GETTING TO KNOW GOD:  THE TRIUNE GOD

Text:  "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen." - 2 Corinthians 13:14

One of the great mysteries about God concerns the Trinity.  While the Bible strongly emphasizes that there is only one God, the Scriptures also teach that God is in three persons:  the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  The real question is this:  how can three also be one?

Many refute the doctrine of the Trinity.  Some refuse to believe that both Jesus and the Holy Spirit are God.  A few actually teach that only Jesus is God and that there is no Trinity. 

Since the Bible consistently states that there is only one God, many instantly dismiss the concept of the Trinity.  They say, "Do the math...if the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all God, then there are three Gods."

For those who deny that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all divine, I simply share the following Scriptures:

The Father is God:  Luke 10:21-22; Romans 15:6; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 11:31; Ephesians 1:3, 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 3:13.

The Son (Jesus) is God:  Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:23; Luke 7:16; John 1:1, 14; 8:58; 10:30; 20:28; Colossians 1:15-27; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:2-3, 8; Titus 2:13.

The Holy Spirit is God:  Psalm 139:7-10; Luke 12:10 (you can only blaspheme God); John 3:5-8; 14:16-18; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17.

This is not an exhaustive list of Scriptures, but it is obvious that the Bible teaches that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all God.  

The word, "Trinity," does not exist in the Bible, but the concept of the Trinity certainly exists.  The doctrine of the Trinity is a mystery, but a mystery that I have no problem embracing.  As I wrote in last week's blog message, God is incomprehensible.  I have no problem believing in one God in three persons.  Can I explain it?  No.  Neither can I explain how a brown cow can eat green grass and produce white milk.

Think about this for a moment.  Man is three-in-one.  No, I'm not suggesting that man is divine, but that man is three-in-one.  Each man has a body, soul and spirit --- three-in-one.  Think about the United States Government.  It is one entity, yet it has three parts:  the executive branch, the legislative branch and the judicial branch.  Our government is one, yet in three distinct parts.  We consider an automobile to be one object, yet it has more than one part:  it has tires, a motor and a chassis. Thus, the issue of three, yet one, is something that is factual of many things, including God.

The presence of the Trinity is clearly taught throughout the Scriptures.  The Bible teaches that the Trinity was clearly involved in creation.  Genesis 1:1 teaches us that God created the heaven and the earth.  John 1:3 reveals that Jesus created all things.  Genesis 1:2 reveals that the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.  Look carefully at Genesis 1:26:  "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..." (Emphasis added). How can you explain this verse apart from the doctrine of the Trinity?  The Trinity was also present at the baptism of Jesus.  Jesus (the Son) was in the water being baptized.  The Spirit came upon Jesus in the form of a dove.  The Father spoke and said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."  When Jesus commanded believers to share the Gospel, He command that new believers be baptized, "... in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost..." (Matthew 28:19).   Notice that believers are to be baptized in the NAME (singular) of the Father, AND of the Son, AND of the Holy Ghost."  One Name...three persons. 

How is this all relevant for you and me?  Our salvation involves all three persons of the Trinity.  Look at Titus 3:4-7:  "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."  Notice all three persons of the Trinity are mentioned in this passage:  The Father (verse 4), the Spirit (verse 5) and the Son (verse 6).  Think about this:

1.  THE FATHER PLANNED OUR SALVATION.  God loved us and sent His Son to die for our sins.

2.  THE SON PURCHASED OUR SALVATION.  Jesus died on the cross for those who would believe.  His shed blood was sufficient payment for our sin debt.

3.  THE SPIRIT PROVIDES OUR SALVATION.  The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins, shows us our need for a Savior, makes us alive in Christ and baptizes us.  Furthermore, the Spirit abides in the new believer and is a guarantee that God, the Father, will fulfill His promises to the believer.  The Spirit seals believers.

In fact, think about our future.  One-day believers will be resurrected.  When Jesus (the Son) returns, we will quickened (made alive) by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:11).  Then we'll make our abode with the Father (John 14:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).

No, I can't fully explain the Trinity, but I am grateful for the Trinity.  Even at this moment, the Father is on the throne.  The Son is at His side, making intercession for me.  The Spirit abides in me.  The Spirit also intercedes for me.  The Spirit guides me, fills me, and teaches me. 

I serve one God in three persons:  the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  The old hymn is true:

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!