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1 X 1 X 1 = 1 The Trinity
2 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. (ESV)Each time we share this benediction we acknowledge the mystery and majesty of the Tri-unity (three in one) or Trinity of God.
Trinity / Bible • None of these words are found in the Word of God. • The Bible describes the books that are a compilation of the Holy writings. • The Trinity describes the nature of the God we serve.
One God (OT) • Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4) • Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. (Isaiah 46:9 ESV)
One God (NT) • 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:4-6 ESV) • You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! (James 2:19 ESV)
Genesis 1:1-2 & John 1:1 • 1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2 ESV)
John 1:1-3 • 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (ESV)
Genesis 1:26 • Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (ESV)
Implication 1 • God is far greater and immense that any human being could imagine. Hence while 3 in 1 sounds mysterious it should not be odd that God is not man. • The mystery of the Trinity stands Christianity apart from any other religion. • God was not sitting alone before He created the world.
Adequate fellowship • God did not need to create us for fellowship or companion. He was uniquely adequate within Himself – Grace, love and fellowship were found in Him (2 Corinthians 13:14 ESV)
In God we see • Unity in diversity.Father, Son and Holy Spirit • Diversity in operation.Father destines, Son saves, Holy Spirit empowers • Equality in dignity.Father speaks, Son obeys, Holy Spirits fulfils.1 X 1 X 1 = 1
The Father is called God • Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” (John 6:27 ESV) • John 20:17; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 4:6; Philippians 2:11; 1 Peter 1:2.
Jesus Christ the Son is God • In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1 ESV) • And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 ESV)Colossians 1:16-17; John 5:27; Titus 2:13.
The Holy Spirit as God • Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV) • Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16 ESV) • Hebrews 9:14; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Acts 5:3-5.
1. Salvation is from God • Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19 ESV) • According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood (1 Peter 1:2 ESV)
2. Unity and love • In God we see the source of unity, love and fellowship. • God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit present a harmony and love that is a model for human life. • God is love. • Prayer brings us into the fellowship of God.
God 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, blessèd Trinity!