[Jesus speaking] ABut that you may know that the Son of Man has power (authority) on the earth to forgive sins@ Matthew 9:6.

"For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son" John 5:22.

"I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the Father who sent Me" John 5:30.

"All authority has been given me, in heaven and in earth" Matt 28:18.

"For the Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand" John 3:35.

MICAH 5:2

ABut you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.@ NRS

A. . . . whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.@ KJV

Note: The Hebrew translated Agoings forth@ in the KJV (Strong=s #4163) means Aorigin.@ This would mean that Christ originated from something, someone, or somewhere. AI proceeded forth and came from God@ He said (John 8:42). TheAeverlasting@ (#5769) is from a root word meaning Ato hide,@ thus pointing to what is hidden in the distant future or in the distant past. When the word is used to refer to the past, such usages generally point to something that seems long ago, but rarely if ever refer to a limitless past. In Deut. 32:7 and Job 22:15 it may refer to the time of one=s elders.

In Prov. 22:28; 23:10; Jer. 6:16; 18:15; 28:8 it points back somewhat farther. In Isa. 58:12, 61:4; Mic. 7:14; Mal. 3:4, and in the Aramaic of Ezra 4:15, 19, it clearly refers to the time just before the exile. In 1Sam. 27:8; in Isa. 51:9 and 63:9, 11, it refers to events of the exodus from Egypt. In Gen. 6:4, it points to the time shortly before the flood. None of these past references has in it the idea of endlessness or limitlessness, but each points to a time long before the immediate knowledge of those living. The above explanation is found in The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament by Harris, Archer, Waltke who give the meaning of Aeverlasting@ as simply Amost distant times.@

ALET US MAKE MAN.@

AThen God said, >Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness=@(Genesis 1:26).

AThen the Lord God said, >Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil=@ (Genesis 3:22).

A>Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another=s speech=@ (Genesis 11:7).

AAlso I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: >Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?=@ (Isaiah 6:3).

Note: AUs@ is more than one, but not necessarily three. God the Father may have spoken these words to His Son. The very next verse (Gen 1:27) says, ASo God created man in His own image; in the image of god He created him; male and female He created them.@

THE SPIRIT AT CREATION

AThe earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters@ (Genesis 1:2).

Many read in this verse the action of a third divine being, or a third manifestation of one divine being. Your understanding of this verse depends upon your viewpoint. The Spirit [vital presence and power] of God was moving over the waters. The text says,Athe Spirit of God.@ It does not say AGod the Spirit.@.

AThe Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life@ (Job 33;4).

AYou send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the earth@ (Psalm 104:30).

Note: The Spirit [The word literally means wind or breath.] is equated with the breath of the Almighty God. In this it seems that the Spirit is the vital force, the life, or power of God. When speaking of a man, we do not say that His breath is another being. We could use the expression AI felt him blowing on me,@ or we could say, AI felt his breath blowing on me.@ They mean the same thing.

THE GLORIOUS DOVE

AAnd the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, AYou are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased@ (Luke 3:22, John 1:32).

Note: Your understanding of this scene will depend upon whether you believe that the Spirit at the time of the baptism was the manifest presence of the Father, a third separate divine being, or a third manifestation of one divine being. It is therefore not a proof text.

ATHE LORD GOD AND HIS SPIRIT HAVE SENT ME.@

ACome near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; From the time that it was, I was there. And now the Lord God and His Spirit Have sent Me@ (Isaiah 48:16 NKJ).

[Compare.] AAnd now the Lord God has sent me and His spirit@ (Isaiah 48:16 ASV, NAS, RSV, NRS).

Note: In the newer translations, God is noted as the sender of both AMe@ [Christ] and AHis Spirit.@ When the Son of God incarnated, the communion between the Father and mankind was restored. With His Son, the Father sent His Spirit.

[Compare.] AAnd now the Lord God has sent me, endowed with His spirit@ (TANAKH)

ABehold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles@ (Isaiah 42:1.

THE UNPARDONABLE SIN

ATherefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come@ (Matthew 12:31-32).

AHe who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation@ (Mark 3:29).

Note: If God is three coequally divine beings, then blasphemy against the Father or the Son should be equally as serious as blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Speaking against the Holy Spirit must involve something more. The Spirit is the means by which we have fellowship with the Father and the Son (1John 1:3, John 14:23). To reject the Holy Spirit is to turn a deaf ear to the only source of saving conviction and power. To reject the Holy Spirit is to reject the Father and the Son.

RESISTING THE SPIRIT, GRIEVING THE SPIRIT, QUENCHING THE SPIRIT

AYou always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you@ (Acts 7:51).

AAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption@ (Ephesians 4:30).

ADo not quench the Spirit@ (1Thessalonians 5:19).

Note: During the Old Testament period the Holy Spirit was the presence of Christ. While Christ was on earth, the Holy Spirit was the presence of the Father. Now since Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is the vital presence of the Father and of Christ, therefore to grieve the Holy Spirit is to refuse the pleading of God and His Son.

AFor this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith@ (Ephesians 3:14-18).

ABAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME@

AGo therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit@ (Matthew 28:19).

Note: Children are named after their father. Every being in Heaven and in earth is named after Our Heavenly Father (Eph. 3:14,15 and RH 7/19/92). Jesus Christ is the Son of the Father, and the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Father, therefore Athe name@ in Matthew 28:19 is the Father=s name. This is why the 144,000 who stand on Mt. Zion have the Father=s name written in their foreheads (Rev. 14:1; Rev. 22:3,4). It is the Father=s kingdom into which the new convert is accepted by baptism, the Father=s family into which he is born (Matt. 26:29).

Jesus said, [Father] AI have manifested Your name [character]@ (John 17:6,12,26). He said, AI have come in My Father=s name.@ [I have come as His representative.] To act Ain the name of another@ means to act by authority of the other. AName@ on occasion is synonymous with Aperson@ so that to speak or act in the name of another is to speak or act as that person (Ex. 5:23; 1Sam. 17:45; 1Ki. 21:8, etc). The minister baptizes with water, but Christ baptizes with the Holy Spirit, in the name of the Father (Matt. 3:11).

When David takes a city and establishes his right of possession over it, he does so not simply by naming it, but by giving to it his name (2Sam. 12:28; 2Sam. 49:11). Yahweh lays claim to Israel, the temple, the ark, and Jerusalem, not by naming them but by calling out His name over them (2Ch. 7:14; Jer. 7:10; 2Sam.6:2). This act declares that they now belong to Him. They are now under his authority and protection (2Sam. 12:28; Ps. 49:11; Isa. 4:1). The people of Israel are God=s peculiar possession, subject to His rule and under His protection (2 Ch. 7:14; Isa. 63:19; Jer. 14:9; 15:16). For this same reason a wife takes her husband=s name. He is obligated to protect and to provide for her and for their children.

AThen Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost@ (Acts 2:38).

The most common baptismal formulas in the NT are Ain the name of Jesus Christ@ (Acts 2:38; 10:48, and Ain the name of the Lord Jesus@ (Acts 8:16; 19:5). The baptizer names the name of Christ over the person as he is being baptized (Ja. 2:7). As the name Yahweh was named over Israel in the OT, so the name of Jesus has replaced the name Yahweh, with the result that the Christian becomes His peculiar treasure, His very own son or daughter, the possession of Christ.

Why would the disciples go about baptizing in the name of Jesus Christ, rather than follow His own instructions to them - Abaptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit?@ The answer may lie in the fact that to us Christ is Father (Isa. 9:6), and Brother (John 5:27), and Holy Spirit (1Cor. 15:45). His name includes all three. Compare the baptismal name [singular] in Matthew 28:19, to the name [singular] in Isaiah 9:6. AFor unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.@ Obviously God the Father and Christ the Son have many names, not just one apiece.

The expression Ain the name of@ carries a broader meaning than simply choosing the correct name. For an excellent explanation of the phrase Ain the name@ see The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, edited by G.W.Bromiley, and also the Vine=s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. (Notations here are largely paraphrased from these sources.)

[In the name of the Father]

Every name of the Father also belongs to Christ, for God said, AMy name is in Him@ (Exodus 23:21). He is our Father, our Mighty God, our Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6). He is our Father, but God is His Father. He is our God. But THE Father is His God (Jo. 20:17, Rev. 1:6, Rev. 3:12).

[In the name of the Son]

Christ is the Son of Man (John 5:27) and the Son of God (Matt 16:15-16).

[In the name of the Spirit]

The Holy Spirit is the unseen presence and power of Christ our Lord.

(1Cor. 15:45, 2Cor. 3:17, Eph. 4:10, Matt.28:20, John 14:18, Heb. 13:5, Rev. 3:20, Jo. 14:16)

[In the name of her Husband]

Jesus= name is Athe Lord our Righteousness@ (Jeremiah 23:5-6). The name of the church triumphant is also Athe Lord our Righteousness@ (Jeremiah 33:16). As the bride of Christ the she takes His name (Eph. 5:23).

Note: When we are baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we are saying that we realize Who Jesus is: the Son of the Father, the representative of the Father Who carries His name, the Head of the Church, the Comforter with us always. He is our strength, our Master, our Lord. For us, He is all things.

ATHE LOVE OF THE SPIRIT@

ANow I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love [in your hearts because] of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me@ (Romans 15:30 ). (See the Amplified version.)

Note: If the meaning of the text changes, depending upon the reader=s personal doctrinal bias, then it is not a proof text. The example above is such a text. The love of the Spirit could be understood to mean that love which the Spirit Himself feels toward us, or that love which we experience in our own hearts when they are filled with the Holy Spirit.

THE COMMUNION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

AThe grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen@ (2Corinthians 13:14).

Note: This text also is not a proof text. The communion Aof@ the Holy Spirit might be understood to mean communion Awith@ the Holy Spirit, or communion resulting from the influence of a third divine being, or the communion resulting from the gift of the Spirit given to us by the Father, through His Son. It is worth noting that this verse mentions Christ, and God, and the Holy Spirit. AGod@ in this verse would be the Father.

ASANCTIFICATION OF THE SPIRIT@

APilgrims of the dispersion . . . . elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ@ (1Peter 1:2).

Note: This is not a proof text, because your interpretation will depend upon your viewpoint. ASanctification of the Spirit@ could mean sanctification by the Spirit, or it could mean sanctification through the Spirit, or sanctification by means of the Spirit.

[Compare.] AJude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ@ (Jude 1:1).

Note: We are sanctified by the Father and the Son, Who dwell in us by Their omnipresent Spirit.

THE HOLY SPIRIT INSPIRED OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS

AFor prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit@ (2Peter 1:21 ).

ASo when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: AThe Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers@ (Acts 28:25).

AOf this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow@ (1Peter 1:10-11).

THEY LIED TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.

ABut 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).

AThen Peter said to her, AHow is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out@ (Acts 5:9).

Note: In lying to the Holy Spirit, AYou have lied to God.@ The Holy Spirit is God Himself. Yes! God Our Father is one divine being, Who exists both in body and as spirit. Peter did not say, AYou have lied to the third person of the Trinity.@ To the woman at the well Jesus said, AGod is spirit,@ yet He did not say that men would worship the spirit. AThe true worshipers will worship the Father@ (John 4: 23-24). The Spirit of the Father is now also the Spirit of Our Lord.

ATHE HOLY SPIRIT SAID@

AAs they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ANow separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them@ (Acts 13:2).

AFor it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:@ (Acts 15:28).

AAfter they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them@ (Acts 16:7).

Note: Translations from older manuscripts say Abut the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them.@ The words of the Spirit are the words of Christ, (Read Revelation Chapt. Three) Who was saying, ASeparate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.@ Remember, the Spirit was never to speak Aof Himself,@ or Aon His own authority.@ Christ made it plain that He spoke for the Father, and did not speak on His own authority. The words of the Spirit are the words of Christ Who speaks for His Father. (John 16:13).

AFor I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ@ (Philippians 1:19).

ATherefore, as the Holy Spirit [Christ] says: AToday, if you will hear His [My Father=s] voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years. Therefore I [Christ] was angry with that generation, and said, >They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways. So I swore in My wrath, >They shall not enter My rest=@ (Hebrews 3:7-11).

Note: Christ said, ACome unto Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest@ (Matthew 11:28). In the Old Testament the Spirit was Christ speaking. And He of course spoke for His Father. When the Spirit said,AThus saith the Lord,@ this was Christ saying,AThus saith the Father.@

ABut the Holy Spirit [Christ] also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, AThis is the covenant that I [the Father] will make with them after those days, says the Lord [the Father]: I [the Father] will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,@ then He adds, ATheir sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more [I will be reconciled to them]@ (Hebrews 10:15-17).

ABehold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches@ (Revelation 3:20-22).

Note: The Spirit says, AHear My voice . . . sit with Me on My throne, as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. The words of the Spirit, are the words of Christ, spoken to our mind and heart. He is the Word of God. Compare Rev. 2:1 and 2:7, Rev. 2:8 and 2:11, Rev. 2:12 and 2:17, Rev. 2:18 and 29, etc.

THE HOLY SPIRIT TEACHES

AFor the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say@ (Luke 12:12).

ABut when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit@ (Mark 13:11).

[Compare.] ABut when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you@ (Matthew 10:19-20).

Note: The Holy Spirit is Athe Spirit of your Father.@ The Spirit of the Father is His power and unseen presence.

DIFFICULT

BIBLE PASSAGES