Page 644 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

TRINITY

Persons in a unity of Being” (I.M. Haldeman, The Spirit descending upon Him in the form of a dove, and
Trinity). the Father speaking from heaven. The Father was
The evidence for the doctrine of the Trinity: (1) The pleased with the Son in every way. (11) The Trinity is
Trinity is seen before creation. The Son was with the seen in Jesus’ atonement (He. 9:14). The Son offered
Father in glory (Jn. 1:1-2; 17:5). He is in the bosom of Himself to the Father by the Spirit. The offering was
the Father (Jn. 1:18). This refers to the Son dwelling in made by the Son who was holy and perfectly acceptable
the deepest affections of the Father. (2) The Trinity is to the Father. It was the Son’s free will offering. He
seen in creation. The Bible teaches that the three delighted to do God’s will (He. 10:5-7). The offering
members of the Godhead acted in Creation. The Father was made to the Father, because it is Jehovah God’s law
created (Gen. 1:1; Ac. 17:24). The Spirit created (Ge. that man has broken and His holy Person that man has
1:2; Job 26:13; Ec. 12:7). The Son created (Ep. 3:9; offended. The offering was made by the eternal Spirit.
Col. 1:15-16; Jn. 1:1-3). (3) The Trinity is seen in Genesis This refers to the fact that Christ was anointed by and
1:26. The Hebrew word for God is elohim. This is a empowered by the Spirit so that His entire life was
plural noun, but the verb is singular, teaching that there under the Spirit’s influence and control. “it was the most
is one God in a plurality. (4) The Trinity is seen in Genesis trying time of his own life; it was the period when there
11:6-8, where God is spoken of in the plural and in the would be the most strong temptation to abandon his
singular at the same time. (5) The Trinity is seen in work; and, as the redemption of the whole world was
Deuteronomy 6:4. This verse could be translated, dependent on that act, it is reasonable to suppose that
“Jehovah our elohim is a united Jehovah.” The word the richest heavenly grace would be there imparted to
“one” refers to a unity. The same word for one is used in him, and that he would then be eminently under the
Genesis 2:24, speaking of the oneness of a husband and influence of that Spirit which was granted not ‘by
wife. This verse summarizes the Bible’s teaching about measure unto him’ (Jn. 3:34)” (Barnes). (12) The Trinity
God. He is one but exists in three Persons. (6) The is seen in Jesus’ resurrection. The Bible teaches that
Trinity is seen in Psalm 45:6-7. According to Hebrews Christ was raised by God the Father (Ac. 2:24), by the
1:8-9, God the Father is speaking in Psalm 45, and He is Spirit (1 Pet. 3:18), and by Himself (Jn. 2:19, 21). (13)
referring to the Son as God. Sometimes people ask, “If The Trinity is seen in the baptismal formula (Mt. 28:19).
Jesus Himself was God, why did He address the Father Observe that believers are to be baptized in the name of,
as God?” The answer is that Jesus addressed the Father singular, not in the names of, plural. God is one and He
as God for the same reason that the Father addressed is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (14) The
the Son as God--because they are both God! In Psalm Trinity is seen in 2 Corinthians 13:14. (15) The Trinity is
45, the Father is declaring His delight in the Son. He is seen in prayer. We are taught to pray to the Father
stating His intention to place the Son over the eternal through the enablement of the Spirit by the name of
kingdom of God (Ps. 45:4-6). He describes the Son’s joy Jesus Christ, because it is Jesus and His atonement that
and pleasure in that kingdom (Ps. 45:7-8). He describes has given us access to God. See Mt. 6:9; Ro. 1:8; 8:26.
the church at Christ’s right hand clothed in gold (Ps. We are never taught to pray to the Holy Spirit. (16) The
45:9-11). He describes the nations bringing gifts (Ps. Trinity is seen in the Holy Spirit’s Personality. Some Bible
45:12). He describes the governors that Christ will passages speak of the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of God or
appoint to rule over His kingdom (Ps. 45:16). He the Spirit of Christ. By this, some conclude that the Holy
describes Christ as the object of eternal praise (Ps. Spirit is only an indistinct part of the Father and Son,
45:13). (7) The Trinity is seen in Proverbs 30:4. This something like man’s spirit is of man. This is not the
verse teaches that the Creator God has a Son. (8) The Bible’s teaching, though. The Holy Spirit is one with the
Trinity is seen in Isaiah 48:16. Here the Lord Jesus, the Father and Son, yet He is also a distinct member of the
Son of God, is speaking and refers to God the Father and Trinity (Mt. 28:19; 2 Co. 13:14; 1 Jn. 5:7; Ep. 2:18;
the Holy Spirit. Compare Jn. 18:20. (9) The Trinity is 4:4-6). The Spirit is called the Lord in 2 Co. 3:17. The
seen in Jesus’ birth (Lk. 1:35). There we see the Son Holy Spirit is described as a person (“He,” Jn. 14:17, 26;
being conceived by the Holy Spirit and the Father. The 15:26; 16:7-15). The Holy Spirit has feelings (Ep. 4:30).
incarnation is the mystery of the Trinity. It is described The Holy Spirit has a will (Acts 13:2; 15:28; 1 Co.
in Philippians 2:5-8. The eternal Son of God, who was 12:11). The Holy Spirit has a mind (Ro. 8:26-27). The
in the form of God and equal with God, was made in the Holy Spirit regenerates (Jm. 3:5), comforts and teaches
likeness of man, but without sin. In the incarnation, He (Jn. 14:26), testifies (Jn. 15:26), convicts (Jn. 16:8-11),
laid aside His glory. He was God but He made himself of guides into truth (Jn. 16:13), speaks (Ac. 13:2; Rev.
no reputation and was in the form of a servant. (10) The 2:7), directs (Ac. 16:6-7), intercedes (Ro. 8:26),
Trinity is seen at Jesus’ baptism (Mt. 3:16-17). At this sanctifies (1 Pet. 1:2), bestows gifts (1 Co. 12:4-6). He
dramatic event we see the Son being baptized, the Holy can be tempted (Acts 5:9), lied to (Acts 5:3), grieved
(Ep. 4:30), resisted (Ac. 7:51), insulted (He. 10:29),

644 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity