I want to know God.

Part of maturity is knowing who God is.

Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Growing up in Christ is associated with doctrine.

Who is God ?

What is His nature ?

There are many different concept of who God is :

Polytheism - many gods.

Pantheism - all is god. (Impersonal)

Agnosticism - we can't know if there is a god.

God is a Trinity

As important as this is to knowing God it is rarely taught.

Many misunderstand the Trinity.

Though it is difficult to understand it is not impossible.

It is not something we take by blind faith.

The Trinity is a "mystery", but not mysterious.

What the Trinity is not :

Which verse in the Bible uses the word Trinity ?

You can not prove the Trinity by one verse

indicates distinct persons Mt 28:19

The Father sent, loves, speaks to, knows, the Son.

The Son is our advocate with the Father.

The Son existed separately before His birth Jn 1:1.

They sent the H.S. Jn 14,15.

The baptism of Jesus Lk 3:22

Father

Son Col 2:9

Holy Spirit

Speaks Acts 13:2

Reveals Jn 16:5

Helps Ro 8:26

Testifies Jn 15:26

Encourages Acts 19:31

Prays Ro 8:26 f.f.

Is alive 1 Cor 3:16

Leads Ro 8:14

Makes decisions 1 Cor 12:11 (giving gifts)

Lied to Acts 5:3

Resisted Acts 17:51

Tested Acts 5:9

Grieved Eph 4:30

Blasphemed Mk 3:29

Fellowshipped with 2 Cor 13:14

Eternal Heb 9:14

Omnipresent Psa 139:7

Omniscient 1 Cor 2:10-11

He is called God Acts 5:1-4

Things equal to the same thing are equal to each other.

These don't prove the Trinity but they allow for plurality.

Psa 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Zech 12.10: "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on ME, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for HIM as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

YHWH is speaking and switches to the 3rd person.

Isa 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.

Isa 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.

Phil 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

If Jesus is Jehovah God then there is a plurality of persons in the Godhead indicating a Trinity.

FATHER - Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

SON - Jn 2:21 But he spake of the temple of his body.

HOLY SPIRIt - Ro 8:11 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.

GOD - ACTS 13:30 God raised Christ from the dead.

A) HERESIES CONCERNING THE TRINITY

i) Dividing the substance of the Godhead

Only the Father is God

ii) Confusing the persons of the Godhead

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are the same person.

God reveals Himself in different modes in different ages.

Father - O.T., Son - Christ, H.S. - Church age.

Monarchianism, Modalism, Sabellianism, Patripassians.

For Oneness to be true there must be nothing true (i.e. no property) of one mode which is not true of another mode.

If there is just one thing true of only one mode the belief is false.

If two things have every property in common, they are the same thing.

e.g. Casius Clay and Muhammud Ali. But if there is just one property that is not the same, then they are separate persons.

If there is something true of the Son that is not true of the Father then they are not the same person.

Mt 24:36

2) The Son alone has the property of sole mediatorship 1 Tim 2:5

3) The Son has the property of "being the Son loved by the Father" but not the property of "being the Father who loves the Son".

Matt 3:16,17

B) THE CONSENSUS OF THE CHURCH

i) THE FATHERS

ii) THE CREEDS

iii) THE COUNCILS

Council of Constantinople :

They also declared The Holy Spirit "is worshiped and glorified

together w/ the Father and the Son."

1. Which of the following statements is NOT in agreement with the Christian doctrine of the Trinity? (Circle one)

A. Jesus Christ is God.

B. The Holy Spirit is a person.

C. There are three Gods.

D. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are coequal and coeternal.

2. The doctrine of the Trinity states that the Holy Spirit is God.

This can be proven by showing that He possess the attributes of

God.

Look up each of the following verses and draw a line between the

verse and the corresponding attribute.

a) Psalms 139:7 He was active in creation

b) Hebrews 9:14 He convicts the world of sin

c) Genesis 1:2 He is present everywhere

d) John 16:7,8 He is eternal

3. Look up Genesis 11:7 and tell which personal pronoun God uses that indicates that there is a plurality of persons in the Godhead.

(A personal pronoun is a word like he, she, I, or they).

4. Circle the correct statement concerning the nature of the Trinity.

A. The doctrine of the Trinity teaches that God exists in the form of one person as one God.

B. The doctrine of the Trinity teaches that God exists in the form of three persons as one God.

C. The doctrine of the Trinity teaches that only the Father is God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit are created beings.

D. The doctrine of the Trinity teaches that God the Father became God the Son who became God the Holy Spirit.

THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY

Who is God ?

What is His nature ?

What is the relationship between the Father, Son, and H.S ?

Importance : Foundational doctrine.

How many teachings have you heard on the Trinity in recent yrs.

It can't be proven by 1 vs.

A) THERE ARE 3 PERSONS CALLED FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT Mt 28:19

B) EACH ONE IS ASCRIBED THE TITLE OF DEITY

i) FATHER II PET 1:17

ii) SON

1) He is spoken of as God :

By Paul Col 2:9

iii) HOLY SPIRIT

1) He is a person :

Personal pronouns are used of Him - Jn 16:13

Personal characteristics are ascribed to Him :

Intellect - 1 Cor 2:11

Will - 1 Cor 12:11

Personal acts are performed by Him, He :

Speaks - Acts 13:2

Teaches - Jn 14:26

Directs - Acts 16:6,7

He is treated as a person, He is :

Lied to - Acts 5:3

Grieved - Eph 4:30

Blasphemed - Matt 12:31

2) He is spoken of as God - Acts 5:1-4

C) THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD I Tim 2:5

Transitive Property of Equality -

Things equal to the same thing are equal to each other

D) OLD TESTAMENT INDICATIONS OF THE DOCTRINE

The use of composite unity word for "one" in the Shema of

Deut 6:4,5

c.f. Gen 2:24 "one" flesh.

The use of the plural "Elohim" for God instead of "El" with singular verbs and pronouns.

The "Us" passages in Gen 1:26, 3:22, 11:7; Isa 6:8.

Doctrine developed over time.

A) HERESIES CONCERNING THE TRINITY

i) Dividing the substance of the Godhead

The Father and Son are not of the same substance, nature, essence.

4th Cent. Arius of Alexandria - Only the Father is God

Claimed Christ was a created being.

ii) Confusing the persons of the Godhead

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are the same person.

God reveals Himself in different modes in different ages.

Father - O.T., Son - Christ, H.S. - Church age.

Monarchianism, Modalism, Sabellianism, Patripassians.

Oneness - One man may be a son, husband, and brother.

Tertullian - "... The connection of the Father in the Son, and of the Son in the Paraclete [Holy Spirit], produces three coherent Persons, who are yet distinct One from another. These Three are one essence...." Against Praxeas

Augistine - "But I would boldly say, that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, of one and the same substance, God the Creator, the Omnipotent Trinity, work indivisibly...." On the Trinity

Athanasius - We do not worship a creature.... But we worship the Lord of Creation, Incarnate, the Word of God... but knowing that "the Word was made flesh," we recognize Him as God also, after having come in the flesh.

ii) THE CREEDS

The Athanasian Creed :

...we worship one God in Trinity and the Trinity in unity, neither confusing the Persons nor dividing the substance... The Father is made of none, neither created nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made nor created, but begotten. The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor crated, nor begotten, but proceeding.... And in this Trinity none is afore, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three persons are co-eternal and co-equal. So that in all things, as aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshiped.

The Definition of the Faith of Chalcedon :

Following, then, the holy Fathers, we all with one voice teach that it should be confessed that our Lord Jesus Christ is one and the same God, the Same perfect in Godhead, the Same perfect in manhood, truly God and truly man....

C) THE COUNCILS

Council of Constantinople :

They also declared The Holy Spirit "is worshiped and glorified

together w/ the Father and the Son."

"O Lord God almighty...I bless you and glorify you through the eternal and heavenly high priest Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, through whom be glory to you, with Him and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever" (n. 14, ed. Funk; PG 5.1040).

"The Church, though dispersed throughout the whole world, even to the ends of the earth, has received from the apostles and their disciples this faith: ...one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of

heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them; and in one Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who became incarnate for our salvation; and in the Holy Spirit, who proclaimed through the prophets the dispensations of God, and the advents, and the birth from a virgin, and the passion, and the resurrection from the dead, and the ascension into heaven in the flesh of the beloved Christ Jesus, our Lord, and His manifestation from heaven in the glory of the Father ‘to gather all things in one,' and to raise up anew all flesh of the whole human race, in order that to Christ Jesus, our Lord, and God, and Savior, and King, according to the will of the invisible Father, ‘every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess; to him, and that He should execute just judgment towards all...'"

(Against Heresies X.l)

"In Christ Jesus our Lord, by whom and with whom be glory and power to the Father with the Holy Spirit for ever"

(n. 7; PG 5.988).

"We define that there are two, the Father and the Son, and three with the Holy Spirit, and this number is made by the pattern of salvation...[which] brings about unity in trinity, interrelating the three, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are three, not in dignity, but in degree, not in substance but in form, not in power but in kind. They are of one substance and power, because there is one God from whom these degrees, forms and kinds devolve in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit."

(Adv. Prax. 23; PL 2.156-7).

"And the blessed John in the testimony of his gospel, gives us an account of this economy and acknowledges this word as God, when he says, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.’ If then the Word was with God and was also God, what follows? Would one say that he speaks of two Gods? I shall not indeed speak of two Gods, but of one; of two persons however, and of a third economy, the grace of the Holy Ghost"

(Against the Heresy of One Noetus. 14).

"But I would boldly say, that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, of one and the same substance, God the Creator, the Omnipotent Trinity, work indivisibly...." On the Trinity

Referencing Jesus "...in order that to Christ Jesus, our Lord, and God, and Savior, and King, according to the will of the invisible Father, . . ." (Against Heresies I, x, 1).

"And the blessed John in the testimony of his gospel, gives us an account of this economy and acknowledges this word as God, when he says, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.’ If then the Word was with God and was also God, what follows? Would one say that he speaks of two Gods? I shall not indeed speak of two Gods, but of one; of two persons however, and of a third economy, the grace of the Holy Ghost"

(Against the Heresy of One Noetus. 14).

With regard to John 1:1 "...the arrangement of the sentences might be thought to indicate an order; we have first, ‘in the beginning was the Word,’ then ‘And the Word was with God,’ and thirdly, ‘and the Word was God,’ so that it might be seen that the Word being with God makes Him God"

(Commentary on John, Book 2, Chapter 1).

Justin Martyr (100?-165?). He was a Christian apologist and martyr.

"For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water" (First Apol., LXI).

Ignatius of Antioch (died 98/117). Bishop of Antioch.

"In Christ Jesus our Lord, by whom and with whom be glory and power to the Father with the Holy Spirit for ever" (n. 7; PG 5.988).

"We have also as a Physician the Lord our God Jesus the Christ the only-begotten Son and Word,

before time began, but who afterwards became also man, of Mary the virgin. For ‘the Word was

made flesh.' Being incorporeal, He was in the body; being impassible, He was in a passable body;

being immortal, He was in a mortal body; being life, He became subject to corruption, that He might free our souls from death and corruption, and heal them, and might restore them to health, when they were diseased with ungodliness and wicked lusts." (Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, eds.,

The ante-Nicene Fathers, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975 rpt., Vol. 1, p. 52, Ephesians 7.)

Irenaeus (115-190). A disciple of Polycarp, the disciple of John. He became Bishop of Lyons.

"The Church, though dispersed throughout the whole world, even to the ends of the earth, has

received from the apostles and their disciples this faith: ...one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of

heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them; and in one Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who became incarnate for our salvation; and in the Holy Spirit, who proclaimed through the prophets the dispensations of God, and the advents, and the birth from a virgin, and the passion, and the resurrection from the dead, and the ascension into heaven in the flesh of the beloved Christ Jesus, our Lord, and His manifestation from heaven in the glory of the Father ‘to gather all things in one,' and to raise up anew all flesh of the whole human race, in order that to Christ Jesus, our Lord, and God, and Savior, and King, according to the will of the invisible Father, ‘every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess; to him, and that He should execute just judgment towards all...'"

(Against Heresies X.l)

Tertullian (160-215).

"We define that there are two, the Father and the Son, and three with the Holy Spirit, and this

number is made by the pattern of salvation...[which] brings about unity in trinity, interrelating the three, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are three, not in dignity, but in degree, not in substance but in form, not in power but in kind. They are of one substance and power, because there is one God from whom these degrees, forms and kinds devolve in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit." (Adv. Prax. 23; PL 2.156-7).

Origen (185-254). Alexandrian theologian. A disciple of Origen. Defended Christianity. He wrote

much about Christianity.

"If anyone would say that the Word of God or the Wisdom of God had a beginning, let him beware

lest he direct his impiety rather against the unbegotten Father, since he denies that he was always

Father, and that he has always begotten the Word, and that he always had wisdom in all previous

times or ages or whatever can be imagined in priority...There can be no more ancient title of almighty God than that of Father, and it is through the Son that he is Father" (De Princ. 1.2.; PG 11.132).

"For if [the Holy Spirit were not eternally as He is, and had received knowledge at some time and

then became the Holy Spirit] this were the case, the Holy Spirit would never be reckoned in the unity

of the Trinity, i.e., along with the unchangeable Father and His Son, unless He had always been the

Holy Spirit." (Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, eds., The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Grand

Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975 rpt., Vol. 4, p. 253, de Principiis, 1.111.4)

"Moreover, nothing in the Trinity can be called greater or less, since the fountain of divinity alone

contains all things by His word and reason, and by the Spirit of His mouth sanctifies all things which

are worthy of sanctification..." (Roberts and Donaldson, Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 4, p. 255, de

Principii., I. iii. 7).

If, as the anti-Trinitarians maintain, the Trinity is not a biblical doctrine and was never taught until

the council of Nicea in 325, then why do these quotes exist? The answer is simple: the Trinity is a

biblical doctrine and it was taught before the council of Nicea in 325 A.D.

Part of the reason that the Trinity doctrine was not "officially" taught until the time of the Council

of Nicea is because Christianity was illegal until shortly before the council. It wasn't really possible for

official Christian groups to meet and discuss doctrine. For the most part, they were fearful of making

public pronouncements concerning their faith.

Additionally, if a group had attacked the person of Adam, the early church would have responded

with an official doctrine of who Adam was. As it was, the person of Christ was attacked. When the

Church defended the deity of Christ, the doctrine of the Trinity was further defined.

The early church believed in the Trinity, as is evidenced by the quotes above, and it wasn't

necessary to really make them official. It wasn't until errors started to creep in, that councils began to

meet to discuss the Trinity as well as other doctrines that came under fire.

Justin Martyr: "...the Father of the universe has a Son; who being the logos and First-begotten is

also God" (First Apology 63:15).

Clement of Alexandria: "Both as God and as man, the Lord renders us every kind of help and

service. As God He forgives sin, as man He educates us to avoid sin completely" (Christ the

Educator, chapter 3.1). In addition, "Our educator, O children, resembles His Father, God, whose

son He is. He is without sin, without blame, without passion of soul, God immaculate in form of

man accomplishing His Father’s will" (Christ the Educator Chapter 2:4).

Tertullian: "...the only God has also a Son, his Word who has proceeded from himself, by whom

all things were made and without whom nothing has been made: that this was sent by the Father

into the virgin and was born of her both man and God. Son of Man, Son of God, ..." (Against

Praxeas, 2).

Not only in these instances, but also throughout their writings the fathers strongly

defend the deity of Christ

REPROOF :

The burden of the evidence is on the Oneness position.

For Oneness to be true there must be nothing true (i.e. no property) of one mode which is not true of another mode.

If there is just one thing true of only one mode the belief is false.

If two things have every property in common, they are the same thing.

e.g. Casius Clay and Muhammud Ali. But if there is just one property that is not the same, then they are separate persons.

G.R. the Father can't know something G.R. the husband doesn’t know.

1) The Son has the property of not knowing what the Father knows Mt 24:36

2) The Son alone has the property of sole mediatorship 1 Tim 2:5

3) The Son has the property of "being the Son loved by the Father" but not the property of "being the Father who loves the Son".

Matt 3:16,17

MATT 28:19 Shows they are separate persons.

"in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

Not "in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."

B) THE CONSENSUS OF THE CHURCH

i) THE FATHERS

Tertullian - "... The connection of the Father in the Son, and of the Son in the Paraclete [Holy Spirit], produces three coherent Persons, who are yet distinct One from another. These Three are one essence...." Against Praxeas

Augistine - "But I would boldly say, that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, of one and the same substance, God the Creator, the Omnipotent Trinity, work indivisibly...." On the Trinity

Athanasius - We do not worship a creature.... But we worship the Lord of Creation, Incarnate, the Word of God... but knowing that "the Word was made flesh," we recognize Him as God also, after having come in the flesh.

ii) THE CREEDS

The Athanasian Creed :

...we worship one God in Trinity and the Trinity in unity, neither confusing the Persons nor dividing the substance... The Father is made of none, neither created nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made nor created, but begotten. The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor crated, nor begotten, but proceeding.... And in this Trinity none is afore, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three persons are co-eternal and co-equal. So that in all things, as aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshiped.

The Definition of the Faith of Chalcedon :

Following, then, the holy Fathers, we all with one voice teach that it should be confessed that our Lord Jesus Christ is one and the same God, the Same perfect in Godhead, the Same perfect in manhood, truly God and truly man....

C) THE COUNCILS

Council of Constantinople :

They also declared The Holy Spirit "is worshiped and glorified

together w/ the Father and the Son."

It is not unreasonable.

Logically it is possible for a being to be more than one person.

Being = any thing that exists.

AIA E-mail debate.

Oneness - One man may be a son, husband, and brother.

REPROOF :

The burden of the evidence is on the Oneness position.

G.R. the Father can't know something G.R. the husband doesn’t know.

REPROOF :

The burden of the evidence is on the Oneness position.

For Oneness to be true there must be nothing true (i.e. no property) of one mode which is not true of another mode.

If there is just one thing true of only one mode the belief is false.

If two things have every property in common, they are the same thing.

e.g. Casius Clay and Muhammud Ali. But if there is just one property that is not the same, then they are separate persons.

G.R. the Father can't know something G.R. the husband doesn’t know.

1) The Son has the property of not knowing what the Father knows Mt 24:36

2) The Son alone has the property of sole mediatorship 1 Tim 2:5

3) The Son has the property of "being the Son loved by the Father" but not the property of "being the Father who loves the Son".

Matt 3:16,17

MATT 28:19 Shows they are separate persons.

"in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

Not "in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."

ADD TO THIS

Irenaeus

"...but the Son, eternally co-existing w/ the Father always reveals

the Father to Angels..." Against Heresies II 30:9

He said that the Son...

"was very man, and that He was very God." Against heresies IV 6:7

The Nicene creed :

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of all things

visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten

of the Father that is, from the substance of the Father, God of God,

light of light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one

substance [homoousios] with the Father, through whom all things were

made, both in heaven and on earth, who for us humans and for our

salvation descended and became incarnate, becoming human, suffered and

rose again on the third day, ascended to the heavens, and will come to

judge the living and the dead.

And in the Holy Spirit.

But those who say that there was when He was not, and that before

being begotten He was not, or that He came from that which is not, or

that the Son of God is of a different substance [hypostasis] or essence

[ousia], or that he is created, or mutable, these the Catholic Church

anathematizes.

III) OBJECTIONS AND MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE TRINITY

A) OBJECTION #1 : THE FATHER IS GREATER THAN JESUS Jn 14:28

"...for My Father is greater than I."

Claim : Jesus was subordinate to the Father.

The comparison is QUANTITATIVE not QUALITATIVE.

Relation of position not nature or quality.

Heb 1:4 "Being made so much better than the angels..."

A QUALITATIVE comparison of natures.

QUALITATIVELY He was God.

QUANTITATIVELY He was limited to a human body.

If Jesus said "The Father is BETTER..." it would be different.

The president might be GREATER (due to his position) than we are but it

would be different to say that he was BETTER.

B) OBJECTION #2 : CHRIST WAS ONLY THE IMAGE OF GOD

C) OBJECTION #3 : CHRIST WAS THE FIRST CREATION OF GOD Col 1:15

"Who is the image of the invisible God,..."

Some claim He is only the image of God.

It doesn't say He is ONLY the image of God.

If this were the only vs. I would agree.

Sim. to a letter : 1st par. - Augie Herrera is a good man.

2nd par. - Augie is a good man and a Pastor.

You can't say He is ONLY a good man.

"...the firstborn of every creature"

Some claim He was the 1st created thing.

Does firstborn mean first created ? NOT NECESSARILY.

Gen 48:14 Manasseh - firstborn - left hand.

Jer 31:9 Ephraim is called the firstborn.

Firstborn means Preeminent or Supreme.

How do we know that this is what it means in Col 1:15 ?

1) Theme of Col. - Christ is the head of the Church.

This was written because heresies were coming into the Church.

2) Surrounding text

Vs. 16 - all things were created by Him.

Vs. 17 - He is before all things, He sustains all.

Vs. 18 - He is the head of the Church,

He has PREEMINENCE in all things.

Vs. 19 - All the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him (c.f. 2:9).

D) MISCONCEPTION #1 : JESUS AND THE FATHER ARE THE SAME PERSON

Some are confused when they read :

"I and the Father are One" Jn 10:30

"He who has seen Me has seen the Father" Jn 14:9

Qu. Should You Believe in the Trinity P17 Jn 8:17,18 Jesus says He bore

witness of Himself, The Father bore witness of Him.

"Here Jesus shows that he and the Father... must be two distinct entities,

for how else could there truly be two witnesses ?"

E) MISCONCEPTION #2 : FAILURE TO REALIZE THAT JESUS HAD A HUMAN NATURE

Some think Christ couldn't have been divine if He displayed human

attributes.

1) God can't be tempted but Jesus was tempted. (Matt 4).

2) If Jesus was God why did He pray ? (Jn 17).

3) Jesus had limited knowledge. (Mk 13:32) - He doesn't now.

4) Jesus learned obedience. (Heb 5:8).

THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY

I) BIBLICAL PROOF OF THE DOCTRINE

A) There are 3 persons called Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

B) Each one is ascribed the title of Deity

C) There is only one God

II) HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE DOCTRINE

A) The consensus of the Church

i) Tertullian

ii) Theodosius

iii) Council of Constantinople

iv) Athanasian Creed

B) Heresies concerning the Trinity

i) Dividing the substance of the Godhead

ii) Confusing the persons of the Godhead

III) OBJECTIONS AND MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE TRINITY

A) Objection #1 : The Father is greater than Jesus Jn 14:28

B) Objection #2 : Christ was only the image of God Col 1:15a

C) Objection #3 : Christ was the 1st creation of God Col 1:15b

D) Misconception #1 : Jesus and the Father are the same person

E) Misconception #2 : Failure to realize Jesus had a human nature

I was recently confronted by a cultist and I had to agree w/ a point.

"Most Christians can't define the doctrine of the trinity or prove it."

Tonight we will :

1) Define the doctrine of the Trinity.

2) Find Biblical proof for the Trinity.

3) Find historical proof for the Trinity.

4) See common objections and misconceptions about the Trinity.

Two questions have been asked through history.

1) Does God exist ? 2) What is He like ?

1) ATHEISM There is no God or purpose to life.

2) AGNOSTICISM We can't (won't) know if God exists. - 1869 Prof. Huxley.

3) POLYTHEISM There are many gods.

4) PANTHEISM All is God. - 1677 Philosopher Spinoza.

5) DEISM God created everything and deserted man. - 1648 Edward Herbert.

6) MONOTHEISM The Biblical view.

Jesus is spoken of as God :

By God Heb 1:8

By Isaiah Is 9:6 c.f. 10:21

By Paul Phil 2:5-7, Col 2:9

By the Jews Jn 5:18, 10:30-33

By John Jn 1:1,14

By Thomas Jn 20:28

By Himself Jn 8:56-58 c.f. Exo 3:14

Other Vss. showing Christ's deity :

Col 1:15 f.f. Christ is the creator of the universe. Some versions use the

words "supreme" or "preeminent" here to show His position.

Rev 21:6 c.f. Isa 44:6, 48:12 c.f. Rev 22:13,16 God the Father is called

"The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last".

These titles are also applied to Christ in the Book of Revelation. There

can't be two "Alpha and Omegas, beginning and the endings, firsts and the

lasts" Therefore we conclude that Christ and the Father are of the same

nature.

Jn 17:5 Christ shared in the Father's glory "before the world was". This

means that Christ eternally preexisted with God the Father making

Him part of the Godhead.

Heb 1:6 c.f. Lk 4:8 The Father says that all the angels worship Christ yet

in Luke only God is to be worshiped.

Col 1:19 In Him all fullness dwells.

Matt 14:33 He received worship from men.

The works of God are ascribed to Him, He :

MK 2:5-7 FORGAVE SIN

MT 28:18 HAD ALL POWER

JN 28:20 IS ALL PRESENT

JN 4:16; 6:64 MT 17:22-27 IS ALL KNOWING

DIETY OF H.S.

IT MUST BE ESTABLISHED HE IS A PERSON NOT JUST AN INFLUENCE OF A DIVINE

POWER. THESSIN P 96

PERSONAL PRONOUNS ARE USED OF HIM :

HE - BY JESUSJN 14:26 ; 16:13F

HELPER - APPLIED TO JESUS JN 14:16 1 JN2:1 AND TO H.S. JN 14:16,26; 15:26;

16:7 IT SHOWS JESUS PERSONALITY AND MUST DO THE SAME FOR THE H.S.

HE HAS THE CHARICTERISTICS OF PERSONALITY :

INTELECT 1 COR 2:11

SENSIBILITIES RO 8:27 15:30

WILL 1 COR 12:11

PERSONAL ACTS ARE DONE BY HIM

REGENERATION JN 3 ;5

TEACHES JN 14:26

BEARS WITNESS JN 15:26

CONVICTS JN 16:8-11

GUIDES INTO TRUTH JN 16:13

GLORIFIES CHRIST JN 16:14

CALLS TO SERVICE ACT 13:2

SPEAKS AC 13:2 REV 2:7

DIRECTS IN SERVICE ACTS 16:6F

INTERCEEDES RO 8:26

SEARCHES OUT 1 COR 2:10

WORKS 1 COR 12:11

HE CAN BE TREATED AS A PERSON:

HE CAN BE TEMPTED ACT 5:9

LIED TO ACT 5:3

GRIEVED EPH 4:30 ISA 63:10

3) The Council of Constantinople (381) confirmed the Deity of the H.S.

C) Holy Spirit

1) He is a person

a) Personal pronouns are used of Him Jn 16:13 f

b) Personal characteristics are ascribed to Him

i) Intelect 1 Cor 2:11

ii) Will 1 Cor 12:11

c) Personal acts are performed by Him. He :

i) Speaks Acts 13:2

ii) Teaches Jn 14:26

iii) Directs Acts 16:6,7

d) He is treated as a person

i) Lied to Acts 5:3

ii) Grieved Eph 4:30

iii) Blasphemed Matt 12:31

2) He is spoken of as God Acts 5:1-4

3) He performed the works of God

a) Creation Gen 1:2,26

b) Resurrection Ro 8:11

c) Regeneration Jn 3:5

d) Inspiration of Scripture 2 Pet 1:21

3) He received Divine worship Is 6:1-3,8

He is Deity :

Eternal : Heb 9:14

Omniscient : I cor 2:10, Jn 14:26, Jn 16:12.

Omnipotent : Lk 1:35

Omnipresent : Ps 139:7-10

Works of Deity are ascribed to Him :

Creation : Gen 1:2, Job 33:4, Psa 104;30.

Regeneration : Jn 3:5

Inspiration : 2 Pet 1:21 c.f. Acts 1;16; 28:25.

Raising the dead : Ro 8:11

Works of God are His works :

Is 6:9f c.f. Jn 12:39-41, Acts28:25-27

He is called God :

Acts 5 2 Cor 3:17f.

iii) HOLY SPIRIT

2) He is spoken of as God Acts 5:1-4

3) He received Divine worship Is 6:1-3,8

Rev 3:14 the beginning of God's creation P47 Mc Dowell

Rev 3 arche - can be rendered "origin". He is the origin of the creation

of God. (Heb 1:2, Col 1:16,17). P81 Martin

III) Opposing views of the doctrine

Mankind's search for God (J.W.) P264. Blames Greek philosophy for

Trinitarian doctrine.

Col 1:15f "firstborn" c.f. Gen. P 81 Martin P50 Mc Dowell Gen 49:3

Jacob said of Ruben "Thou art my firstborn..."

Rev 3:14 the beginning of God's creation P47 Mc Dowell

Prov 8:22-25 Yahwey created me... P558 Eerdmans bible com. P49 Mc Dowell

I Tim 2:5,6 gave Himself as a ransom for us... If He were God, the

ransom paid would be greater than the 1st Adam. P15 Trinity.

Sonship P15 Trinity

Jn 17:3 Jesus prays to the Father. P82 Martin

Jn 20:17 Jesus says He is asending to My God and your God.

Habakkuk 1:12 "O my God... you do not die" If Jesus were God, God would

have died.

Mk 13:32 Jesus had incomplete knowledge.

I cor 15:24,28 Jesus hands over the kingdom to the Father.

I cor 11:3 the head of Christ is God.

God couldn't be tempted. Limited knowledge Mk 13:32 p19 He learned

obedience Heb 5:8 p19 p14 JW trinity

Jn 14:28 Father is [MEIZON] greater P 104 Martin

He could say this because greater is a quantitative description of

position. Certianly in no sense of the context could it be construed as a

comparison of nature or quality. In Heb 1 the comparison made between them

is one of nature. He was qualitativly better than angels cuz He was their

creator. Qualitativly He was God manifested in the flesh, while

quantitatively He was limited as a man. Jn compares position, Heb compares

nature. If Jesus said "The Father is BETTER..." it would be different. The

president might be GREATER (due to his position) than we are but it would

be differnt to say that he was BETTER than we are because this comparison

involves quality, nature, and attributes. Heb 1:4 teaches that He was

qualitativly BETTER than the angels though He was made lower than them

positionally. The Father was greater than Jesus in expance because Jesus

was limited to a human body.

The doctrine of the Trinity

Intro :

The question that was 1st asked was "What is the relationship between hte

Father and Son ?" (Relationship of the Deity of Christ to the Trinity).

We can't prove this by a verse that speaks of all three.

what the trin. is not .... Thessin

1) Biblical proof of the doctrine

I) There are three persons called

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

II) Each one is ascribed the title of Deity

A) Father - IIPet 1:17

B) Son

1) He is spoken of as God Jn 10:31 ff.

By God Heb 1:8

By Isa. Is 9:6

By Paul Phil 2:5-7

By Paul Col 2:9 (all the fullness of the Godhead)

C) Holy Spirit

2) He is spoken of as God Acts 5:1-4

3) He received Divine worship Is 6:1-3,8

III) There is only one God I Tim 2:5

II) Historical proof of the doctrine

III) Opposing views of the doctrine

Mankind's search for God (J.W.) P264. Blames Greek philosophy for

Trinitarian doctrine.

Col 1:16f "firstborn" c.f. Gen.

THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY

One vss. doesn't prove this doctrine.

I) There are three persons called

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

II) Each one is ascribed the title of Deity

A) Father - IIPet 1:17

B) Son

1) He is spoken of as God Jn 10:31 ff.

By God Heb 1:8

By Isa. Is 9:6

By Paul Phil 2:5-7

By Paul Col 2:9 (all the fullness of the Godhead)

2) He performed the works of God

a) Creation Col 1:16

b) Resurrection Jn 2:19-21

3) He received Divine worship Mt 14:33

Attributes of Deity Thissen P92 ff. Strong P304

Eternity: Jn 1:15 b4 John, b4 Abe Jn 8:58, b4 the world Jn17:5,24,

firstborn Col 1:15, in the begining Jn 1:1 cf. IJn 1:1, from the days of

eternity Mic 5:2, continues forever Is 9:6ff,Heb 1:11,13:8,

Omnipresence: in heaven while on earth Jn 3:13, Matt 18:20;28:20

Omniscience: Knows all Jn 16:30,21:17, He knew what was in man Jn2:24,

History of Samritian woman Jn4:29, the thoughts of men Lk 6:8,11:17, the

one who would betray Him Jn 6:70.

Omnipotence: Jn 5:19, the mighty God Is9:6 cf. Rev 1:8, upholds all things

by hte word of His power Heb 1:3, all authority is given to Him. Matt

28:18 all authority.

Immutability: Heb 1:12; 13:8

The offices of His Deity :

Creator : Jn 1:3, Col 1:16, Heb 1:10.

Upholder : Col 1:17, Heb 1:3.

The Perogatives of deity :

He forgave sin : Matt 9:2,6 Lk7:47.

He will raise the dead : Jn 5:25-29; 6:39f.,54; 11:25.

He will execute judgement : Jn 5:22

He had all authority Mt28:18

His identification w/ O.T. Jehovah :

Things said of J. in the O.T. are said of Christ in the N.T. :

He was creator Ps102:24-27 c.f. Heb 1:10-12.

He was seen by Isa. Isa6:1-4 c.f. Jn 12:41

He was preceeded by a forerunner Isa 40:3 c.f. Matt 3:3

Is the object of faith Joel 2:32 c.f. Rom 10:9,13.

Names that imply Deity :

Alpha and Omega Rev 22:13

I AM Jn 8:58

Immanuel "God w/ us" Matt 1:22f

He was worshipped as God

By men Matt 14:33

By Angles Heb 1:6 (Deut 32:43) c.f. Rev 22:8,9

C) Holy Spirit

1) He is a person

a) Personal pronouns are used of Him Jn 16:13 f

b) Personal characteristics are ascribed to Him

i) Intelect 1 Cor 2:11

ii) Will 1 Cor 12:11

c) Personal acts are performed by Him. He :

i) Speaks Acts 13:2

ii) Teaches Jn 14:26

iii) Directs Acts 16:6,7

d) He is treated as a person

i) Lied to Acts 5:3

ii) Grieved Eph 4:30

iii) Blasphemed Matt 12:31

2) He is spoken of as God Acts 5:1-4

3) He performed the works of God

a) Creation Gen 1:2,26

b) Resurrection Ro 8:11

c) Regeneration Jn 3:5

d) Inspiration of Scripture 2 Pet 1:21

3) He received Divine worship Is 6:1-3,8

He is Deity :

Eternal : Heb 9:14

Omniscient : I cor 2:10, Jn 14:26, Jn 16:12.

Omnipotent : Lk 1:35

Omnipresent : Ps 139:7-10

Works of Deity are ascribed to Him :

Creation : Gen 1:2, Job 33:4, Psa 104;30.

Regeneration : Jn 3:5

Inspiration : 2 Pet 1:21 c.f. Acts 1;16; 28:25.

Raising the dead : Ro 8:11

Works of God are His works :

Is 6:9f c.f. Jn 12:39-41, Acts28:25-27

He is called God :

Acts 5 2 Cor 3:17f.

III) There is only one God I Tim 2:5

Heresies :

1) Tritheism There are 3 Gods. Polytheistic pagan belief.

2) Sabellius (Higherarchial modalizm)

The Father became the Son who became the H.S.

Advocates - Jesus only people, Local Church.

3) Arius 325 A.D.

Reduced Christ and the H.S. to lower forms of deity.

Advocates - J.W.s

Church History :

1) The Athanasian creed "We worship one God in the Trinity and the

Trinity in unity. The three Persons are Coeternal and Coequal with one

another so that we worship complete unity in the Trinity an Trinity in

unity".

2) The Council of Nicaea (325) confirmed the Deity of Christ.

3) The Council of Constantinople (381) confirmed the Deity of the H.S.

For further study

THE DEITY OF CHRIST

1) He possessed the attributes of God.

A) Omnipresence JN 3:13 MT 18:20 28:20

B) Omnipotence JN5:19 IS 9:6 CF REV 1:8 MATT 28:18

C) Immutabilty HEB 1:12

OFFICES OF HIS DIETY :

CREATOR JN 1:3 COL 1:16 HEB 1:10

SUSTAINOR COL 1:17 HEB 1:3

PROGITIVES OF HIS DEITY :

FORGAVE SIN MATT 9:2

JUDGES JN 5:22

HIS IDENTIFICATION W/ JEHOVAH :

THINGS SAID OF J. ARE SAID OF HIM

PRECEEDED BY A FORRUNNER IS 40:3 , MATT 3:3

CREATOR PS 102:24F

HOLY IS 8:13 1PET 3:15

LEADS CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE PS 68:18 EPH 4:8

OBJECT OF FAITH JOEL 2:32 RO 10:9,13

NAMES IMPLYING DIETY :

ALPHA AND OMEGA REV 22:13

HE IS CALLED IMMANUEL IS 7:14 MATT 1:22F

HE IS WORSHIPED MATT 14:33 AC 10:25F REV 19:10; 22:8F

N.T. ASKS US TO WORSHIP HIM JN 5:23 HEB 1:6

DIETY OF H.S.

IT MUST BE ESTABLISHED HE IS A PERSON NOT JUST AN INFLUENCE OF A DIVINE

POWER. THESSIN P 96

PERSONAL PRONOUNS ARE USED OF HIM :

HE - BY JESUSJN 14:26 ; 16:13F

HELPER - APPLIED TO JESUS JN 14:16 1 JN2:1 AND TO H.S. JN 14:16,26; 15:26;

16:7 IT SHOWS JESUS PERSONALITY AND MUST DO THE SAME FOR THE H.S.

HE HAS THE CHARICTERISTICS OF PERSONALITY :

INTELECT 1 COR 2:11

SENSIBILITIES RO 8:27 15:30

WILL 1 COR 12:11

PERSONAL ACTS ARE DONE BY HIM

REGENERATION JN 3 ;5

TEACHES JN 14:26

BEARS WITNESS JN 15:26

CONVICTS JN 16:8-11

GUIDES INTO TRUTH JN 16:13

GLORIFIES CHRIST JN 16:14

CALLS TO SERVICE ACT 13:2

SPEAKS AC 13:2 REV 2:7

DIRECTS IN SERVICE ACTS 16:6F

INTERCEEDES RO 8:26

SEARCHES OUT 1 COR 2:10

WORKS 1 COR 12:11

HE CAN BE TREATED AS A PERSON:

HE CAN BE TEMPTED ACT 5:9

LIED TO ACT 5:3

GRIEVED EPH 4:30 ISA 63:10

RESISTED ACTS 7:51

INSULTED HEB 10:29

BLASPHEMED MATT 12:31F

HE IS DIETY : ATTRIBUTES OF DEITY ARE ASCRIBED TO HIM

ETERNITY HEB 9:14

OMNISCIENT 1 COR 2:10FJN 14:26 16:12F

OMNIPOTENT LK 1:35

OMNI PRESENT PS 139:7-10

WORKS OF DEITY ARE ASCRIBED TO HIM

CREATION GEN 1:2 JOB 33:4 PS 104:30

REGNENERATION JN 3:5

INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE 2 PET 1:21CF ACTS 1:16; 28:25

RAISING THE DEAD RO 8:11

THE WORDS AND WORKS OF THE H.S. ARE CONSIDERED THOSE OF THE FATHER AND

JESUS. IS 6:9 CF JN 12:39-41 , ACTS 28:25-27 EXO 16:7 CF PS 95:8-111 IS

63:9F CF HEB 3:7-9 GEN 1:27 CF JOB 33:4

HE IS CALLED GOD ACTS 5 2 COR 3:17F

DIVINE NAMES ARE APPLIED TO HIM

EX 17:7 CF HEB 3:7-9 2 TIM 3:16 CF 2 PET 1:21

ARIUS TAUGHT THE H.S. WAS CREATED BY JESUS.

MACEDONIUS , BISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE 341-360 A.D. TAUGHT THE H.S. WAS

SUBORDINATE TO THE SON.

SOCINUS SAID HE WAS THE MANIFISTATION OF GOD'S POWER ONLY.

THE COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE 381 CONFIRMED HIS DIETY

THE FILOQUE CONTROVERSY - DID THE H.S. PROCEED FROM THE FATHER ONLY OR

THE FATHER AND THE SON ?

THE COUNCIL OF TOLEDO 589 SAID HE PROCEEDED FROM BOTH

Sabellian Maintains the unity of God by denying the personality of Jesus

and the H.S. Modalism holds to the deity of Christ but doesn't see him as

a distinct person from the Father. God reveals Himself under different

modes in different ages. i.e. Father in creation and the law, Son in

Christ, H.S. in the church age. Christ cannot be our advocate w/ the

Father in this view 1 jn 2:1 nor can He live forever to make intercession

for us Heb 7:25. Modalists use Jn 10:30 I and the Father are 1, and Jn

14:9 He who has seen the Father has seen Me. Modalists object to the

doctrine of the vicarious atonement cuz atonement is made to the Father.

P148,238,239,263,276,282,315,322 Christian thought P85-6,328-9 History of

the Christian Church P327 Strong P112, 117 Short history Higherarcial

modalizm. Monarchianism.

Filioque controvercy - H.S. proceed from the Father or the Son ? concil of

Toledo 589 A.D. said He proceeded from both.

P99 herisies

Socinus (Lelio Sozzini) P536,535-38,542,585,612 said He was the eternal

manifestaion of God's power.

Constantinople 381 confirmed His deity.

The Caps made two points 1) God is 1, 2) this one God is a triad. They

answered the question - how can 1 God be 3 persons ? P150 herisies

Athanasius asked how can one God exist in 3 persons ? The 3 Caps asked

how can the 3 persons exist in 1 God ?

Basil confronted the problem of those who denied the diety of the H.S.

(Macedonians - Pneumatomachi, Spirit fighters). He wrote "On the H.S."

Justo Gonzalez - A History of Christian Thought P294 "The Cappadocians

took upon themselves the task of defining more clearly the unity and the

diversity within the Godhead and of seeking a terminology capable of

expressing both poles of this issue."

Macedonius Pneumatomachians, 291-2,296,312,316-19 Christian thought

P143,145,176 History of Christian Church. Bishop of constantinoople from

341-360 A.D. held that the H.S. was a creature subordinate to the Son.

v) Tertullian P112 Short History - taught that there is 1 divine nature.

The Father and Son have this 1 nature in common. They are distinct so far

as their persons are concerned. Subordinationism - the Son isn't eternal.

God became the Father when he begot the Son and creator when He made the

world. On this point he is one w/ the Apologists. He related the H.S. to

the Father and the Son. - 1st major author to write in latin and use

technical terms. In Against Paraxeas (modalist)

he developed trinitarian doctrine. P111

Eerdmans.

Against P.[not one Person, as it is said "I and the Father are One," in

resssspect of unity of substance, not singularity of number."] Tertullian

P145 Herisies.

Origen He explained how the Son can be the Son w/o beginning. The Father

eternally begets the Son. P89 Heresies.

The 3 Cappadocians - Basil of Caesarea, Gegory of Nyssa, and Gregory of

Nazianzus. They contributed to the final victory of the Nicene cause. The

Cappadocians took upon themselves the task of defining more clearly the

unity and the diversity within the Godhead and of seeking a terminology

capable of expressing both poles of this issue. Their solution was based

on the distinction between the terms ousia and hypostasis. They affirm

that there are 3 hypostases and only one ousia or, 3 individual

subsistences that participate in one divine essence. This formula was

influential at the council of Constantinople 381. At Constantinople they

didn't draw up a new creed but reaffirmed the creed of 325 A.D. and

condemned Ariaism, anomoean, homoean, pneumatomachian, and

Apollinarianism.

If this is true :

1) Christ cannot be our advocate w/ the Father. 1 Jn 2:1

2) Christ can't live forever to make intercession for us. Heb 7:25

3) He could not pray the prayer of Jn 17.

THE DEITY OF CHRIST

1) He possessed the attributes of God.

A) Omnipresence JN 3:13 MT 18:20 28:20

B) Omnipotence JN5:19 IS 9:6 CF REV 1:8 MATT 28:18

C) Immutabilty HEB 1:12

OFFICES OF HIS DIETY :

CREATOR JN 1:3 COL 1:16 HEB 1:10

SUSTAINOR COL 1:17 HEB 1:3

PROGITIVES OF HIS DEITY :

FORGAVE SIN MATT 9:2

JUDGES JN 5:22

HIS IDENTIFICATION W/ JEHOVAH :

THINGS SAID OF J. ARE SAID OF HIM

PRECEEDED BY A FORRUNNER IS 40:3 , MATT 3:3

CREATOR PS 102:24F

HOLY IS 8:13 1PET 3:15

LEADS CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE PS 68:18 EPH 4:8

OBJECT OF FAITH JOEL 2:32 RO 10:9,13

NAMES IMPLYING DIETY :

ALPHA AND OMEGA REV 22:13

HE IS CALLED IMMANUEL IS 7:14 MATT 1:22F

HE IS WORSHIPED MATT 14:33 AC 10:25F REV 19:10; 22:8F

N.T. ASKS US TO WORSHIP HIM JN 5:23 HEB 1:6

Attributes of Deity Thissen P92 ff. Strong P304

Eternity: Jn 1:15 b4 John, b4 Abe Jn 8:58, b4 the world Jn17:5,24,

firstborn Col 1:15, in the begining Jn 1:1 cf. IJn 1:1, from the days of

eternity Mic 5:2, continues forever Is 9:6ff,Heb 1:11,13:8,

Omnipresence: in heaven while on earth Jn 3:13, Matt 18:20;28:20

Omniscience: Knows all Jn 16:30,21:17, He knew what was in man Jn2:24,

History of Samritian woman Jn4:29, the thoughts of men Lk 6:8,11:17, the

one who would betray Him Jn 6:70.

Omnipotence: Jn 5:19, the mighty God Is9:6 cf. Rev 1:8, upholds all things

by hte word of His power Heb 1:3, all authority is given to Him. Matt

28:18 all authority.

Immutability: Heb 1:12; 13:8

The offices of His Deity :

Creator : Jn 1:3, Col 1:16, Heb 1:10.

Upholder : Col 1:17, Heb 1:3.

The Perogatives of deity :

He forgave sin : Matt 9:2,6 Lk7:47.

He will raise the dead : Jn 5:25-29; 6:39f.,54; 11:25.

He will execute judgement : Jn 5:22

He had all authority Mt28:18

His identification w/ O.T. Jehovah :

Things said of J. in the O.T. are said of Christ in the N.T. :

He was creator Ps102:24-27 c.f. Heb 1:10-12.

He was seen by Isa. Isa6:1-4 c.f. Jn 12:41

He was preceeded by a forerunner Isa 40:3 c.f. Matt 3:3

Is the object of faith Joel 2:32 c.f. Rom 10:9,13.

Names that imply Deity :

Alpha and Omega Rev 22:13

I AM Jn 8:58

Immanuel "God w/ us" Matt 1:22f

He was worshipped as God

By men Matt 14:33

By Angles Heb 1:6 (Deut 32:43) c.f. Rev 22:8,9

Rev 21:6 c.f. Isa 44:6, 48:12 c.f. Rev 22:13,16 God the Father is called

"The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last".

These titles are also applied to Christ in the Book of Revelation. There

can't be two "Alpha and Omegas, beginning and the endings, firsts and the

lasts" Therefore we conclude that Christ and the Father are of the same

nature.

The doctrine of the Trinity

Intro :

Definition

1) Biblical proof of the doctrine

I) There are three persons called

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

II) Each one is ascribed the title of Deity

A) Father - II Pet 1:17

B) Son

By Isa. Is 9:6

By Paul Phil 2:5-7

By Paul Col 2:9

from the days of eternity Mic 5:2, continues forever Is 9:6ff,

C) Holy Spirit

2) He is spoken of as God Acts 5:1-4

3) He received Divine worship Is 6:1-3,8

III) There is only one God I Tim 2:5

II) Historical proof of the doctrine

III) Opposing views of the doctrine