Foundations For Your Faith - Lesson 13 NIV The Trinity (Theology Proper) The Term TRINITY is derived form Tri and Unity meaning.three in One. How many Gods exist? Deut. 6:4; Isa. 43:10-13; Isa. 44:6-8 In the Old Testament, the title God (ELOHIM in Hebrew) ends with the plural im suffix. This indicates a plurality of persons. Note that God also refers to Himself as US in Genesis 1:26, Genesis 11:7 an Isaiah 6:8. How is the Trinity revealed in Isaiah 48:16? Read over the larger context, and interpret who is speaking in the verse, and who the other persons mentioned refer to. Which person of the Godhead is referred to as God in these verses? Matt. 6:9 and 14 1 Peter 1:2 John 1:1 Hebrews 1:8 Acts 5:3-4 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 Notice all three persons of the Trinity mentioned in these verses Matthew 28:19-20 Ephesians 2:18 2 Corinthians 13:14 Matthew 3:12-17 1 Peter 1:1-2 There is only ONE GOD, existing eternally in Three distinct Persons; One in essence, three in subsistence; each possessing equality in attributes; each participating individually in the accomplishing of the eternal purpose of the Godhead. Co-equal, coeternal, co-glorious; they possess fully and eternally the same essence, yet are distinct as individual divine personalities. They are distinct as Three, yet united as One. They are not each other in personality, yet are identical in nature, essence, and being. God is
Quiz on Lesson 13 NIV (Theology Proper) Foundations for Your Faith 1. At least one verse that proves there is only One God 2. What verse is known as The Shema 3. Shema is the Hebrew word that begins this verse and means 4. The best Old Testament verse demonstrating all three persons of the Trinity: 5. Five chapters demonstrating the deity of Jesus Christ: 6. At least one New Testament passage that mentions all three persons of the Trinity: 7. T/F When we speak of the Godhead in reference to God s being, nature or essence (the Ontological aspect of the Trinity) all three Persons are equal. 8. T/F When we speak of the Economic aspect of the Trinity (referring to the outworking of God s plan of redemption) there is submission and subordination among the Persons of the Godhead. 9. When was a time Christ was subordinate to the Holy Spirit? 10. In the Outworking of God s eternal plan of salvation.. The Author is The Mediator is The Applicator is 11. List at least four attributes of God under each category God s Natural Attributes God s Moral Attributes (Incommunicable) (Communicable) 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
Quiz Page 2 on Lesson 13 NIV (Theology Proper) Foundations for Your Faith 12. At least one verse that proves there is only One God 13. What verse is known as The Shema 14. Shema is the Hebrew word that begins this verse and means 15. The best Old Testament verse demonstrating all three persons of the Trinity: 16. Five chapters demonstrating the deity of Jesus Christ: 17. At least one New Testament passage that mentions all three persons of the Trinity: 18. T/F When we speak of the Godhead in reference to God s being, nature or essence (the Ontological aspect of the Trinity) all three Persons are equal. 19. T/F When we speak of the Economic aspect of the Trinity (referring to the outworking of God s plan of redemption) there is submission and subordination among the Persons of the Godhead. 20. When was a time Christ was subordinate to the Holy Spirit? 21. In the Outworking of God s eternal plan of salvation.. The Author is The Mediator is The Applicator is 22. List at least four attributes of God under each category God s Natural Attributes God s Moral Attributes (Incommunicable) (Communicable) 5 1 6 2 7 3 8 4
Teacher s Guide - Foundations For Your Faith - Lesson 13 The Trinity The Term TRINITY is derived from Tri and Unity meaning.three in One. How many Gods exist? Deut. 6:4; Isa. 43:10-13; Isa. 44:6-8 ONLY ONE GOD The word trinity is not used in the Bible. The question is not is the "term" used in the Bible but is the "concept" used in the Bible. There are terms not found in the Bible that we use because those terms help us to describe certain truths that the Bible clearly teaches. Trinity or Tri-unity is a term that describes the truth that God is three in one. He is three in person; one in essence or nature. So the question is not, does the word "trinity" exist in the Bible, but does the "doctrine" exist in the Bible. Is the meaning found in the Bible? Example: "Pre-millennial" is not found in the Bible, but does that mean the concept does not exist; that Christ is going to come before the establishment of His kingdom? We use terms to describe many things. So the question is: Does the teaching exist in the Bible? Yes, clearly it does. In the Old Testament, the title God (ELOHIM in Hebrew) ends with the plural im suffix. This indicates a plurality of persons. Other im endings (yohd mayim) Cherubim, Seraphim, Kadosh Kadoshim The word Elohim has a plural on the end of the word. There are places in the Bible where the term is used to indicate "idols" You worship the elohim of the nations; the gods of the nations. Sometimes the word is used to describe a judge; someone who has the ability to take someone's life; to execute. Initially God alone had that prerogative. That is why no one could kill Cain even though he had killed Abel. God did not give that responsibility to man until after the flood. In John 10, Jesus said, "have not I given you authority to execute criminals. Ye are gods. If God would place his name on people because He gave them divine authority to function, then why are you upset that I would call myself the Son of God?" God = Elohim El = Strength, Power The one from whom everything springs forth. God said, "let there be and there was." Creation; bringing to life. He is the one who is able; He said and there was...power flows from Him. The strong and able creator; the strong and mighty One; Almighty God. Elohim describes God as the "Maker" in the creator/creature relationship. So what we have here is a "plurality in unity"; a plurality of persons in a unity of essence. 1) Old Testament Word for God = Elohim = (im) ending; cherubim; seraphim. Plural in Hebrew (im). 2) Old Testament Word for Lord = Adonai {master) That is what Sarah called Abraham. A term of respect. Psalm 110 - "The LORD said to my Lord... Adonai, describes God as the "Master" in the master/servant relationship. Both here in Psalm 8:1 "O LORD, our Lord....O Jehovah our Sovereign Master
3) Jehovah = is God's personal name. When one is using this name he is indicating that he is in a personal covenant relationship with God. John 17:26 - "I have declared (explained) unto them thy name." He had revealed unto them who Jehovah really is and came down and made a personal covenant relationship with them. Origin of the word "Jehovah?" "Tetragrammaton" Four letters Yodh, Heht, Vou, Heht Hebrew has no vowels but has 22 consonants; a very small vocabulary. Adonai vowel pointings inserted into YHWH = YaHoWaH = Ex. 6:4 "I Am" The selfexistent One who has always was and always will be! A Jew will not utter or pronounce the word Jehovah/Yahweh because it was too holy. Every time they come to the name Jehovah in a public reading of God's Word they say Adonai. Duet. 6:4 - They would say, "Shema Yisrael, Adonai, Elohaino, Adonai aichod." "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord." yechod = one in singularity One person, one loaf of bread, one book "aichod" is used in reference to an army. One unit but many soldiers. Unity in plurality. One in nature and essence but more than one person. Note that God also refers to Himself as US in Genesis 1:26, Genesis 11:7 an Isaiah 6:8. How is the Trinity revealed in Isaiah 48:16? Read over the larger context, and interpret who is speaking in the verse, and who the other persons mentioned refer to. Whoever is talking at the beginning is still talking at the end. Who ever this one is that has been sent is the one who did not speak in secret from the beginning and from the time that the beginning was he existed. Who ever this person is that is speaking is eternal and he says, "the Lord God and His Spirit has sent me." The "me" here is eternal, because that is who is speaking; this one who has always been; and this eternal one who has always been has been sent by the Lord God and His Spirit. It is talking about Christ. (Go back to verse 12). Christ is speaking through Isaiah the prophet. This is the clearest illustration of distinct Trinity teaching in the Old Testament. Which person of the Godhead is referred to as God in these verses? Matt. 6:9 and 14 The Father 1 Peter 1:2 The Father John 1:1 The Father and the Son Hebrews 1:8 The Son Acts 5:3-4 The Holy Spirit 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 The Holy Spirit
Notice all three persons of the Trinity mentioned in these verses Matthew 28:19-20 Ephesians 2:18 2 Corinthians 13:14 Matthew 3:12-17 1 Peter 1:1-2 Definition Whatever it is that makes God who he is, (His eternal essence and nature) is possessed in its fullness by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They three are not three gods. In some mysterious way they are but one God, in three distinct persons. Operating, acting, communing, and yet possessing the same identical nature. Jesus speaks from verse Isa., 48:12 on... Isaiah 42:1 is the Father speaking about the Son. Jehovah is Jesus. These titles and names can be used of all three persons of the Trinity unless we have a reason to make distinctions in the interpretation of the text. Compare Isa. 6 with John 12:37-41. This is speaking of Jesus; so Isaiah saw Jesus! The Trinity was not fully revealed in the OT, but it was revealed that there are three divine persons and yet only one God. Isa. 48:16; Isa. 9:6; Micah 5:2. The Messiah is the Son of God and exists from eternity, therefore uncreated and eternal. There is only ONE GOD, existing eternally in Three distinct Persons; One in essence, three in subsistence; each possessing equality in attributes; each participating individually in the accomplishing of the eternal purpose of the Godhead. Co-equal, coeternal, co-glorious; they possess fully and eternally the same essence, yet are distinct as individual divine personalities. They are distinct as Three, yet united as One. They are not each other in personality, yet are identical in nature, essence, and being. God is
The Father is called God; the Son is called God; and the Holy Spirit is called God. Since we know there is only one God and all three of these persons are called God (Heb 1:8 the Father is calling Jesus, God); the fact that the Father calls the Son God is sufficient proof. However the Father states that he will not share his glory with another (who is not God) yet he obviously shares his glory with the Son because the Son says, "Father, restore to me the glory I had with you." All three persons are fully, co-equally God and yet these three are in some mysterious way, one; one in nature, one in essence, but three in personality and subsistence. Taking all that the Bible gives us we come up with the conclusion that all Three are the one God. HERESY Modelism = There is only one person in God, but he appears in three forms or modes at different times. There are three modes or revelations of God. Only one God and one person exist at any one time. The Father in the Old Testament, the Son in the Gospels, and the Spirit since the Day of Pentecost. HERESY! (some Apostolic Churches still hold to this heresy) It is imperative in all of our Bible study to accept all that the Scripture says, denying none of it. When we can explain it, we explain it; When we cannot fully explain, we simply state it and accept it. While there is only one God, yet He exists eternally in Three Persons. Consider the term "us" in Gen. 11:7 and 1:26. The following diagram should be helpful to you. Key Passages on the Trinity: Matt. 28:19-20; Matt. 3:13-17; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2; Eph. 2:18. Father, Son & Holy Spirit mentioned. IMPORTANT DOCTRINAL DISTINCTION Two Aspects to the Trinity: Ontological - Gk. ontos = In being EQUALITY! Phil. 2:6 - "who being (existing) in the form of God" to exist eternally; Christ always existed eternally with the very nature and being of God. Refers to the Trinity as they are in themselves; in their being. They are totally equal. Ex. Is the Father more God than the Son; The Son more God than the Spirit; the Spirit more God than the Father? No! In being or essence... They are equal in every way. Economic - House/law; plan. In the outworking of the plan.subordination! Father sends the Son. Father & the Son send the Spirit. The Spirit does the will of the Father. The Son is subordinate to the Father. Heb. 10:7 The Holy Spirit is subordinate to the Father & the Son. In the INCARNATION Jesus was subordinate to the Father. In the TEMPTATION Jesus was subordinate to the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit is subordinate to the Father (Matt. 3:16) The Spirit is subordinate to the Son (John 16:14) Economic - House/law; plan. In the outworking of the plan.subordination! Father sends the Son. Father & the Son send the Spirit. The Spirit does the will of the Father. The Son is subordinate to the Father. Heb. 10:7 The Holy Spirit is subordinate to the Father & the Son. In the INCARNATION Jesus was subordinate to the Father. In the TEMPTATION Jesus was subordinate to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is subordinate to the Father (Matt. 3:16) The Spirit is subordinate to the Son (John 16:14) In the ASCENSION the Spirit was subordinate to the Son. Which one is never subordinate to the others? The Father Although, He seated the Son at His right hand and is now making His enemies His footstool. Six key chapters on the Deity of Christ: John 1, 5, 8; Col. 1, Heb. 1, Rev. 1... Deity & Humanity: John 1; Phil. 2, Hebrews 1-4 THREE CHARTS FOLLOW ON (1) ATTRIBUTES OF GOD (2) (FALSE) VIEWS OF GOD (3) GOD S ATTRIBUTES APPLIED TO MY LIFE
The Attributes of God Essential Attributes (As He is in Himself) Life in Himself John 5:26 Underived, self-caused, source of all life Infinite Psalm 147:5 Limitless in every respect, Sovereign Personality Exodus 3:14 Possesses mind, emotion, will, self-conscious, self-determination Spirit John 5:24 Intelligent, Immaterial, invisible Unity Deut. 6:4 One God, undivided, indivisible Natural Attributes (As He relates to Nature) (Incommunicable) Eternity I Tim. 1:17 Infinite in relation to time Immutability James 1:17 Unchanging & unchangeable (Heb.13:8) Omnipresence Psalm 139:7-11 Infinite in relation to space All of God everywhere all the time Omniscience I John 3:20 Omnipotence Rev. 19:6 Infinite in relation to knowledge (wisdom) Infinite in relation to power & authority (Freedom) Moral Attributes (As He relates to Moral Beings...His Character (Communicable) True John 17:3 Ultimate reality underlying all existence Truthful... cannot lie John 3:33 Titus 1:2 Faithful... always keeps His promises I John 1:9 II Tim. 2:13 Love I John 4:8, 16 Eternal desire to give & share Himself Gracious... gives us good things we do not deserve Eph. 2:8-9 Merciful... spares us from the destruction we do deserve Eph. 2:4 Titus 3:5-6 Holy I Peter 1:16 Absolutely separate from all that is sinful, Above & beyond all that is His creation Righteous... His perfect straightness or rightness of standards Rom.3:25-26 Just... His absolute fairness in dealing with moral issues - based on His holiness - I John 1:9 (Necessity of Christ s death) We can only see a little of the ocean as we stand upon the rocky shore but out there...beyond the eye s horizon...there s more! We can only see a little of God s love and grace & glory a few rich treasures from His mighty store but out there...beyond the heart s horizon...there s more! (by Sam Fowler)
KNOWING GOD (Theology Proper) Views of God Atheism - There is no God (naturalism, evolution) Agnosticism - You can t know if there is a god or not Polytheism Belief in many gods (Hinduism, animism) Monotheism belief in one God umbrella term - but many monotheists still reject Biblical authority (Islam, Judaism, Deists, Modernists, etc) Pantheism - all is God, God is all (nature religion) (God is not personal) Deism - God created the world, wound it up like a clock with built-in natura laws, threw it out into space, and went home God is not involved in our world Dualism - there are two equal & opposite forces... the force be with you (God is not personal, only two kinds of forces good and evil) Spiritism/Animism/Paganism God is personal, but not omnipotent or a single being i.e. the river god, the sun god, the wolf god, etc... Shamanism: Witch Doctors or Medicine Men are a part of the religion Also: New Age, Native American Religion, Wicca/Paganism Modernism - Liberal Christianity - God is love (without justice) universalism everybody will be saved, just taking different roads to the same God Islam - Allah, religion of Muslims, works salvation (5 pillars) - no grace Judaism - 3 branches, attempt to follow the law (traditions) while rejecting the Messiah - trust in works - religion without relationship Jehovah s Witnesses - claim to follow Bible, but reject the Trinity, eternality and deity of Jesus Christ, bodily resurrection, eternal punishment, etc... Mormonism claims the Bible was corrupted, need writings of Joseph Smith for full message of God. Belief in many gods, man is in transition to godhead
Attributes of God CHARACTERISTIC SCRIPTURE DEFINTION APPLICATION Omniscience Acts 15:18 Holiness I Peter 1:15 Righteousness Acts 17:31 Love 1 John 4:7-8 Truth Romans 3:4 Freedom Isaiah 40:13-14 Omnipotence Hebrews 1:3 Infiniteness/Eternity Psalm 90:2 Immutability James 1:17 Omnipresence Psalm 139:7-12 Sovereignty Ephesians 1:4-6