1. Resources: Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem & A Theology for the Church, ed. Daniel Akin CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE

2. THE TRINITY

3.  The Trinity is one of the most important beliefs of the Christian Faith.  Three different names are used for God: God or Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  They all are distinct persons.  Yet they are all one God.  This doctrine cannot be understood fully (through human logic).  How can three persons be one person at the same time?  Answer: We do not know, however we can know that it is what the Bible declares about God. THE TRINITY

4.  The word Trinity is never used in the Bible.  However the idea is affirmed in many places.  Genesis 1:26- Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”  Us and our imply there was more than one person involved in creation.  The only other persons would be angels, but in Genesis 1:27 it says man is made “in the image of God.” Not in the image of angels. THE TRINITY- WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS.

5.  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, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."  We see God the Father speaking to Jesus, Jesus being baptized, and the Holy Spirit shining light on Jesus.  All three persons of the Trinity are present acting in different roles at that time. THE TRINITY- WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS.

6.  Matthew 28:19-Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Here we see all three placed on the same level of importance.  Name here is singular.  Jude 1:20-21-But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.  Once again all three persons have distinct roles and personhood. THE TRINITY- WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS.

7.  Summary of Biblical Teaching  God is three persons  Each person is fully God  There is one God  God is three persons:  Basically the Father is not Jesus or the Holy Spirit, Jesus is not the Father or the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father or Jesus.  They are all three the Godhead. THE TRINITY

8.  Jesus’ personhood  John 1:1-2: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  Jesus is separated from God for he was with God in the beginning.  1 John 2:1: If any one does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  Once again showing Jesus separation from the Father. THE TRINITY

9.  Holy Spirit’s personhood  John 14:26- But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.  This is a definite separation of the Holy Spirit from God the Father and Jesus.  Verses in support: John 14:26; John 15:26; Rom. 8:16; Rom. 8:26-27; 1 Cor. 2:10; 1 Cor. 12:11; Acts 16:6-7; Acts 8:29; Acts 15:28; & Eph. 4:30. THE TRINITY

10.  Summary of Biblical Teaching  God is three persons  Each person is fully God  There is one God THE TRINITY

11.  Each person is fully God  God the Father is clearly God. Genesis 1:1  Jesus- John 1:1-4; John 20:25-28  Holy Spirit- Acts 5:3-4 (Holy Spirit and God used interchangeably) THE TRINITY

12.  There is one God  Bible is clear there is only one God.  Isaiah 45:4-6: I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I gird you, though you do not know me, that men may know, from the rising sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. THE TRINITY

13.  Problems with analogies of the Trinity  Three forms of water: Steam, water, and ice.  Are not equal sides. Ex. If ice is melting to water there is at some point more ice than water and eventually more water than ice. The Trinity is all equal.  Problem is we try to explain it with creation and God is above creation. THE TRINITY

14.  Erroneous views on the Trinity  Modalism- Claims that there is one person who appears to us in three different forms or “modes”  Arianism- denies the full deity of the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Tritheism- denies that there is only on God.  Few have held this view. THE TRINITY

15.  Why is the doctrine of the Trinity so important?  The atonement is at stake. (atonement- reconciliation of God and man)  If Jesus is not God he could not take bear the wrath of God because of our sins.  Salvation by faith alone is threatened.  If Jesus is not God could we really trust him for our salvation? THE TRINITY

16.  Can we really understand the Trinity?  We cannot fall into the trap of trying to simplify it. Trying to make it completely understandable.  However we can know facts of the Trinity.  We just cannot fully understand the workings of it.  Healthy for us to have some mystery with God. THE TRINITY