The Trinity (2)

Why is it Important to have an accurate understanding of God?

If we are worshipping a made up god, then we are breaking the first commandment. Exod. 20:3

Exodus 20:3 ESV

“You shall have no other gods before me.

This is what every other religion is:

Making up our own version of God in our minds.

Worshipping a different god.

Jesus makes it very clear that we need to believe what is true about him. John 8:24

John 8:24 ESV

I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”

We worship a specific God.

The only true God.

The Most High God.

The Creator God.

The Triune God.

What does the Bible teach about the Trinity?

God is three distinct persons. Matt. 3:16-17

Matthew 3:16–17 ESV

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Jesus was being baptized.

The Spirit came upon him.

The Father spoke.

Heresy that denies this = Modalism

The belief that God is one person who appears in three different forms/modes.

Modern example: Oneness Pentecostalism

Each person is fully God.

The Father is God. No one seems to argue with that. (Gen. 1:1)

The Son (Jesus) is God. Col. 2:9

Colossians 2:9 ESV

For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,

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

Acts 5:3–4 (ESV)

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit... You have not lied to man but to God.”

Heresy that denies this = Arianism

The belief that Jesus was created by the Father and similar to God, but not fully God.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are a modern day example of this heresy.

There is one God. Deut. 6:4

Deuteronomy 6:4 ESV

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Isaiah 45:5 (ESV)

I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God

“God is one” (Rom. 3:30).

Heresy that denies this = Polytheism

The belief in multiple gods.

Examples:

Mormonism - Polytheism with a twist.

Hinduism

Pluralism

God has existed from all eternity as the Trinity. John 17:5

John 17:5 ESV

And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

God could not have had a beginning.

We can look at creation and ask, “Where did that thing come from?”

Eventually we come to terms with the logical fact that there had to be something that was first, that was always there.

Athiests and Christians alike both come to terms with that.

There had to be something out there for all eternity past.

That “thing” was God, the Triune God.