Trinity

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A Biblical Defense of the Trinity Teaching the Faith Once Delivered to the Saints: Bible study #31

by Nolan McFadden Α Text: John 14:8-14 There is no other doctrine of historical, biblical Christianity more frequently attacked, ridiculed and misunderstood by skeptics and unbelievers than the biblical doctrine of the Trinity. The Trinity has even been labeled by some as “pagan” or “polytheistic.” The reason is apparent. The Trinity is not easily understood by the finite mind of a human being. Yet, man’s inability to fully understand the nature of God does not change the truth about God revealed in the Scriptures. God’s nature transcends human logic (Job 11:7-8, I Corinthians 1:18-25). In His great mercy and grace, God has chosen to reveal Himself to us by means of the special revelation of the Holy Bible and the person of Jesus Christ (John 14:9; 17:6-17, I Thessalonians 2:13, II Timothy 3:16-17, II Peter 1:19-21, Hebrews 1:1-3). In the Scriptures of the Holy Bible we learn about the true nature of God. It is absolutely necessary for us to study about God from the Scriptures of truth in order to know God and worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24; 8:31-34; 17:8, II Timothy 3:16-17). The purpose of this study is to set forth the overwhelming evidence found in the Holy Bible that God is a Trinity and that He should be worshipped as a Trinity.

I. How is the Trinity defined?

A. God is one in three persons.

B. In the THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD BIBLE ENCYCLOPEDIA the term “Trinity” is defined as, “…there is one only and true God, but in the unity of the Godhead there are three coeternal and coequal persons, the same in substance but distinct in subsistence.”

(1) In the same article the Trinity is presented as a “Revealed doctrine.” (2) C. In Evangelical Dictionary of Theology we find: “Trinity. The term designating one God in three persons. Although not itself a biblical term, “the Trinity” has been found a convenient designation for the one God self-revealed in Scripture as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It signifies that within the one essence of the Godhead we have to distinguish three “persons” who are neither three gods on the one side, nor three parts or modes of God on the other, but coequally and coeternally God.” (3) D. Referring to the Trinity in UNGER’S BIBLE DICTIONARY, Merrill Unger noted, “…the unity of three Persons in the one God…1. The Christian Doctrine that there is only one God, one divine nature and being. 2. This one divine being is tripersonal, involving the distinctions of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…” (4) E. The Bible does not teach that God consists of three gods or three parts (modes). Rather, Scriptures reveal that God is one in three persons (Matthew 28:19, John 5:18; 10:30, Acts 5:3-4).

F. In John 10:30 which two persons are declared to be one? ________________________________________________________________________ G. The apostle John wrote, “Therefore the Jews sought the more to ____________ him, because he not only had broken the __________, but said also that God was his _______________, making himself ____________ with _________.” John 5:18

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II. What is the origin of the term Trinity?

A. The word Trinity came from the Latin word trinitas and is also traced to the Koine Greek word τριας (trias). Merrill Unger observed, “The word Trinity (Trinitas) was first employed

by Tertullian (2d century), though his word was only the Latin translation of the Greek trias, employed by Theophilus of Antioch.” (5) B. The early church fathers began using the term “Trinity” to express the triune nature of God as taught by Christ and His apostles. Professor Lewis Sperry Chafer observed, “The word Trinity came into use in the second century as the church was grappling with the theological significance of the incarnation of Jesus Christ.” (6) In fact, the second century Christian apologist Tertullian (A. D.) wrote in defense of the doctrine of the Trinity in Against Praxeas. Regarding the false teachings of Praxeas, Tertullian observed, “…he put to flight the Paraclete [Holy Spirit], and crucified the Father…” (7) Concerning the Trinity Tertullian wrote, “…that this one only God has also a Son, His Word, who proceeded4 from Himself, by whom all things were made, and without whom nothing was made…being both Man and God, the Son of Man and the Son of God, and to have been called by the name of Jesus Christ;…the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are the very selfsame Person…All are of One, by unity (that is) of substance…”

(8) Likewise, the fifth century theologian Augustine [Aurelius Augustinus], a bishop of Hippo, wrote extensively about the Trinity in his fifteen volume work De Trinitate.

Augustine noted, “…the Trinity is the one and only and true God, and also how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are rightly said, believed, understood to be of one and the same substance or essence;…” (9) C. In addition, early church creeds affirm the Bible doctrine of the Trinity. The Creed of Nicaea (325 A.D.); Constantinopolitan Creed (381 A.D.); Definition of Chalcedon (451 A.D.); and Athanasian Creed (500 A.D.) (10) all provide witness that the doctrine of the Trinity was believed by early Christians. The Father, Jesus (the Son) and the Holy Spirit are all regarded as God in these early creeds. Subsequently, it is apparent that pastors and believers in the early churches regarded the Bible doctrine of the Trinity as a fundamental belief of the Christian faith.

D. Which early church leader who lived in the second century wrote in defense of the Trinity in Against Praxeas? _____________________________ III. There are glimpses of the Trinity revealed in the Old Testament Scriptures.

A. “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:…” Genesis 1:26 B. “The LORD said,…Go to, let us go down…” Genesis 11:7 C. Spiros Zodhiates pointed out, “The Hebrew word for God is Elohim (430), a plural noun (3).” (11) The Hebrew usage of the plural noun Elohim for God in Isaiah 54:5 and the use of the word Elohim with the plural pronoun in Genesis 1:26; 11:7 reveal the triune nature of God. See also Isaiah 48:16.

D. Jesus quoted Psalm 110:1 to demonstrate His nature as Lord rather than merely a son in Matthew 22:43-45.

E. Also, Isaiah’s prophecy about the Messiah in Isaiah 9:6 reveals that He would be, “…

The mighty God, The everlasting Father…” His name is “JESUS” (Matthew 1:21-23).

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F. Which titles were given to the Messiah of Israel in Isaiah 9:6? List them. ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ IV. In the New Testament, Jesus (the Son) is revealed to be one in substance with God the Father (John 8:58; 10:30; 14:8-11, Colossians 2:9, Hebrews 1:3).

A. Who declared His name to be “I AM” in Exodus 3:14-15? _____________________ B. Who declared Himself to be this same “I am” in John 8:58? _____________________ C. In Hebrews 1:3 “the Son” (Jesus) is said to be, “the express image of his (God the Father’s) p_______________ (from the Koine Greek word υποστασιs – substance),…”

(12) Thus, JESUS is the very image of of God’s substance.

V. Each Scripture that affirms the deity of Jesus Christ is also affirming the Trinity. Why? Because each affirmation of CHRIST’s deity declares two of the three persons of the Trinity to be God. A. The doctrine of the deity of Jesus Christ refers to the fact that Jesus of Nazareth was Jehovah God in human flesh. How do we know for certain that this is true? Let’s consider clear evidences from the Scriptures: 1) The “LORD” (Jehovah) is the creator and sustainer of all things according to Isaiah 44:24 and Isaiah 45:11-12. Likewise, Jesus is declared to be the creator and sustainer of all things according to John 1:3-11 and Colossians 1:16-18.

2) The “LORD” (Jehovah) is the only, true Savior according to Isaiah 43:3-11; 45:15; 49:26; 60:16 and Hosea 13:4. Likewise, Jesus Christ is presented as the only, true Savior according to Philippians 3:20, II Timothy 1:10, Titus 1:3-4; 2:13; 3:6, II Peter 1:111; 3:2-18 and Jude 25.

3) The “LORD” (Jehovah) is “the first, and…the last;…” according to Isaiah 44:6; 48:12.

Likewise, Jesus declared, “…I am the first and the last:…” (Revelation 1:17; 2:8; 22:13) 4) The “LORD” (Jehovah) will return with “all the saints” to deliver Jerusalem and establish His millennial kingdom on earth as recorded in Zechariah 14:1-5. Likewise, Christ Jesus will return with “all the saints” to deliver Jerusalem and establish His millennial kingdom on earth as declared in Matthew 24:27-31, Mark 13:24-27, I Thessalonians 3:13, Jude 14-25 and Revelation 19:13-16; 20:1-4.

5) The “LORD” (Jehovah) declared, “…unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear (confess).” according to Isaiah 45:23. Likewise, in Philippians 2:10-11 the apostle Paul proclaimed, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,…and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

6) The “LORD” (Jehovah) is the “I AM” of Exodus 3:14-15. Likewise, our Lord Jesus is the “I am” of Exodus 3:14-15 as He declared in John 8:58-59.

7) “The voice” of the prophet in the wilderness (John the Baptist) was to prepare the way of the “LORD” (Jehovah) according to Isaiah 40:3. John the Baptist (the voice of the prophet) in the wilderness prepared the way of Christ Jesus as declared in Matthew 3:1-3.

B. Jesus forgave sins, received worship and had all power over creation. Only God can do these things (Matthew 28:9, 17-18, Mark 2:5-12; 4:41, John 11:37-45).

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VI. The Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit are divine Persons having all the attributes of personality and deity.

A. In the Scriptures the Father is called “God” (Romans 1:7, John 6:27; 17:1-3, II Corinthians 1:2, I Peter 1:2). The Father has a mind, will and emotions. He is a person (Genesis 6:5-6, Psalm 7:11, Matthew 6:8; 7:21, Revelation 15:1).

B. Likewise, Jesus Christ is called “God” in the Bible (Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1; 10:33; 20:28, Colossians 2:9, I Timothy 3:16, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 1:8). Jesus has a mind, will and emotions. Our Lord Jesus is a person (Mark 3:5, John 2:19-25; 11:35).

C. The Holy Spirit is called “God” (Acts 5:3-4). He has a mind, will and emotions. He is not merely “a force.” He is more than “a force.” The Holy Spirit is a person. He speaks, forbids and teaches (John 14:26, Acts 1:16; 13:2; 16:6-7, Romans 8:27, I Corinthians 12:11, Ephesians 4:30).

VII. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are distinct from each other, yet, they are one.

A. For example, at the baptism of Jesus all three persons of the Trinity were present and, yet, they are one (Matthew 3:16-17).

B. In Matthew 28:19 Jesus taught to baptize “…in the name (singular) of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost (Spirit).” Notice that Jesus presented one name for three persons.

C. According to Matthew 28:19, Christ Jesus commanded to baptize “…in the name” (singular). Yet, which three persons are listed after the words “the name” in Matthew 28:19? List them. ______________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ D. Regarding the baptismal formula of Jesus in Matthew 28:19, in the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology it is mentioned, “Note that “name” is singular, although there are three persons included. Note also that there is no suggestion of inferiority or subordination.

This formula became part of a very early tradition in the church – it is found in the Didache (7.1-4) and in Justin’s Apology (1.61). Yet another direct linking of the three names is the Pauline benediction in II Corinthians 13:14 – “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” Here again is a linkage of the three names in unity and apparent equality (329).” (13) VIII. Each person of the Trinity is coequal and coeternal as God (John 5:17-23; 14:9-10; 15:26; 16:14-15, Philippians 2:6).

A. “But Jesus answered them, My ______________ worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his ________________, making himself ____________ with God.” (John 5:17-18) B. In John 5:18 the apostle John explained that Christ’s words were understood to be a declaration of two eternal truths: 1) “God was his F_______________.”

2) “making himself e______________ with God.” C. “Philip saith unto him, lord, show us the _________________, and it sufficeth us. ________________ saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known _____, Philip? He that hath seen me hath ____________ the Father; and how sayest thou then, ____________ us the Father?” John 14:8-9

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D. According to Jesus, when we see Jesus we see “…the F______________? ” (John 14:9) E. In John 10:30 Christ Jesus proclaimed, “_____ and my F_______________ are ________.”

Do you know this all powerful, living God through a personal relationship with His Son Jesus?

If not, you need to get saved today.

Did you know that you can be 100% certain in this life that when you die you will have eternal life in Heaven?

In I John 5:13, the apostle John wrote, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” How can you be saved and know it?

1. Recognize that you are a sinner and guilty as charged before God. Romans 3:23 declares, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” You may have sinned more or less than others. However, it only takes one sin to separate you from God for all eternity (Romans 6:23, James 2:10).

2. Repent and believe the gospel.

In Mark 1:15 Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

To repent means changing your mind about your sins and need of salvation. (14) It is turning from your sins to God (Luke 18:13; 19:8-10, Acts 26:20).

To believe in Jesus Christ means to put your full trust in Him and His sinless, one time, eternal sacrifice on the cross for your salvation.

The gospel is defined in I Corinthians 15:3-4: “..Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” Therefore, the gospel is that Christ Jesus died to pay the penalty of your sins, was buried and rose again from the dead for your salvation.

3. Call on the name of the Lord Jesus in prayer and personally receive Him as your Lord and Savior.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13 “But as many as received him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12 4. Confess Jesus before others.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”

By faith, you can make the eternal decision to be saved now. If it is your desire to be saved, pray this prayer of faith out loud:

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Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for my sins, was buried and rose again from the dead for me. I repent of my sins. Lord Jesus, please forgive my sins and come live in my heart forever.

Please save my soul and make me a child of God by your Holy Spirit.

Thank you my Lord for the gift of salvation. Amen.

Write the date that you made this salvation decision in your Bible. Please let us know if you have personally received Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord today so that we may rejoice with you. Confess Jesus before others. Be baptized by immersion, worship, attend and serve with other Christians in a church where the Holy Bible is the final authority.

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 2001, revised 2015 Nolan McFadden

Endnotes:

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1. James Orr (editor), THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD BIBLE ENCYCLOPEDIA, VOLUME V, (THE HOWARD – SEVERANCE COMPANY, Chicago, IL, 1915), p. 3012 2. Ibid., THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD BIBLE ENCYCLOPEDIA, VOLUME V, p.

3012 3. Walter Elwell (editor), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, (Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1984), p. 1112 4. Merrill Unger, UNGER’S BIBLE DICTIONARY, (Moody Press, Chicago, IL, 1957), p.1118 5. Ibid., UNGER’S BIBLE DICTIONARY, p.1119 6. Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, VOLUME I, (DALLAS SEMINARY PRESS, Dallas, TX, 1947), pp. 282-286 7. Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, THE ANTE-NICENE FATHERS, VOLUME III., (WM. B. EERDMAN’S PUBLISHING COMPANY, Grand Rapids, MI, 1980), p. 597 8. Ibid., THE ANTE-NICENE FATHERS, VOLUME III., p. 598 9. Philip Schaff, THE NICENE AND POST-NICENE FATHERS, (WM. B. EERDMAN’S PUBLISHING COMPANY, Grand Rapids, MI, 19800. p. 19 10. John Leith, CREEDS OF THE CHURCHES, (John Knox Press, Atlanta, GA, 1982), pp. 28-31 11. Spiros Zodhiates, Hebrew Greek Key Study Bible, (AMG PUBLISHERS, Chattanooga, TN, 1991), p. 3 12. W. E. Vine, VINE’S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF NEW TESTAMENT WORDS, (RIVERSIDE BOOK AND BIBLE HOUSE, IOWA FALLS, IOWA). p. 1111 13. Ibid., Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, p. 1112 14. Ibid., VINE’S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF NEW TESTAMENT WORDS, pp. 961962

Quiz for Bible study #31:

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1) Define the term Trinity. ___________________________________________________ 2) Provide three Scripture references which teach the Trinity. ____________________ _______________________________________________________________________ 3) The Trinity is not easily understood by the finite mind of man. True / False 4) Early church leaders began using the term “Trinity” to express the triune nature of God as taught by Christ Jesus and His apostles. True / False 5) Jesus taught that the Father and the Son are one. True / False 6) Our Lord Jesus presented one name for three persons in His instruction for baptism. True / False 7) We observe a glimpse of the Trinity in Genesis 1:26. True / False 8) In the New Testament, Jesus is revealed to be one in substance with God the Father. True / False 9) Each affirmation of Christ’s deity in the Scriptures supports the doctrine of the Trinity. True / False 10) Each person of the Trinity is coequal and coeternal as God. True/ False

 2001, revised 2015 Nolan McFadden