Proof the the Trinity
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The Trinity can be defined as One God who manifests Himself in three Persons. God The Father, God the Son And God the Holy Spirit. These three are one and are Co- Eternal with each member of this Godhead possessing all the attributes of deity equally.
My goal for this lesson in not to convince you of the Trinity. My goal is first, to allow me practice teaching this doctrine, and hopefully give you tools to use as you whiteness to those who reject the deity of Jesus.
the different groups that you are most likely to encounter are
Jehovah's Witnesses
God's first creation; identified with Michael the Archangel before coming to earth. Not Almighty God.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The literal Son of God, divine and exalted, but separate from God the Father. Not one being with the Father as taught by the Trinity.
Iglesia ni Cristo
A man chosen by God to be the Messiah and Savior. Not God.
Unitarian churches
A great teacher, prophet, or uniquely inspired man. Not God.
Islam
A prophet and Messiah (Isa), born of a virgin and sinless, but not God and not the Son of God.
Judaism
Usually viewed as a Jewish teacher or historical figure. Not God and not the Messiah.
This is not a study to prove the existence of Jesus. That is a fact that is historically proven. Nor is this a study to prove the existence of God. This is proven in the Bible, and is a matter of faith, not reason.
The defence of the Trinity must be done though Scripture. In order to do this, we will dive into different verses that show a plurality of God, starting in the Old testament.
We will then look into verses that show a oneness, a unity of God which could not exist in three persons who are not one.
After studying the old testament verses showing these two facts, we will go into the new testament and look at verses that support the two facts, and also tie them together into the doctrine that we know as the Trinity.
This will by no means be an exhaustive study of every instance these truths are shown. We will study enough verses, spread across the Bible in different books and sections, which will show beyond any doubt that the God of the Bible, the one True God, Consists of three indavidual and separate, yet co-equal, co-eternal, co-existing, persons known as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Old Testament Evidence
Old Testament Evidence
The first evidence of a plurality of God is found in Genesis 1:26-27
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
We see God says “Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness.
This could mean one of two things.
Firstly, God could have been talking to the angels that were around him, in our image in a general sense. Implying thsy humans, God, and the angels all share an image.
The other possibility, is seen by the fact that the word for God in this verse is Elohim. This is the general sense of deity. This is where we get the word God from. It is used to show The One True God.
This is the word we get God from. If it was used once or twice, I would say you could make a point that it is not of enough importance to bring as evidence. However, the vast Majority of the 2,598 times this word is used in the Bible, it is Speaking of the one true God. Since we believe the God of the Bible is all powerful, and we believe in the inspiration of Scripture, I would be remise if I left this fact out, and did not include it in my defence of a plurality of the Singular God. An interesting fact about about this word, is that Elohim is a plural word.
Some say that it is plural because the hebrews once had a polytheistic religion. Basically they say that the Hebrews once worship “the gods” but when they started worshiping God, they kept called him “the gods”. Besides making very little sense, we know from the Bible that this is not so. Ryrie says
Ryrie’s Basic Theology C. The Plural Form
However, the monotheism of the Old Testament was revealed and not developed from polytheism.
We also see monotheistic beliefs all throughout the old testament, never a polytheistic view of the True God (unless in open rebellion to God)
The other possible implication of this is that Elohim is a pluralistic God. This would explain why God used plural pronouns in this verse.
This indicates a plurality of God. However, as previously said, we are by no mean polytheists.
King James Version Chapter 1
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him
Notice that instead of plural Pronouns, the Bible shifts to singular Pronouns. It goes from “let US” to so God (Plural form) created man in HIS (Singular form) Image, in the image of God (plural) created HE (singular) him.
This is either because the Author of the Book could not make up his mind, and was a very inconsistent writer, OR, the author (God) perfectly inspired His penmen to write in a way that shows a plural, yet singular God.
In addition to Genesis 1:26, we can find God himself using Plural Pronouns in
Genesis 3:22, 11:7, and Isaiah 6:8.
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.
And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
We find Plural Verbs Referring to God in Genesis 11:7, and Genesis 20:13
And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.
The verb “caused to wander” (הִתְעוּ) is plural.
Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.
The verbs “let us go down” (נֵרְדָה) and “let us confound” (נָבְלָה) are first-person plural cohortative verbs.
We also find a Plural Noun referring to God in Ecclesiastes 12:1
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
The noun “Creator” (בּוֹרְאֶיךָ) is plural.
Lastly, we find a plural Adjective with God in Joshua 24:19
And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the Lord: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.
The adjective “holy” (קְדֹשִׁים) is plural.
Next, we can find several examples in the Old Testament of Two different persons being called LORD in the Old Testament. These are found in
Genesis 19:24 LORD on earth from LORD in heaven
Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven;
Both of these are the Hebrew word Yehweh, Which is the personal name of God.
Psalm 110:1 LORD speaks to another Lord
The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
The first word for Lord is Yehweh, which is no doubt speaking of God, but the second word is Adon, which could refer to a Human sovereign, however, this is David, the King, who answered to no man saying this. Also, Jesus Himself settles the debate in Matthew 22:41-45, which clearly shows that God is speaking to Christ.
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.
He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
Zechariah 2:8–11 LORD sent by LORD
For thus saith the Lord of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: For he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, And they shall be a spoil to their servants: And ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me.
Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: For, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.
And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, And shall be my people: And I will dwell in the midst of thee, And thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee.
While Grammatically this verse is a bit confusing, Verse 10-11 show that the person who will be sent is not the same person who did send, yet the person who is dwelling in Judah contextually appears to be The Lord, again showing two Persons
Zechariah 3:2 LORD invokes LORD
And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; Even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
Both of these are the Hebrew word Yehweh, Which is the personal name of God.
Hosea 1:6-7 LORD saves by LORD
And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Lo-ruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.
But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the Lord their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.
We see Elohim said that He would save them by Yehweh, their Elohim, which is again indicative of a plurality of the Godhead.
Isaiah 44:6 The Lord and His Redeemer the Lord
Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, And his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; And beside me there is no God.
we see the Lord (Yehweh) AND the Lord (Yahweh). Two Persons called Yehweh
One was of explaining these verses is to say it is God talking in third person. We do see this in other places of the Bible. God does reference himself in the third person. This could point to one singular God.
The other options is that this verse shows a distinction in the Godhead, which would be a reference to a plurality of God.
In regard to the Angel of The Lord we see it a many times
In Genesis 16:7-13
And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
And the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction.
And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
We see that The Angel of the Lord spoke unto her, yet she called upon the name of the Lord (Yehweh) and said Thou God (El, the singular version of Elohim) Seest me.
This verse shows that the Angel of God in this instance is God. In addition to this, Hagar not only heard Him, but saw him as well. Hagar then asked if she really just saw God. This was not a question based off of confusion, but an expression of astonishment. She was asking if it was actually real, we know is was, because the prophecies told here came to pass.
We also see a similar instance in Judges 6:11-14, 22-24
And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abi-ezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.
And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.
And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?
And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the Lord, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord God! for because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face.
And the Lord said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.
Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah-shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abi-ezrites.
It says the angle of the Lord appeared unto him, then it says the Lord (Yahweh) looked upon him. We see this again more clearly in verses 22-24. While it appears that Gideon did not fully understand who the Angel of the Lord was, the Bible is very clear that it is The Lord. The Lord (Yahweh) said unto him.
these are not the only time in the Old Testament that a person had the privilege of seeing God.
Abraham
And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
The Bible says The Lord (Yahweh) appeared unto Abraham in person
Jacob
And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
Jacob said he saw God (Elohim) face to face
Moses and the Elders of Isreal
Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:
And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.
And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.
Moses Again
And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.
the Lord (Yahweh) Spake unto Moses face to face
The reason i have mentioned all these verses, is because it is very clear that these people saw God, in person, face to face.
You might be wondering what this has to do with the Doctrine of the Trinity.
The reason this points to a Plurality of God, is because of an apparent contradiction.
As mentioned, Exodus 33:11 is very clear that Moses spoke to God face to face, yet later in the same chapter, Exodus 33:20-23, God says Moses cannot see His face and live.
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And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:
And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:
And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.
How can Abraham, Jacob, Hagar, Isiah, Gideon, Moses, and all the leaders with Moses see God, talk to him face to face, yet the Bible says they could not look upon His face and live?
How can John 1:18 say no man hath seen God?
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
How can 1 Timothy 6:16 say the same thing?
Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
how can 1 John 4:12 also say that?
No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
How could these people see God, who, according to 1 Timothy 1:17 is invisible?
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Either the Author of the Bible was inconsistent, The Bible is wrong and those people saw a “likeness of God”, and not God himself, or there is a plurality in the Godhead.
All these “Contradictions” are explained by the fact that there is God the Father, Who no man has seen, who is invisible,.God the Spirit, who lives and dwells in us, who was seen at Jesus’s baptism in the form of a dove, and at pentecost in the form of fiery tongues. Lastly God the Son, Jesus, who was God manifested in the flesh. Who was seen by these men in the old testament. yet these three are one.
New Testament Evidence
New Testament Evidence
Moving onto the New Testament, a distinction in the Godhead can also be seen clearly.
The first instance of a plurality in the God head is in Matthew 1:20-21
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
we see two persons referenced here, The Holy Ghost, and then Jesus.
A very Good example of a plurality in the Godhead, is in Matthew 3:16-17
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
We clearly see three separate persons in this verse.
In Matthew 11:25-27, We see Jesus praying to His father, again showing a clear example of a division before Jesus and God.
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Matthew 28:19 clearly names all three persons, implying a distintion in the three
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Acts 2:32 Shows a separation in Jesus and God.
This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Acts 10:23 shows all three again
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Romans 5:5 shows the Father and The Holy Ghost
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 8:11 shows a distinction in the Holy Ghost, the Father, and Jesus
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Romans 8:26-27 shows a distinction between the Spirit and The Father
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:34 shows a distinction between Jesus and the Father
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Romans 15:16, 30 mention all three
That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
1 Corinthians 6:11 mentions Jesus and the Spirit
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 Mentions all three
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
Galatians 4:4 Mentions the Father and the Son
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
There are many other passages in the Pauline Epistles, but we will move onto the General Epistles
Hebrews 2:3-4 Mentions all three
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
Hebrews 9:14 Mentions all three
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
1 Peter 1:2 Mentions all three
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
1 John 3:21-24 Mentions all three
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
1 John 4:14 Mentions the Son and The Father
And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
1 John 5:7 Mentions all three
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
Some do not believe this verse belongs in the Bible. While I personally think it does, the doctrine of the Trinity does not depend upon this verse.
Revelation 1:4-5 Has the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Revelation 5:6-7 Has the Father and the Son
And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
John 3:16 has the Father and the Son
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 6:38-40, Jesus says He must do the will of the Father
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 14:16-17 Shows all three
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 15:26 Shows all three
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
John 17:1-5 Has the Father and the Son
These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
The only conclusion we can draw from so many passages of Scripture, as well as the many I have left out, is that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit are three distinct persons.
Now that we have determined that, we still have the other half of the mystery of the Trinity to Discus. If we leave the study now, one is almost forced to walk away a polytheist, or deny the diety of all but the Father.
The last half of the doctrine is that not only is the Godhead Separate, in three Persons, but it is at the same time unified in such a way that can only be exhibited by one entity, one God.
The Chema, which was Judaism basic confession of faith says
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:
Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the Lord he is God; there is none else beside him.
The following verses all show that there is only one God.
Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
See now that I, even I, am he, And there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: Neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.
Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, And my servant whom I have chosen: That ye may know and believe me, And understand that I am he: Before me there was no God formed, Neither shall there be after me.
I, even I, am the Lord; And beside me there is no saviour.
Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, And his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; And beside me there is no God.
(Two different peolpe saying besides be there is no God)
Fear ye not, neither be afraid: Have not I told thee from that time, And have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? Yea, there is no God; I know not any.
I am the Lord, and there is none else, There is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
Tell ye, and bring them near; Yea, let them take counsel together: Who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? Have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; A just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: For I am God, and there is none else.
For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: Thou art God alone.
And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: In that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.
The Theme of One God continues into the New Testament
Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Again, we hit a cross roads. Either the Bible is Wrong, there is more then one God, the author is to inconsistent to be worth reading, only one of the Father, Son, or Spirit are truly God, OR the Doctrine of the Trinity is true
In the Final Section of this study, Lets look at verses where not only are The Father Son and Spirit shown to be Separate, but all three are shown to be God.
The first, and one of the clearest places in the Bible that shows the Deity of Christ is John1:1-18.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
In the Old Testament we see that the Messiah to come would be God Himself
Isaiah 7:14 Clearly foretells that the one Born of a virgen would be called Immanuel, which means God (Elohim) with us
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, And shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6 Shows that two of the names of Jesus would be The Mighty God (El, Singular of Elohim) and the everlasting Father
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 40:3 foretells that John would prepare the way of The Lord (Yahweh), and refers to Him as God (Elohim)
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Jeremiah 23:5–6 Foretells the coming of the Messiah, and calls him Yahweh.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
In the New Testament, Jesus Himself claims Divinity in many different places.
In the following passages we see Jesus claim the be the “I AM” Which we know from Exodus 3:14, is God
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
God (Elohim) said “I AM”
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
This “I am He” was not just Jesus saying its me. He used the same “I am” that God used for moses, and look att he result from that simple statement
In the following passages, Jesus Excepts worship, which non can do but God. Exodus 34:14
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Jesus Forgives Sin which only God can do.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
We also see many places where others call Him God (Theos, Greek word for Elohim)
And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Jesus is Identified with Yahweh in the Old Testament
Isaiah 40:3 “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” → Matthew 3:3 “For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”
Joel 2:32 “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: For in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, As the Lord hath said, And in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.” → Romans 10:9–13 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Isaiah 45:23 “I have sworn by myself, The word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall swear.” → Philippians 2:10–11 “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Titles of God Given to Jesus
Titles of God Given to Jesus
Lord (Kyrios = YHWH usage)
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Son of God (in divine sense)
The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
Alpha and Omega
Revelation 1:17–18
Revelation 22:13
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Now that we have proved the Divinity of Christ, lets prove the divinity of the Spirit
Holy Spirit is Called God
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Holy Spirit Does What Only God can do
Creation
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Gives Life
The Spirit of God hath made me, And the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
Holy Spirit Has Divine Authority
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Holy Spirit is Equated with God in Scripture
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Holy Spirit in Triune Equality
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Wether or not God the Father is Devine is not a question. Ryrie says
Ryrie’s Basic Theology B. Evidence for Threeness
The Father is recognized as God. No debate exists here, and a number of passages teach this (
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
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After examining all this information, a person is forced to make a decision. It all comes down to Faith. Do you believe the Bible is the word of God? If not then you have no reason to believe what i have shown. If you believe that the Bible contradicts itself, then the vast majority of my arguments are mute. If you choose to believe what you want to, then you will never belive in the Doctrine of the Trinity.
If, However, you are willing to believe the Bible, and except its Inspiration, Preservation, and final authority, then you are faced with these facts.
There is a Plurality in God, yet God is one
There is a Plurality in God, yet God is one
Believing in the first but not the last leads to polytheism. Believing in the last but not the first leads to a rejection of the deity of Christ and the Holy Ghost.
Believing in both leads to the Doctrine of One God who manifests Himself in three Persons. God The Father, God the Son And God the Holy Spirit. These three are one and are Co- Eternal with each member of this Godhead possessing all the attributes of deity equally.
This is the Trinity
