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 P
                                                           5 Friday > 7/31
                                                                 In His Name.


                                                                      ave you eveR given or recited
 “The important point is not whether we can understand the Trinity, even with   someone? I’m sure you have. How about
                                                                 Ha pledge to something or
 the help of illustrations, but whether we will believe what the Bible has to say
                                                                 the Pledge of Allegiance? If you have
 about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and about their relationship to each other.”
                                                                 obtained a passport, you had to affirm
                                                                 a pledge regarding your citizenship to
                                                                 things that you pledge? What does it
 —JAMeS MONTGOMerY BOICe                                         this country. Can you think of any other
                                                                 mean when we pledge allegiance to
                                                                 something? It means that we endorse
                                                                 not just the pledge but what the pledge
                                                                 stands for as well.
                                                                 “Go, therefore, and make
                                                                 disciples of all nations,
                                                                 baptizing them in the name
                                                                  of the Father and of the
             Acknowledge God as three in one.
                                                                  Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
                                                                  —Matthew 28:19
 You don’t have to   4 Thursday> 7/30                            Read matthew 28:16-20. what do
 You don’t have to
 understand.   God is three in one.                              verse 19?
 understand.
                                                                 you need to be doing, in light of
                                                                 � What does baptism represent?
           ggS aRe uNique. They’re made up of the yolk, the white, and the shell.
                                                                 �  How is God the Father represented
       eAll three are different, but it is still only one egg. Water can take on three
                                                                   in baptism?
       different forms—liquid, gas, or solid, but it is still always water. Can you identify
                                                                   baptism?
       other things that contain three different parts but are still one? Go ahead, see   �  How is God the Son represented in
                                                                 �  What about the Holy Spirit is
       how many you can name.
 You do have to
 You do have to
                                                                   represented in baptism?
 trust.  � What is God the Son’s role?  �  Who is the “One” in “the Lord is   �  What are we saying when we do
 trust.
                                                                 �  Why do we baptize in the name of
       Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9. memorize verse 4.
                                                                   the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
         “listen, Israel: The lord
                                      One”?
                                                                   this?
       our God, the lord is One.”
                                    �  How would you explain the three
                                      distinct Persons of God?
       —Deuteronomy 6:4
                                                                 � Why is this important?
                                    � What is God the Father’s role?
                                                                 We know and understand that
                                                                 baptism is a testimony and a symbol
       � What is God the Holy Spirit’s role?
       � Why did God choose to show Himself in this way?
                                                                 us when we accept Christ into our
                                                                 lives as Lord and Savior. When we
       There are several things in life that we have a hard time explaining. Trying to
                                                                 baptize somebody in the name of the
       understand that God is three Persons but still only one God is one of those   of what has already taken place in
       things. However, when we break it down like the egg or water, it is much easier   Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we are
       to understand. each Person in the Trinity has a distinct function. They function   recognizing and acknowledging that
       independently but together are still only one God.        God is three in one. We are displaying
         Throughout history, theologians and deep thinkers have spent countless   and indicating an oath to the Triune
       hours coming up with analogies to help us understand the concept of the   God when we follow in obedience in
       Trinity. In the end, they all break down because there’s always going to be some   baptism. We acknowledge that God
       mystery about how these three distinct Persons are interrelated. each One is   is our Creator and Jesus’ Father; that
       different and relates to us differently, but they aren’t three gods. This is God the   Jesus is our salvation; and that the
       Father who created us and loves us without limit, yet can’t look upon our sin;   Holy Spirit is our Comforter, Guide,
       Jesus the Son who died so that we could have a relationship with God; and the   and Teacher.
       Holy Spirit who is our Guide, Comforter, and Friend. You’ve seen the Trinity at
       work in your life. You can’t explain it, but you know it’s true. Trust God.
 52  |  jul 2009  ec magazine                                            ec magazine  jul 2009  |  53
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