1. The Importance of Knowing God Copyright Norman L. Geisler 2008

2. A. W. Tozer, Knowledge of the Holy “What you think of God is the most important thing about you” (p. 1). “What you think of God is the most important thing about you” (p. 1).

3. Outline: I.The Importance of Knowing God II. A Contrast with False Views of God III. Attributes of the True God A. Non-Moral Attributes--Greatness B. Moral Attributes-------Goodness B. Moral Attributes-------Goodness I.The Importance of Knowing God II. A Contrast with False Views of God III. Attributes of the True God A. Non-Moral Attributes--Greatness B. Moral Attributes-------Goodness B. Moral Attributes-------Goodness

4. I. The Importance of Knowing God I. The Importance of Knowing God 1. The most important thing about us is what we think of God. 2. We can’t be like God unless we know what God is like. 3. We can’t know the true God unless we know the truth about God. 4. We can’t recognize false gods unless we know the true God. 5.Idols are idols whether they are mental or metal. 6. We tend to become like the object we worship. 7. An ultimate commitment to anything less than ultimate will not ultimately satisfy.

5. I.The Importance of Knowing the True God A. False gods cannot satisfy. “Nothing less than the ultimate will ultimately satisfy.” “Nothing less than the ultimate will ultimately satisfy.” B. False God’s God can’t save. John 8:32: “You shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 1 John 5:20: “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, 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.” I.The Importance of Knowing the True God A. False gods cannot satisfy. “Nothing less than the ultimate will ultimately satisfy.” “Nothing less than the ultimate will ultimately satisfy.” B. False God’s God can’t save. John 8:32: “You shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 1 John 5:20: “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, 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.”

6. II. Contrast with False Views of God A. The Contrasts Stated: The True God: 1. Exists vs. Atheism 2. Infinite vs. Finite godism 3. Transcendent vs. Pantheism 4. Supernatural vs. Deism 5. One vs. Polytheism 6. Unchangeable vs. Panentheism 7. All knowing vs. Open Theism A. The Contrasts Stated: The True God: 1. Exists vs. Atheism 2. Infinite vs. Finite godism 3. Transcendent vs. Pantheism 4. Supernatural vs. Deism 5. One vs. Polytheism 6. Unchangeable vs. Panentheism 7. All knowing vs. Open Theism

7. II. Contrast with False Views of God B. Warnings Given about False Gods Ex. 20:3--”Your shall have no other gods before me.” Deut. 13:1-3--”If there arises among you a prophet of a dreamer of dreams…saying, `Let us go after other gods,…you shall not listen to the words of that prophet….’” 1Kings 10:4--”For it was so that when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God….” *There are over 200 warnings about false gods in OT *There are over 200 warnings about false gods in OT B. Warnings Given about False Gods Ex. 20:3--”Your shall have no other gods before me.” Deut. 13:1-3--”If there arises among you a prophet of a dreamer of dreams…saying, `Let us go after other gods,…you shall not listen to the words of that prophet….’” 1Kings 10:4--”For it was so that when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God….” *There are over 200 warnings about false gods in OT *There are over 200 warnings about false gods in OT

8. II. Contrast with False Views of God A. False Gods Illustrated:

9. Theism: The True God created and sustains all things

10. Recognizing False Gods “Knowing the genuine is the only way to recognize a counterfeit.” “Knowing the genuine is the only way to recognize a counterfeit.”

11. Deism: God made the world but does not intervene in it

12. Finite Godism: God is limited in power and/or perfection

13. Atheism: No God at All

14. Pantheism: God is All and All is God

15. Panentheism: God is in All as a Soul is in a Body

16. Polytheism: There are many finite gods in the world

17. II. Contrast with False Views of God A. False Views Illustrated B. False Views Refuted John said: “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” (Jn. 8:32). Jesus said to the Father: “Your Word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). A. False Views Illustrated B. False Views Refuted John said: “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” (Jn. 8:32). Jesus said to the Father: “Your Word is truth” (Jn. 17:17).

18. Deism: God made the world but does not act miraculously in it Jefferson cut the miracles out of his Bible. Jefferson cut the miracles out of his Bible. He said, “The day will come when the account of the birth of Christ as accepted in the Trinitarian churches will be classed with the fable of Minerva springing from the brain of Jupiter” (Henry W. Foote, Thomas Jefferson, 49). He said, “The day will come when the account of the birth of Christ as accepted in the Trinitarian churches will be classed with the fable of Minerva springing from the brain of Jupiter” (Henry W. Foote, Thomas Jefferson, 49). Jefferson cut the miracles out of his Bible. Jefferson cut the miracles out of his Bible. He said, “The day will come when the account of the birth of Christ as accepted in the Trinitarian churches will be classed with the fable of Minerva springing from the brain of Jupiter” (Henry W. Foote, Thomas Jefferson, 49). He said, “The day will come when the account of the birth of Christ as accepted in the Trinitarian churches will be classed with the fable of Minerva springing from the brain of Jupiter” (Henry W. Foote, Thomas Jefferson, 49). Thomas Jefferson

19. 1. Deism: God made the world but does not act miraculously in it. Gen. 18:14: “Is anything too hard for God?” Matt. 19:26: “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” John 10:18: “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” 2Cor. 4:6: “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness who has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” Rev. 19:6: “Alleluia! For the Lord God omnipotent reigns.” Gen. 18:14: “Is anything too hard for God?” Matt. 19:26: “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” John 10:18: “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” 2Cor. 4:6: “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness who has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” Rev. 19:6: “Alleluia! For the Lord God omnipotent reigns.”

20. Finite Godism: God is limited in power and/or perfection Rabi Kushner said: Rabi Kushner said: “There are some things God does not control.” And we “…need to forgive God for not making a better world…” (When Bad Things Happen to Good People, 45, 147). Rabi Kushner said: Rabi Kushner said: “There are some things God does not control.” And we “…need to forgive God for not making a better world…” (When Bad Things Happen to Good People, 45, 147).

21. 2. Finite Godism: God is limited in power and/or perfection Psalm 147:5: Psalm 147:5: "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit." Job 11:7-9--"Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens--what can you do?” Isa. 40:12--"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?" Isa. 55:8-9--"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Psalm 147:5: Psalm 147:5: "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit." Job 11:7-9--"Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens--what can you do?” Isa. 40:12--"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?" Isa. 55:8-9--"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

22. Atheism: Nietzsche 1844-1900 “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we, the murderers of all murderers, comfort ourselves?” God

23. 3. Atheism: No God at all Psa. 14:1--”The fool has said in his heart, `There is no God.’” Psa. 19:1--”The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” Rom. 1:19-20--”…what may be known of God is manifest in them…. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that the are without excuse….” Rom. 2:14-15--”When Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things contained in the law [they]...show the work of the law written in their hearts….” Psa. 14:1--”The fool has said in his heart, `There is no God.’” Psa. 19:1--”The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” Rom. 1:19-20--”…what may be known of God is manifest in them…. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that the are without excuse….” Rom. 2:14-15--”When Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things contained in the law [they]...show the work of the law written in their hearts….”

24. 4. Pantheism: God is All Science and Health “God is identical with nature, but nature is spiritual and is not expressed in matter” (119). “God is all…. Therefore, all that really exists is in and of God” (339,-240). “Evil is but an illusion, and has no real basis” (480). Science and Health “God is identical with nature, but nature is spiritual and is not expressed in matter” (119). “God is all…. Therefore, all that really exists is in and of God” (339,-240). “Evil is but an illusion, and has no real basis” (480). Mary Baker Eddy

25. 4. Pantheism: God is All Gen. 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 1Kings 8:27--"The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!" Job 11:7--"Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens-- what can you do? Psa. 8:1--"O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens." Psa. 57:5--"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth." Psa. 97:9--"For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods." Gen. 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 1Kings 8:27--"The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!" Job 11:7--"Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens-- what can you do? Psa. 8:1--"O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens." Psa. 57:5--"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth." Psa. 97:9--"For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods."

26. 5. Panentheism: God is in all God is limited God is limited God has two poles God has two poles The world is God’s body The world is God’s body God is ever changing God is ever changing God is growing better God is growing better God is not in control God is not in control God is limited God is limited God has two poles God has two poles The world is God’s body The world is God’s body God is ever changing God is ever changing God is growing better God is growing better God is not in control God is not in control Alfred North Whitehead

27. 5. Panentheism: God is in all and is continually changing Num. 23:19--"God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind." Psa. 102:25-27--"They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.... But you remain the same, and your years will never end." Mal. 3:6--"I the LORD do not change.” Heb. 6:18--"God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie...." James 1:17--"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." Num. 23:19--"God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind." Psa. 102:25-27--"They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.... But you remain the same, and your years will never end." Mal. 3:6--"I the LORD do not change.” Heb. 6:18--"God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie...." James 1:17--"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

28. Polytheism: Many finite gods "We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea and take away the veil, so that you may see" (The Prophecies of Joseph Smith, 345). "You have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you…" (The Journal Of Discourses, 346). "We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea and take away the veil, so that you may see" (The Prophecies of Joseph Smith, 345). "You have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you…" (The Journal Of Discourses, 346). Joseph Smith

29. 6. Polytheism: Many finite gods Gen. 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Ex. 20:3: “You shall have no other gods before me.” Deut. 6:4: “Hear O Israel: The LORD out God, the LORD is one!” Mark 12:29: Jesus said, “the first of all the command- ments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one.’” 1Cor. 8:5-6: “For even if there are so-called gods… yet there is for us only one God, the Father of whom are all things….” Gen. 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Ex. 20:3: “You shall have no other gods before me.” Deut. 6:4: “Hear O Israel: The LORD out God, the LORD is one!” Mark 12:29: Jesus said, “the first of all the command- ments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one.’” 1Cor. 8:5-6: “For even if there are so-called gods… yet there is for us only one God, the Father of whom are all things….”

30. 7. Open Theism: God is limited in His knowledge of the future God changes ( 143) God changes ( 143) God changes His mind (63) God changes His mind (63) God made false predictions (50-51) God made false predictions (50-51) God doesn’t know all (138) God doesn’t know all (138) (Pinnock, The Most Moved Mover) (Pinnock, The Most Moved Mover) God changes ( 143) God changes ( 143) God changes His mind (63) God changes His mind (63) God made false predictions (50-51) God made false predictions (50-51) God doesn’t know all (138) God doesn’t know all (138) (Pinnock, The Most Moved Mover) (Pinnock, The Most Moved Mover) Clark Pinnock

31. 7. Open Theism: God is limited in His knowledge of the future Isa. 46:9-11: “I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning…. Indeed I have spoken it; I will bring it to pass.” Rom. 8:29: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestinated….” Eph. 1:4: “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world that we would be holy….” Num. 23:19: “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor the son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it?” Num. 23:19: “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor the son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it?” Deut. 18:22: “When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken.” Isa. 46:9-11: “I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning…. Indeed I have spoken it; I will bring it to pass.” Rom. 8:29: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestinated….” Eph. 1:4: “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world that we would be holy….” Num. 23:19: “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor the son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it?” Num. 23:19: “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor the son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it?” Deut. 18:22: “When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken.”

32. Outline: I.The Importance of Knowing God II. A Contrast with False Views of God III. Attributes of the True God A. Moral Attributes-------Goodness A. Moral Attributes-------Goodness B. Non-Moral Attributes--Greatness B. Non-Moral Attributes--Greatness I.The Importance of Knowing God II. A Contrast with False Views of God III. Attributes of the True God A. Moral Attributes-------Goodness A. Moral Attributes-------Goodness B. Non-Moral Attributes--Greatness B. Non-Moral Attributes--Greatness

33. A. Moral Attributes (We can be like these) 1. Holy--”I the Lord your God am holy” (Lev. 19:2) 2. Just-- 2. Just--"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne” (Psa. 89:14). 3. Truthful--”It is impossible for God to lie” (Hb. 6:18) 4. Perfect--”Your Father in heaven is perfect” (Mt. 5:48). 5. Love--”God is love” (1Jn. 4:16) 1. Holy--”I the Lord your God am holy” (Lev. 19:2) 2. Just-- 2. Just--"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne” (Psa. 89:14). 3. Truthful--”It is impossible for God to lie” (Hb. 6:18) 4. Perfect--”Your Father in heaven is perfect” (Mt. 5:48). 5. Love--”God is love” (1Jn. 4:16)

34. B.Non-Moral Attributes (We can not be like these) 1. Infinite (unlimited) 2. Self-existent (uncaused) 3. Immutable (unchangeable) 4. Eternal (non-temporal) 5. All-powerful (omnipotent) 6. All-knowing (omniscient) 7. Everywhere present (omnipresent) 8. Triune (Three in One) 1. Infinite (unlimited) 2. Self-existent (uncaused) 3. Immutable (unchangeable) 4. Eternal (non-temporal) 5. All-powerful (omnipotent) 6. All-knowing (omniscient) 7. Everywhere present (omnipresent) 8. Triune (Three in One)

35. God’s Immutability Meaning: God is unchangeable; He cannot change in His nature or essence. Support: Num. 23:19—”God is not a man that He should lie, nor the son of man that he should change His mind.” 1Sam. 15:29—”The Strength of Israel will not lie or change His mind. For He is not a man that He should change His mind.” Psa. 102:25-27—”The heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will endure. Yes, all of them will grow old like a garment…and they will be changed. But you are the same.” Mal. 3:6—”I the LORD change not.” Heb. 6:18—”For it is impossible for God to lie.” Titus 1:2—”…in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began….” Jas. 1:17—”Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

36. God’s Immutability Meaning: God is unchangeable; He cannot change in His Being. Support: Num. 23:9; 1Sam. 15:29; Psa. 102:25- 27; Mal. 3:6; Heb. 6:18; 2Tim. 2:13; Titus 1:2; Jas. 1:17. Implications: 1. We change in relation to God; He does not change in relation to us. 2. Prayer is not a means by which we change God; It is a means by which God changes us. 3. We have a foundation for our life that we can always trust.

37. God’s Eternality Meaning: God is not bound by time. He is an eternal Now. He has no past or future, just a present. Support: Support: Gen 1:1: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" Heb. 1:2: "In these last days he has spoke by his Son...through whom he framed the ages" (Heb 1:2). The word "ages" (Gk: aionos). Ex. 3:14: "God said to Moses, `I am who I am.'" Jn. 8:58: Jesus said "Before Abraham was, I am." Psa 90:2 says "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God."

38. Isa 57:15: "For this is what the high and lofty One says--he who lives for ever...." 1Cor. 2:7: "No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.“ John 17:5, He declared: "Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began." 2 Tim 1:9 speaks of "This grace [that] was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time...." Titus 1:2: Paul speaks of "the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time...." Jude 25: Jude speaks of "the only wise God our Savior be glory...through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore."

39. Implications: 1. God can see the future in His eternal present from all eternity (Isa. 46:10). 2. God knows who will accept him and predestines them accordingly (1 Pet. 1:2; Rom. 8:29). 3. There was no time before the world began. Hence, it is meaningless to ask what God was doing with all his time before He created. 4. God only exist in His eternal Now and the only time we can meet him is our now.

40. Meeting God Now or Never “Humans live in time but our Enemy [God] destines them to eternity. He therefore…wants them to attend chiefly to two things, to eternity itself, and to that point of time which they call the Present. For the Present is the point at which time touches eternity” (Lewis, (Screwtape Letters, 76). “Humans live in time but our Enemy [God] destines them to eternity. He therefore…wants them to attend chiefly to two things, to eternity itself, and to that point of time which they call the Present. For the Present is the point at which time touches eternity” (Lewis, (Screwtape Letters, 76).

41. Conclusions 1. We can’t be like God’s non-moral attributes. a. No verse says, “I am infinite. Be ye infinite.” b. No verse says, “I am almighty. Be ye almighty.” 2. We should be like God’s moral attributes. a. “Be perfect as God is perfect” (Mt. 5:48) a. “Be perfect as God is perfect” (Mt. 5:48) b. “Be holy as God is holy” (Lev. 19:2) c. “We love him because He first loved us” (1Jn. 4:19) 3. We can’t be God-like unless we know what God is like. 4. To know the true God we must know the truth about God. 5. The truth about God is found in the Word of God. 1. We can’t be like God’s non-moral attributes. a. No verse says, “I am infinite. Be ye infinite.” b. No verse says, “I am almighty. Be ye almighty.” 2. We should be like God’s moral attributes. a. “Be perfect as God is perfect” (Mt. 5:48) a. “Be perfect as God is perfect” (Mt. 5:48) b. “Be holy as God is holy” (Lev. 19:2) c. “We love him because He first loved us” (1Jn. 4:19) 3. We can’t be God-like unless we know what God is like. 4. To know the true God we must know the truth about God. 5. The truth about God is found in the Word of God.

42. Conclusions 6. We must study the Word of God to know the God of the Word. 7. If we are not overcoming our difficulties, then--Our problems are not too big, but our God is too small. Gen. 18:14: “Is anything too hard for God?” Matt. 19:26: “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 8. If we do not feel loved, then we do not lack love. We lack a proper view of God’s love. 9. If we feel lonely, we do not lack God’s presence. We lack a recognition of His presence.

43. Some Other Helpful Books… J. I. Packer, Knowing God. J. B. Phillips. Your God is Too Small. A. W. Tozer, Knowledge of the Holy. A. W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God. R. C. Sproul. The Holiness of God. Stephen Charnock. The Existence and Attributes of God. Thomas Aquinas. The Summa Theologica. Peter Kreeft. A Summa of the Summa. Norman Geisler. Systematic Theology, Vol. 2. J. I. Packer, Knowing God. J. B. Phillips. Your God is Too Small. A. W. Tozer, Knowledge of the Holy. A. W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God. R. C. Sproul. The Holiness of God. Stephen Charnock. The Existence and Attributes of God. Thomas Aquinas. The Summa Theologica. Peter Kreeft. A Summa of the Summa. Norman Geisler. Systematic Theology, Vol. 2.

44. God is One A.There is Only One God, not Many 1. Deut. 6:4--”Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” 2. Ex. 20:3-"You shall have no other gods before me." 3. Isa. 45:18-"I am the LORD, and there is no other." 4. Mark 12:29--"The most important one [command]," answered Jesus, "is this": `Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.'" 5. 1 Cor. 8:4--"We know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] none other God but one." 6. 1 Tim. 2:5--"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus...." A.There is Only One God, not Many 1. Deut. 6:4--”Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” 2. Ex. 20:3-"You shall have no other gods before me." 3. Isa. 45:18-"I am the LORD, and there is no other." 4. Mark 12:29--"The most important one [command]," answered Jesus, "is this": `Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.'" 5. 1 Cor. 8:4--"We know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] none other God but one." 6. 1 Tim. 2:5--"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus...."

45. B. Three Different Persons Are God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 1. All three are called God. a. The Father is God (Jn. 6:27; Rom. 1:7; Gal. 1:1). b. The Son is God (Jn. 1:1; 8:58; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Col. 2:9). c. The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 3:17; Heb. 9:14). 2. All three are persons including the Holy Spirit: a. He has Mind (Jn. 14:26; 1 Cor. 2:11). b. He has Will (1Cor. 12:11). c. He has Feeling (Eph. 4:30). B. Three Different Persons Are God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 1. All three are called God. a. The Father is God (Jn. 6:27; Rom. 1:7; Gal. 1:1). b. The Son is God (Jn. 1:1; 8:58; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Col. 2:9). c. The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 3:17; Heb. 9:14). 2. All three are persons including the Holy Spirit: a. He has Mind (Jn. 14:26; 1 Cor. 2:11). b. He has Will (1Cor. 12:11). c. He has Feeling (Eph. 4:30).

46. C.They are Different Persons at the same Time 1. The Father Speaking to the Son "The LORD [Father] says to my Lord [Son]: `Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet'" (Psa. 110:1). "Your throne, O God [Son], will last for ever and ever;...therefore God [Father], your God, has set you above your companions..."(Psa. 45:6-7). 2. The Son Speaking to the Father "Then the angel of the LORD [Son] said, `LORD Almighty [Father], how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem...?'" (Zech. 1:12). "After Jesus said this, he looked towards heaven and prayed: `Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you'" (Jn. 17:1). C.They are Different Persons at the same Time 1. The Father Speaking to the Son "The LORD [Father] says to my Lord [Son]: `Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet'" (Psa. 110:1). "Your throne, O God [Son], will last for ever and ever;...therefore God [Father], your God, has set you above your companions..."(Psa. 45:6-7). 2. The Son Speaking to the Father "Then the angel of the LORD [Son] said, `LORD Almighty [Father], how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem...?'" (Zech. 1:12). "After Jesus said this, he looked towards heaven and prayed: `Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you'" (Jn. 17:1).

47. 3.All Three Persons Together at Once a. In Isa. 63:7--"I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD...according to all the LORD [Father] has done for us...In all their distress he too was distressed, and the Messenger of his Presence [Son] saved them…. Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit." b. Matt. 3:16-17--At the Baptism of Jesus "As soon as Jesus [Son] was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God [Spirit] descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven [Father] said, `This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'" 3.All Three Persons Together at Once a. In Isa. 63:7--"I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD...according to all the LORD [Father] has done for us...In all their distress he too was distressed, and the Messenger of his Presence [Son] saved them…. Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit." b. Matt. 3:16-17--At the Baptism of Jesus "As soon as Jesus [Son] was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God [Spirit] descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven [Father] said, `This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'"

48. c. In the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19). "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" d. In the Apostolic Benedictions (2 Cor. 13:14)-- "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ [Son], and the love of God [Father], and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." c. In the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19). "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" d. In the Apostolic Benedictions (2 Cor. 13:14)-- "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ [Son], and the love of God [Father], and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

49. Illustrations of the Trinity: Good and Bad Two Extremes (Heresies) to Avoid: Modalism: Only one person in the Godhead (in three different roles) Modalism: Only one person in the Godhead (in three different roles) Tritheism: Three different beings, entities or individuals in the Godhead. Tritheism: Three different beings, entities or individuals in the Godhead. Bad Illustrations: 1. Three links in a chain (Tritheism) 1. Three links in a chain (Tritheism) 2. Three parts of an egg (Tritheism) 2. Three parts of an egg (Tritheism) 3. Three states of water (Modalism) 3. Three states of water (Modalism) 4. Body, soul, and spirit (Tritheism) 4. Body, soul, and spirit (Tritheism) 5. One actor playing three roles (Modalism) 5. One actor playing three roles (Modalism) Two Extremes (Heresies) to Avoid: Modalism: Only one person in the Godhead (in three different roles) Modalism: Only one person in the Godhead (in three different roles) Tritheism: Three different beings, entities or individuals in the Godhead. Tritheism: Three different beings, entities or individuals in the Godhead. Bad Illustrations: 1. Three links in a chain (Tritheism) 1. Three links in a chain (Tritheism) 2. Three parts of an egg (Tritheism) 2. Three parts of an egg (Tritheism) 3. Three states of water (Modalism) 3. Three states of water (Modalism) 4. Body, soul, and spirit (Tritheism) 4. Body, soul, and spirit (Tritheism) 5. One actor playing three roles (Modalism) 5. One actor playing three roles (Modalism)

50. Illustrations of the Trinity: Good and Bad Good Illustrations: Good Illustrations: 1. Triangle: One triangle but three corners. 1. Triangle: One triangle but three corners. 2. One to the third power: 1x1x1=1 (not 1+1+1=3) 2. One to the third power: 1x1x1=1 (not 1+1+1=3) 3. Love is trifold: Lover, loved one, spirit of love. 3. Love is trifold: Lover, loved one, spirit of love. 4. Mind, ideas, and words are one but distinct. 4. Mind, ideas, and words are one but distinct. 5. Allah and the Quran; Both are united and eternal but one is the expression of the other and distinct from the other. 5. Allah and the Quran; Both are united and eternal but one is the expression of the other and distinct from the other.

51. Father Holy Spirit Son Human Nature Divine Nature Father Who³ Who² Human Nature (Divine Nature) Who¹ What² What¹ (Son)(Holy Spirit)