I Believe The Triune God

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: John 1; Lord's Day 8
  1. The doctrine of the Trinity was concretely developed in the early church of this dispensation.
    1. The early church took the concepts about God revealed in Scripture and used words to describe these concepts.
      1. The words “trinity” and “person” are not in the Bible, but the concepts conveyed are Scriptural.
      2. “Person” is that which says, “I” in a rational-moral being – 3 such in the Godhead
    2. The true church always maintained that the oneness of the Godhead is essential; there are not multiple gods.
      1. There is only one true God, and He is one in Being (Deut. 6:4).
      2. The plurality of persons does not and may not destroy His oneness.
    3. The true church never questioned the individuality and deity of the Father, not the individuality of the Son.
      1. They first proved the deity of the Son - Nicene, Athanasian, Chalcedon Creeds.
      2. Each divine Person is not a part of God; but each arises out of the essence or being of God.
      3. The Persons are distinguished by their name.
  2. The Biblical proof for the Trinity.
    1. There is more than one Person because of the use of “us” Genesis 1:26,27; 3:22.
      1. The New Testament clearly shows that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are God.
      2. Divine names are given and divine works are ascribed to Jesus and to the Spirit (John 20:28).
      3. The clearest evidence is found in the baptism formula (Matt. 28:19) and in the apostolic benediction (II Cor. 13:14).
    2. Scripture teaches both the deity of the Son and God’s unity, without any contradiction.
      1. John’s narrative affirms the deity of Christ, without denying the unity of the Godhead.
      2. Jesus never refused worship, and even commanded such honor (5:22,23)
      3. Jesus even declared Himself and the Father to be one (10:30 with 33).
  3. The significance.
    1. The biblical data concerning God must be turned into praise and prayer to be genuine knowledge.
      1. The activity of the three Persons in relationship to each other shows that God is living - a living God.
      2. The oneness of the Being means perfect unity in God, no conflict or strife, only perfect fellowship and unity.
    2. The experience of this life is in redeemed humanity.
      1. The redeemed are given to know God, namely, the Three Persons in their relationships with each other.
      2. We experience a living relationship with God through Christ; and then we experience it with each other.
      3. Further, we experience a diversity and harmony within our unity with each other.