1
Trinity and Character of God Review Sheet Any scripture that can be understood according to two or more different views – that particular verse does not prove that particular view is true. 1. Define The Character of God The character of God is the description of how God is using His abilities of existence The description of: ! for what motive, ! purpose, and ! under what conditions, and ! God’s upholding the eternal principles of right.) It is the description of what He does, why He does it, and under what conditions. 2. List God’s abilities of existence. a. omnipotence, b. omnipresence, c. omniscience, d. eternity of Being, e. personality, f. Trinity-relationship 3. State the six areas of absolute ‘oneness” in the Trinity a. Abilities b. Motive, c. Perfect agreement, d. equality of value and equally God e. character f. Absolutely perfect Trinity oneness of relationship 4. Define the concept of the "oneness" or unity of the Godhead. Give the primary Old and New Testament passages revealing this concept. Oneness means that the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have infinite, common love, and infinite understanding. In Genesis 1:1, Eloihim is a plural name for God connected with a singular verb. Genesis 1:26 refers to God, "Let us,". In Genesis 2:24 and Deuteronomy 6:4, 'ECHAD' appears referring to a unity composed of parts, a compound unity. There is the parallel in the way that a husband and wife are 'one,' in like manner, (but infinitely perfectly) the Trinity are one. John 17:11,21,23 Jesus refers to the oneness between the Father and Him. 5. Explain what John 17:11, 21-22 reveals about the relationship of the Trinity. Jesus is referring to the unity that exists in the Godhead. This is important because this shows Jesus is part of the Godhead; there is oneness among them, and Jesus prays that his disciples would be one too. Human unity is imperfect, because of selfishness, and finite understanding, but Trinity oneness is perfect because God lives in ! unfaltering love and ! perfect understanding of all truth. Mature Christian unity with common purpose lived out in relationship can give us a marvelous glimpse into the nature of Trinity unity of our One God the perfection of their absolute oneness of the relationship between the Father and Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. 6. Explain the concept of diversity within unity in the Trinity. Diversity within the unity in the Trinity means that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have ! individual personalities and ! functions (different job descriptions) while working for one purpose and always in agreement.
2 7. Unity is the result of what two things? Common Understanding and Common Unselfishness 8. State the aspects of the unity of the Godhead and the aspects of the diversity of the Godhead. The aspects of unity of the Trinity: They are all ! eternal, ! omnipresent, ! omnipotent, ! omniscience, ! personality abilities, ! total and perfect communication, ! loving character, ! common purpose -- perfectly united together in glorious relationship. 9. List and explain two places in scripture where each member of the Trinity is distinctively present. 10. Why was it so significant when Jesus referred to Himself as ego eimi (egw eimi)? 11. List at least three evidences that reveal that the Holy Spirit is a person and not an impersonal energy field. 12. Define in your own words three aspects of God’s character. Explain each using a verse or story from the Bible as an illustration. 13. State the primary character attribute of God and explain this attribute with respect to each of the other aspects of His character attributes, specifically how they are each the extension of or the application of the primary attribute. In other words, what is the definition of holiness? ! Love is the primary character attribute. It requires doing what is right to bring forth what is most valuable; this is righteousness. Love is committed to show kindness, patient, merciful, forgiving; this is lovingkindness. It demands the proper use of intellectual abilities and knowledge in order to produce that which is good, valuable, useful; this is wisdom. It demands living consistently with the way we are designed in reality, with no dishonesty, deception; this is truthfulness. It must never swerve the path of value; this is faithfulness. This whole beautiful, loving way of living is HOLINESS. It is God living in perfect love and intelligence, upholding the value of the Trinity and His eternal purposes, and taking those actions which are necessary to preserve, protect and defend the supreme value of God and His eternal purposes and the equal value of every person, consistent with their design and consistent with their God-given purposes. 14.
Define Love. Why is the law of love the most important law in the universe? Love is a commitment to bring forth that which is most valuable for God, others and ourselves. Love is the most important law in the universe because participation in love relationships with God and people are the very reason for which we were designed and created. The law of love upholds the value of God, people, and all of creation.
15.
Define wisdom. Intellectual ability and knowledge put to work by love to produce what is good and useful.
16.
Define Righteousness a. to do right (The commitment to do those activities that will preserve, protect, and defend the value of every individual.) b. to be impartial (The commitment to do all that wisdom can wisely do to uphold the value and God-given purpose of every individual.)
17. Define Loving-kindness (grace, mercy), truth, faithfulness.