The Trinity

Question 1

List several biblical passages which give basis for the doctrine of the Trinity and indicate why they are significant.

Answer 1

Matthew 28:18 “…Baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

John 14:16-17
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 world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
- Jesus identifies each person of the trinity.

Titus 2:3 identifies Jesus Christ is God.

Philippians 1:2 identifies the Father as God

Acts 5:3-4 identifies The Holy Spirit is God

2 Corinthians 13:14
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

John 10:30
“I and the Father are One.”

Question 2

What is the biblical basis for the confession, “There is one God?”

Answer 2

Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one….”

Question 3

Why do we confess that God exists “in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit?”

Answer 3

Scripture distinguishes between the persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit yet describes each as being God.

Question 4

List three attributes of God and show from Scripture how they are evident in each person of the Trinity.

Answer 4

Each member is immutable (unchanging).
Malachi 3:6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.”
Hebrews 13:8. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”
Haggai 2:5 “This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.”

Each member is omnipresent (ever present)
Matthew 6 - Your Father who is with you and sees what you do in secret…
Matthew 28 - I (The son) will be with you…
Psalm 139 - Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

Each member is omniscient (all knowing)
Matthew 6:8 …your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
John 21 - And (Peter) said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.
John 14 - But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Question 5

Explain certain attributes that are perhaps unique to each person of the Trinity.

Answer 5

The Father purposed salvation. Ephesians 2:4-5
The Son accomplished it. Ephesians 2:4-5
The Spirit applies it. 1 Cor. 12:13 “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body.”

Question 6

How do the three persons relate to...
...creation?
...revelation?
...salvation?
...the Church?

Answer 6

Creation
Each person had a role. Gen 1:1, John 1:1-3, Gen 1:2
Revelation
Each is involved in revealing divine truth Rev. 1:1
Salvation
The Father purposed salvation. Ephesians 2:4-5
The Son accomplished it. Ephesians 2:4-5
The Spirit applies it. 1 Cor. 12:14 “For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body.”
The Church
Each communicates with authority to the churches:
Rev. 1:4-5

Question 7

What contemporary theological positions raise serious questions for the traditional doctrine of the Trinity (ie/ Jehovah Witnesses, Oneness Pentecostals) and what are the implications for their deviations?

Answer 7

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus Christ is God’s firstborn son, inferior to and created by the Father. They also believe the Holy Spirit is not a person but rather only God’s active force.
- This undermines the doctrine of the Trinity, in particular the deity of Jesus.
Oneness Pentecostals believe in a singular-person God and deny the triune nature of God
- Also undermines the doctrine of the deity of Jesus.