SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY 1. Module 3 THEOLOGY CHRISTOLOGY PNEUMATOLOGY CERTIFICATE IN CHRISTIAN SERVICE.

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1 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY 1 CERTIFICATE IN CHRISTIAN SERVICE. Module 3 THEOLOGY CHRISTOLOGY PNEUMATOLOGY 1

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page. 1. Introduction 3 2. Theology The Name of God Attributes of God Personal Attributes Absolute Attributes His Moral Attributes Christology The Deity of Christ His Divine Attributes Christ s Moral Attributes The Son of man The Name of Christ The Earthly Assignment of Christ His resurrection His ascension Pneumatology The Person of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit as a Person of the God head Naming of the Holy Spirit Symbols and types of the Holy Spirit The doctrine of the Trinity The Trinity in the New Testament The Four Gospels Resources for further studies Assignment 27 2

3 1. Introduction. Ps 14:1 "The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.... This is probably the reason why no Biblical writer tried to proof the existence of God. All nations have faith in a Supreme Being. This has been carried over orally from generation to generation, since the time of the deluge till today. According to Ps. 19:2 and Rom. 1:19-20 God is revealed in His creation. There is a hand that controls everything on earth; tides, plant and animal life, birth, etc and the movement of the entire universe. For the Christians He is revealed in the Scriptures. Studying of the Scriptures teaches us about His personality and expectations of man and what He has planned for His children in the future. The Godhead is a triune and we will therefore spend time in this module to discuss God. 2. Theology. Theology refers to the doctrine and study about God. The Deity has been revealed in different forms to man: a) The Angel of the Lord. Gen. 16:7-14, 18:1, 2, 33. b) Other unknown forms. Gen. 3:8, 12:7, Ex. 24:9-11, 33: c) Jesus Christ. Matt. 1:23, 1 Tim. 3:16, John 1:1. d) Natural and Material forms: - Fire. Ex 3: Pillar of cloud and fire. Ex. 13:21-22, 33: Cloud. Lev. 16:2, 1 Kings 8:10. - Voice speaking. 1 Kings 19:9-13, Matt. 3:17. In our own lives we can "experience" Him by acknowledging Him; through confessing of our transgressions, to be chastised, prayer and Bible study, and to dwell in obedience to His Word and to experience His presence in a tangible way. 3

4 His personal care of man proofs this The Names of God. a) El (Strength), Eloha (The strong One), Elohim (the Powerful or Mighty One - points to a power that creates and maintains) used in the story of creation (Gen 1:1). It is plural in form but singular in meaning but in Gen 1:26 it is plural in meaning. He is described as the Creator of all things. El is therefore used as an adjective in names: Jo-el, Daniel, Bet-el (Reference to the 1983 Afrikaans Translation s research material, where 80 names or descriptions are given.) b) YHWH or YAHWEH - The unmentionable Name of God: LORD. Gen. 2:4, Ex. 34:6 and is used more than 6000 times in the O.T., and means "to be" hence "The Big Self existing One" or the "Great I Am" in the Hebrew form of the Hebrew word it rather means "He that was and will be." The Name is then used in combination with other terms to indicate that the Lord is really for Israel. The Hebrew term is much more meaningful than the English translation of the name. The Name also appears in words like: Hallelu-Jah, Mor-IAH, Jos-IAH, etc. The Hebrew language has no vowels and the consonants YHWH was changed to Yahweh and later to Jehovah to make it more readable. c) Adon or Adonai - "Lord" in Gen. 15:2 (usually read in place of YHWH). Means Boss or Master and is an indication of the relationship between God and man - Lord and His servant. When Abraham acted as intercessor for Sodom, he used this Name. d) El Shaddai - Almighty God (Gen. 17:1) refers to the power that ends all resistance. The Name is used more than sixty times in the Bible and it usually where the heaviest battle between God and Satan, or man and Satan is described. This Name is used 31 times in Job, where Job through the assistance of El Shaddai overcomes Satan. He is according to this 4

5 Name able to break through every barrier and to make a way where there is no way. When the promises were made to Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac, this Name was used. e) El Elyon - Most High God (Gen. 14:18) literally, "The lofty" and describes Him as the King of the universe, not only as King of Israel (Deut. 32:8). It is usually used, where the Gentiles were spoken to. When Daniel speaks to the heathen he used this Name. f) El Olam - Everlasting God - This designation indicates the infinity of God. g) YHWH Elohim - LORD God. Gen. 2:4. h) El Gebbor - Mighty God. Isa. 9:6-7. i) Adonai YHWH - Lord LORD. Gen. 15:2. j) YHWH Sabaoth - LORD of hosts. 1 Sam. 1:3, Ps. 24:10. k) Kurios (Greek) Lord. Matt. 11:25. l) Theos (Greek)- God. John 1:1. m) JHWH Jireh - The LORD will provide. Gen. 22: n) YHWH Rapha - the LORD that healeth thee- Ex. 15:26, Deut. 7:15. o) YHWH Nissi - the LORD our banner Ex. 15:3, 17:15, Deut. 28:7, Jos. 5:14. He revealed Himself to Israel as the God who fight for them in the war (Ex. 15:3, Deut. 28:7), and promised to fight their wars. p) YHWH Shalom - the LORD our peace - Judges 6:24. q) YHWH Ra-ah - the LORD is my Shepherd. Ps. 23:1. r) YHWH Tsidkenu - the LORD our righteousness. Jer. 23:6 s) YHWH Shammah - the LORD is present. Ezek. 48:35. Refers to the futuristic Millennium (Isa. 6:19, 20, Rev. 21:22, 23 & 22:3-5). t) YHWH Yakaddish Kem - the Lord your sanctifier. Ex. 31:13. 5

6 u) Other Names that were given to God: - Father of lights (Jam. 1:17). - God of heaven and earth (Ezra 5:11). - God of the whole earth (Isa. 54:5) - The Holy One (Isa.10:17) - The Redeemer (Isa. 54:5). - The Holy One of Israel (Ps. 71:22). - A jealous God (Ex. 34:14). - God of gods (Deut. 10:17). - The Living God (Jer. 10:10). - The Man of Zion (Isa. 54:5). v) All the names given to God describes His attributes as seen in the following Scriptures: Hiding place (Ps. 9:9), Searcher of the hearts (Prov. 24:12), Judge of the whole earth (Eccl. 11:9), Father of the fatherless (Ps. 68:5), Provider (Gen. 11:8, 18:19.) 2.2. Attributes of God Personal Attributes. i. God is a Person, He can be described as a Person in Human terms from what we can gather from the personal properties that He reveals about Himself. From the Scriptures we see that He can smell, see, feel, hear, show love, be angry, jealous, repent, and so on (Ex. 20:5, Lev. 26:31, Ps. 7:12; 94:9, Isa. 1:15, 59:1, Jer. 10:1,10, Gen. 6:6). 6

7 ii. God is a Spirit: In John. 4:24 Jesus declares that God is Spirit and must be worshipped in Spirit and in truth, and in Luke 24:39 Jesus however said, that a spirit does not have flesh and bones, (Isa. 40:18, Ex. 20:4, 33:9-11, 2 Cor. 3:17-18). We are created in God's likeness will be clothed in eternity with incorruptibility iii. God is Eternal: (Rev. 4:8-10, Ps. 90:2, 102:24-28, Gen. 21:33, Deut. 32:40, Isa. 26:4) Absolute Attributes. I. God is eternal: (Rev. 4:8-10, Ps. 90:2, 102:24-28, Gen. 21:33, Deut. 32:40, Isa. 26:4) II. God Almighty: Matt. 19:26 "With God all things are possible" (Gen.18:14, Gen. 17:1, Gen. 1, Heb. 11:13, (about nature) Ps. 33:16, Dan. 4:35, Luke 12:16-20 (about man's life), 1 Pet. 3:22, Heb. 1:14 (the angels), Rev.20:10 (about Satan and his angels). III. God is omnipresent: (Ps. 139:7-12, Jer. 23:24, Isa. 6:1-3, Nah. 1:3, Ps. 68:7-8, Matt. 18:19-20, Gen. 3:8, Col. 2:9, Eph. 2:12-22, Matt. 28:20). IV. God is omniscient: (John 21:17, Ps. 139:1-6, 1 John. 3:20, Job 37:16, Ps. 147:4, Matt. 10:29-30, Acts 15 : 18, Ps. 94:18, Rom. 8:29-30, Isa. 40:26, 48:5-8, I Chron. 28:9, Ps. 94:11, Ps. 102:19-20, Ex. 3:7, Matt. 6:31-32, Isa. 65:24, Matt. 4:25, Acts 8:27-29, Matt 6:8 "... your Father knows "). V. He is Wise: (Prov. 3:19-20, Rom. 11:33) VI. He is unchangeable: (Mal. 3:6, Jam. 1:17) His Moral Attributes - God is Holy: (Lev. 11:44, 20:3, Isa 6:3, Rev 4:8)... Be Holy therefore as I am 7

8 Holy. God is Faithful: (Num. 23:19, Deut. 7:9, Isa. 49:7, 1 Cor. 1:9, 10:13, 1 Thes. 5:24, 2 Thes. 3:3, 2 Tim. 2:13). - God is Merciful: (Ex. 22:27, 34:6, Ps. 103:8, Isa. 30:18, and 2 Pet. 3:9). - God is Goodness (Ps. 27:13, 39:9, 136:1, Jer. 3:12, Ps. 5:8, Rom. 2:4, Acts 14:17). - God is Righteous and Just: (Deut. 32:4, Ps. 7:12, Gen. 18:25, Jer. 11:13, Ps. 1:14). - God is Love: (John 3:16, 1 John 4:16). 3. Christology. Christology refers to the teaching and study of Christ. 1 John 2:22: "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is the anti-christ that denieth the Father and the Son" 3.1. Deity of Christ. Various aspects of Christ s life confirm His deity: - Birth (John 1:1, Luke 1:35). - Life (Heb. 4:15, 2 Cor. 5:21, John 7:46). - Teachings (John 6:68-69, 17:8). - Miracles (John 5:21). - Resurrection (Ps. 16:10, Matt. 16:21, John. 11:25, Acts. 13) - Ascension (Acts 1:9). - Sending of Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8, John. 16:7). - Declaration (Matt. 11:27, Luke. 2:49, John. 9:35-38, 13:13-14, 14:6-11). - Prophecy from O.T. (Isa. 7:14, 9:5, Micah 5:1). 8

9 - In Isa. 9:5 He is called Eternal Father. Please note that He is not called the Eternal Father - the view of the Jews of that time was such that a good and righteous ruler must also be called the father of his people. Thus David was the father of Israel, and thus, even Christ the Father of all in His Kingdom called (Isa. 22:21-22, Luke22:29-30). - Disciples witness about it (Matt. 16:16, Phil. 2:6, Col. 2:9). - The Father testifies about it (Matt. 3:16, 17). - Devils witness about it (Mark. 1:23-24, Luke. 4:41). - In addition, He is: the Creator (John 1:3, Col. 1:16), Sustainer of all things (Col.1:17), Forgiver of sin (Mark 2:5), the eternal High Priest (Heb. 8: 1), Generator (John 6:39-44, 1 Cor. 15:22), Judge (John 5:22-23) His Divine attributes. I Eternal (John 6:58, 17:5, Col. 1:17, Rev. 1:8) II Unchangeable (Heb. 13:8) III Almighty (Matt. 28:18) IV Omniscient (Matt. 18:20, 28:20) V Omnipresent (Matt. 18:20, 28:20) His Moral attributes. - Holiness (Mark 1:24, Acts 3:14, Heb. 4:15). - Righteousness (Matt. 23:33-38). - Merciful (Matt. 14:14, Mark 6:34-37, John 1:14). - Loving (John 11:36, 15:12-13, Rom. 5:6-8). - Faithful (John 14:13-23). 9

10 Son of Man. 1 Tim. 3:16: "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory". This text does not mean God changed in to a man as some Bible Scholars claims, but that God, according to John 1:14... 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. 1:1 teaches that: "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." This implies that Christ with His earthly birth united the divine nature with the human nature, and therefore he is both God and perfect man (without sin). He was born of a woman (Matt. 1:16), without a biological father (Luke 1:34-35). There is no indication of His origin (Rev.1:8, John 8:58), He was a child (Luke 1:80, 2:42), and later in His earthly ministry he was an adult Jew (John 4:9, John. 20:15, Luke. 24:13). He was also tempted (Heb. 4:15, Matt. 4:1-11, Rom. 8:3), had experienced normal human feelings (Matt. 8:24, 23:37, 26:38, John. 4:7, 11:35). He also suffered death, like all other people do (John 19:30). His Blood however cleanses us from all our sins (Heb. 9:22-28). After His resurrection, before His ascension, He was still normal man (John 20:15, 27, Luke. 24:13-35, 39, 41-43) The Names of Christ. - Son of God (Luke 1:32, 4:41, 8:28. Heb. 1:5) His divine nature. - The Word (John 1:1, 14). - Lord (John 13:13, Acts 2:36). - Christ (anointed or Messiah) (Matt. 16:16, Luke. 4:18, Acts. 10:38). - The Son of Man (Dan. 7:13, Matt. 16:13) His human nature. 10

11 - Son of David (Matt. 20:31) the seed of David (Jeremiah 23:5, Isa. 11:1-5, Matt. 1:6, 2 Sam. 7:16). - Jesus (Matt. 1:21, Isa. 63:9). - Alpha and Omega (Rev.1:8). - Lamb of God (John 1:29, Rev. 5:6, Isa. 53). - Emmanuel (Matt. 1:23, Matt. 28:20) The earthly assignment of Christ. - To die for everyone's sins (1 Cor. 15:3). - To give redemption through His death (Matt. 1:21, Heb. 5:9). - His Blood cleanses of sins (1 John 1:7). - Brought salvation through His death (Matt. 18:11). - Brought reconciliation through His sacrifice (2 Cor. 5:18, 19, Col.1:20-22) His resurrection. It was clearly predicted (Matt. 17:23). He Himself confirmed it (Rev.1:18). Angels have announced (Matt. 28:5, 6, Mark 16:5, 6, Heb. 2:2). Maria confirmed it (Mark 16:10, John 20:18). The disciples preached it (Luke 24:34, Acts 2:32, 1 Cor. 15:5-8). History confirms it in letters written by Pilate to the Emperor Tiberius ( His resurrection is the foundation of Christian doctrine (Rom. 1:4, 1 Cor. 15:14-18), and it confirms all that Christ said about Himself. It gives the believer a 11

12 hope of reconciliation, purification and grace, a definite afterlife and therefore also to experience the resurrection (Acts 17:31) His Ascension. Although it was clearly predicted in the O.T. (Ps. 47:6, Ps. 110, 1), Christ Himself also announced it (John 6:62, 14:2). The disciples were witnesses of it (Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51, Acts. 1:2,9, 2:32-33, 5:30,31, Eph. 4:8-10, Phil. 2: 9, Heb. 4:14, 1 Pet. 3:22) and proclaimed it, visions of heaven confirmed it (Acts 7:55, 56, Rev. 5:5-14) and the arrival of the Comforter (Holy Spirit) was a proof of it (John 16:7,13). It is also a certainty that He will come again (John 14:3, John. 16:28, 1 Thes. 4:16, 17, Heb. 6:19, 20). 4. Pneumatology. Refers to the doctrine and study of the Holy Spirit. 1 John 4:2-3 "By this know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God..." 4.1. The Person of the Holy Spirit. Some Bible Scholars claim that the Holy Spirit is only a manifestation of the influence or power of God through symbols such as wind, oil, fire, water, etc. The Scripture however describes the Holy Spirit as a person with a unique personality. He has a will (1 Cor. 12:11), is powerful (Acts 1:8), can teach with understanding and knowledge (Neh. 9:20, John 16:7-14, 1 Cor. 2: 10-12), and may even reveal emotions like showing love (Rom. 15:30), be sad (Eph. 4:30), experience hurt (Heb. 10:29) and can be lied to (Acts 4:3). He can be blasphemed (Matt 12:31-32) He can be cursed. 1 Thes. 5:19 declares that He can be extinguished and despised. He also convinces of sin (John 16:8), examines all things (1 Cor. 2:10), separates and sends people out on missions (Acts 13:2, 4), 12

13 gives instruction and guidance to the believer (1 John 2:27, John 16:13), and testifies (John 15:26 Acts 5:32, Rom. 8:16). He comes to the aid of the intercessors to help in their weakness, He Intercedes before God with groaning (Rom. 8:26) and He comforts (John 14:16). These characteristics definitely describe a person and not just an influence. Moreover the Bible refers to Him with personal pronouns (John 16:7-16). Christ had referred to him as the Comforter and Guide (John 14:16, 16:7 and 16:13-15) Deity of the Holy Spirit. - He is called God (Acts 5:3, 4). - Is forever (Heb. 9:14). - Almighty (Luke 1:35, Rom. 15:19, Gen. 1:2, Job 26:13). - All Knowing (John 14:26, Acts 5:3, 4, 1 Cor. 2:10-11). - Omnipresent (Ps. 139:7-10). - Called the "Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is working divinely since he is involved in: Creation (Job 33:4), Re-birthing (John 3: 3-8), justification (1 Cor.6:11), sanctification (Rom. 15:16), resurrection from the dead (1 Pet. 3:18; Rom. 8:11), also gives glory to the man (1 Cor. 15:43, 2 Cor. 3:18), enlightens Heaven (Job 26:13), is life giving (Job 33:4, John 6:63, Ps. 104:30), renewal (Tit. 3:5), and is resident in the believer in the same manner as the other persons of the Godhead (Rom. 8:9-11, 1 Cor. 3:16). He is also the Author and Revealer of Scripture (2 Pet. 1:20-21, Rev. 2:11, John 16:14-15), He convicts of sin (John 16:8-11). See also Luke 2:26, 24:49, John 14:26, 16:14, Acts 8:39, 21:11, Rom. 15:16, Gal. 5:16 and

14 The Holy Spirit was working in Christ (Matt. 4:1, Luke 1:35, Acts 1:2, 2:33, 10:38, Rom. 1:4, 8:11, Heb. 9:14). He was born through the mediation of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35), was also anointed by the Spirit for service (Acts 10:38), and has sacrificed Himself by the Spirit (Heb. 9:14), was raised by the power of the Spirit (Acts 2:33, John 16:7) and He has given orders to His followers through the Holy Spirit. 4.3 The Names assigned to the Spirit. - Spirit of God (Gen. 1:2, Luke 11:20, Rom. 8:9) - Spirit of Christ (Rom. 8:9, Phil. 1:19). The different names only indicates His engagement with the different persons of the Godhead. - Comforter (John 14:16) - Greek, Parakletos - and means someone who is called in to help (1 John 2:1) - Spirit of judgement and burning (Isa. 4:4) - Spirit of truth (John 4:17, 1 John 5:6) - The Holy Spirit of promise (John 16:7, Eph. 1:13) - The Spirit of grace (Heb. 10:29) - Spirit of adoption (Rom. 8:15) - Spirit of life (Rom. 8:2) - Spirit of glory (1 Pet. 4:14) - Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord (Isa. 11:2) - Spirit of prophecy (1 Sam. 10:10-11, 2 Pet. 1:21, Rev. 19:10) 14

15 4.4. Symbolism of the Spirit. - Fire (Ex. 13:21, Matt. 3:11, Luke 3:16,42, Acts 2:3) - Wind ( Ezek. 37:7-10, John 3:8, Acts 2:2) - Water (Ex. 17:6, Ezek. 36:25-27, 47:1, John 4:14, 7:38-39) - Seal (Eph. 1:13, 4:30, 2 Tim. 2:19) - Oil (Ex. 30:25-35, Eccl. 9:8, Matt. 25:3-9, 1 John 2:27) - Dove (Matt. 3:16, Gen. 1:2) - Ephod (Ex. 28:4,30, 1 Sam. 23:6,9, 30:7,8) - Urim and Tummim (Ex. 28:30, Num. 27:21) - Candlestick (Ex. 25:31-40, 27:20-21, Lev. 24:2-4, 1 Sam. 3:3) - Ark of the Covenant (1 Sam. 4:3, 14:18, 2 Sam. 7:2, 1 Chron. 17:1-6 - Hand of God (1 Kings 18:46, 2 Kings 3:15, Ezek. 3:14, 8:1-3, 37:1, 40:1) - Voice of the Lord (Job 37:4, Ps. 29:3-9, 68:34, 106:25) - Former and latter rain (Job 29:23, Jer. 5:24, Hos. 6:3, Joel 2:23) - Grain and new wine (Zach. 9:15-17) - Honey (Deut 32:13, Ps. 81:17) - Eye (1 Sam. 9:9, 11:2) - Word of the Lord (1 Kings 22:5, Ps. 107:11, Ezek. 11:14) - Stammering lips (Isa. 28:11, 1 Cor. 14:21) - Cloud (Ex. 1:4, 1 Kings 8:10) - Glory of the Lord (Ezek. 3:12) - Eliezer (Gen. 15:2, 24:1-52) - Breath of God (Job 26:13, 33:4, Ps. 33:6) 15

16 If we now look at the attributes of God, Christ and the Holy Spirit, we see that their attributes are identical and therefore they form a Trinity. Dr. Verster adds: "The Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit is in essence one, i.e. One Being (Deut. 6:4, John 1:18, Heb. 9:14). The Bible declares that the essence of God is "Spirit" (John 4:24). Therefore, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit have the same nature, will, and attributes of perfection. So we can say that in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit we do not have three Persons that oppose and fight each other but rather that we find three times, the same God, i.e., three times in a different way the same personal God... We come to the Father through the Son in the Spirit (John 14:6, 4:24)" The Godhead is Triune, in the same way that man is still one, but consists out of a spirit, soul and body, and husband and wife are two persons but are also one, in this same way also the Godhead consists of three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) but is still one and operates individually and they testify of each other (Matt. 3:17, John 5:19, 14:26, 15:26 16:13-14) and are unanimous (1 John 5:7). The doctrine of the Trinity is not set out clearly in the O.T., as the Jews practiced a monotheistic religion, meaning that they only believed in one God. All three Persons of the Godhead were active in the O.T.: Deut. 32:6 (Father). - Ps. 45:8, Prov. 30:4, Isa. 9:5, Isa. 53, Jud. 13:18 (Son). - Gen. 1:2, Isa. 63, 10, Ezek. 11:1, Sag. 4:6 (Holy Spirit). In the N.T. we find in 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." See also Matt. 3:16, 28:19, John 14:16, 26, Acts. 15:28, 2 Cor. 13:3, Heb. 9:14. 16

17 5. The Doctrine of the Trinity. In opposition to the doctrine of the Trinity stands the doctrine of the Oneness of God. From this perspective, Jesus holds three different positions within the Godhead. According to this theory, Jesus is then the Father, Jesus is also the Son and He is also the Holy Spirit. Matt. 28:19 declares that: "... baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit... The Oneness doctrine states that this text Father, Son and Holy Ghost are not names but offices. Christ means Anointed One, and refers to Jesus who was meant to come from the Jews as the Messiah. What is ignored is the fact that the Son was not called Jesus in Heaven before His coming to earth. He received that Name here on earth because of the purpose that He was send down to earth. "... You must call his name Jesus, for He will save his people from their sins "(Matt. 1:21). Since He also then, was obedient unto death, for the purpose for which He came.... God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name... (Phil. 2:9). God exalted Jesus on His return to heaven and not Himself (God). Research of Church History indicates that the first church baptized according to Matt. 28:19. i. Didaché 7:1 (the doctrine of the Twelve Apostles): "Concerning Baptism, Baptize as follow: after completing the aforementioned Baptize in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit... ii. iii. Letters of Justin the Martyr (born 100 AD) in his "Dialogue with Trypho the Jew": "... Then they were brought to us where there was water and they were born again or reformed as we were reformed. Because, in the name of God the Father Lord of the universe, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ and of The Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water... Ambrose (392 A.D.) writes: before they were baptized asking: Do you 17

18 believe in God the Father, the Almighty? If the believer replied, I believe he was baptized. There was then asked a second question: Do you believe in Jesus Christ and the cross? If the answer was: I believe, the person was again baptized a second time. For the third time the person was asked: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit? With the I believe was the person then baptized a third time. Baptism as found in the first four centuries of the Church's history can be researched further by reading "Baptism in the Early Church" by Prof. H. F. Stander and Prof. J.P. Louw. The Oneness doctrine also uses the following Scriptures: I. 1 Tim. 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. They then see where it is written God they then read it that God the Father is one of the offices of Christ. But Scriptures have to explain it self and we will look further into this matter later on. II. In Rev. 4:2 John sees One Who sits on the throne, and 5:1 he still sees One on the throne and 5:6 talk about the Son that is in the middle of the throne Who is worthy to open the seven seals. What they forget is that the Scripture says in the midst of the throne and the living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb... and midst and middle is two different entities. He came forward and He took the scroll out of the hands of Him who sat on the throne - it is clearly two persons who are referred to. 18

19 Statement of the doctrine of the Trinity: The Trinity is not directly explained in the Bible as a theological concept, but it is a doctrine derived from reasoning from the Scriptures that is presented to man is presented. There is no reference to three Gods, but of three persons that operates in unity. 1 John 5:7: "For there are three that bear record in heaven: the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit and these three are one." The reliability of this writing, however, is being disputed by many (E-Sword). Adam Clarke's commentary says that this verse was written in brackets in the first translations of the Bible. Matthew Henry in his commentary on these verses quotes from the writings of Facundus that contains writings and quotes from Cyprianus s A.D. on this verse in question. The verse was known and written in the style of the disciple John by the year 200 A.D. He used the term "Father" and "Word" readily in the Gospel of John and He was also the only one who used it. The characteristics of all three Persons of the Godhead are the same. I. Eternal: Rom. 16:26 "... according to the commandment of the everlasting God... Rev.1: I am the first and the last... I live for ever... Heb. 9:14... Who through the eternal Spirit of God sacrificed Himself without blemish" II. III. Faithful: Deut. 7:9 "Know therefore that the Lord your God, is God the faithful God...". Heb. 3:2 "who was faithful to Him who appointed him... Rev. 19:11... He that sat thereon called Faithful and True.... True: John 7:28... but He Who sent me is true, whom ye know not. Rev. 3:7... These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David... 1 John 5:20 "And we know that the Son of God came so that we can have understanding to know the truth, and we 19

20 are in the truth in His Son, Christ Jesus, He is the true God and eternal life." Mark 12:14, John 1:9, 17:3, Rev.19:11. IV. Holy: The Holy Spirit according to His name. 1 John 2:20 "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." 1 Pet. 1:16 "because it is written, be ye Holy therefore as I am holy." Lev. 11:45 "But ye denied the Holy One and the Just." Acts.3:14, Rev.4:8. V. Omnipresent: Jer. 23:24 "Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? Saith the LORD Eph. 1:22-23 "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. See Ps. 139:7, Matt. 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered in my Name, there am I in the midst of them." Also see Gen. 1:2. VI. VII. VIII. Almighty: Gen. 17:1 "I am God the Almighty." Mark. 10:27 "For with God all things are possible." Luke. 1:35, Rom. 15:19. Omniscient: John 21:17 "Lord, you know everything." Acts 15:18 "To God all his works are known from eternity." 1 Cor. 2:10-11 "But God gave it to us through His Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things." John 14:26, Acts 5:3; Creator: Gen.1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."col. 1:16 "all things are created through him and for him;" Job 33:4 "The Spirit of God hath made me and the breath of the Almighty giveth life unto me." Source of life: Gen. 2:7 "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. John 10:10, 28 "And I give them eternal life," Rom. 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ our IX. Lord." Gal. 6:8... Shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. " 20

21 X. Each was involved in the resurrection: John 2:19 "Jesus answered and said unto them, destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." 1 Cor. 6:14 "and God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power..." 1 Pet. 3:18 "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins.... put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" Rom. 8:11. All three persons are involved in salvation: John 10:28 "I give them eternal life..." Rom. 6:23 "... but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord..." Gal. 6:8 "shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." XI. The three Persons are living in us: 1 Cor. 3:16 "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you." 2 Cor. 6:16 "For ye are the temple of the living God, as God hath said, I will dwell in them and walk among them." Eph. 3:17 "So That Christ by faith may live in your hearts." 1 Cor. 6:19 They live in man: Eph. 2:22 "In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." Eph. 4:6 "One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" Rom. 8:9-11 "as the Spirit of God dwelleth in you.... But if Christ is in you." John 14:17... But ye know Him, because He abides with you and will be with you." XII. Furthermore the Holy Spirit is divinely at work: creates (Job 33:4), rebirth (John 3:3-8), makes righteous (1 Cor. 6:11), makes holy (Rom. 15:16), raises the dead (1 Pet. 3:18, Rom. 8:11), gives glory to man (1 Cor. 15:43, 2 Cor. 3:18), elucidates the heavens (Job 26:13), is life giving ( Job. 33:4, John. 6:63, Ps. 104:30), renews man (Tit. 3:5), living in man (Rom. 8:8-11, 1 Cor. 3:16), He is the author and Revealer of the Scripture (2 Pet. 1:20-21, Rev. 2:11, John 16:14-15), convicts of sin (John 16:8-11). The Spirit is also called God (Acts 5:3-4). 21

22 5.1 The Trinity in the New Testament The four Gospels. The birth of Jesus is announced in Luke as follows: Luke 1:31-32 "And behold, you will give birth to a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He will be great and be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of his father David. (Verse 35) "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy that is born, will be called Son of God. Matt. 1:18, 20-21, She is pregnant by the Holy Spirit.... Because what is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit, and she will bear a son, and shalt call his name Jesus, for it is he that will save his people from their sins. Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call him Emmanuel, which is, being interpreted, God with us. In part, we find the Holy Spirit as the active agent in the pregnancy of Mary but it is also attributed to the "power of God." We thus find three people are present, namely the Holy Spirit that effected the fertilization, Jesus who was still to be born, and God himself as the "Power of God" or in the expression "He shall be called the Son of God." At Jesus' baptism (Matt. 3:16-17, Mark 1:10-11, Luke 3:21-22, and John 1:32-34) we find: "And when Jesus was baptized, he immediately came up out of the water, and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God like a dove descending upon him: and. And there came a voice from heaven, saying, this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Here we have again the three persons present. The voice from heaven saying "This is my beloved Son," we also find this in other places of Scripture. (Matt. 3:17, 17:5, Mark 1:11, Luke. 3:22, 9:36, John 12:28). The demons also declared that He is the Son of God. (Mark 5:7, Luke 8:28). 22

23 Jesus called Himself the Son of God: Matt. 11:27: "Everything is given to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, nor does anyone know the Father except the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him." Matt. 24:36 Mark 13:32, Luke 10:22, 12:6-8, John 9:35, 14:13. He is also called by others the Son of God and did not deny it: Matt. 4:6 "If you are the Son of God" Matt. 8:29, 14:33, 27:40, 43, 54. Mark 3:11, 15:39, Luke 4:41, 22:70, John 1:34, 50, 11:27. The Gospel of John describes the relationship between the three Persons in the Godhead in a unique way: John 10:30 "The Father and I are One. 17:11, 21-22, 25. John 10:38 "and believe that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father" 14:10, 17:21. John 6:46 "Not that anyone has seen the Father, save he that cometh from God, He has seen the Father." 8:38, 14:9. He speaks of his existence from eternity John 8:58... Before Abraham was I am. 17:5, 17:18 6:62 He calls himself the Son of God: 5:25... The voice of the Son of God will be heard. 9:35, 10:36, 11:4. He implies that what the Father is, that the Son is also that in John 16:15 "All that the Father has is mine. He made himself equal with God (John. 5:18) "but who also called God his Father and made Himself equal with God". He also called Himself "God" (John 10:33)... And because thou, being a man, make yourself God." He comes not only from the presence of God (John 13:3) "... And that he came from God and returns to God. (16:30), or just have communion with the Father, but that he himself came from God (John 16:27, 28)... and believed that I came from God" (8:42, 17:8). 23

24 The interrelationship is not just limited to that between the Father and the Son, but also between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. John 14:16-26 reads: And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.... At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 15:26 " But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me". John. 16:7 "I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you."john. 6: In the referenced section He provides a clear distinction between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit hit. Another Person (Holy Spirit) in place of the Son on His request to the Father, sent to earth. The Baptism formula also distinguishes between these three Persons. Matt. 28:19 "baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit," not "in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" as if these are different names for the same person, but separately in each name. If we look into history of the early church history we will find that baptism took place according to the formula of Matt. 28:19 (Baptism in the Early Church by Prof. Stander HF and Prof. JP Louw). In the Pauline letters this trend repeats itself again: "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" and in the end of 2 Cor. 13:13 we find: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." And Paul says in 1 Cor. 2:10 "But God gave it to us by 24

25 his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God." This implies that the Spirit exists independently of God. In Rom. 8:9, the Spirit, the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ is mentioned. We find the three-pronged formula in the following writings of Paul, 1 Cor. 12:4-6, Eph. 2:18, 3:2-5, 4:4-7, 5:18-20, 1 Thes. 1:2-5, 2 Thes. 2:13-14, Tit. 2, Tim. 3:4-6. 1:3, Further more other N.T. writers also used the three-pronged formula: Heb. 2:3-4, 6:4-6, 10:29-31, 1 Pet. 1:2 "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of theblood of Jesus Christ." 1 Pet. 4:13-14, 1 John 5:4-8, Jud. 1:20-21, Rev. 1:4-6. If we can take a careful look at the above features and information, we can only come to one conclusion and that is that there is a unity between the three Persons of the Godhead and therefore we speak of a Trinity. The word "Trinity" is not found in the Scriptures. The word "Godhead" however is used. 25

26 6. Resources for further study. 1. Afrikaanse Bybel (1953 Version). 2. Amplified Bible. Lockman Foundation. Zondervan. 3. Baptism in the Early Church by Prof H. F. Stander and Prof J.P. Louw (web.up.ac.za/sitefiles/file/1/prof%20hf%20stander%20cv.pdf). 4. Butler. Trent. C. Holman Bible Dictionary: Holman Bible Publishers. Nashville. Tennessee. ISBN E-Sword Electronic Bible programme. Meyers Gispen. W.H., Oosterhoff. B.J., Ridderbos. H.N., Van Unnik. W.C., Visser P. Bybelse Ensiklopedie. Verenigde Protestantse Uitgewers. ISBN Full Gospel Church of God Pastoral Course - Dr. Verster. 26

27 7. Assignment. 1. Describe in your own words. 1.1 The Personal Attributes of God. 1.2 Absolute Attributes. 1.3 Moral Attributes. (25) 2. Write short notes on: 2.1 The Deity of Christ. 2.2 The Names of Christ. 2.3 The Earthly Assignment of Christ. 2.4 His Resurrection from the dead. 2.5 His Ascension. (25) 3. Discuss The person of the Holy Spirit. 3.1 The names of the Holy Spirit. 3.2 The Holy Spirit as a Person of the Godhead. 3.3 Symbol and Types of the Holy Spirit. (25) 4. Discuss the doctrine of the Trinity. (25) Total