The Trinity - Day 6
IV. Is God One Person?
B. However, the Bible never says that God is "one person"
a. Heb. 1:3 KJV speaks of God's "person," but the word used here, hupostasis, is translated "substance" in Heb. 11:1 KJV; also in Heb. 1:3 "God" refers specifically to the Father
b. Gal. 3:20 speaks of God as one party in the covenant between God and man, not as one person
c. Job 13:8 KJV speaks of God's "person," but ironically the Hebrew literally means "his faces"
b. Gal. 3:20 speaks of God as one party in the covenant between God and man, not as one person
c. Job 13:8 KJV speaks of God's "person," but ironically the Hebrew literally means "his faces"
C. The use of singular and plural pronouns for God
1. Over 7000 times God speaks or is spoken of with singular pronouns (I, He, etc.); but this is proper because God is a single individual being; thus these singular forms do not disprove that God exists as three "persons" as long as these persons are not separate beings
2. At least three times God speaks of or to himself using plural pronouns (Gen. 1:26; 3:22; 11:7), and nontrinitarian interpretation cannot account for these occurrences.
a. A plural reference to God and the angels is possible in Isa. 6:8, but not in the Genesis texts: in Gen 1:26 "our image" is explained in Gen 1:27, "in God's image"; in Gen 3:22 "like one of us" refers back to Gen 3:5, "like God."
b. The "literary plural" (possibly, though never clearly, attested in Paul) is irrelevant to texts in which God is speaking, not writing.
c. The "plural of deliberation" (as in "Let's see now…") is apparently unattested in biblical writings, and cannot explain Gen. 3:22 ("like one of us").
d. The "plural of amplitude" or of "fullness" (which probably does explain the use of the plural form elohim in the singular sense of "God") is irrelevant to the use of plural pronouns, and again cannot explain Gen. 3:22.
e. The "plural of majesty" is possibly attested in 1 Kgs. 12:9; 2 Chron. 10:9; more likely Ezra 4:18; but none of these are certain; and again, it cannot explain Gen. 3:22; also nothing in the context of the Genesis texts suggests that God is being presented particularly as King.
a. A plural reference to God and the angels is possible in Isa. 6:8, but not in the Genesis texts: in Gen 1:26 "our image" is explained in Gen 1:27, "in God's image"; in Gen 3:22 "like one of us" refers back to Gen 3:5, "like God."
b. The "literary plural" (possibly, though never clearly, attested in Paul) is irrelevant to texts in which God is speaking, not writing.
c. The "plural of deliberation" (as in "Let's see now…") is apparently unattested in biblical writings, and cannot explain Gen. 3:22 ("like one of us").
d. The "plural of amplitude" or of "fullness" (which probably does explain the use of the plural form elohim in the singular sense of "God") is irrelevant to the use of plural pronouns, and again cannot explain Gen. 3:22.
e. The "plural of majesty" is possibly attested in 1 Kgs. 12:9; 2 Chron. 10:9; more likely Ezra 4:18; but none of these are certain; and again, it cannot explain Gen. 3:22; also nothing in the context of the Genesis texts suggests that God is being presented particularly as King.
D. The uniqueness of God should prepare us for the possibility that the one divine Being exists uniquely as a plurality of persons.
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STUDY QUESTIONS:
1. After reading these verses, do you feel more equipped to understand and refer to the Trinity? Why or why not?
2. Do you feel more comfortable that God is higher than us, His thoughts and Ways are higher than ours?
3. Do you imagine, visualize, how God could be one but exist in three distinct entities?
4. God refers to Himself both singularly and pluraly--how does this make you feel about God?
5. If you look at the symbol of the Trinity on the blog, you'll see the triangle but with distinct definitions. Check it out if you have time to go to the blog. After looking at that symbol, does this give you more context and confidence in God's Word?
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Phew.....God is AWESOME, Beloved! How wonderful if you are free to Him and to let all of Him run this world and universe. He certainly shows Himself mighty when we get to know Him. How precious to us to allow us into His Majesty and give us revelation, wisdom and knowledge to understand more about Him. Just like getting to know your true love, time reveals more intimate and interesting things that draw us closer to each other.
I know our Heavenly Father wants to know us better and wants us to love, trust and know Him better. Take the time to work on this relationship for it is the one true and lasting love we take with us to eternity. We meet up with family, friends and love from this world again as brothers and sisters--but the Christ, Our Messiah, will be our Groom. How lovely to court with Him while we are here to prepare ourselves as a lovely Bride at the Wedding Feast. Dream, Hope, Love Beloveds, Sister, Lisa
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