Trinity

Intro

How is God both three and one?

Goal: Let’s understand why the Church teaches the Trinity and why it’s also a mystery to our limited human understanding.

Plan: Let’s examine scriptural support for the Trinity doctrine.

Three and One

We are to have no other gods (Exodus 20) and God is one (Deuteronomy 6). God is also called Father (1 Corinthians 8:4-6; Matthew 23:9). Jesus is called God with us (Matthew 1:23) and equal with God (Philippians 2:5-11). He made the worlds, angels worship Him and He too is called God (Hebrews 1; John 20:28). When people lie to the Holy Spirit, they lie to God (Acts 5:3-4) and our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit thus glorifying God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). If God is one and also three, the most logical conclusion is for God to be three in one.

How can God be both three and one? Most Christians agree that biblical descriptions of God point to this inescapable conclusion. We don’t need to understand how, in order to agree with the Scriptures. Actually, we cannot understand the how. That is why the Trinity is called a mystery. Firstly, we’ll eliminate 1 John 5:7 because it’s not in the earliest known Bibles. However, the Bible calls a married man and woman one flesh (Genesis 2:24), the same word as used to describe God as one (Deuteronomy 6:4). Father, Son and Holy Spirit have one name (Matthew 28:19-20). The Word (Jesus Christ) was God (John 1:1).

The early Church’s discussions centered around an economic view of the Trinity, that was often vague and simple. Later on, modalism became popular. This theory saw God as one person with three personalities or modes of being. But, this was rejected as heresy, because Christ prayed to the Father and God does not pray to Himself. Tritheism was another heresy which explained God as not one but three Gods. This too was rejected for obvious reasons. God is one. Orthodoxy is still the understanding of the Trinity that unifies Christianity. It is best described using Greek terms, “one ousia in three hypostases,” one Godhead that is indivisible and yet three persons.

Jesus

How do we discuss Jesus? Christians view the discussion in three ways. 1. Viewing Jesus from “above,” from the perspective of heaven. This involves faith alone and nothing from any earthly sources. The Bible refers to faith as evidence, though it is not fashionable, tangible evidence. 2. Viewing Jesus from “below,” from earthly sources without putting God into the picture is a popular, modern liberal view. This generally focuses on tangible, physical evidence rather than spiritual evidence of faith. A weakness is that even eyewitness evidence did not help Pharisees or Judas. 3. A synthesis harmonizes both views. We start with faith (Matthew 16:15-17), but include reason (Luke 7:19-22).

God’s angels are Jesus’ angels (Matthew 13:41; Luke 12:8-9, 15:10). He judges the world (Matthew 25:31-46). Know Jesus, know the Father (John 14:7-9), He sits in the place of power (Matthew 26:63-66). He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25), made Himself equal with God (John 5:18). John said He was God (John 1:1), an exact representation of God’s nature (Hebrews 1:2-3, 8), image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15-20), fullness of God in a human body (Colossians 2:9), He will judge (2 Timothy 4:1; 2 Corinthians 5:10) and is equal with God (Philippians 2:5-11).

The Greek Bible that Jesus quoted called God a word we translate as “Lord” (Acts 2:20-21; Romans 10:13; 1 Peter 3:15). The New Testament uses the word “Lord” for both Father and Son. In Jesus, we can know the Father. God died, not a mere man. In Jesus, God and man are reunited. Therefore, we can worship Jesus. Jesus’ conception involved temporarily giving up some divine attributes (Philippians 2:6-7). Jesus is divinity-humanity, or the God-man. Both divinity and humanity are most fully known in Jesus. We did not ascend to divinity, God condescended to take on a human frame. And so we know, God values our humanity.

Jesus was born and lived normally, faced temptations, ate, experienced human emotions and died. Unlike us, He had remarkable knowledge, knew the past, present and future in ways that we do not, and discerned the thoughts of others. However, while on earth He did not know everything (Mark 13:32). He was resurrected with a glorified body, like we will have (Luke 24:39; Philippians 3:21). He still is the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). A real man died for us, who can sympathize with us. He exemplifies perfect human nature as God originally intended. In Christ, God is not totally transcendent. In Christ, humanity ascended to heaven.

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit makes decisions (1 Corinthians 12:11), teaches (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:11-13), guides into truth (John 16:13), makes the things of Jesus known (John 16:14), convicts (John 16:8), can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30), blasphemed (Matthew 12:31), possesses a mind (Romans 8:26-27), can be lied to (Acts 5:3-4), is distinguished from the Father and Son (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14), we can have fellowship with Him (2 Corinthians 13:14). He inspired scripture (2 Peter 1:20-21), regenerates people (Titus 3:5), raised Christ (Romans 8:11), is eternal (Hebrews 9:14), and omniscient (1 Corinthians 2:10-11).

Outro

God is “one ousia in three hypostases,” one Godhead that is indivisible and yet three persons. How that works is a mystery. Yet, biblically, it is an inescapable conclusion that unites the overwhelming majority of Christians.

The Holy Spirit's Work

Prelude

How can a mere human being understand the things of God? Goal: Let’s understand the means by which God reaches out and touches us. Plan: Let’s look at John 15:26-16:15 and discover how the Holy Spirit works in our lives.

John 15:26 Testify

John 15:26 says, “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.” To testify means to bear witness. We are witnessing at every moment, by how we act and what we say. Are we witnessing about ourselves or Jesus? The Holy Spirit gives witness not about Himself but Jesus. If we give witness to the Holy Spirit without Jesus, we are perverting the Holy Spirit’s mission. As the disciples gave witness to their personal experience with Jesus, so too do we. Our experience as followers of the Christ is the subject of our witness.

John 16:7 Come to You

John 16:7 says, “Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” The Holy Spirit comes alongside us and helps us testify of Jesus. He “will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment” (16:8). Here, the opposite of sin is to “believe” in Jesus (16:9). The Holy Spirit convicts us that the world’s justice only makes matters worse (16:11). The Holy Spirit guides us into the truth which is in Christ alone (16:13-14). Our spiritual formation, is variously called theosis, divinization, and sanctification. It is a mystical experience.

In John 16:13 Spirit of Truth

John 16:13 says, “when he the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” There are many ideas blamed on the Holy Spirit. How can we discern between real truth coming from heaven and false doctrines or ideas of mere humans? First of all, “[the Holy Spirit] will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears.” Second, he will glorify Jesus not any human being or institution of human beings. Third, “the Spirit will receive from [Jesus] what he will make known to you.” Fourth, if it is something that receives wide acceptance in the church, it is a safer teaching.

The work of the Spirit in the Church is to guide us into all the truth. Some teachings of the Church have been more fully formulated since the New Testament was written. What the Holy Spirit speaks will always be entirely consistent with the teachings of Jesus and glorify Christ, just as Jesus echoed the Father’s teachings. Some people misunderstand sola scriptura (the Bible alone) as excluding other sources of inspiration. A clearer phrase is prima scriptura (the Bible first) and secondarily inspired tradition, not burdensome human tradition. This allows for other revelations of God such as creation, traditions, spiritual gifts, prophetic insight, angel visits, spirit-guided conscience, common sense, scholarship, etc.

John 16:13 Speaking Unity

John 16:13 says of the Holy Spirit, “He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears”. The Trinity is our example of perfect unity. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit speaks what he hears “from me” (verses 14-15). He faithfully receives the words that he makes known to us and does not make up His own doctrines like human beings have done. Division among humans is inevitable because we are fallible. However, there is something that unifies us all, the words of Jesus. When we emphasis the truths that Jesus taught, we too become more unified. The Trinity teaches us how such perfect unity behaves.

John 16:8 The Spirit Proves the World Wrong

John 16:8 says the Holy Spirit “will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment”. 1) Those in the world are wrong about sin because they do not believe in Jesus. Sin as defined here, is not moral failure, but a lack of faith. 2) Those in the world are wrong about righteousness because the world condemns Christ, but God shows his approval of Jesus. 3) Those in the world are wrong about judgment because the ruler of this world, whether human or demonic, has been condemned. Why? He is condemned for bad judgment primarily because of unbelief in Jesus as King of Kings.

Postlude

The Holy Spirit is here with us today to reveal to us the things of God. He convicts our faith, leads us to Jesus, helps us reject the world and guides us into all the truth.

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Two Ways

Intro

If we could boil all the world’s religions and political philosophies down to their essentials what would we come up with? Are there real alternatives or just varieties of the same worldly way of life? Our purpose is to see that there are only two ways, God’s and the world’s. Our plan is to look at John 17:6-19 and promote God’s way, not the world’s.

The World

A major theme of this Lord’s prayer, which he prayed for us in the faith community, is the world. Jesus said, “I do not pray for the world… these are in the world… the world has hated them because they are not of the world… They are not of the world… I also have sent them into the world.” This prayer also includes us (vs 20) in a chain of faith passed down through history. In this context the “world” (kosmos) refers to the ungodly inhabitants of the world, alienated from God, hostile to the cause of Christ. Christians are in and sent into the world but not of the world.

Sanctify

There is no unity with the world for Christians. Christians “have kept Your word” not the world’s word. Jesus prayed, “the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” We are of a different kingdom, sent to those still in this world. Jesus prayed for our protection, “that You should keep them from the evil one.” He prayed, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth… that they also may be sanctified by the truth.” The word sanctify means to make holy, make us saints. The word of truth separates us from the world. Following the Bible sanctifies us.

More on Sanctification

Jesus is “Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world.”[1] “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”[2] Jesus also said that Christians are “sanctified by faith in Me.”[3] Paul wrote that Gentiles are “sanctified by the Holy Spirit”[4], “by the Spirit and belief in the truth”[5], “sanctified by the word of God and prayer”[6], that the church is “sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints”[7] and sanctified “by the Spirit of our God”[8] by a believing wife or husband[9]. We are sanctified but also being sanctified.[10] Sanctification requires “that you should abstain from sexual immorality”[11]

[1] John 10:36, [2] John 17:17, [3] Acts 26:18, [4] Romans 15:16, [5] 2 Thessalonians 2:13, [6] 1 Timothy 4:5, [7] 1 Corinthians 1:2, [8] 1 Corinthians 6:11, [9] 1 Corinthians 7:14, [10] Ephesians 5:26; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 2:11; Hebrews 10:10, 14, [11] 1 Thessalonians 4:3

2 Ways

Psalm 1 also refers to the two ways. The title Two Ways of Life is weak because only one is the way of life. The other is the way of death. It is the same as the contrast between the way of the world and God’s way in John 17:6-19. Modern psychology describes happiness as a mental state. Psalm 1 claims that it’s about right living. Advice from the wicked is ubiquitous. Happy are those who delight in and think about God’s instruction all day long. Even now in the church, that division is there. Right living will win and wickedness will eventually perish. Now is the time to repent.

Meditation

Psalm 1 teaches us a simple way to tell whether we belong to the world, by our thoughts. Do we meditate daily on God’s word? We are sanctified by the truth in God’s word, not by worldly interpretations of it, but by the truth that is there. Meditation in the Bible means thinking, not vain repetition of mantras or emptying the mind. Emptying the mind is dangerous. Like a house swept clean, it can allow demons to take control (Matthew 12:43-45). We love God with our minds, thinking about His instructions, allowing the Holy Spirit illuminate the Holy Scriptures to our understanding (1 Corinthians 2:9-10; 2 Corinthians 4:6).

Outro

This world’s ways are not the way to life. There is only one way to life and only one source of life. God is the way and the source of eternal life. We have been raised with Christ, so let us seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for we have died, and our lives are hidden with Christ in God.

John 17:6-19; John 10:36; John 17:17; Acts 26:18; Romans 15:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 4:5; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Corinthians 7:14; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 2:11; Hebrews 10:10, 14; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Psalm 1; Matthew 12:43-45; 1 Corinthians 2:9-10; 2 Corinthians 4:6

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Conquering Power

Prelude

How do we know we love God? How do we know we love God’s children? How do we conquer evils of the world? Our purpose is to learn what it means to live an overcoming life. Our plan is to look at 1 John 5:1-6.

1 John 5:1 Loving God’s Children

1 John 5:1 says, “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.” Do we love a God who hates us? No, we believe that He loves us. So, faith and love go hand-in-hand. If we love the Father we also love the children of God, the people of the church. This is no longer speaking of the only or uniquely begotten Son, Jesus, but of all begotten children of God. A test of our love for God is whether we love His people in the church, our brethren, because He sure does.

1 John 5:2 Evidence of Love

1 John 5:2 says, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.” Jesus gave us two Great Commandments, love for God and neighbor. John here shows the proof that we love God is in our love for neighbor, especially the neighbor that is a Christian brother or sister. The New Testament summarizes all of God’s commandments by the word love, and the spirit, not the letter of the law. The letter can hide an unloving heart. The spirit of the law uses God’s commandments only in love. If we love God, we will have God’s love for his children.

1 John 5:3 Love is Obedience

1 John 5:3 says, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” Some Christians want to love God but not obey Him. Here John explains that we cannot say we love and disobey. Obedience is the evidence of our love. In the New Testament, Christians do not keep God’s commandments in the letter but the spirit. We keep them by faith, not out of obligation, but out of love for God. It is far more burdensome to work seven days than six, dishonor parents, to kill than save life, to steal than live honestly, to lie than tell the truth.

1 John 5:4 Power to Conquer

1 John 5:4 says, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” Imperfect people have overcome the world by faith. For the Christian, conquering the world is not about physical revolution or combat, but a spiritual battle for the heart. A Christian is no longer deluded by the half-truths of society’s lies, the world wooing us into forgetting all about God, but has faith in the Source of undiluted truth. The world puts distractions in front of our eyes, every kind of temptation so we will neglect God. The overcomer walks away and puts God first every day.

1 John 5:5 To Overcome Believe in Jesus

1 John 5:5 says, “Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16). Even demons said, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” (Luke 4:41) “but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31) The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.” (John 10:33)

1 John 5:6 Water and Blood

1 John 5:6 says, “This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.” Does John mean the water of baptism and the blood of the cross, or the water and blood which came out at His crucifixion? Perhaps both. Perhaps also the water of footwashing, the night before His crucifixion, and the blood of circumcision on the day He was dedicated. Perhaps most deeply, all ceremonies of water and blood in the old and new covenants. The Holy Spirit bears witness to these things within our hearts.

Postlude

We know we love God if we love His children. We know we love God’s children if we keep God’s commandments regarding them. We conquer a world that hates God’s children through faith in the Son of God.

1 John 5:1-6; Matthew 16:16; Luke 4:41; John 20:31; John 10:33

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.