The Doctrine Of The Trinity As Taught in Scripture

[Jun2u]

The word “Trinity” does not appear in Holy Writ never the less the doctrine is clearly taught in both the Old and New Testaments. The words “omniscient” and “omnipresent” do not appear in the KJV of the Bible, and yet no serious Bible student will deny that the Scriptures do teach that God is omniscient and that He is omnipresent. That is He is all powerful and everywhere present.

Let’s begin by admitting that we have absolutely no knowledge of God outside of that which He has seen fit to reveal to man as far as His nature of being is concerned, no priory argument will suffice. The only guarantee we have is God is one God while subsisting in three persons is His Word for it.

Philosophers may project all sorts of arguments based upon various hypothesis but the man of God realizes that his only word of final authority is the Holy Scripture itself. We have to find out what the Bible says.

When the apostle Paul writes to the church of Corinth in 2 Corinthians 13:14: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”

Since the Bible definitely shows that the Son is God, and it also indicates that the Father is God, and teaches that the Holy Spirit is God, this verse also definitely shows there are three persons subsisting in the Godhead. Rather than arguing with the carnal mind “how can these things be” which unregenerate Nicodemus argued, let us learn what the Word of God reveals concerning the Holy Trinity, and accept its doctrine even though we will have to confess we don’t understand all that we find? As Paul would say in his blunt fashion, “Let every man be a liar if necessary but let God be God.” Let the Scripture stand as His Word.

Genesis 1:1 reads: “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” The word God is “Elohim” and that’s plural, and created “bara” is singular. The noun God is a plural form, the word create it is singular. This is particularly important when we remember when the Lord Jesus declared ‘every jot and tittle is inspired or God-breathed,’ so that every letter and every word in the original autograph of the Bible IS given by God.

Now, in the Hebrew language, there are three numbers we only have two in our language. The three numbers are singular, dual, and plural. Singular number speaks of “one,” dual number speaks of “two,” and plural number speaks of “three or more.” When a Hebrew noun ends in “im” the plural number is indicated. In Genesis 1:1 is said that Elohim, note the plural form in the ending was the creator, not just one, not just two, but at least three are involved in the act of creation.

The verb, however, is singular “bara” we might render it properly in this way: “In the beginning, God (plural) He (singular) created (singular) the heaven and the earth.” Seem like a contradiction isn’t it? If the subject God is plural, then the verb and inferred or pronoun should be plural as well according to the rule of grammar. In other words, in the beginning, Gods they created the heaven and the earth. The point however that the Bible distinctly teaches that although God subsists in three different persons, He is still one God and NOT three Gods.

The opening of the Bible is not the only place we can find the interchange of the singular and plural. In Genesis 1:26-27 we read: “And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” So God created man in his image, in the image created He him male and female created He them. In this passage the word “said” is singular and “God said” so it is, and Elohim “He said” not they said. The uni-plural noun Elohim is declared to be one by the singular personal pronoun as inflected in the word said, and then chooses a suitable dialog along or between the three persons of the Godhead. Elohim says (singular) let us make man in our (plural) image.

So that God (plural) created (singular) man in His (singular) own image. Now notice in verse 26 the personal pronouns are plural, in verse 27 the personal pronouns are singular. The singular and plural interchange defies such a carnal philosophy nor are we dealing with three Gods for the same interchange with the same combination declares that Jehovah though He is three persons is ONE GOD. FANTASTIC ISN’T IT?

continue...

 

[Jun2u]

Page 2

The diabolical sons of Arius who deny that the ONE GOD JEHOVAH subsist as three persons love to quote Deuteronomy 6:4 in defense of their heresy, apparently, they are unaware that Elohim is used in reference to the Godhead. Remember its a uni-plural noun. And they also fail to recognize that Jehovah is the sublime title for Him who is ONE GOD.

So they quote, “hear O Israel Jehovah our Elohim is one Jehovah. Remember when LORD is spelled with all capital letters in the Old Testament in the KJV, the printer is telling the English reader that the word behind LORD is YHWH or JEHOVAH. Please observe certain things quite plain in the English and even more clear in the Hebrew text: Jehovah (singular) our Elohim (plural) is one Jehovah (singular).

The one God Jehovah is seen subsisting in the plurality of three or more because the “im” ending of Elohim means three or more, and yet it declares He is one Jehovah even as in over Deuteronomy 4:35.

Another thing to be observed in this passage which so plainly declared the doctrine of the Trinity in such a dynamic way, is the little word “one.” This term speaks of a compound unity, the Hebrew word is “echad” and declares “oneness” in plurality.

Now there are several examples of this in the Old Testament that are openly displayed. For example, look at Genesis 11:6. Here we read: “Behold the people is one” and the word for ‘one’ here is the Hebrew word ‘echad’ where it says over in Deuteronomy 6:4 that Jehovah is “one.” People refer to the plural number but the predicate the “is” is singular, and the ‘one’ “echad” speaks of the “oneness” or complete unity of the plurality. In other words, there is a unity among the people that binds them together as “one people.” Therefore, we discover that the plural being spoken of is actually unity or singular.

This same Hebrew word can also be used in Genesis 2:24. This is a beautiful illustration here where “echad” is used and translated as “one.” The two shall be one flesh! Now the two (plural) shall be (plural) one (singular) flesh. Obviously, the word of God does not mean that when a man knows his wife that there shall after that be only one body, only one personality, and no longer two people. No, the idea is that plurality of persons shall continue to exist as separate and distinct personality, but they will share a “oneness” from the results of their intimate knowledge of one another. It is quite clear that the favorite text of the Unitarian is a powerful statement to the fact that God exists as a plurality of persons “Elohim” in one compound unity of the Godhead known as Jehovah.

We might also observe here for the technical term one only, or one alone and that’s “yahid,” but that is not the term used in Deuteronomy 6:4 or these other passages noted where it speaks of unity, or plurality, or the fact that God exists in three persons is ONE GOD.

There are also instances in which the precious doctrine of the Holy Trinity is to be found in the example of the glorious vision of Jehovah the King of Hosts in Isaiah 6. This deals with God the Father according to Bible scholars. We read: “Mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts.” Although Isaiah has seen Jehovah seated upon the throne high and lifted up, the apostle John affirmed in John 12:41 that Isaiah actually beheld Christ. Then Paul declares that the message was given to Isaiah on this occasion after the vision, Isaiah 6:9 were really spoken by the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah says it was the Father. John says it was the Son. Paul says it was the Holy Spirit. Who is this ONE JEHOVAH? Well, He is God the Father, God The Son, and God the Holy Spirit blessed Trinity. One, in essence, one in substance, but three distinct and separate persons subsisting in the unity of the Godhead.

continue...

 

[Jun2u]

Page 3
Now the same identification is found in Isaiah 63:7-14 where all three persons in the Godhead are mentioned doing precisely the same thing. It needs to be remembered that the title “the angel or messenger of Jehovah’s presence” is an appellation which identifies God the Son.

Isaiah 63:7-8 it is the LORD that is Jehovah who is seen as the savior of the people of God. In verse 9 we are told it is the messenger of His presence that is God the Son. It was He who led them to the place of tranquil rest. And, yet in verses 13-14 we read that it was the Spirit of God who caused the chosen people to rest.

There can be no doubt that the Hebrew Old Testament taught the plurality of persons subsisting in the unity of the Godhead. This, of course, is quite reasonable in as much as the same Author wrote both the Old and the New Testaments.

Now, again and again, we find the three persons of the Godhead uniting in the mighty work attributed the Deity throughout the New Testament. Our blessed Lord constantly affirmed that Jehovah was His Father. Yet the inspired Scripture insists that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Our dear Savior is the Son of the Highest for He is the Son of God. Indeed without controversy is this mystery of Godliness.

Now we must stand in awe of the fact that God was manifest in the flesh which of course is God the Son, and justified in the Spirit the blessed third person of the Holy Trinity.

Now on the occasion of the baptism of the Lord Jesus by John, we read that the voice of God the Father speaking when God the Holy Spirit, embodied as a dove descended upon God the Son, is not surprising therefore that Jesus should declare to His disciples that they baptize in the name of the Holy Trinity. Having declared that He is sovereign and omnipotent, He says: all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

esus commands those whom He has carefully taught to disciple the nations of the earth, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and in the name of the Son, and in the name of the Holy Spirit. God is ONE JEHOVAH! Although He is plainly declared to subsist as three separately identifiable persons. Since there is only one baptism according to Ephesians 4:5, and since to act in the name of another is to act upon His authority, true baptism is upon the authority of the triune God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed Trinity, One Jehovah for all eternity. And not only is baptism to be in the name (singular by the way) of the One God (singular) but who subsist in three persons Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

But the Trinity is seen also in the mighty work of Jehovah throughout the New Testament. In 1 Peter 1:2 we see that the saints are elect in accordance with the foreknowledge of God which is based upon His immutable plan. Peter says that election is the work of God the Father, that our sanctification is the work of God the Holy Spirit, that our redemption is through the blood of God the Son.


Our Lord Himself taught Nicodemus that it is God the Holy Spirit who regenerates, God the Son who redeems, and God the Father who reveals His love and grace.

continue

 

[Jun2u]

Page 4

But perhaps the most dramatic declaration of the Trinity lies in the manner in which the Scriptures declares that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit ALIKE raised Jesus from among the dead!

In Acts 13:30 as well as Romans 6:4, is plainly stated that God the Father resurrected our dear Savior. Christ was raised from among the dead by the glory of the Father, we read. Yet in John 2:19; 10:17,19, we’re specifically taught that the Son raised Himself from among the dead. For it is said, Jesus answered them, ‘destroy the temple and in three days I will raise it up again,’ and He spoke of the temple of His body and He said: I will raise it up.

And again Christ said: ”Therefore doth my Father love me because I lay down my life that I might take it again. No man takes my life from me, I lay it down by myself, I have the power to lay it down, I have the power to take it up again.”

Yet the apostle Paul and Peter insist that the Savior was resurrected from among the dead by God the Holy Spirit. Christ has once suffered for sins to be put to death by the flesh made alive by the Holy Spirit. How marvelous is the clarity of the testimony of the word of God? Jehovah is indeed ONE, as perfect unity in essence and substance yet He is three as to persons.

Now God should not be thought of as separate individuals in the sense of Peter, James, and John because Peter, James, and John are not one. They are lacking in absolute unity. There is disagreement among them. There is the difference as to gifts and capabilities, and quality of brains and so forth. They are not equal, they are not one in unity and substance, in essence, and purpose, and so on, as God is indeed one.

So we must not take them as three different persons like Peter, James, and John, for this denies His absolute unity and substance, and essence. On the other hand, to say God is an absolute unity in the sense as of one alone without subsisting as three persons is also heresy according to the Bible.

And so all of us in our hearts today should join in the doxology of the church:

Praise God in whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

For our God indeed is ONE GOD and yet we see that the Scriptures teach plainly, although we cannot understand how, the Scriptures teach plainly that God is ONE, He exists in one unity, He subsists in three persons as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For the Bible teaches indeed that the Father is God. It teaches indeed that the Son is God. It teaches indeed that the Holy Spirit is God. Three persons, distinct, and separate. And yet in the same breath that declares, this God who exists in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist as ONE GOD, ONE JEHOVAH for all of eternity!

To God Be The Glory

 

[Enoch111]

And to this we can add one of the most significant Scriptures to confirm the truth of the Trinity -- Matthew 28:19.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost

Therefore anyone cannot -- or will not -- affirm the truth of the Trinity in his heart cannot be a true believer, since he must be baptized in the Name (singular) of the triune Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

Furthermore, while many deny the validity of 1 John 5:7 KJB (at the urging of Unitarians) there is ample evidence to show that this too is genuine Scripture, and without this verse, the passage is nonsensical. Even the Catholic Douay-Rheims translation has this verse.

King James Bible
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And there are three who give testimony in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these three are one.

 

[Jun2u]

And to this we can add one of the most significant Scriptures to confirm the truth of the Trinity -- Matthew 28:19.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost

Therefore anyone cannot -- or will not -- affirm the truth of the Trinity in his heart cannot be a true believer, since he must be baptized in the Name (singular) of the triune Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

Furthermore, while many deny the validity of 1 John 5:7 KJB (at the urging of Unitarians) there is ample evidence to show that this too is genuine Scripture, and without this verse, the passage is nonsensical. Even the Catholic Douay-Rheims translation has this verse.

King James Bible
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And there are three who give testimony in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these three are one.

What better witnesses to affirm truths than the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Good insight.

 

[JunChosen]

As I’ve gotten into Bible reading, I find it amazing how desperate trinitarians are to find support for their doctrine they reach for verses that undermine their doctrine. This and John 1:1 are 2 great examples.

The word “Trinity” does not appear in Holy Writ never the less the doctrine is clearly taught in both the Old and New Testaments. The words “omniscient” and “omnipresent” do not appear in the KJV of the Bible, and yet no serious Bible student will deny that the Scriptures do teach that God is omniscient and that He is omnipresent. That is He is all powerful and everywhere present.

Let’s begin by admitting that we have absolutely no knowledge of God outside of that which He has seen fit to reveal to man as far as His nature of being is concerned, no priory argument will suffice. The only guarantee we have is God is one God while subsisting in three persons is His Word for it.

Philosophers may project all sorts of arguments based upon various hypothesis but the man of God realizes that his only word of final authority is the Holy Scripture itself. We have to find out what the Bible says.

When the apostle Paul writes to the church of Corinth in 2 Corinthians 13:14: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”

Since the Bible definitely shows that the Son is God, and it also indicates that the Father is God, and teaches that the Holy Spirit is God, this verse also definitely shows there are three persons subsisting in the Godhead. Rather than arguing with the carnal mind “how can these things be” which unregenerate Nicodemus argued, let us learn what the Word of God reveals concerning the Holy Trinity, and accept its doctrine even though we will have to confess we don’t understand all that we find? As Paul would say in his blunt fashion, “Let every man be a liar if necessary but let God be God.” Let the Scripture stand as His Word.

Genesis 1:1 reads: “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” The word God is “Elohim” and that’s plural, and created “bara” is singular. The noun God is a plural form, the word create it is singular. This is particularly important when we remember when the Lord Jesus declared ‘every jot and tittle is inspired or God-breathed,’ so that every letter and every word in the original autograph of the Bible IS given by God.

Now, in the Hebrew language, there are three numbers we only have two in our language. The three numbers are singular, dual, and plural. Singular number speaks of “one,” dual number speaks of “two,” and plural number speaks of “three or more.” When a Hebrew noun ends in “im” the plural number is indicated. In Genesis 1:1 is said that Elohim, note the plural form in the ending was the creator, not just one, not just two, but at least three are involved in the act of creation.

The verb, however, is singular “bara” we might render it properly in this way: “In the beginning, God (plural) He (singular) created (singular) the heaven and the earth.” Seem like a contradiction isn’t it? If the subject God is plural, then the verb and inferred or pronoun should be plural as well according to the rule of grammar. In other words, in the beginning, Gods they created the heaven and the earth. The point however that the Bible distinctly teaches that although God subsists in three different persons, He is still one God and NOT three Gods.

The opening of the Bible is not the only place we can find the interchange of the singular and plural. In Genesis 1:26-27 we read: “And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” So God created man in his image, in the image created He him male and female created He them. In this passage the word “said” is singular and “God said” so it is, and Elohim “He said” not they said. The uni-plural noun Elohim is declared to be one by the singular personal pronoun as inflected in the word said, and then chooses a suitable dialog along or between the three persons of the Godhead. Elohim says (singular) let us make man in our (plural) image.

So that God (plural) created (singular) man in His (singular) own image. Now notice in verse 26 the personal pronouns are plural, in verse 27 the personal pronouns are singular. The singular and plural interchange defies such a carnal philosophy nor are we dealing with three Gods for the same interchange with the same combination declares that Jehovah though He is three persons is ONE GOD.

continue...

 

[JunChosen]

Page 2

The diabolical sons of Arius who deny that the ONE GOD JEHOVAH subsist as three persons love to quote Deuteronomy 6:4 in defense of their heresy, apparently, they are unaware that Elohim is used in reference to the Godhead. Remember its a uni-plural noun. And they also fail to recognize that Jehovah is the sublime title for Him who is ONE GOD.

So they quote, “hear O Israel Jehovah our Elohim is one Jehovah. Remember when LORD is spelled with all capital letters in the Old Testament in the KJV, the printer is telling the English reader that the word behind LORD is YHWH or JEHOVAH. Please observe certain things quite plain in the English and even more clear in the Hebrew text: Jehovah (singular) our Elohim (plural) is one Jehovah (singular).

The one God Jehovah is seen subsisting in the plurality of three or more because the “im” ending of Elohim means three or more, and yet it declares He is one Jehovah even as in over Deuteronomy 4:35.

Another thing to be observed in this passage which so plainly declared the doctrine of the Trinity in such a dynamic way, is the little word “one.” This term speaks of a compound unity, the Hebrew word is “echad” and declares “oneness” in plurality.

Now there are several examples of this in the Old Testament that are openly displayed. For example, look at Genesis 11:6. Here we read: “Behold the people is one” and the word for ‘one’ here is the Hebrew word ‘echad’ where it says over in Deuteronomy 6:4 that Jehovah is “one.” People refer to the plural number but the predicate the “is” is singular, and the ‘one’ “echad” speaks of the “oneness” or complete unity of the plurality. In other words, there is a unity among the people that binds them together as “one people.” Therefore, we discover that the plural being spoken of is actually unity or singular.

This same Hebrew word can also be used in Genesis 2:24. This is a beautiful illustration here where “echad” is used and translated as “one.” The two shall be one flesh! Now the two (plural) shall be (plural) one (singular) flesh. Obviously, the word of God does not mean that when a man knows his wife that there shall after that be only one body, only one personality, and no longer two people. No, the idea is that plurality of persons shall continue to exist as separate and distinct personality, but they will share a “oneness” from the results of their intimate knowledge of one another. It is quite clear that the favorite text of the Unitarian is a powerful statement to the fact that God exists as a plurality of persons “Elohim” in one compound unity of the Godhead known as Jehovah.

We might also observe here for the technical term one only, or one alone and that’s “yahid,” but that is not the term used in Deuteronomy 6:4 or these other passages noted where it speaks of unity, or plurality, or the fact that God exists in three persons is ONE GOD.

There are also instances in which the precious doctrine of the Holy Trinity is to be found in the example of the glorious vision of Jehovah the King of Hosts in Isaiah 6. This deals with God the Father according to Bible scholars. We read: “Mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts.” Although Isaiah has seen Jehovah seated upon the throne high and lifted up, the apostle John affirmed in John 12:41 that Isaiah actually beheld Christ. Then Paul declares that the message was given to Isaiah on this occasion after the vision, Isaiah 6:9 were really spoken by the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah says it was the Father. John says it was the Son. Paul says it was the Holy Spirit. Who is this ONE JEHOVAH? Well, He is God the Father, God The Son, and God the Holy Spirit blessed Trinity. One, in essence, one in substance, but three distinct and separate persons subsisting in the unity of the Godhead.

continue...

 

[JunChosen]

Page 3
Now the same identification is found in Isaiah 63:7-14 where all three persons in the Godhead are mentioned doing precisely the same thing. It needs to be remembered that the title “the angel or messenger of Jehovah’s presence” is an appellation which identifies God the Son.

Isaiah 63:7-8 it is the LORD that is Jehovah who is seen as the savior of the people of God. In verse 9 we are told it is the messenger of His presence that is God the Son. It was He who led them to the place of tranquil rest. And, yet in verses 13-14 we read that it was the Spirit of God who caused the chosen people to rest.

There can be no doubt that the Hebrew Old Testament taught the plurality of persons subsisting in the unity of the Godhead. This, of course, is quite reasonable in as much as the same Author wrote both the Old and the New Testaments.

Now, again and again, we find the three persons of the Godhead uniting in the mighty work attributed the Deity throughout the New Testament. Our blessed Lord constantly affirmed that Jehovah was His Father. Yet the inspired Scripture insists that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Our dear Savior is the Son of the Highest for He is the Son of God. Indeed without controversy is this mystery of Godliness.

Now we must stand in awe of the fact that God was manifest in the flesh which of course is God the Son, and justified in the Spirit the blessed third person of the Holy Trinity.

Now on the occasion of the baptism of the Lord Jesus by John, we read that the voice of God the Father speaking when God the Holy Spirit, embodied as a dove descended upon God the Son, is not surprising therefore that Jesus should declare to His disciples that they baptize in the name of the Holy Trinity. Having declared that He is sovereign and omnipotent, He says: all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

esus commands those whom He has carefully taught to disciple the nations of the earth, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and in the name of the Son, and in the name of the Holy Spirit. God is ONE JEHOVAH! Although He is plainly declared to subsist as three separately identifiable persons. Since there is only one baptism according to Ephesians 4:5, and since to act in the name of another is to act upon His authority, true baptism is upon the authority of the triune God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Blessed Trinity, One Jehovah for all eternity. And not only is baptism to be in the name (singular by the way) of the One God (singular) but who subsist in three persons Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

But the Trinity is seen also in the mighty work of Jehovah throughout the New Testament. In 1 Peter 1:2 we see that the saints are elect in accordance with the foreknowledge of God which is based upon His immutable plan. Peter says that election is the work of God the Father, that our sanctification is the work of God the Holy Spirit, that our redemption is through the blood of God the Son.


Our Lord Himself taught Nicodemus that it is God the Holy Spirit who regenerates, God the Son who redeems, and God the Father who reveals His love and grace.

continue

Page 4

But perhaps the most dramatic declaration of the Trinity lies in the manner in which the Scriptures declares that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit ALIKE raised Jesus from among the dead!

In Acts 13:30 as well as Romans 6:4, is plainly stated that God the Father resurrected our dear Savior. Christ was raised from among the dead by the glory of the Father, we read. Yet in John 2:19; 10:17,19, we’re specifically taught that the Son raised Himself from among the dead. For it is said, Jesus answered them, ‘destroy the temple and in three days I will raise it up again,’ and He spoke of the temple of His body and He said: I will raise it up.

And again Christ said: ”Therefore doth my Father love me because I lay down my life that I might take it again. No man takes my life from me, I lay it down by myself, I have the power to lay it down, I have the power to take it up again.”

Yet the apostle Paul and Peter insist that the Savior was resurrected from among the dead by God the Holy Spirit. Christ has once suffered for sins to be put to death by the flesh made alive by the Holy Spirit. How marvelous is the clarity of the testimony of the word of God? Jehovah is indeed ONE, as perfect unity in essence and substance yet He is three as to persons.

Now God should not be thought of as separate individuals in the sense of Peter, James, and John because Peter, James, and John are not one. They are lacking in absolute unity. There is disagreement among them. There is the difference as to gifts and capabilities, and quality of brains and so forth. They are not equal, they are not one in unity and substance, in essence, and purpose, and so on, as God is indeed one.

So we must not take them as three different persons like Peter, James, and John, for this denies His absolute unity and substance, and essence. On the other hand, to say God is an absolute unity in the sense as of one alone without subsisting as three persons is also heresy according to the Bible.

And so all of us in our hearts today should join in the doxology of the church:

Praise God in whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

For our God indeed is ONE GOD and yet we see that the Scriptures teach plainly, although we cannot understand how, the Scriptures teach plainly that God is ONE, He exists in one unity, He subsists in three persons as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For the Bible teaches indeed that the Father is God. It teaches indeed that the Son is God. It teaches indeed that the Holy Spirit is God. Three persons, distinct, and separate. And yet in the same breath that declares, this God who exists in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist as ONE GOD, ONE JEHOVAH for all of eternity!

To God Be The Glory

 

[Butch5]

Page 4

But perhaps the most dramatic declaration of the Trinity lies in the manner in which the Scriptures declares that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit ALIKE raised Jesus from among the dead!

In Acts 13:30 as well as Romans 6:4, is plainly stated that God the Father resurrected our dear Savior. Christ was raised from among the dead by the glory of the Father, we read. Yet in John 2:19; 10:17,19, we’re specifically taught that the Son raised Himself from among the dead. For it is said, Jesus answered them, ‘destroy the temple and in three days I will raise it up again,’ and He spoke of the temple of His body and He said: I will raise it up.

And again Christ said: ”Therefore doth my Father love me because I lay down my life that I might take it again. No man takes my life from me, I lay it down by myself, I have the power to lay it down, I have the power to take it up again.”

Yet the apostle Paul and Peter insist that the Savior was resurrected from among the dead by God the Holy Spirit. Christ has once suffered for sins to be put to death by the flesh made alive by the Holy Spirit. How marvelous is the clarity of the testimony of the word of God? Jehovah is indeed ONE, as perfect unity in essence and substance yet He is three as to persons.

Now God should not be thought of as separate individuals in the sense of Peter, James, and John because Peter, James, and John are not one. They are lacking in absolute unity. There is disagreement among them. There is the difference as to gifts and capabilities, and quality of brains and so forth. They are not equal, they are not one in unity and substance, in essence, and purpose, and so on, as God is indeed one.

So we must not take them as three different persons like Peter, James, and John, for this denies His absolute unity and substance, and essence. On the other hand, to say God is an absolute unity in the sense as of one alone without subsisting as three persons is also heresy according to the Bible.

And so all of us in our hearts today should join in the doxology of the church:

Praise God in whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

For our God indeed is ONE GOD and yet we see that the Scriptures teach plainly, although we cannot understand how, the Scriptures teach plainly that God is ONE, He exists in one unity, He subsists in three persons as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For the Bible teaches indeed that the Father is God. It teaches indeed that the Son is God. It teaches indeed that the Holy Spirit is God. Three persons, distinct, and separate. And yet in the same breath that declares, this God who exists in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist as ONE GOD, ONE JEHOVAH for all of eternity!

To God Be The Glory

Except that there are two, not three. Also, Elohim can be a superlative in which case it can refer to one God as in the royal we.