The Trinity

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Genesis 1:26
Shows that there is the basis for the Trinity at the start of Scripture.

Matthew 3:16-17
Shows all 3 persons of the Trinity at once.

Matthew 28:19
Gives the eternal name of God and shows that all three persons of the Trinity are equal.

Question 2

Why do we confess, “there is one God?”

Answer 2

Deuteronomy 6:4
Tells us that there is one God.
The God of the Bible is monotheistic.
There are also not other gods besides him.

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Because, even though God reveals himself to be monotheistic, being one God, it is not a strict monotheism. This is due to the fact that God also revels himself to be three persons who are co-equal within the God-head itself, sharing in the same substance.

Question 4

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

Answer 4

Loving: 1 John 4:16
And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Mighty: Psalm 147:5
Great is our Lord and mighty in power His understanding is infinite.

Holy: Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place…”

Question 5

Are there any particular attributes truly unique to each person?

Answer 5

Father - Unborn
Son - Begotten, John 3:16
Spirit - Proceeds from both the Father and the Son, John 15-21

Question 6

Ho do the three persons relate to: Creation, Revelation, Salvation, and the Church

Answer 6

Father: Spoke Creation through the Word; Revealer; The Sender; Is his presence on earth, which gives him glory.

Son: Every made through him; Manifestation of God on Earth; The Sacrifice; The head.

Holy Spirit: Creates; Reveals God to people; Pointer to Christ, and Convicts; Gift giver.

Question 7

What contemporary theological positions raise serious questions for the traditional doctrine of the Trinity?

Answer 7

Tritheism: There are three gods

Modelism: The Father of the OT becomes the Son of the Gospel, which becomes the Spirit of the Church age.

Question 8

What contemporary cultic groups evidence deviation from the traditional doctrine of the Trinity?

Answer 8

Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witness

Both believe Jesus to be a lesser god than the Father.
Both equate the Holy Spirit with an impersonal force.