Although the world teaches that any power greater than one’s self can be “god,” the Bible clearly teaches that there is only one true God who is worthy of worship.
Exodus 20:1-6, Then God spoke all these words, saying, 2 ”I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
Isaiah 42:8, I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images.
Isaiah 43:10, “You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “And My servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and believe Me And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me.”
Isaiah 45:6, That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun That there is no one besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.
The God of the Bible is unique. There is none like Him.
Exodus 15:11, Who is like You among the gods, O LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, Awesome in praises, working wonders?
1 Kings 8:23, He said, “O LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing lovingkindness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart.”
Isaiah 40:25, “To whom then will you liken Me That I would be his equal?” says the Holy One.
He has always existed and always will exist.
Exodus 3:13-15, Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God, furthermore, said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial- name to all generations.”
Psalm 45:6, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
Psalm 93:2, Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting.
Psalm 102:24-27, I say, “O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days, Your years are throughout all generations. 25 Of old You founded the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 26 Even they will perish, but You endure; and all of them will wear out like a garment; like clothing You will change them and they will be changed. 27 But You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end.”
Isaiah 40:28, Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.
Isaiah 41:4, “Who has performed and accomplished it, calling forth the generations from the beginning? ‘I, the LORD, am the first, and with the last. I am He.’”
Isaiah 43:13, “Even from eternity I am He, and there is none who can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse it?”
Revelation 1:8, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
He created the universe, all matter, all life, and everything that exists.
Genesis 1:1, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth
Psalm 100:3, Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Psalm 148:1-6, Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! 2 Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! 3 Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! 4 Praise Him, highest heavens, and the waters that are above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created. 6 He has also established them forever and ever; He has made a decree which will not pass away.
Isaiah 40:28, Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.
Isaiah 42:5, Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it,
Jeremiah 10:12, It is He who made the earth by His power, Who established the world by His wisdom; and by His understanding He has stretched out the heavens.
He is all-knowing (omniscient).
Psalm 139:1-5, O LORD, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. 3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all. 5 You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.
Psalm 147:5, Great is our LORD and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.
Daniel 2:22, It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him.
Romans 11:33-34, Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For WHO HAS KNOW THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?
He is Holy (set apart from all else, spiritually perfect, pure, and sinless).
1 Samuel 2:2, There is no one holy like the LORD, Indeed, there is no one besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.
Psalm 77:13, Your way, O God, is holy; What god is great like our God?
Isaiah 6:3, And one called out to another and said “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.”
Isaiah 57:15, For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, “I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
Revelation 15:4, Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU, FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED.
He is immutable. He never changes.
Numbers 23:19, God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
1 Samuel 15:29, Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind.
Malachi 3:6, For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
DIVINITY OF THE TRINITY
The Bible proclaims truths about God that are clearly understandable, yet there are also mysteries in God’s Word that are beyond human comprehension. One mystery is that, although there is only one God, the Bible calls the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit “God.”
- Father – 1 Corinthians 8:6, 1 Peter 1:2
1 Corinthians 8:6, Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.
1 Peter 1:2, According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. - Son – John 8:58, Colossians 2:9, Titus 2:13
John 8:58, Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.”
Colossians 2:9, For in Him (Jesus) all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form. (insert added)
Titus 2:13, Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus. - Spirit – Acts 5:3-4
Acts 5:3-4, But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
The term “Trinity” refers to the fact that the one God of the Bible is also three distinct Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Of all the mysteries of the Bible, surely the doctrine of the Trinity is right at the top of the list. How can Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be three distinct persons, yet one God?
To begin with, since God is God, He is incomprehensible — that is, God is greater than our ability to understand Him. Believers cannot grasp all of what heaven will be, let alone the God who has provided a way for us to be there. If God is as great as the Bible says, then God is greater than any mind can conceive. Thus, we should expect that there are difficult things to grasp about God and, thus, about the Trinity.
Trinity is a word that is not found in the Bible, but it is the term theologians have chosen to describe the persons and the relationship of the Godhead. We know that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all called God. We know that there are these three persons, and yet only one God. Precisely how all this works is beyond us, but we accept these things as true. A
In the Bible you will note many ways that the three members of the Godhead work together to accomplish the divine will. The following outline provides insight into the unity and cooperative involvement of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in accomplishing specific aspects of that will. B
May you be edified and may God be glorified as you consider the truly awesome attributes and activities of the Trinity.
DIVINE ATTRIBUTES IN THE TRINITY
The Bible ascribes to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit certain attributes that are unique to God alone.
Eternal (without beginning or end; existing through all time; everlasting)
- Father – 1 Chronicles 29:10, Psalm 90:1-2, Isaiah 63:16
1 Chronicles 29:10, So David blessed the LORD in the sight of all the assembly; and David said, “Blessed are You, O LORD God of Israel our father, forever and ever.”
Psalm 90:1-2, Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
Isaiah 63:16, For You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us And Israel does not recognize us. You, O LORD, are our Father, Our Redeemer from of old is Your name. - Son – John 1:1-3, 14; Hebrews 7:24-25, 13:8; Revelation 1:17-18
John 1:1-3, 14, 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 came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being…14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Hebrews 7:24-25, but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.
25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 13:8, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Revelation 1:17-18, When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18 and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.” - Spirit – Hebrews 9:14
Hebrews 9:14, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Omnipresent (present in all places at all times)
- Father – Jeremiah 23:23-24
Jeremiah 23:23-24, “Am I a God who is near,” declares the LORD, “And not a God far off? 24 Can a man hide himself in hiding places so I do not see him?” declares the Lord. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD. - Son – Ephesians 4:10
Ephesians 4:10, He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things. - Spirit – Psalm 139:7-10
Psalm 139:7-10, Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 10 even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me.
Omniscient (knowing all things)
- Father – Isaiah 46:9-10, 1 John 3:20
Isaiah 46:9-10, “Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’”
1 John 3:20, in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. - Son – John 16:30; 21:17
John 16:30, “Now we (the disciples) know that You (Jesus) know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.” (inserts added)
John 21:17, He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.” - Spirit – 1 Corinthians 2:10-11
1 Corinthians 2:10-11, For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.
Truth (ultimate reality, fully reliable, completely trustworthy)
- Father – Isaiah 65:16, 1 John 5:20
Isaiah 65:16, Because he who is blessed in the earth will be blessed by the God of truth; And he who swears in the earth will swear by the God of truth; Because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hidden from My sight!
1 John 5:20, And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. - Son – John 14:6
John 14:6, Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” - Spirit – John 14:16-17; 16:13
John 14:16-17, I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
John 16:13, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”
DIVINE WORKS IN THE TRINITY
The Bible ascribes to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit certain works that only God can do.
Creating
- Father – Malachi 2:10, Acts 17:24-28, 1 Corinthians 8:6
Malachi 2:10, Do we not all have one father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously each against his brother so as to profane the covenant of our fathers?
Acts 17:24-28, “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’”
1 Corinthians 8:6, yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. - Son – John 1:3, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:2
John 1:3, All things came into being through Him (the Son) , and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. (insert added)
Colossians 1:16, For by Him (Christ) all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. (insert added)
Hebrews 1:2, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. - Spirit – Genesis 1:2, Psalm 104:30
Genesis 1:2, The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of Godwas moving over the surface of the waters.
Psalm 104:30, You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the ground.
Giving Life
- Father – Genesis 2:7, Nehemiah 9:6, John 5:21
Genesis 2:7, Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Nehemiah 9:6, You alone are the LORD. You have made the heavens, The heaven of heavens with all their host, The earth and all that is on it, The seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them And the heavenly host bows down before You.
John 5:21, For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. - Son – John 5:21, John 6:47-51
John 5:21, For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.
John 6:47-51, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.” - Spirit – 2 Corinthians 3:6
2 Corinthians 3:6, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Searching the Heart
- Father – Jeremiah 17:10
Jeremiah 17:10, I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds. - Son – Matthew 9:4, Revelation 2:23b
Matthew 9:4, And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?”
Revelation 2:23b, And all the churches will know that I (Jesus) am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. (insert added) - Spirit – 1 Corinthians 2:10
1 Corinthians 2:10, For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
DIVINE COOPERATION IN JESUS’ LIFE AND MINISTRY
The Bible ascribes to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit distinct responsibilities with regard to Jesus’ life and work. Each Person of the Trinity fulfills His own responsibilities in cooperation with the others to accomplish the divine will.
Incarnation of Jesus Christ
- Father – Galatians 4:4; 1 John 4:9-10, 14
Galatians 4:4, But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law.
1 John 4:9-10 & 14, By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins…14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. - Son – John 1:14
John 1:14, And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. - Spirit – Luke 1:35
Luke 1:35, The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.”
Baptism of Jesus
- Father, Son, and Spirit – Matthew 3:16-17
Matthew 3:16-17, After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, 17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”
Earthly Ministry of Jesus
- Father and Son – Matthew 26:39; John 5:19, 30
Matthew 26:39, And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”
John 5:19, Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.”
John 5:30, I (Jesus) can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. (insert added) - Spirit – Matthew 12:28, Luke 4:18, Acts 10:38
Matthew 12:28, But if I (Jesus) cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.(insert added)
Luke 4:18, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (Jesus), because He anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed. (insert added)
Acts 10:38, You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Sacrificial death of Jesus
- Father – John 3:16–17, 1 John 4:10
John 3:16-17, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
1 John 4:10, In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. - Son – John 10:18, Galatians 2:20
John 10:18, No one has taken it (life) away from Me (Jesus), but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father. (inserts added)
Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. - Spirit – Hebrews 9:14
Hebrews 9:14, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Resurrection of Jesus
- Father – Acts 2:24
Acts 2:24, But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. - Son – John 10:18; 2:19
John 10:18, No one has taken it (life) away from Me (Jesus), but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father. (inserts added)
John 2:19, Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” - Spirit – Romans 1:4; 8:11
Romans 1:4, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 8:11, But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
DIVINE COOPERATION IN REDEMPTION
The Bible ascribes to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit distinct responsibilities with regard to redeeming God’s people. Each Person of the Trinity fulfills His own responsibilities in cooperation with the others to accomplish the divine will.
Initiating salvation
- Father, Son, and Spirit – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, Titus 3:4-7, 1 Peter 1:1-2
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Titus 3:4-7, But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
1 Peter 1:1-2, Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
Displaying divine love
- Father – John 3:16, Romans 5:8
John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Romans 5:8, But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. - Son – John 15:9, Ephesians 5:25
John 15:9, Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
Ephesians 5:25, Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her. - Spirit – Romans 5:5; 15:30, Galatians 5:22-23
Romans 5:5, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 15:30, Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.
Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Bringing people to Jesus
- Father – John 6:44, 65
John 6:44, No one can come to Me (Jesus) unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. (insert added)
John 6:65, And He (Jesus) was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” (insert added) - Son – John 12:32
John 12:32, And I (Jesus), if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself. (insert added) - Spirit – John 3:5-6
John 3:5-6, Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Saving sinners
- Father – Ephesians 1:4-6
Ephesians 1:4-6, just as He (the Father) chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. (insert added) - Son – Acts 4:10-12, Ephesians 1:7-12
Acts 4:10-12, “Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
Ephesians 1:7-12, In Him (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. (insert added) - Spirit – Ephesians 1:13-14
Ephesians 1:13-14, In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
Sending the Holy Spirit to believers
- Father, Son, and Spirit – John 14:26
John 14:26, But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My (Jesus) name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. (insert added)
Indwelling believers
- Father – 2 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 4:6
2 Corinthians 6:16, Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Ephesians 4:6, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. - Son – Colossians 1:27
Colossians 1:27, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. - Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:19
1 Corinthians 6:19, Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
Justifying believers
- Father – Romans 8:33
Romans 8:33, Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. - Son – Galatians 2:16
Galatians 2:16, nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. - Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:11
1 Corinthians 6:11, Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
Providing divine fellowship
- Father – 1 John 1:3
1 John 1:3, what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. - Son – 1 Corinthians 1:9
1 Corinthians 1:9, God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. - Spirit – 2 Corinthians 13:14
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.
Sanctifying believers
- Father – Ephesians 1:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Ephesians 1:4, just as He (the Father) chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him . . . (insert added)
1 Thessalonians 5:23, Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Son – Ephesians 5:25-26, Hebrews 2:11
Ephesians 5:25-26, Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.
Hebrews 2:11, For both He (Jesus) who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren. (insert added) - Spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:11, 1 Peter 1:2
1 Corinthians 6:11, Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
1 Peter 1:2, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
Preserving believers
- Father – John 10:29
John 10:29 (spoken by Jesus), My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. (insert added) - Son – John 10:28, Romans 8:34, Romans 8:38-39
John 10:28 (spoken by Jesus), and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
Romans 8:34, who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
Romans 8:38-39, For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Spirit – Ephesians 1:13; 4:30
Ephesians 1:13, In Him (Christ), you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise. (insert added)
Ephesians 4:30, Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Granting eternal life and resurrection from death
- Father – 1 John 5:11, 21
1 John 5:11, And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
John 5:21, For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. - Son – John 6:40
John 6:40 (spoken by Jesus), For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day. (insert added) - Spirit – Romans 8:9-11
Romans 8:9-11, However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
DIVINE COOPERATION IN BELIEVERS’ MINISTRIES
The Bible ascribes to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit distinct responsibilities with regard to the Church and a believer’s ministry on earth. Each Person of the Trinity fulfills His own responsibilities in cooperation with the others to accomplish the divine will.
Empowering and answering the believer’s prayers
- Father and Son– John 16:23-24
John 16:23-24, In that day you will not question Me (Jesus) about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full. (insert added) - Spirit – Romans 8:26, Ephesians 6:18
Romans 8:26, In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Ephesians 6:18, With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.
Equipping for Christian service
- Father – 1 Corinthians 12:6, Ephesians 2:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, Hebrews 13:20-21
1 Corinthians 12:6, There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.
Ephesians 2:10, For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
Hebrews 13:20-21, Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. - Son – 1 Corinthians 12:5, Ephesians 2:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, Hebrews 13:20-21
1 Corinthians 12:5, And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.
Ephesians 2:10, For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
Hebrews 13:20-21, Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. - Spirit – 1 Corinthians 12:4, 11
1 Corinthians 12:4, Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:11, But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
Providing believers with joy
- Father – Psalm 16:11
Psalm 16:11, You (God) will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. (insert added) - Son – John 15:11
John 15:11 (spoken by Jesus), These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. (insert added) - Spirit – Romans 14:17; Galatians 5:22
Romans 14:17, for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
Establishing church leadership
- Father, Son, and Spirit
Acts 20:28, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He (Jesus) purchased with His own blood. (insert added)
After concluding this study, you may wonder, “What difference does it make in my life that God is a Trinity?”
Many Bible commentators include such things as (1) The Trinity defines and displays divine love. (2) The Trinity secures our salvation. (3) God is a community. The Father, Son, and Spirit have perfect fellowship and communion with one another. Similarly, God calls believers in Christ to live in fellowship and communion with one another. (4) Each person in the Trinity, as in the body of Christ, is fully equal but has different responsibilities while cooperating in mutual submission. (5) The Trinity explains the value of the individual and of the group, illustrating the importance of unity and diversity among the individuals in the body of Christ.
Other implications of the Trinity are succinctly presented in the article How Does the Trinity Practically Apply to Your Life Today?
Many other aspects of the Trinity are beyond the scope of this presentation. For further insight, see Think Bigger and What the Bible Teaches about the Trinity
May the study of these truths keep you faithful to the one true and triune God of the Bible.
1 Corinthians 10:14, Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
1 John 5:21, Little children, guard yourselves from idols.
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Endnotes
A. Bible.org at https://bible.org/question/regarding-trinity-if-all-three-are-one-how-can-god-be-offering-form-himself-son-himself
B. The impetus for this article comes from 14 Trinitarian Works (blog of Paul Tautges, July 13, 2015)
All of Pastor Tautges’ blog articles are available at CounselingOneAnother.com
Additional observations about the Trinity are derived from the WordTruth article, Holy Spirit – The Divine Developer, an article in Self-Confrontation, a discipleship manual offered by the Biblical Counseling Foundation (http://www.bcfministries.org). Phone: (760) 347-4608. Fax: (760) 775-5751. For Orders within USA: (877) 933-9333. E-mail correspondence: admin@bcfministries.org and E-mail orders: orders@bcfministries.org.
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God of the Bible…Divinity of the Trinity © 2016 WordTruth, Inc—http://www.wordtruth.net
All Scriptures are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.