The
Trinity
GOD REVEALED AS TRINITY
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Study Guide
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God Revealed as Trinity
The Trinity in the Old Testament 1. References to plurality • God is always depicted as a God of love. Love does not exist where there is no object of love. The plurality of the Godhead is therefore suggested here in its earliest seed form. • The Hebrew word for "God" in Genesis 1:1 is a plural word. • Genesis 1:26 refers to God as saying, Let us make man in our image. Also Genesis 3:22, Isaiah 6:8. 2. God the Father • Isaiah 63:16; 64:8; Jeremiah 3:4; 31:9. 3. God the Son • Hosea 11:1 as fulfilled in Matthew 2:14-15. • The Son of Man, seen in Daniel’s vision per Daniel 7:13-14. • Proverbs 30:4; Isaiah 9:6. 4. The Holy Spirit • Present in creation, Genesis 1:2. • Comes upon people in the Old Testament including figures such as David, Samson, Saul, Moses etc. 5. But one God • Deuteronomy 6:4. • And confirmed in the New Testament also, eg John 10:30. The Deity of Father, Son and Spirit 1. Deity of the Father • Ephesians 1:2. 2. Deity of the Son • John 1:1; John 10:30; Romans 9:5; Colossians 2:9. 3. Deity of the Spirit • Acts 5; Ephesians 4:30. One is Three, Three are One • The Father speaks of the Son as an individual, Matthew 3:17. • The Son speaks of the Father as an individual, Matthew 26:53
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• The Son speaks of the Holy Spirit as an individual, John 16:8. • From the Athanasian Creed: The Father is God. The Son is God. The Holy Ghost is God. Yet there are not three Gods. There is one God. The Father is Lord. The Son is Lord. The Holy Ghost is Lord. Yet there are not three Lords, but one Lord. We are compelled by Christian truth to acknowledge each person by Himself to be both God and Lord. So we are forbidden by the same truth to say that there are three Gods and three Lords.
The Trinity Reveals God There is one plan. There is one purpose. It is fulfilled by the Triune God as each person of the Triune God has, in a unity of labour and a unity of purpose, accomplished our redemption. 1. Greatness used for our blessing • The early names of God in the Old Testament in particular emphasise God’s greatness. • Progressively, however, God reveals that He has intended to use His greatness for our blessing. • The work of redemption is therefore Triune, in total harmony with God’s nature. 2. The Father and redemption • The Father is revealed as the originator and architect of the plan of redemption. The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world (1 John 4:14). For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16). 3. The Son and redemption • Became the sent One of the Father, although He is equal and co-eternal with Him. He took this place in order to carry out the work of salvation, determined in the eternal counsels of the Godhead. Behold my servant (Isaiah 52:13). Not my will, but yours be done (Luke 22:42). 4. The Spirit and redemption • Jesus said the Father would send the Spirit in His name. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you (John 14:26). • See also John 15:26; John 16:7. • The Holy Spirit has come to take the work that Christ has done and to apply it to men and woman in the work of salvation. 5. Grace revealed • Jesus came to reveal the Father, and through His work came the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This is the ultimate revelation of the grace of God. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17). The kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared (Titus 3:4)
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God Revealed as Trinity
Review Questions 1. Which of the following is NOT a veiled reference to the Trinity in the Old Testament? A. God’s character of love. B. "Let us make man in our image." C. God’s character of holiness. D. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." 2. Which of the following statements is false? A. The Son of God is only spoken of in the New Testament, because He is Jesus. B. The Holy Spirit is referenced often in the Old Testament. C. The nation of Israel knew God as the Father of the nation. D. The Holy Spirit is directly involved in the work of redemption. 3. What is the correct designation of the work of redemption? (As a guide only) A. The Father carried out the work, the Son applies the work, the Spirit planned the work. B. The Father planned the work, the Son applies the work, the Spirit carried out the work. C. The Father planned the work, the Son carried out the work, the Spirit applies the work.. D. The Father applies the work, the Son carried out the work, the Spirit planned the work. 4. Ultimately, the Trinity... A. Reveals the grace of God. B. Is incomprehensible. C. Does not change the fact that God is One God. D. All of the above. 5. In Matthew 12:31, Jesus speaks of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. This is significant because... A. You can only blaspheme God. The Holy Spirit must be divine. B. Since He is blasphemed, He is not God. The Holy Spirit is merely the third person of the Trinity. C. It is not relevant to this topic. D. To blaspheme is not very serious. 6. For the purposes of redemption, Jesus... A. Became the sent One from the Father. B. Did the Father’s will. C. Became the servant of the Father. D. All of the above.
Answers | 1C | 2A | 3C | 4D | 5A | 6D bibleclass.com.au
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