1. The Triune Nature of God

2. Grasping The Complex Nature of God Stating the doctrine is far easier than explaining it. Christians must believe that God exists in Three Persons He exists as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. How can this be?

3. The First Doctrine – God is ONE Deuteronomy 6:4 -- Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. YAHWEH – Singular ELOHIM – Plural ECHAD – “ONE”

4. Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. God = ELOHIM = Plural

5. Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God = Elohim = Plural said = Awmar = Singular Let us make = Awsaw = Plural Our image = TSEHLEM = Plural Created = BAWRAW = Singular

6. John 1:1 and Genesis 1 We are introduced to three persons – God (Father), Word (Son) and Holy Spirit But there is only one God

7. The Second Doctrine: God is complex God exists in the person of the Father Matthew 5:16 -- In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

8. Matthew 10:33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

9. 1 Corinthians 1:3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Christians must believe in the Father

10. God the Son also identified Matthew 3:17 -- And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

11. Hebrews 5:5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, "YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU….”

12. John 1:1, 14, 34 In the beginning was the Word… The Word became flesh and dwelt among us… “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

13. God the Holy Spirit identified "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit…. Matthew 28:19

14. Acts 13:2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

15. Psalm 51:11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Christians must believe in God the Holy Spirit

16. Third Doctrine: God is Unified John 17:20-23 Jesus prays for oneness The kind of oneness he has with the Father, as they are “in” one another So the world will believe in God.

17. Luke 10:22 All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.“ The Father/Son Relationship

18. John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. Jesus is the “only begotten God” – unity of Father and Son

19. John 10:30 “I and the Father are one.“ 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. All three in the birth narrative

20. Acts 2:33 "Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.” All three working together in salvation.

21. 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. All three as strengthening the church.