You Must View God in 3-D

trinityThree in Deity, that is…not in a 3-D movie. This series of posts will address the question of deity among the three persons of the Trinity.  Each part of the trinity will be examined on its own and also as a body of one.  It is necessary to see the Triune God as one being yet consisting of three persons.  It is important for Christians to study this theological mystery to know who to worship, who to pray to and who to believe in.  Some think the Trinity is simply a spiritual power that God uses to complete His will.  These posts will serve to repudiate that theory.

We all know that not everyone will believe everything and some need more facts than others while still there are others that no amount of facts will be enough.  With that said; going forward these posts will assume the reader believes the Holy Bible to be the inerrant and inspired word of God and was authored by God Himself.  The existence of God and the doctrine of the trinity are asserted and declared throughout the testimony of the Bible.  It is for this reason the belief in the Bible must be first and foremost.

William Evans wrote, “The doctrine of the Trinity is, in its last analysis, a deep mystery that cannot be fathomed by the finite mind.  That it is taught in the Scripture, however, there can be no reasonable doubt.  It is a doctrine to be believed even though it cannot be thoroughly understood.”[1]

It is also necessary to understand there is a subordination aspect to the Trinity in that the Son is subordinate to the Father and the Holy Spirit is subordinate to the Son and the Father.  This is not a topic to be covered in this thread and I bring it up to separate the subject of equality from deity.  Each part of the Trinity is divine but not in every sense equal.

We as mere mortals can never completely understand the origins of God or the mystery of the Trinity.  With tongue in cheek I enjoy the words of a writer from many years ago that mentioned the doctrine of the trinity justly excites our wonder, and confounds the imbecility of our minds.”[2]  That was well said!

When we think of the doctrine of God we must also think of the Trinity.  The word Trinity is not a Biblical word but it is used by mankind and has been used for ages to describe the magnificent three part manifestation of our one true God as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The word trinity is indicating that God is one being but has three co-existing persons in the Godhead of the Father, the crucified Son and the Holy Spirit.  The word ‘person’ as used to describe the parts of the Trinity, is not used in the same context as a human person. It is however, used to describe the personal relationship between the triune Godhead and signifies the loving relationship between them.[3]

There is a passage in scripture that documents the Trinity pretty well and it is 1 John 5:7, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”  This is surely a clear indication to the three-in-one aspect of the Trinity. It is in the Gospel of John that the most evidence of the Trinity is found.  We find it in the passages of John 1:33-34; 14:16, 26; 16:13-15; 20: 21-22.  Erickson noted an observation by George Henry that illuminated the inter-dynamics of three.  “The son is sent by the Father (14:24) and comes forth from Him. (16:28) The Spirit is given by the Father (14:16), sent from the Father (14:26) and proceeds from the Father. (15:26) Yet the Son is closely involved in the coming of the Spirit: he prays for his coming (14:16); the Father sends the Spirit in the Son’s name (14:26); the Son will send the Spirit from the Father (15:26); the Son must go away so that he can send the Spirit (16:7).  The Spirits ministry is understood as a continuation and elaboration of that of the Son.  He will bring to remembrance what the Son has said (14:26): he will bear witness to the Son (15:26); he will declare what he hears from the Son, this glorifying the Son (16:13-14).”[4]

The doctrine of the Trinity is not specifically mentioned in scripture, however,  there are enough suggestions of the deity and the unity of the three that it is understandable why the church came up with the doctrine and we can also deduct they were correct in developing it.

We are not holding onto this doctrine because it presents itself to us or we understand it.  We hold onto the Trinity because God through His revelation is showing us what He is like.  We want to be like Him.  Try to explain it, and you’ll lose your mind; But try to deny it, and you’ll lose your soul.

In the next post will be an examination of the deity of the three beginning with the Father. Click here to go to PART 2.

Have a Godly day,

“The Tubthumper”

 



[1] William Evans, The Great Doctrines of the Bible (Chicago: Charles Aldarondo, Charles Franks, [1950?]).

[2] Samuel Stanhope Smith, Of the Principles of Revealed Religion; 1st of the Holy Trinity: A Comprehensive View of the Leading and Most Important Principles of Natural and Revealed Religion: Digested in Such Order as to Present to the Pious and Reflecting Mind, a Basis for the Superstructure of the Entire System of the Doctrines of the Gospel. (New Brunswick, NJ, US: Deare & Myer, viii, 1815).

[3] David Horton and Ryan Horton, eds., The Portable Seminary (Bloomington, MN: Bethany House, 2006), 93.

 

[4] Millard J. Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine: Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Acedemic of Baker Book House, 2004).

9 Days to pray for the election.

girl in worshipYou are a wonderful God, let us never forget to praise and worship You.

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips. (Psalm 6:3-5)

“I lift these hands, dear God, to You, in praise and thanks for all you do.

You light the path through all my days and bless me with your loving ways…

I lift these hands dear God, to You, in troubled hours when joys are few.

You bear me up on eagles’ wings and see me through each test life brings.

I lift these hands, dear God, to You; please grant me wisdom, patience, too.

Then fill my heart with love and caring, precious gifts you’ve made for sharing.”[1]

Dear heavenly Father, we praise Your Holy name.  We adore Your name and Your presence.  We lift our hands to Your glory.  In the beginning You were God, today You are God and tomorrow You will be God.  Forever You shall be our God! You rule the world, Lord and are head of the church, Your body.  We praise You Almighty God.

Almighty God, You raised Jesus from death to life for our benefit and crowned him Lord of all. Father, we confess that we have not bowed before him or acknowledged his rule in our lives. We confess as a nation that our people have not acknowledged Your rule.  We as a people and individuals have gone along with the ways of the world.  We have failed to give You glory.  Forgive us and raise us from sin, Oh God.  Forgive us and cleanse us Lord, that we may be your faithful people obeying the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank You for the leadership in our lives; for people You have placed to help our journey on earth be more productive and more pleasing. We Thank You for the people in governmental positions in our Nation and communities. Thank You that You are ultimately in charge and You will guide these leaders in their decision making, if they but yield to You. Watch over our election in 9 days and protect us, dear God.  We need You, Lord.

Thank You for our church leaders, Lord, as they each help us in our spiritual walk. For pastors who can be most influential in imparting Your truths to us. Thank You also for those who teach Sunday School and those who guide the business of our churches, enabling the church to function smoothly and wisely. For each person who shows us through Your Word how to lead the Christian life, we Thank-You.

O Lord, Let us never forget to praise Your Holy name.  You wonderful, Oh God! You are slow to anger and patient, with a love that has no end. Let us bless each day and lift up our thanks in praise for the wonderful things You have done for us.  May we forever give honor to Your name, for without You we are nothing.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen



[1] Poet – Emily Matthews

Day 11 of prayer, 29 to go

Holy-Spirit-Dove-FireThe Spirit makes intercession for us.

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26)

Dear great and awesome God, You are faithful and merciful toward those who love You.  You are most high and all-powerful, great and glorious Lord.  All our praise is Yours, all glory, all honor and all blessings are Yours.   All strength and power come from You.  To you alone our praises belong, and we are not worthy to pronounce Your Name.

Father, we bow our heads before you and we confess that we have forgotten that we and our nation are yours.  We have gone on with our lives as if there was no God and we have fallen short of desires.  We ask your forgiveness today Lord, and we ask for your strength, wisdom and protection.

We thank you Lord for all you have provided despite our lack of honor and commitment to you.  We know Father; all we have is what You have provided.  All our great nation has become is because of your grace.  Thank you Lord for the presence of Your Spirit who continually helps us to conquer our weaknesses and our enemies.  All things are possible through You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and nothing is possible without You.

Father we ask today with open hearts and we pray to You Father through Your Son that we as a nation will humble ourselves in Your presence.  We thank you for Your forgiveness.  Dear Lord please strengthen us to live with purpose and please empower us to serve you.  Father, please heal our land.  Father, please protect and bless us on this election for our beloved nation.

We ask all these things through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN.