GOD attributes (4) The trinity

God is One and Trinity

• The doctrine of the Trinity is difficult to understand and explain, and is vulnerable to attack and misinterpretation, because it is beyond the limited human mind.
• The belief that man can fully understand the Trinity assumes that God is finite, but He is infinite in nature.
• God is one in essence, but exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• The three Persons are equal in essence and attributes, but distinct in their roles and relationships.
• The Trinity expresses one nature in three Persons, which preserves the oneness of God while recognizing the plurality of Persons.

Biblical Evidence:

• Job 11:7-8 (NIV): "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens above what can you do? They are deeper than the depths below what can you know?"
• This text emphasizes that God’s nature is beyond human understanding.
• Deuteronomy 6:4 (NIV): "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one."
• This text emphasizes the oneness of God.
• Deuteronomy 4:35 (NIV): "You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord is God; besides him there is no other."
• The uniqueness of God is emphasized here.
• 1 Samuel 2:2 (NIV): "There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God."
• This text shows that God is incomparable
• Psalm 86:10 (NIV): "For you are great and do Marvelous deeds; you alone are God."
• This psalm emphasizes that God is the only God.
• Isaiah 43:10 (NIV): "‘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 no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.’"
• This text emphasizes the eternal oneness of God.
• Isaiah 45:18 (NIV): "For this is what the Lord says, he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth. I am the Lord, and there is no other."
• This emphasizes that God is the only creator.
• Mark 12:32 (NIV): "‘Well said, teacher,’ the man replied. ‘You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.’"
• This text confirms the scribe’s belief in the oneness of God.
• 1 Corinthians 8:4 (NIV): "So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that ‘An idol is nothing at all in the world’ and that ‘There is no God but one.’"
• This shows that God is the only true God.
• Galatians 3:20 (NIV): "A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one."
• This text emphasizes the oneness of God.
• Ephesians 4:6 (NIV): "One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
• This text highlights that God is one and all-encompassing.
• James 2:19 (NIV): "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder."
• This emphasizes that the oneness of God is a fundamental truth.
• 1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV): "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus."
• This shows that God is one, and Christ is the mediator.
• Genesis 1:1-2 (NIV): "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth... and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."
• The role of the Holy Spirit in creation is shown here.
• Genesis 1:26 (NIV): "Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness.’"
• This text uses the plural form, referring to the Trinity.
• Genesis 3:22 (NIV): "And the Lord God said, ‘The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil.’"
• The plural form is also used here.
• Genesis 11:7 (NIV): "Come, let us go down and confuse their language."
• This text emphasizes the plural, referring to the Persons of the Trinity.
• Isaiah 63:16 (NIV): "But you are our father, you, Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name."
• The Father appears here as an eternal Father.
• Malachi 2:10 (NIV): "Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us?"
• This text emphasizes that God is the one Father.
• Isaiah 9:6 (NIV): "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given."
• This text predicts the Son, the Messiah.
• Judges 6:34 (NIV): "Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon."
• The role of the Holy Spirit in working among men is shown here.
• Matthew 3:16-17 (NIV): "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’"
• This text clearly shows the Trinity: The Father (the voice), the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit (the dove).
• Matthew 28:19 (NIV): "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
• This text emphasizes the Trinity as the basis for baptism.
• John 14:16-17 (NIV): "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth."
• The Holy Spirit appears here as a Comforter sent by the Father at the request of the Son.
• Ephesians 2:18 (NIV): "For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."
• This text highlights the unity of the Persons in achieving salvation.
• Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV): "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
• This text emphasizes the unity of God with reference to the Persons.
• 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV): "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
• The Trinity appears here in the apostolic blessing.
• 1 John 5:7-8 (NIV): "For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement."
• This text emphasizes the unity of the three Persons.
• Exodus 20:11 (NIV): "For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them."
• The Father’s role in creation is shown here.
• Psalm 102:25 (NIV): "In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands."
• This text emphasizes that the Father is the Creator.
• Genesis 2:7 (NIV): "Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground."
• The Father’s role in the creation of man is emphasized here.
• Colossians 1:16-17 (NIV): "For in him all things were created all things have been created through him and for him."
• The Son’s role in creation is highlighted here.
• John 1:3 (NIV): "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."
• This text emphasizes that the Son is the mediator of creation.
• Hebrews 1:2, 10 (NIV): "But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe, In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands."
• The Son’s role in creation is shown here.
• Job 26:13 (NIV): "By his breath the skies became fair."
• This text highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in creation.
• Psalm 104:30 (NIV): "When you send your Spirit, they are created."
• This text emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is involved in creation.
• Deuteronomy 33:27 (NIV): "The eternal God is your refuge."
• The eternity of the Father is shown here.
• Philippians 2:6 (NIV): "Who, being in very nature God."
• This text emphasizes the eternity of the Son.
• Hebrews 9:14 (NIV): "Through the eternal Spirit."
• The eternity of the Holy Spirit is shown here.
• Jeremiah 23:23-24 (NIV): "‘Am I only a God nearby,’ declares the Lord, ‘and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?’ declares the Lord. ‘Do not I fill heaven and earth?’ declares the Lord."
• This text emphasizes the omnipresence of the Father.
• Ephesians 1:23 (NIV): "Which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."
• The Son’s omnipresence is shown here.
• Matthew 18:20 (NIV): "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."
• This text emphasizes the Son’s omnipresence.
• Psalm 139:7 (NIV): "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?"
• This text highlights the omnipresence of the Holy Spirit.
• Proverbs 15:3 (NIV): "The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the righteous."
• This text emphasizes the omniscience of the Father.
• John 21:17 (NIV): "‘Lord, you know all things.’"
• The Son’s omniscience is shown here.
• Colossians 2:3 (NIV): "In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
• This text emphasizes that the Son possesses all knowledge.
• Revelation 2:23 (NIV): "I am he who searches hearts and minds."
• The Son’s omniscience is emphasized here.
• 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 (NIV): "The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God... We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God."
• This text emphasizes the Holy Spirit’s omniscience.
• Matthew 19:26 (NIV): "With God all things are possible."
• The Father’s omnipotence is shown here.
• Philippians 3:21 (NIV): "Who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."
• This text emphasizes the Son’s omnipotence.
• Matthew 28:18 (NIV): "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
• The Son’s omnipotence is emphasized here.
• Romans 15:19 (NIV): "By the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God."
• The omnipotence of the Holy Spirit is shown here.
• Revelation 15:4 (NIV): "Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy."
• This text emphasizes the holiness of the Father.
• Acts 3:14 (NIV): "You disowned the Holy and Righteous One."
• The holiness of the Son is shown here.
• Acts 1:8 (NIV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you."
• This text highlights the holiness of the Holy Spirit.

Significance:

• The doctrine of the Trinity expresses the unique nature of God, who is one God in essence but exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• These Persons are equal in essence and attributes (such as eternity, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and holiness), but each has distinct roles in relationship with creation.
• For example, the Father is the source of creation, the Son is the mediator of creation and redemption, and the Holy Spirit is the Comforter who works in the hearts of believers.
• This doctrine, though difficult, affirms the oneness of God while respecting the diversity of the Persons, making God unique and infinite, beyond the limited understanding of human beings.