What does the Bible say about the Trinity? Part 3

In part two of our study, What does the Bible say about the Trinity? we learned that there is one God that is the core of the trinity. We also learned that God can manifest or show Himself in three different persons at the same time yet still be one God. Likewise, we saw that some Hebrew words for God emphasize Him using plural forms. In addition, we witnessed that there are references that tell us there is only one God. In part three, we will tie together the trinity by exploring how each person of the trinity is God.

Who is God the Father?

The first thing to know about God the Father is that He is God (John 17:1-3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 1:2; Philippians 2:11; 1 Peter 1:2-3). God the Father is the Father of all life (Psalms 69:9; John 5:26; Acts 17:24-25). He takes care of the vegetation on the earth, the wild animals, the weather, and the seasons in addition to other things. As God, He has the same attributes as God.

Second, we see that God the Father is the Father of Jesus Christ. We see in Scripture that God the Father sent His Son to be the Savior of the world (John 6:57; John 8:8; John 20:21; Galatians 4:4). Likewise, God the Father commanded the angels to worship His Son (Hebrews 1:6). God the Father also loved His Son and glorified Him for what He accomplished on earth.

Third, God the Father is the Father of all believers (Psalms 68:5; Psalms 89:26; Galatians 3:26). He called the believers (Romans 8:30); He conforms them to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29); and He loves, comforts, chastens, restores, and rewards the believers (Job 5:17; Romans 4:3-4; Ephesians 2:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; Hebrews 12:7). Likewise, He serves as a role model for all fathers.

Who is God the Son?

God the Son is Jesus Christ. Jesus is His name, but Christ is His title. The name Jesus is the Greek translation of the name Joshua, meaning Savior or Salvation (Acts 4:10-12). The word Christ means “the anointed one,” which is the New Testament equivalent of the word Messiah (Daniel 9:25-26). Having a title that refers to Him as the anointed one leads us to understand that it refers to a person.

References to the person and position of Jesus Christ can be found in both the Old and New Testaments (Genesis 3:15; Genesis 22:8; Deuteronomy 18:15; Matthew 12:40; John 1:29; John 3:14; Acts 4:11; Revelation 1:9). The Old Testament foretells His coming; the Gospels tell of His life as a man on earth; and the New Testament foretells of His coming again.

Jesus as the Christ holds three offices:

• Prophet (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:16-21; Luke 24:19),

• Priest (Exodus 29:1-7; Hebrews 4:14-5:10), and

• King (Psalms 89:18; Psalms 95:3; 1 Timothy 6:13-16; Revelation 19:11-16).

He is referred to as the Son of God, which emphasizes His deity (Daniel 3:24-25; Matthew 8:28-29; Matthew 14:26-33; Matthew 26:57-68; Matthew 27:54; Mark 1:1; Mark 3:11; Luke 1:26-35; Luke 4:1-14; Luke 22:70-71). Likewise, He is referred to as the Son of man, which emphasizes His humanity (Matthew 8:20; Matthew 9:6; Matthew 10:23; Matthew 12:8; Revelation 1:13; Revelation 14:14).

Most importantly, Jesus is referred to as God, which emphasizes His divinity (John 1:1, 14; John 20:28; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8). In the Old Testament and the New Testament He is referred to using the name Emanuel or Immanuel, meaning God with us (Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 8:8; Matthew 1:23). He also referred to Himself as God by using the term I AM (John 8:58-59; Exodus 3:13-14).

Finally, Jesus is referred to as Savior, which had infinite value. He was able to die for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2; John 8:23-34). He was able to die for Adam (Romans 5:12-21). He was able to pass on His divine nature to humanity (2 Peter 1:2-4). We must believe in Him as our Savior to be saved (John 8:24; Hebrews 11:6; 1 John 4:13-15; 1 John 5:5-13).

Jesus, is referred to God in the following ways:

1. He is the Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6)
2. He created (John1:1-3; Hebrews 1:1-2)
3. He forgave sins (Matthew 9:2)
4. He is eternal (John 1:1; Hebrews 1:8; Revelation 1:8)
5. He is present everywhere (Matthew 18:20; Matthew 28:20; John 6:21)
6. He is all knowing (John 1:48; John 2:24-24; Luke 6:8)
7. He is all wise (1 Corinthians 1:30; Isaiah 11:2)
8. He is all powerful (Matthew 8:27; Mark 1:27; Mark 2:5-10; John 3:2)

Who is God the Holy Spirit?

God the Holy Spirit is difficult for most people to understand. He is not a force, He is a person every bit as much as Father and the Son. He has the same attributes of being a person like the Father and the Son. He also has the same attributes of God. Since the Holy Spirit is a member of the trinity (1 John 5:7), He is coequal in power and authority.

Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as a person by calling Him “He” in John 14:15-21; John 15:26-27; and John 16:7-14. Likewise, Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as a comforter (John 14:26, 15:26). It is clear that Jesus was not confused about who the Holy Spirit was. The Holy Spirit has other personal attributes as follows:

1. He is a guide (John 16:13; Romans 8:14; Psalms 119:105)
2. He is an intercessor (Romans 8:26-27)
3. He has knowledge (John 14:26; 15:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13)
4. He speaks (Acts 1:16; Revelation 2:7-11)
5. He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30)
6. He can be lied to (Acts 5:3)
7. He teaches (John 14:26)
8. He is patient (Genesis 6:3)
9. He loves (Romans 15:30)
10. He has a will (1 Corinthians 12:11)
11. He has a mind (Romans 8:27)
12. He has great knowledge (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13)

The Holy Spirit is described as God in the following ways:

1. God (Acts 5:3-4)
2. Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18)
3. A creator (Psalms 104:30-31; Job 26:13; Job 33:4)
4. The source of Wisdom (Exodus 31:2-5)
5. The author of Scripture (Mark 12:35; Acts 1:16; Acts 28:25-26; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
6. The source of our power (2 Timothy 1:7; Micah 3:8; Luke 1:17; Luke 4:14)
7. The earnest of our salvation (Ephesians 1:12-14; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

What other links are there between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

1. The Son (Jesus) and the Father are one (Isaiah 9:6; Zechariah 12:1-10; John 10:30-36)
2. The Father and the Holy Spirit are one (John 4:21-24)
3. Holy Spirit and the Son (Jesus) are one (John 14:15-21)

Conclusion

What does the Bible say about the trinity? The Bible says there is one God: the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. If the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit are all God and there is one God, then the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit are one God. If the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit are one God, then the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as persons are one.

If God is a Spirit, then the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are a Spirit at the same time. If the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are as Spirit at the same time, then there is a trinity. When you put it all together, the trinity is three persons who are a manifestation of the same God.

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Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, King James Version