The Trinity Revealed
There are many people who reject the idea of a trinitarian God. Here's some more tips from the scriptures on how to explain this to others. The trinity, also called God’s complex unity, is best understood by looking at how God has revealed Himself to us throughout the entire Bible. What are the divine attributes of the Almighty and who do we see operating with them in the scriptures? In Genesis 1:26 God says, “Let Us make man in Our image…” Who are the only ones in the Bible with the ability to create human life? Colossians 1:16 tells us that by Jesus ‘all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth.’ In Job 33:4 we read that ‘The Spirit of the Almighty has made me.’ There are only three with the ability to create human life, God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The Deity of Jesus Who can offer eternal life except God alone? Who can forgive sins except God alone? Who can answer prayers except God alone? Who can offer rest for the soul except God alone? Jesus offers eternal life. John 10:28 Jesus has the power to forgive sins. Luke 5:24 Jesus answers prayers. John 14:14 Jesus gives rest to the soul. Matthew 11:28-29 The Deity of the Holy Spirit Peter calls the Holy Spirit God. Acts 5:3-4 The Holy Spirit can create life. Job 33:4 The Holy Spirit makes intercessions. Romans 8:26 The Holy Spirit speaks. Revelation 2:11 The Holy Spirit is eternal. Hebrews 9:14 The Holy Spirit is omnipresent. 1 Corinthians 3:16 Old Testament Revelation God, who dwells in the heavens, can fill the earth with His glory and have His Spirit move all over the earth has revealed Himself to us in many ways. (Ref. Psalm 123:1, Numbers 14:21, Genesis 1:2 & Psalm 51:11) God has a conversation with Abraham while in human form. Genesis Ch.18 God communicates to Moses from the burning bush. Exodus 3:4 God goes before the Israelites by day in a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire by night. Exodus 13:21 God’s glory appears in the cloud. Exodus 16:10 They saw the God of Israel & under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone. Exodus 24:10-11 Isaiah sees the Lord sitting on a throne. Isaiah 6:1 The Witness from Creation There is one God with one nature revealing Himself to us in 3 persons. They are distinct from each other with different roles but of the same nature. We even see examples of this in our created world. Time is only made complete with the Past, the Present & the Future. The Sun has a Core that cannot be gazed upon with the naked eye, Rays that can be seen and Heat that is felt. From the same source we get Water, Ice & Steam. Here are three creations that give insight to the trinitarian concept of three in one. Three Major Events with all Three Persons of the Trinity Present The Creation of Man: Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image… There are only 3 persons listed in the Bible with the ability to create human life. The Father. Genesis Ch.1 The Son. Colossians 1:16 The Holy Spirit. Job 33:4 The Baptism of Jesus: Jesus gets baptized, Holy Spirit descends and the Father speaks from heaven. Matthew 3:16-17 The Resurrection of Jesus: Jesus says that He will raise Himself from the dead. John 2:19 The Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead. Romans 8:11 God raised Jesus from the dead. Acts 3:15 Insights from Isaiah Chapter 42, 43, 44 & 45 Isaiah 42:8 & Revelation 5:11-14 God says in Isaiah 42:8 that He will not give His glory to another yet we read in Revelation chapter 5 where multitudes are worshipping Him who sits on the throne and the Lamb. They are worshipping God the Father and Jesus. Isaiah 43:11 & Titus 2:13 In Isaiah 43:11 God says there is no Savior but Him. In Titus 2:13 Paul calls Jesus our great God and Savior. Isaiah 44:6 & Revelation 1:17 The Father and Jesus are both called the First and the Last. Isaiah 45:23 & Philippians 2:10-11 Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess to the Father and to Jesus. Answering the Critics Critics of the trinity will highlight the scriptures that show the differences between The Father, Son & Holy Spirit but ignore the testimony of the scriptures that shows us their similarities. As mentioned before, there are certain abilities that only God Almighty can perform such as; the creation of life, the forgiveness of sins and the answering of prayers. The Father, Son & Holy Spirit are the only ones we see with these abilities. Highlighting the verses that show the human nature of Jesus is a common criticism of the trinity and the deity of Jesus. Here’s a list of the most common objections. “Why did Jesus have limited knowledge?” While Jesus walked the earth, He was operating in a state of self-imposed restrictions. “If Jesus is God, how can God die?” His human flesh died but was raised up on the third day. His spirit never died. "Why did He pray to Himself?” Jesus taught us how to have a relationship with God by praying to and worshiping the Father. “Why did He say, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?”” While on the cross Jesus cries out “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” because He was pointing people to the messianic prophecy of Psalm 22 which describes His crucifixion experience. Conclusion The Father, Son & Holy Spirit all have the same nature yet operate with different roles. For in Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead. (ref. Colossians 2:9) Yet, being in the form of God, He humbled Himself and took on the form of a man. (ref. Philippians 2: 6-8) He demonstrated His love for us by paying the price for our sins. There is a messianic prophecy that speaks of a child being born unto us whose name will be Mighty God. (Ref. Isaiah 9:6)
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Scott Myers
7/12/2023 03:23:36 pm
Glad you like it!
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