Our church and every true
biblical Christian church is 'Trinitarian'. But what does
this mean? It is the belief, clearly based upon teaching of
the Bible that the One true living God is One God yet three
persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This truth
is set forth throughout the Scriptures of both the Old and
New Testaments e.g. Creation is a work of the triune God,
the Father, Gen 1 v 1, the Son, John 1 v 1-4, (each
reference in Gen 1 to God creating by His word, '' And God
said '', and the title given to God the Son in John 1, the
Word), the Holy Spirit Gen 1 v 2. Another
example of clear reference to the Trinity is found in what
is known as the great commission in Matthew 28 v 19. Here
the Saviour gives the baptismal formula to be employed at
each candidate's baptism, they were to be baptised ''in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost''.
That the Father is God is
accepted by all so we shall look at texts that expressly
state the Son is God. John 1 v 1 with v 14 and Rev. 19 v 13.
In Isaiah 9 v 6, He is ''the mighty God", in 1 John 5 v 20,
He is ''the true God'', in Titus 2 v 13, He is ''the great
God''. Jehovah (or as translated in the KJV) the Lord or
LORD is applied to Christ, Isaiah 6 v 1 and 3, with John 12
v 37-41. See also Isaiah 40 v 3 with John 1 v 23. Finally,
in Numbers 21 v 5-7, it is clearly stated that it is Jehovah
God that the Israelites sin against and tempt or provoke.
But note that in 1 Cor 10 v 9, the apostle Paul tells us
that the Jehovah God the Israelites tempted or provoked was
none other than Christ!
Divine attributes are
ascribed to Him;
Eternality, Micah 5 v 2
with Rev. 1 v 8.
Omniscience, John 2 v
24-25, John 21 v 17.
Omnipresence, Matthew 28
v 20.
Omnipotence, Phil. 3 v
21, Rev. 1 v 8.
Immutability, Psalm 102 v
24-27 with Heb.1 v 10-12 and Heb.13 v 8.
Divine works are ascribed to
Him;
The production of all
things out of nothing, John 1 v 3.
The preservation and
government of all things, Col. 1 v 17, Heb. 1 v 3 and
John 5 v 17, 27.
Forgiveness of sins, Mark
2 v 5.
Raising of the dead at
the last day John 5 v 28-29.
The judgement of the
world, Rom. 14 v 10-12.
He is equal with the
Father, John 5 v 17-18, John 10 v 30, 38, in Phil. 2 v
16, thought it no robbery to be equal with God and in
Zec. 13 v 7, the eternal Father acknowledges Him to be
His equal and fellow.
The deity of the Holy Spirit.
Divine names are ascribed to
Him.
He is called God, Acts 5
v 3-4. Christians are the temples of God i.e. Spirit of
God, 1 Cor. 3 v 16.
He is Lord Isaiah 6 v
8-10 with Acts 28 v 25-27.
Divine attributes are
ascribed to Him;
Eternity Gen. 1 v 1-2.
Omnipresence, Psalm 139 v
7.
Omniscience 1 Cor. 2 v
10-11.
Sovereign and Omnipotent
in dispensing spiritual gifts. 1 Cor. 12 v 11.
Divine works are ascribed to
Him;
Creation, Gen. 1 v 2.
Preservation of all
things Psalm 104 v 30.
The application of
redemption, 1 Cor. 6 v 11 ; Titus 3 v 5.
Divine worship is
ascribed to Him. Prayer one aspect of true worship is
addressed to Him, Rev. 1 v 4-5, here He is termed the
seven spirits of God or more accurately the seven fold
Spirit.
His personality;
He can be lied to Acts 5
v 3-4 ;
grieved, Eph. 4 v 30 ;
quenched, 1 Thess. 5 v
19.
He is of the same divine
nature as the divine Son who remember is equal with the
Father, John 14 v 16 , in this verse Christ promises to
send another comforter i.e. one like Himself, of the
same nature, power, understanding,compassion etc.
In the light of this
overwhelming evidence we bow in wonder praise and adoration
before the One God who is three persons, the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit. See Paul's Apostolic benediction, 2
Cor.13 v 14.
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