The Trinity - Day 10
It seems that we just started on this study--already 10 days to study, pray and ponder the miracle of God in Three Persons! Continue to ask Him for revelation and peace and He will give it all to you!
STUDY VERSES:
What Difference Does the Doctrine of the Trinity Make?
Sovereignty: Because the three persons have each other, we can be assured that God created us only to share the love they have and not as a means to His own end: Acts 17:25; John 17:21-26.
Mystery: The triune God is totally unlike anything in our world, and therefore greater than anything we can comprehend: Rom. 11:33-36; Isa. 40:18.
Salvation: God alone planned our salvation, came to save us, and dwells in us to complete our salvation: 1 Pet. 1:2; Eph. 1:3-18; etc.
Prayer: We pray to the Father through the Son, and also pray to the Son directly, in the Spirit: John 14:13-14; Eph. 2:18; etc.
Worship: We worship Father and Son in the Spirit: John 4:23-24; Phil. 3:3; Heb. 1:8; etc.
Love: The love among the three persons is the basis and model for our love for one another: John 17:26.
Unity: The unity of the three persons is the basis and model for the unity of the church: John 17:21-23.
Humility: As the persons of the Trinity seek the glory of each other, so we should seek the interests of others above our own: Phil. 2:5-11; John 16:13-14.
Sonship: We are "sons of God" as we are united with the Son of God by the work of the Holy Spirit and the adoption of the Father: John 1:12-23; Rom. 8:14-17.
Truth: All those who wish to worship and love God must seek to know Him as He is in truth, for God, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is truth: John 4:24; 14:6, 14:17; 15:26; 16:13.
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Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth! We have all we need in Him, through Him, with Him, because of Him. Let us partake of the blood and the body with great humility and reverence, Beloved. Let us partake of all that He is, Who He is, and What He is so that we may be complete in Him. New study tomorrow and blessings for a most Holy Day in the name of Jehovah--YAHWEH, Jesus, Holy Spirit! Sister Lisa
Showing posts with label Trinity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trinity. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The Trinity - Day 9
The Trinity - Day 9
Viewing all the Persons of God together and separately:
STUDY VERSES:
VIII. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Are Distinct Persons
A. Matt. 28:19
"the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit": use of definite article before each personal noun indicates distinct persons unless explicitly stated otherwise; compare Rev. 1:17; 2:8, 2:26
The views that "Father" and "Son" are distinct persons but not the Holy Spirit, or that the Holy Spirit is not a person at all, or that all three are different offices or roles of one person, are impossible in view of the grammar (together with the fact that in Scripture a "spirit" is a person unless context shows otherwise).
Does singular "name" prove that the three are one person? No; cf. Gen. 5:2; 11:14; 48:6; and esp. Gen. 48:16 "Name" need not be personal name, may be title: Isa. 9:6; Matt. 1:23. If a single personal name is sought, the name shared by all three persons is "Yahweh" or "Jehovah."
Acts 2:38 and Matt. 28:19
Neither passage specifies that certain words are to be spoken during baptism; nor does the Bible ever record someone saying, "I baptize you in the name of…"
Those said to be baptized in the name of Jesus (whether or not the formula "in the name of Jesus" was used) were people already familiar with the God of the OT:
1. Jews: Acts 2:5, 2:38; 22:16
2. Samaritans: Acts 8:5, 8:12, 8:16
3. God-fearing Gentiles: Acts 10:1-2, 10:22, 10:48
4. Disciples of John the Baptist: Acts 19:1-5
5. The first Christians in Corinth were Jews and God-fearing Gentiles: Acts 18:1-8; 1 Cor. 1:13
6. Trinitarian formula for baptism (if that is what Matt. 28:19 is) was given in context of commissioning apostles to take the gospel to "all the nations," including people who did not know of the biblical God
B. God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ are two persons
1. The salutations: Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3; 2 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:3; Eph. 1:2; 6:23; Phil. 1:2; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1-2; 1 Tim. 1:1-2; 2 Tim. 1:2; Tit. 1:4; Phm. 3; James 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:2; 2 John 3
2. Two witnesses: John 5:31-32; 8:16-18; cf. Num. 35:30; Deut. 17:6; 19:15
3. The Father sent the Son: John 3:16-17; Gal. 4:4; 1 John 4:10; etc.; cf. John 1:6; 17:18; 20:21
4. The Father and the Son love each other: John 3:35; 5:20; 14:31; 15:9; 17:23-26; cf. Matt. 3:17 par.; Matt. 17:5 par.; 2 Pet. 1:17
5. The Father speaks to the Son, and the Son speaks to the Father: John 11:41-42; 12:28; 17:1-26; etc.
6. The Father knows the Son, and the Son knows the Father: Matt. 11:27; Luke 10:22; John 7:29; 8:55; 10:15
7. Jesus our Advocate with the Father: 1 John 2:1
Jesus is not God the Father
Isa. 9:6: "Father of eternity" means eternal; compare other names formed with word "father": Abialbon, "father of strength" = strong (2 Sam. 23:31); Abiasaph, "father of gathering" = gatherer (Ex. 6:24); Abigail, a woman's name(!), "father of exultation" = exulting (1 Chron. 2:16).
John 10:30
8. Jesus did not say, "I am the Father," nor did He say, "the Son and the Father are one person."
The first person plural esmen ("we are") implies two persons.
The neuter word for "one" (hen) is used, implying essential unity but not personal unity (compare John 17:21-23).
John 5:43: Jesus' coming in His Father's name means not that He was the Father because He had the Father's name, but that, while others come in their own name (or their own authority), Jesus does not; He comes in His Father's name (on His Father's authority).
John 8:19; 16:3: Ignorance of Jesus is indeed ignorance of the Father, but that does not prove that 9. Jesus is the one He calls "My Father."
John 14:6-11
10. Jesus and the Father are one being, not one person. Jesus said, "I am in the Father," not "I am the Father." The statement, "the Father is in Me," does not mean Jesus is the Father; compare John 14:20; 17:21-23.
John 14:18: An older adult brother can care for his younger siblings, thus preventing them from being "orphans," without being their father.
Colossians 2:9: Does not mean that Jesus is the Father, or that Jesus is an incarnation of the Father; rather, since "Godhead" (theotês) means Deity, the state of being God, the nature of God, Jesus is fully God, but not the only person who is God. "The Godhead" here does not = the Father (note that Jesus is in the Father, John 10:38; 14:10, 14:11; 17:21), but the nature of the Father.
The Father and the Son are both involved in various activities: raising Jesus (Gal. 1:1; John 2:19-22), raising the dead (John 5:21; 6:39-40, 6:44, 6:54, 1 Cor. 6:14), answering prayer (John 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23), sending the Holy Spirit (John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7), drawing people to Jesus (John 6:44; 12:32), etc. These common works do prove that the two persons are both God, but not that Jesus is the Father.
The Son existed before his Incarnation, even before creation
Prov. 30:4: This is not predictive prophecy; "prophecy" in Prov. 30:1 translates massa, which is rendered elsewhere as "burden."
The Son created all things:Jesus was "with" (pros or para) God the Father before creation: John 1:1; 17:5; pros in John 1:1 does not mean "pertaining to," although it does in Hebrews 2:17; 5:1 Jesus, the Son of God, existed before John the Baptist (who was born before Jesus): John 1:15, cf. John 1:14-18, 1:29-34
Jesus, the Son, came down from heaven, sent from the Father, and went back to heaven, back to the Father: John 3:13, 3:31; 6:33; 6:38, 6:41, 6:46, 6:51, 6:56-58, 6:62; 8:23, 8:42; 13:3; 16:27-28; cf. Acts 1:10-11; cf. the sending of the Holy Spirit, John 16:5-7; 1 Pet. 1:12
Jesus, speaking as the Son (John 8:54-56), asserts His eternal preexistence before Abraham: John 8:58
The Son explicitly said to exist "before all things": Col. 1:17, cf. Col. 1:12-20
These statements cannot be dismissed as true only in God's foreknowledge
We are all "in God's mind" before creation; yet such passages as John 1:1 and John 17:5 clearly mean to say something unusual about Christ. To say that all things were created through Christ means that He must have existed at creation. No one else in Scripture is ever said to have been with God before creation.
Jesus is not the Holy Spirit
- The Holy Spirit is "another Comforter": John 14:16; compare 1 John 2:1.
- Jesus sent the Holy Spirit: John 15:26; 16:7.
- The Holy Spirit exhibits humility in relation to, and seeks to glorify, Jesus (John 16:13-14).
- The Son and the Holy Spirit are distinguished as two persons in Matt. 28:19.
- The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus: Luke 3:22.
- Is Jesus the Holy Spirit?
2 Cor. 3:17: the Spirit is here called "Lord" in the sense of being Yahweh or God, not Jesus (cf. 2 Cor. 3:16, citing Ex. 34:34; cf. 2 Cor. 3:17 in the Revised English Bible); note Acts 28:25-27, cf. Isa. 6:8-10.
1 Cor. 15:45: Jesus is "a life-giving Spirit," not in the sense that He is the Holy Spirit whom He sent at Pentecost, but in the sense that He is the glorified God-man; and as God He is Spirit by nature. All three persons of the Trinity are Spirit, though there are not three divine Spirits; and only one person is designated "the Holy Spirit."
Rom. 8:27, 8:34: the fact that two persons intercede for us is consistent with the fact that we have two Advocates (John 14:16; Rom. 8:26; 1 John 2:1).
John 14:18: Jesus here refers to His appearances to the disciples after the resurrection (compare John 14:19), not to the coming of the Spirit.
Jesus and the Holy Spirit are both involved in various activities: raising Jesus (John 2:19-22; Rom. 8:9-11), raising the dead (John 5:21; 6:39-40, 6:44, 6:54, Rom. 8:9-11), dwelling in the believer (John 14:16; 2 Cor. 13:5; Col. 1:27), interceding for the believer (Rom. 8:26; Heb. 7:25), sanctifying believers (Eph. 5:26; 1 Pet. 1:2), etc. These works prove that the two persons are both God, but not that Jesus is the Holy Spirit.
The Father is not the Holy Spirit
- The Father sent the Holy Spirit: John 14:15; 15:26.
- The Holy Spirit intercedes with the Father for us: Rom. 8:26-27.
- The Father and the Holy Spirit are distinguished as two persons in Matt. 28:19.
- Is the Father the Holy Spirit?
Matt. 1:18; Luke 1:35: It is argued that the Holy Spirit is the Father of the incarnate Son of God; this argument ignores the fact that the "conception" is not a product of physical union between a man and a woman!
The Father and the Holy Spirit are both said to be active in various activities; the resurrection of Jesus (Gal. 1:1; Rom. 8:11), comforting Christians (2 Cor. 1:3-4; John 14:26), sanctifying Christians (Jude 1; 1 Pet. 1:2), etc. The most these facts prove is that the two work together; they do not prove the two are one person.
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Beloved, do not be dismayed if you haven't quite digested all of this meat from God. We were meant to chew it thoroughly, savoring each flavor, distinguishing each nuance, and digging further for information to build confidence in His Word. Tomorrow is the conclusion of this study and I pray that you will print it out or come back on a regular basis to check, study, pray and claim all the unending insight that God has for you. Cheers until til tomorrow, in the love of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. May He bless you today, Sister Lisa
Viewing all the Persons of God together and separately:
STUDY VERSES:
VIII. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Are Distinct Persons
A. Matt. 28:19
"the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit": use of definite article before each personal noun indicates distinct persons unless explicitly stated otherwise; compare Rev. 1:17; 2:8, 2:26
The views that "Father" and "Son" are distinct persons but not the Holy Spirit, or that the Holy Spirit is not a person at all, or that all three are different offices or roles of one person, are impossible in view of the grammar (together with the fact that in Scripture a "spirit" is a person unless context shows otherwise).
Does singular "name" prove that the three are one person? No; cf. Gen. 5:2; 11:14; 48:6; and esp. Gen. 48:16 "Name" need not be personal name, may be title: Isa. 9:6; Matt. 1:23. If a single personal name is sought, the name shared by all three persons is "Yahweh" or "Jehovah."
Acts 2:38 and Matt. 28:19
Neither passage specifies that certain words are to be spoken during baptism; nor does the Bible ever record someone saying, "I baptize you in the name of…"
Those said to be baptized in the name of Jesus (whether or not the formula "in the name of Jesus" was used) were people already familiar with the God of the OT:
1. Jews: Acts 2:5, 2:38; 22:16
2. Samaritans: Acts 8:5, 8:12, 8:16
3. God-fearing Gentiles: Acts 10:1-2, 10:22, 10:48
4. Disciples of John the Baptist: Acts 19:1-5
5. The first Christians in Corinth were Jews and God-fearing Gentiles: Acts 18:1-8; 1 Cor. 1:13
6. Trinitarian formula for baptism (if that is what Matt. 28:19 is) was given in context of commissioning apostles to take the gospel to "all the nations," including people who did not know of the biblical God
B. God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ are two persons
1. The salutations: Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3; 2 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:3; Eph. 1:2; 6:23; Phil. 1:2; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1-2; 1 Tim. 1:1-2; 2 Tim. 1:2; Tit. 1:4; Phm. 3; James 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:2; 2 John 3
2. Two witnesses: John 5:31-32; 8:16-18; cf. Num. 35:30; Deut. 17:6; 19:15
3. The Father sent the Son: John 3:16-17; Gal. 4:4; 1 John 4:10; etc.; cf. John 1:6; 17:18; 20:21
4. The Father and the Son love each other: John 3:35; 5:20; 14:31; 15:9; 17:23-26; cf. Matt. 3:17 par.; Matt. 17:5 par.; 2 Pet. 1:17
5. The Father speaks to the Son, and the Son speaks to the Father: John 11:41-42; 12:28; 17:1-26; etc.
6. The Father knows the Son, and the Son knows the Father: Matt. 11:27; Luke 10:22; John 7:29; 8:55; 10:15
7. Jesus our Advocate with the Father: 1 John 2:1
Jesus is not God the Father
Isa. 9:6: "Father of eternity" means eternal; compare other names formed with word "father": Abialbon, "father of strength" = strong (2 Sam. 23:31); Abiasaph, "father of gathering" = gatherer (Ex. 6:24); Abigail, a woman's name(!), "father of exultation" = exulting (1 Chron. 2:16).
John 10:30
8. Jesus did not say, "I am the Father," nor did He say, "the Son and the Father are one person."
The first person plural esmen ("we are") implies two persons.
The neuter word for "one" (hen) is used, implying essential unity but not personal unity (compare John 17:21-23).
John 5:43: Jesus' coming in His Father's name means not that He was the Father because He had the Father's name, but that, while others come in their own name (or their own authority), Jesus does not; He comes in His Father's name (on His Father's authority).
John 8:19; 16:3: Ignorance of Jesus is indeed ignorance of the Father, but that does not prove that 9. Jesus is the one He calls "My Father."
John 14:6-11
10. Jesus and the Father are one being, not one person. Jesus said, "I am in the Father," not "I am the Father." The statement, "the Father is in Me," does not mean Jesus is the Father; compare John 14:20; 17:21-23.
John 14:18: An older adult brother can care for his younger siblings, thus preventing them from being "orphans," without being their father.
Colossians 2:9: Does not mean that Jesus is the Father, or that Jesus is an incarnation of the Father; rather, since "Godhead" (theotês) means Deity, the state of being God, the nature of God, Jesus is fully God, but not the only person who is God. "The Godhead" here does not = the Father (note that Jesus is in the Father, John 10:38; 14:10, 14:11; 17:21), but the nature of the Father.
The Father and the Son are both involved in various activities: raising Jesus (Gal. 1:1; John 2:19-22), raising the dead (John 5:21; 6:39-40, 6:44, 6:54, 1 Cor. 6:14), answering prayer (John 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23), sending the Holy Spirit (John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7), drawing people to Jesus (John 6:44; 12:32), etc. These common works do prove that the two persons are both God, but not that Jesus is the Father.
The Son existed before his Incarnation, even before creation
Prov. 30:4: This is not predictive prophecy; "prophecy" in Prov. 30:1 translates massa, which is rendered elsewhere as "burden."
The Son created all things:Jesus was "with" (pros or para) God the Father before creation: John 1:1; 17:5; pros in John 1:1 does not mean "pertaining to," although it does in Hebrews 2:17; 5:1 Jesus, the Son of God, existed before John the Baptist (who was born before Jesus): John 1:15, cf. John 1:14-18, 1:29-34
Jesus, the Son, came down from heaven, sent from the Father, and went back to heaven, back to the Father: John 3:13, 3:31; 6:33; 6:38, 6:41, 6:46, 6:51, 6:56-58, 6:62; 8:23, 8:42; 13:3; 16:27-28; cf. Acts 1:10-11; cf. the sending of the Holy Spirit, John 16:5-7; 1 Pet. 1:12
Jesus, speaking as the Son (John 8:54-56), asserts His eternal preexistence before Abraham: John 8:58
The Son explicitly said to exist "before all things": Col. 1:17, cf. Col. 1:12-20
These statements cannot be dismissed as true only in God's foreknowledge
We are all "in God's mind" before creation; yet such passages as John 1:1 and John 17:5 clearly mean to say something unusual about Christ. To say that all things were created through Christ means that He must have existed at creation. No one else in Scripture is ever said to have been with God before creation.
Jesus is not the Holy Spirit
- The Holy Spirit is "another Comforter": John 14:16; compare 1 John 2:1.
- Jesus sent the Holy Spirit: John 15:26; 16:7.
- The Holy Spirit exhibits humility in relation to, and seeks to glorify, Jesus (John 16:13-14).
- The Son and the Holy Spirit are distinguished as two persons in Matt. 28:19.
- The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus: Luke 3:22.
- Is Jesus the Holy Spirit?
2 Cor. 3:17: the Spirit is here called "Lord" in the sense of being Yahweh or God, not Jesus (cf. 2 Cor. 3:16, citing Ex. 34:34; cf. 2 Cor. 3:17 in the Revised English Bible); note Acts 28:25-27, cf. Isa. 6:8-10.
1 Cor. 15:45: Jesus is "a life-giving Spirit," not in the sense that He is the Holy Spirit whom He sent at Pentecost, but in the sense that He is the glorified God-man; and as God He is Spirit by nature. All three persons of the Trinity are Spirit, though there are not three divine Spirits; and only one person is designated "the Holy Spirit."
Rom. 8:27, 8:34: the fact that two persons intercede for us is consistent with the fact that we have two Advocates (John 14:16; Rom. 8:26; 1 John 2:1).
John 14:18: Jesus here refers to His appearances to the disciples after the resurrection (compare John 14:19), not to the coming of the Spirit.
Jesus and the Holy Spirit are both involved in various activities: raising Jesus (John 2:19-22; Rom. 8:9-11), raising the dead (John 5:21; 6:39-40, 6:44, 6:54, Rom. 8:9-11), dwelling in the believer (John 14:16; 2 Cor. 13:5; Col. 1:27), interceding for the believer (Rom. 8:26; Heb. 7:25), sanctifying believers (Eph. 5:26; 1 Pet. 1:2), etc. These works prove that the two persons are both God, but not that Jesus is the Holy Spirit.
The Father is not the Holy Spirit
- The Father sent the Holy Spirit: John 14:15; 15:26.
- The Holy Spirit intercedes with the Father for us: Rom. 8:26-27.
- The Father and the Holy Spirit are distinguished as two persons in Matt. 28:19.
- Is the Father the Holy Spirit?
Matt. 1:18; Luke 1:35: It is argued that the Holy Spirit is the Father of the incarnate Son of God; this argument ignores the fact that the "conception" is not a product of physical union between a man and a woman!
The Father and the Holy Spirit are both said to be active in various activities; the resurrection of Jesus (Gal. 1:1; Rom. 8:11), comforting Christians (2 Cor. 1:3-4; John 14:26), sanctifying Christians (Jude 1; 1 Pet. 1:2), etc. The most these facts prove is that the two work together; they do not prove the two are one person.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beloved, do not be dismayed if you haven't quite digested all of this meat from God. We were meant to chew it thoroughly, savoring each flavor, distinguishing each nuance, and digging further for information to build confidence in His Word. Tomorrow is the conclusion of this study and I pray that you will print it out or come back on a regular basis to check, study, pray and claim all the unending insight that God has for you. Cheers until til tomorrow, in the love of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. May He bless you today, Sister Lisa
Monday, March 9, 2009
The Trinity - Day 8
The Trinity - Day 8
VII. The Holy Spirit Is God
1. Equated with God: Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 3:17-18
2. Has the incommunicable attributes of God
- Eternal: Heb. 9:14
- Omnipresent: Psa. 139:7
- Omniscient: 1 Cor. 2:10-11
3. Involved in all the works of God
- Creation: Gen. 1:2; Psa. 104:30
- Incarnation: Matt. 1:18, 1:20; Luke 1:35
- Resurrection: Rom. 1:4; 8:11
- Salvation: Rom. 8:1-27
4. Is a person
- Has a name: Matt. 28:19; note that even though "name" might be used of a nonperson, here, in conjunction with the Father and the Son, it must be used of a person
- Is the "Helper"
- Is another Helper: John 14:16, cf. 1 John 2:1; note also that "Helper" (paraklêtos) was used in Greek always or almost always of persons.
- Is sent in Jesus' name, to teach: John 14:26.
- Will arrive, and then bear witness: John 15:26-27.
- Is sent by Christ to convict of sin, will speak not on his own but on behalf of Christ, will glorify Christ, thus exhibiting humility: John 16:7-14.
- Is the Holy Spirit, in contrast to unholy spirits: Mark 3:22-30, cf. Matt. 12:32; 1 Tim. 4:1; 1 John 3:24-4:6.
- Speaks, is quoted as speaking: John 16:13; Acts 1:16; 8:29; 10:19; 11:12; 13:2; 16:6; 20:23; 21:11; 28:25-27; 1 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 3:7-11; 10:15-17; 1 Pet. 1:11; Rev. 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:29; 3:6, 3:13, 3:22.
- Can be lied to: Acts 5:3
- Can make decisions, judgments: Acts 15:28
- Intercedes for Christians with the Father: Rom. 8:26
5. "Impersonal" language used of the Spirit paralled by language used of other persons
- The Holy Spirit as fire: Matt. 3:11; Luke 3:16; cf. Ex. 3:2-4; Deut. 4:24; 9:3; Heb. 12:29
- The Holy Spirit poured out: Acts 2:17, 2:33; cf. Isa. 53:12; Phil. 2:17; 2 Tim. 4:6
- Being filled with the Holy Spirit: Eph. 5:18, etc.; cf. Eph. 3:17, 3:19; 4:10
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How blessed we are to have Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Trinity completes us. We are made in His image--we have the image of God the Father, Christ the Son and our spirit of the Holy Spirit. Can you rejoice in that news? A glorious gift of completeness and wholeness is what God has given to us. Let us partake of The Helper as we tread into the world to share our love with each other and with all of God's children. Until tomorrow, Sister Lisa
VII. The Holy Spirit Is God
1. Equated with God: Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 3:17-18
2. Has the incommunicable attributes of God
- Eternal: Heb. 9:14
- Omnipresent: Psa. 139:7
- Omniscient: 1 Cor. 2:10-11
3. Involved in all the works of God
- Creation: Gen. 1:2; Psa. 104:30
- Incarnation: Matt. 1:18, 1:20; Luke 1:35
- Resurrection: Rom. 1:4; 8:11
- Salvation: Rom. 8:1-27
4. Is a person
- Has a name: Matt. 28:19; note that even though "name" might be used of a nonperson, here, in conjunction with the Father and the Son, it must be used of a person
- Is the "Helper"
- Is another Helper: John 14:16, cf. 1 John 2:1; note also that "Helper" (paraklêtos) was used in Greek always or almost always of persons.
- Is sent in Jesus' name, to teach: John 14:26.
- Will arrive, and then bear witness: John 15:26-27.
- Is sent by Christ to convict of sin, will speak not on his own but on behalf of Christ, will glorify Christ, thus exhibiting humility: John 16:7-14.
- Is the Holy Spirit, in contrast to unholy spirits: Mark 3:22-30, cf. Matt. 12:32; 1 Tim. 4:1; 1 John 3:24-4:6.
- Speaks, is quoted as speaking: John 16:13; Acts 1:16; 8:29; 10:19; 11:12; 13:2; 16:6; 20:23; 21:11; 28:25-27; 1 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 3:7-11; 10:15-17; 1 Pet. 1:11; Rev. 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:29; 3:6, 3:13, 3:22.
- Can be lied to: Acts 5:3
- Can make decisions, judgments: Acts 15:28
- Intercedes for Christians with the Father: Rom. 8:26
5. "Impersonal" language used of the Spirit paralled by language used of other persons
- The Holy Spirit as fire: Matt. 3:11; Luke 3:16; cf. Ex. 3:2-4; Deut. 4:24; 9:3; Heb. 12:29
- The Holy Spirit poured out: Acts 2:17, 2:33; cf. Isa. 53:12; Phil. 2:17; 2 Tim. 4:6
- Being filled with the Holy Spirit: Eph. 5:18, etc.; cf. Eph. 3:17, 3:19; 4:10
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How blessed we are to have Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Trinity completes us. We are made in His image--we have the image of God the Father, Christ the Son and our spirit of the Holy Spirit. Can you rejoice in that news? A glorious gift of completeness and wholeness is what God has given to us. Let us partake of The Helper as we tread into the world to share our love with each other and with all of God's children. Until tomorrow, Sister Lisa
Sunday, March 8, 2009
The Trinity - Day 7
The Trinity - Day 8
God is God! Wow, His plan is simple but He isn't easy...He is certainly a complex, exciting, magnificent and all knowing God. Thank Him, Beloved, for He carries our universe within Him!
STUDY VERSES:
V. The Father of Jesus Christ Is God
See: John 17:3; 1 Cor. 8:6; . The expression, "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ": 2 Cor. 1:3; Eph. 1:3; 1 Pet. 1:3
VI. Jesus Christ Is God
Verses: Isa. 9:6; note Isa. 10:21. John 1:1, since there is only one God, Jesus is that God. However, the "a god" rendering is incorrect. Other passages using the Greek word for God (theos) in the same construction are always rendered "God": Mark 12:27; Luke 20:38; John 8:54; Phil 2:13; Heb. 11:16. Passages in which a shift occurs from ho theos ("the God") to theos ("God") never imply a shift in meaning: Mark 12:27; Luke 20:37-38; John 3:2; 13:3; Rom. 1:21; 1 Thess. 1:9; Heb. 9:14; 1 Pet. 4:10-11 John 1:18.
The best manuscripts have "the unique God" (monogenês, frequently rendered "only-begotten," actually means "one of a kind," "unique," though in the NT always in the context of a son or daughter). John 20:28. Note that Christ's response indicates that Thomas' acclamation was not wrong. Also note that John 20:17 does show that the Father was Jesus' "God" (due to Jesus becoming a man), but the words "my God" as spoken by Thomas later in the same chapter must mean no less than in John 20:17.
Thus, what the Father is to Jesus in His humanity, Jesus is to Thomas (and therefore to us as well). Acts 20:28: "the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." The variant readings (e.g. "the church of the Lord") show that the original was understood to mean "His own blood," not "the blood of His own [Son]" (since otherwise no one would have thought to change it).
Jesus is Jehovah/Yahweh Rom. 10:9-13. The "Lord" of Rom. 10:13 must be the "Lord" of Rom. 10:9, 10:12.Phil. 2:9-11. In context, the "name that is above every name" is "Lord" (Phil. 2:11), i.e., Jehovah. Heb. 1:10: Here God the Father addresses the Son as "Lord," in a quotation from Psa. 102:25 (cf. Psa. 102:24, where the person addressed is called "God"). Since here the Father addresses the Son as "Lord," this cannot be explained away as a text in which a creature addresses Christ as God/Lord in a merely representational sense.1 Pet. 2:3-4: This verse is nearly an exact quotation of Psa. 34:8 a, where "Lord" is Jehovah.
From 1 Pet. 2:4-8 it is also clear that "the Lord" in 1 Pet. 2:3 is Jesus.1 Pet. 3:14-15: these verses are a clear reference to Isa. 8:12-13, where the one who is to be regarded as holy is Jehovah.
Texts where Jesus is spoken of as the "one Lord" (cf. Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29): 1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:5; cf. Rom. 10:12; 1 Cor. 12:5. Jesus has the titles of God, Titles belonging only to God The first and the last: Rev. 1:17; 22:13; cf. Isa. 44:6King of kings and Lord of lords: 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 17:14; 19:16
Titles belonging in the ultimate sense only to God Savior: Luke 2:11; John 4:42; 1 John 4:14; Titus 2:13, cf. Titus 2:10; etc.; cf. Isa. 43:11; 45:21-22; 1 Tim. 4:10; on Jesus becoming the source of salvation; Heb. 5:9, cf. Ex. 15:2; Psa. 118:14, 118:21Shepherd: John 10:11; Heb. 13:20; cf. Psa. 23:1; Isa. 40:11Rock: 1 Cor. 10:4; cf. Isa. 44:8
Jesus received the honors due to God alone Honor: John 5:23Love: Matt. 10:37Prayer: John 14:14; Acts 1:24-25; 7:59-60 (cf. Luke 23:34, 23:46); Rom. 10:12-13; 1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 12:8-10 (where "the Lord" must be Jesus, cf. 2 Cor. 12:9); 2 Thess. 2:16-17; etc.Worship (proskuneô): Matt. 28:17; Heb. 1:6 (cf. Psa. 97:7); cf. Matt 4:10Religious or sacred service (latreuô): Rev. 22:13Doxological praise: 2 Tim. 4:18; 2 Pet. 3:18; Rev. 1:5-6; 5:13Faith: John 3:16; 14:1; etc.
Jesus does the works of God Creation: John 1:3; 1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 1:2; Rev. 3:14 (where archê probably means ruler); on "through" and "in" cf. Rom. 11:36; Heb. 2:10; Acts 17:28; cf. also Isa. 44:24Sustains the universe: Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3, 1:11-12
Salvation: Forgives sins: Matt. 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26; note that Jesus forgives sins not committed against Him. All of them: John 5:17-29 (including judgment, cf. Matt. 25:31-46; 2 Cor. 5:10)
Jesus has all the incommunicable attributes of God All of them: John 1:1; Phil. 2:6; Col. 1:15; 2:9; Heb. 1:3 Self-existent: John 5:26 Unchangeable: Heb. 1:10-12 (in the same sense as YHWH); Heb. 13:8Eternal: John 1:1; 8:58; 17:5; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:2
Omnipresent: Matt. 18:20; 28:20; John 3:13; Eph. 1:23; 4:10; Col. 3:11
Omniscient: John 16:30; 21:17; cf. John 2:23-24
Incomprehensible: Matt. 11:25-27 Jesus is "equal with God" John 5:18: Although John is relating what the Jews understood Jesus to be claiming, the context shows they were basically right: In John 5:17 claimed to be exempt from the Sabbath along with His Father, and in John 5:19-29 Jesus claimed to do all of the work of the Father and to deserve the same honor as the Father Phil. 2:6:
Jesus did not attempt to seize recognition by the world as being equal with God, but attained that recognition by humbling himself and being exalted by the Father (Phil. 2:7-11) Jesus is the Son of God "Son" in Scripture can mean simply one possessing the nature of something, whether literal or figurative (e.g. "Son of man," "sons of thunder," "sons of disobedience," cf. Mark 3:7; Eph. 2:1).Usually when "son of" is used in relation to a person (son of man, son of Abraham, son of David, etc.) the son possesses the nature of his father.
Jesus is clearly not the literal Son of God, i.e., He was not physically procreated by God.On the other hand, Jesus is clearly the Son of God in a unique sense (cf. "only-begotten son," John 1:14; 3:16, 3:18; 1 John 4:9) and in a preeminent sense (i.e. the term is more fitting for Him than for anyone else).
Scripture is explicit that the Son possesses God's essence or nature.Jesus' repeated claim to be the Son of God was consistently understood by the Jewish leaders as a blasphemous claim to equality with God, an understanding Jesus never denied: John 5:17-23; 8:58-59; 10:30-39; 19:7; Matt. 26:63-65.
Jesus is therefore by nature God's Son, not God's creation or God's servant; Jesus is God's Son who became a servant for our sake and for the Father's glory (John 13:13-15; 17:4; Phil. 2:6-11; Heb. 1:4-13; 3:1-6; 5:8; etc.).
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Beloved, we walk by faith and not by sight! Those of us who have taken on faith that Jesus is Lord, that He is God, that He is Jehovah---that is a good thing. However, when battling the powers of darkness and the prince of the air we must be prepared to refute our belief with scripture. Memorizing just one of these scriptures will be a gift to your salvation. For me, John 1:1-5 are the verses that ripped the veil from my eyes and allowed my heart to open to Jesus. Those scriptures alone contain the mystery and the truth of the Trinity! My faith walk is built on the foundation of those scriptures. It is worth us storing some of these in our heart for the needle that satan wants to push into our heels--put on those shoes, the gospel of Peace that will protect you against the ways of the enemy.
Tomorrow we'll examine the Holy Spirit and His relation to Jesus and God and then we conclude this portion of the study in the Trinity. Our next study is open for suggestions or comments--feel free to send me an email: seeinggodsbeauty@yahoo.com if you would like. God is merciful, He is wonderful, He is perfect in His timing. Did you skip ahead that hour? Well, don't deny the most holy day and make your way to fellowship this evening if you missed the morning. Enjoy the wondrous birds, flora, fauna and animals all peeking out for Spring. I did my 3 miles today and it was a time for singing to the Lord. He gives us opportunity to see and talk to Him each step of our journey. God bless, beloved, Sister Lisa
God is God! Wow, His plan is simple but He isn't easy...He is certainly a complex, exciting, magnificent and all knowing God. Thank Him, Beloved, for He carries our universe within Him!
STUDY VERSES:
V. The Father of Jesus Christ Is God
See: John 17:3; 1 Cor. 8:6; . The expression, "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ": 2 Cor. 1:3; Eph. 1:3; 1 Pet. 1:3
VI. Jesus Christ Is God
Verses: Isa. 9:6; note Isa. 10:21. John 1:1, since there is only one God, Jesus is that God. However, the "a god" rendering is incorrect. Other passages using the Greek word for God (theos) in the same construction are always rendered "God": Mark 12:27; Luke 20:38; John 8:54; Phil 2:13; Heb. 11:16. Passages in which a shift occurs from ho theos ("the God") to theos ("God") never imply a shift in meaning: Mark 12:27; Luke 20:37-38; John 3:2; 13:3; Rom. 1:21; 1 Thess. 1:9; Heb. 9:14; 1 Pet. 4:10-11 John 1:18.
The best manuscripts have "the unique God" (monogenês, frequently rendered "only-begotten," actually means "one of a kind," "unique," though in the NT always in the context of a son or daughter). John 20:28. Note that Christ's response indicates that Thomas' acclamation was not wrong. Also note that John 20:17 does show that the Father was Jesus' "God" (due to Jesus becoming a man), but the words "my God" as spoken by Thomas later in the same chapter must mean no less than in John 20:17.
Thus, what the Father is to Jesus in His humanity, Jesus is to Thomas (and therefore to us as well). Acts 20:28: "the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." The variant readings (e.g. "the church of the Lord") show that the original was understood to mean "His own blood," not "the blood of His own [Son]" (since otherwise no one would have thought to change it).
Jesus is Jehovah/Yahweh Rom. 10:9-13. The "Lord" of Rom. 10:13 must be the "Lord" of Rom. 10:9, 10:12.Phil. 2:9-11. In context, the "name that is above every name" is "Lord" (Phil. 2:11), i.e., Jehovah. Heb. 1:10: Here God the Father addresses the Son as "Lord," in a quotation from Psa. 102:25 (cf. Psa. 102:24, where the person addressed is called "God"). Since here the Father addresses the Son as "Lord," this cannot be explained away as a text in which a creature addresses Christ as God/Lord in a merely representational sense.1 Pet. 2:3-4: This verse is nearly an exact quotation of Psa. 34:8 a, where "Lord" is Jehovah.
From 1 Pet. 2:4-8 it is also clear that "the Lord" in 1 Pet. 2:3 is Jesus.1 Pet. 3:14-15: these verses are a clear reference to Isa. 8:12-13, where the one who is to be regarded as holy is Jehovah.
Texts where Jesus is spoken of as the "one Lord" (cf. Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29): 1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:5; cf. Rom. 10:12; 1 Cor. 12:5. Jesus has the titles of God, Titles belonging only to God The first and the last: Rev. 1:17; 22:13; cf. Isa. 44:6King of kings and Lord of lords: 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 17:14; 19:16
Titles belonging in the ultimate sense only to God Savior: Luke 2:11; John 4:42; 1 John 4:14; Titus 2:13, cf. Titus 2:10; etc.; cf. Isa. 43:11; 45:21-22; 1 Tim. 4:10; on Jesus becoming the source of salvation; Heb. 5:9, cf. Ex. 15:2; Psa. 118:14, 118:21Shepherd: John 10:11; Heb. 13:20; cf. Psa. 23:1; Isa. 40:11Rock: 1 Cor. 10:4; cf. Isa. 44:8
Jesus received the honors due to God alone Honor: John 5:23Love: Matt. 10:37Prayer: John 14:14; Acts 1:24-25; 7:59-60 (cf. Luke 23:34, 23:46); Rom. 10:12-13; 1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 12:8-10 (where "the Lord" must be Jesus, cf. 2 Cor. 12:9); 2 Thess. 2:16-17; etc.Worship (proskuneô): Matt. 28:17; Heb. 1:6 (cf. Psa. 97:7); cf. Matt 4:10Religious or sacred service (latreuô): Rev. 22:13Doxological praise: 2 Tim. 4:18; 2 Pet. 3:18; Rev. 1:5-6; 5:13Faith: John 3:16; 14:1; etc.
Jesus does the works of God Creation: John 1:3; 1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 1:2; Rev. 3:14 (where archê probably means ruler); on "through" and "in" cf. Rom. 11:36; Heb. 2:10; Acts 17:28; cf. also Isa. 44:24Sustains the universe: Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3, 1:11-12
Salvation: Forgives sins: Matt. 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26; note that Jesus forgives sins not committed against Him. All of them: John 5:17-29 (including judgment, cf. Matt. 25:31-46; 2 Cor. 5:10)
Jesus has all the incommunicable attributes of God All of them: John 1:1; Phil. 2:6; Col. 1:15; 2:9; Heb. 1:3 Self-existent: John 5:26 Unchangeable: Heb. 1:10-12 (in the same sense as YHWH); Heb. 13:8Eternal: John 1:1; 8:58; 17:5; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:2
Omnipresent: Matt. 18:20; 28:20; John 3:13; Eph. 1:23; 4:10; Col. 3:11
Omniscient: John 16:30; 21:17; cf. John 2:23-24
Incomprehensible: Matt. 11:25-27 Jesus is "equal with God" John 5:18: Although John is relating what the Jews understood Jesus to be claiming, the context shows they were basically right: In John 5:17 claimed to be exempt from the Sabbath along with His Father, and in John 5:19-29 Jesus claimed to do all of the work of the Father and to deserve the same honor as the Father Phil. 2:6:
Jesus did not attempt to seize recognition by the world as being equal with God, but attained that recognition by humbling himself and being exalted by the Father (Phil. 2:7-11) Jesus is the Son of God "Son" in Scripture can mean simply one possessing the nature of something, whether literal or figurative (e.g. "Son of man," "sons of thunder," "sons of disobedience," cf. Mark 3:7; Eph. 2:1).Usually when "son of" is used in relation to a person (son of man, son of Abraham, son of David, etc.) the son possesses the nature of his father.
Jesus is clearly not the literal Son of God, i.e., He was not physically procreated by God.On the other hand, Jesus is clearly the Son of God in a unique sense (cf. "only-begotten son," John 1:14; 3:16, 3:18; 1 John 4:9) and in a preeminent sense (i.e. the term is more fitting for Him than for anyone else).
Scripture is explicit that the Son possesses God's essence or nature.Jesus' repeated claim to be the Son of God was consistently understood by the Jewish leaders as a blasphemous claim to equality with God, an understanding Jesus never denied: John 5:17-23; 8:58-59; 10:30-39; 19:7; Matt. 26:63-65.
Jesus is therefore by nature God's Son, not God's creation or God's servant; Jesus is God's Son who became a servant for our sake and for the Father's glory (John 13:13-15; 17:4; Phil. 2:6-11; Heb. 1:4-13; 3:1-6; 5:8; etc.).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beloved, we walk by faith and not by sight! Those of us who have taken on faith that Jesus is Lord, that He is God, that He is Jehovah---that is a good thing. However, when battling the powers of darkness and the prince of the air we must be prepared to refute our belief with scripture. Memorizing just one of these scriptures will be a gift to your salvation. For me, John 1:1-5 are the verses that ripped the veil from my eyes and allowed my heart to open to Jesus. Those scriptures alone contain the mystery and the truth of the Trinity! My faith walk is built on the foundation of those scriptures. It is worth us storing some of these in our heart for the needle that satan wants to push into our heels--put on those shoes, the gospel of Peace that will protect you against the ways of the enemy.
Tomorrow we'll examine the Holy Spirit and His relation to Jesus and God and then we conclude this portion of the study in the Trinity. Our next study is open for suggestions or comments--feel free to send me an email: seeinggodsbeauty@yahoo.com if you would like. God is merciful, He is wonderful, He is perfect in His timing. Did you skip ahead that hour? Well, don't deny the most holy day and make your way to fellowship this evening if you missed the morning. Enjoy the wondrous birds, flora, fauna and animals all peeking out for Spring. I did my 3 miles today and it was a time for singing to the Lord. He gives us opportunity to see and talk to Him each step of our journey. God bless, beloved, Sister Lisa
Saturday, March 7, 2009
The Trinity - Day 6
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
Friday, March 6, 2009
The Trinity - Day 5
The Trinity - Day 5
II. This One God Is Known in the OT as "Jehovah/Yahweh" ("The Lord")
A. Texts where Jehovah is said to be elohim or el: Deut. 4:35, 4:39; Psa. 100:3;
B. Texts where the compound name "Jehovah God" (Yahweh Elohim) is used: Gen. 2:3; 9:26; 24:3; Ex. 3:15-18; 4:4; 2 Sam. 7:22, 7:25; etc.
C. Only one Yahweh/Jehovah: Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29
D. Conclusion: Jehovah is the only God, the only El or Elohim
III. God Is a Unique, Incomprehensible Being
A. Only one God, thus unique, None are even like God
God cannot be fully comprehended: 1 Cor. 8:2-3
B. God can only be known insofar as the Son reveals Him: Matt. 11:25-27; John 1:18
Analogical language needed to describe God: Ezek. 1:26-28; Rev. 1:13-16
C. God is transcendent, entirely distinct from and different than the universe, as the carpenter is distinct from the bench
Separate from the world: Isa. 40:22; Acts 17:24
Contrasted with the world: Psa. 102:25-27; 1 John 2:15-17
Created the world: Gen. 1:1; Psa. 33:6; 102:25; Isa. 42:5; 44:24; John 1:3; Rom. 11:36; Heb. 1:2; 11:3
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STUDY QUESTIONS:
1. Does knowing that God is not fully comprehensible help you accept the truth of the triune God?
2. Does knowing the "elohim" is a plural form of "el" give light to your understanding?
3. Jehovah is His Name, "El" is who He is; the great I AM. Remember pondering God as a verb? What do you think about that now?
4. Since God is Creator of All, doesn't it make sense that His "being" is beyond our comprehension or ability to fully visualize?
5. Does this make you understand the phrase "to reverence" or "fear" the Lord? What does that mean to you?
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Beloved, the more we open our hearts and learn of Him isn't it true the more we realize our place in this universe? I think it no accident that as He becomes larger we become smaller. The smallness is not to degrade our value but to illuminate the true value we have in God's universe.
Can you imagine the grains of sand on the beach? Reaching out and capturing just one of these grains, pulling it towards you, looking at it and seeing the richness and beauty? Knowing how to see and feel about this one grain? Holding it to your heart, protecting it, making a way for it, comforting it? I find that difficult to visualize but I believe that it is how our Elohim sees each one of us, no grain bigger or better than the other.
No grain more or less valued but each having a special place on the beach being drenched from the Son and washed with the Water-the Holy Spirit and loved by Our Father. What a beautiful picture to realize that smallness is not to be abhorred but a place of honor in our Father's Kingdom.
We need all of God, the full three persons to receive and experience the Grace, Love, Mercy that He has bestowed on us. The trinity of Grace is Faith, Love and Hope. Faith in the past, what God has done for us; Love in the present, how Jesus walks among us; Hope for the future, what the Holy Spirit reveals to our hearts of the kingdom to come. Hallelujah and praise Him, Beloved. What an awesome God we serve. Sister, Lisa
II. This One God Is Known in the OT as "Jehovah/Yahweh" ("The Lord")
A. Texts where Jehovah is said to be elohim or el: Deut. 4:35, 4:39; Psa. 100:3;
B. Texts where the compound name "Jehovah God" (Yahweh Elohim) is used: Gen. 2:3; 9:26; 24:3; Ex. 3:15-18; 4:4; 2 Sam. 7:22, 7:25; etc.
C. Only one Yahweh/Jehovah: Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29
D. Conclusion: Jehovah is the only God, the only El or Elohim
III. God Is a Unique, Incomprehensible Being
A. Only one God, thus unique, None are even like God
God cannot be fully comprehended: 1 Cor. 8:2-3
B. God can only be known insofar as the Son reveals Him: Matt. 11:25-27; John 1:18
Analogical language needed to describe God: Ezek. 1:26-28; Rev. 1:13-16
C. God is transcendent, entirely distinct from and different than the universe, as the carpenter is distinct from the bench
Separate from the world: Isa. 40:22; Acts 17:24
Contrasted with the world: Psa. 102:25-27; 1 John 2:15-17
Created the world: Gen. 1:1; Psa. 33:6; 102:25; Isa. 42:5; 44:24; John 1:3; Rom. 11:36; Heb. 1:2; 11:3
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STUDY QUESTIONS:
1. Does knowing that God is not fully comprehensible help you accept the truth of the triune God?
2. Does knowing the "elohim" is a plural form of "el" give light to your understanding?
3. Jehovah is His Name, "El" is who He is; the great I AM. Remember pondering God as a verb? What do you think about that now?
4. Since God is Creator of All, doesn't it make sense that His "being" is beyond our comprehension or ability to fully visualize?
5. Does this make you understand the phrase "to reverence" or "fear" the Lord? What does that mean to you?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beloved, the more we open our hearts and learn of Him isn't it true the more we realize our place in this universe? I think it no accident that as He becomes larger we become smaller. The smallness is not to degrade our value but to illuminate the true value we have in God's universe.
Can you imagine the grains of sand on the beach? Reaching out and capturing just one of these grains, pulling it towards you, looking at it and seeing the richness and beauty? Knowing how to see and feel about this one grain? Holding it to your heart, protecting it, making a way for it, comforting it? I find that difficult to visualize but I believe that it is how our Elohim sees each one of us, no grain bigger or better than the other.
No grain more or less valued but each having a special place on the beach being drenched from the Son and washed with the Water-the Holy Spirit and loved by Our Father. What a beautiful picture to realize that smallness is not to be abhorred but a place of honor in our Father's Kingdom.
We need all of God, the full three persons to receive and experience the Grace, Love, Mercy that He has bestowed on us. The trinity of Grace is Faith, Love and Hope. Faith in the past, what God has done for us; Love in the present, how Jesus walks among us; Hope for the future, what the Holy Spirit reveals to our hearts of the kingdom to come. Hallelujah and praise Him, Beloved. What an awesome God we serve. Sister, Lisa
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