There are some who try to explain the Trinity, but they just confuse people!
They say, God is Jesus and Jesus is God and the Holy Spirit is too????
How can we better understand this mystery? Every opinion seems to be different, but every school of thought have verses to back their theories. Some teach that God and Jesus is the exact same person. thus, they reason, that Jesus is God and there is no other except Him, or vice versa. Others explain the trinity as being three persons but the same person at the same time, Then there are those who teach that they are separate individuals while being one individual at the same time. MMM, I wonder? Why am I thinking of the word oxymoron right now? Can we find some clear teaching about the subject?
Today, we are going to look more closely and explain from the Bible what Gods Word says when it speaks about God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Let me start of by saying that through personal observation I noticed that there is much confusion about this subject; from laity to preachers and alike. Why? Well i;s obvious, because people did not do a thorough Bible study to discover what the Bible teach about this very serious subject (The very nature of God).
It is commonly taught, throughout most denominations that there is a triune God; meaning, one God with three separate parts. Most of them compare the trinity to an egg. They say an egg is a single body of egg containing three sections, (The egg shell, the white part of the egg and the yoke of the egg) while it sounds plausible, we need to get a better grasp on things though!
I myself, when studying this subject, tried to get away from the egg analogy. It seems to suggest that God is three entities with one head. The only way I could make sense out of this was by comparing scripture with Scripture. You need to get a broad view of the clear teaching of the Bible. This is the only way in which we can eliminate opinions.
For a while I entertained the idea that the trinity might be compared to water. I reasoned, water has 3 forms, water; steam; and ice. but this analogy didn't work either. God is not one person morphing Himself into different beings. So, I had the same kind of problem - This still doesn’t square with what the Bible teaches! This view does not account for the fact that they are three different individual persons each in their own in their own respect and remember, each individual is active in different places at the exact same time. But let's take it one step further: Dont forget the fact that Jesus is limited to his own body - all of the time and God not, neither is the Holy Spirit.
If you intend to describe Jesus, The Christ, God, The Father, and the Holy Spirit, our comforter in terms of being a single entity I would like to remind you of one thing - Each person of the Godhead is distinctly different from the other.
So, I was still on my quest to get to the bottom of this mystery.
Why the confusion then? Could it be true that some have dared to tamper with the Biblical truth of the nature of God. I think that some well meaning Christians, in an effort to make sense of it all, and grasping at straws; looked at the doctrine of the trinity and then they gathered verses to support their preconceived ideas (theories)
Be sincere and honest with yourself when you answer the following questions. Is it possible that our view and our teaching of the nature of God is tainted and mixed with man-made traditions and then labeled as fact? Could it be that we wanted to explain this mystery so badly, that we had grandfathered a theory into our doctrine? Were we responsible for mixing truth with error? This leaves us with a massive predicament. We still need to answer the question: if The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are three separate beings, how on earth can they be one. You must agree with me. It is impossible for three separate individuals to be one person at the same time? And thus, not understanding, we come up with all kinds of theories and speculations and we resort to confusion – Babylon.
When I found myself plagued with this problem I made it my top priority to study this subject out for myself. Lets look at it?
and my Father are one (John 10:30).
Lets read scripture in the context in which it was written. - Let's apply the principle -solo scriptura" (The Bible and the Bible alone)
The Son also is God.
But first of all, lets identify and eliminate the culprit. The main reason for this terrible predicament is the word trinity. The word is not even in the Bible. The word trinity comes from the word triune (meaning three but one) or (three in one). Stop the bus right there, that’s not what God is, not at all!
We think of God as three in one. When I study the trinity comparing verses throughout the Bible, a picture emerge and that is the picture of "three as one". Let's see if it actually agrees with Bible context) Now let’s unpack this subject a little more.
Scripture reading Heb 1:1-14
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 Has in these last days spoken to us by His son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom he also made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 5 For to which of the angels did He ever say: “You are my son, Today I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a son”? 6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let the angels of God worship Him.” 7 and of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire” 8 But to the son He says: “Your throne O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom.” 9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed you You with the oil of gladness more than your companions.” 10 And: “you, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.” 11 They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; 12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail,13 But to which of the angels has He ever said: Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your foot stool”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
According to Scripture, The Father the son and the Holy Spirit are three, but
yet they are one, committed to our salvation. God the Father (is Spirit) His
name is JHWH. Where is He? God is on His throne in heaven. according to Col 1: 16 God the Father created everything through Jesus His Son named Jashua. Is Jesus a Sprit too? Clearly not: Luk 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle
me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
He has a body, it's true? He is our Lord and Savior. Where is Jesus now. He ascended to heaven and Presides at the right hand of the Father, serving in the heavenly Sanctuary. God is our Father and Jesus is our mediator or intercessor between God and us, our advocate with the Father. Can you see the separation? they are not the same person. Not according to these verses, but they are one nevertheless. what is this "one" then? Their oneness can be explained by looking at the relationship between a husband and his wife. (The two shall become one flesh) Also, Remember, we become one with the father when we abide in the vine. They are unified in purpose, mind, vision and mission. In other words- they are unified and they act in perfect harmony. They are in fact three, acting as one. It is also true that the Father and the son is interconnected by one shared Spirit. Gods, Spirit, which is the Holy Spirit. – Thus the Holy Spirit is a common denominator that indwells the Father and Son, making the tree one. Also take note, the Holy Spirit – Gods Spirit gives, life. He also raise Jesus from the dead. The Holy Spirit is alive and indwells you and me. The Holy Spirit is also Part of the Godhead as a Separate person
Therefore they are three in one. Two Beings, joined together by ‘n third being called the Holy Spirit and the three are each God in and off Himself
“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him" (John 1:18).
God in is omnipresent. "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?" (Psalm 139:7). God is present everywhere all the time. He is also invisible anywhere. He is "the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God" (I Timothy 1:17).
God is omnipotent and omnipresent, No human in his sinful nature can see God and live, thus when God choose to reveal himself to us, He does it in the person of His only begotten Son – Jesus Christ. (Jesus appeared unto many and no one has seen God and lived! Right?)
Gods, Son the Lord Jesus Christ, in fact, is "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature" (Colossians 1:15). In some marvelous way beyond human comprehension, Jesus at different occasions has taken on the appearance of human beings. He did this to convey a specific revelation or accomplish some divine purpose. Jesus Christ is Lord and He is the image of the invisible God. The language of today's sermon is unequivocal, straightforward, particular, and unmistakably clear - He is the image of the invisible.
Its very clear; God the Father is in the form of a Spirit and He is in heaven. Jesus Christ came from heaven. When He came He gave up his heavenly form and became a human. Jesus chose to keep the human form. It will also serve as a reminder of what He did for us - He has the marks to prove it, Jesus will have this body for all eternity. Jesus, at His accretion had to leave to go to heaven to be our mediator. He went to prepare a place for us and He had sent The Holy Spirit to be our guide and our comforter. The Holy Spirit is Sprit and very Active in our lives, impressing us and convicting us of sin and unrighteousness..- So, in the light of this evidence, how on earth can they be bodily one, impossible!
Col 1:15 Explains: Christ is the image of the Invisible God. When I think about the word image, it reminds me of a few things. A shadow is an image - It is an image of an object and it is a reflection of something else. The same could be said about a mirror; you see your own image in the mirror but the image is not you, it's a reflection of your face. Then I think of a hologram. A Hologram when projected, embody or represent something else. And then last but not least. Most of us are very familiar with the use of the computer-generated icon. Think about it, why do we use icons and what is the purpose of an icon? An icon is an representation or an image of something else - It is a picture or a representation of something which is not seen. it is a link. Think about it - When you click on an icon you are linked to something you did not see. i.e. The icon reveals something that is like it. It look like that which it portrays and it acts like it too. But should you delete the icon, what happened to the original? - it is still there. - So, it is clear, the icon is not the thing it portrays. an icon is more like an gateway, connecting us with the unseen. By way of comparison, think about the "sermon central "links for instance. Clicking on it will transport you to an entire database of information. Guess what you can connect with it and you can access some of the information but the link you are using is not the physical database. You are limited. The icon is connected to the original but it is not the original; is it now? It never can be! So in a sense, the icon connects you with something you cannot connect to. The icon is missing link.
The icon gives us a bird’s eyes view of the original. An icon makes visible what is otherwise invisible or hidden from plain sight.
Jesus in His humanity is the embayment and the representation of the invisible God. He came to show us the Father. But He is more, He is not just another human being, He is God. By beholding God the son we are linked to God the Father, Jesus is our mediator and intercessor. By trusting, and obeying, and by believing in Jesus we are worshipping God. God sent His son to portray His love to us. That’s why Jesus said to Phillip. If you've seen me you've seen the Father. By Beholding Jesus (the image of God) we become changed.
That’s why Jesus said to Philip if you’ve seen me you’ve seen the Father; He never said that He and His Father shared the same body, did He now?
Lets read it in John 14:8-31
Look at this verse carefully "Philip said to Him; Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us”
What is Phillip asking for - He wants to see God the Father, right? Jesus answered Him and what did Jesus, not say. (Jesus didn't say) I am God the Father. No, Jesus said to him; have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip?
Jesus is saying: You know me, and you know I am the image of the Father I've been here so long portraying the Father - don't you know me?
Then He said: He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, show us the Father; In other words: No need to see the Father, Phillip, seeing the Father is the same as seeing me. (Spiritually)
And Jesus clarified His answer by saying:
Do you not believe that I am in the father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
What do you read? This verse is saying: Jesus is in God and God in Jesus and Jesus is speaking on behalf of God - God dwells in Jesus (Just as the Spirit is dwelling in you right?)
Jesus stressed the fact again:
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you love Me, keep My commandments And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever
And Here we see something very important. Jesus is ministering on earth, God the Father is in heaven and the Holy Spirit is coming. - can you see the separation?
We also read that no one comes to the father except through the son
Then Jesus explained our mystery:
At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in me, and I in you. (did Jesus say we will all become one body now?) No, Jesus said that God is living in Him and we live in Jesus and Jesus lives in us. Right? Right! (It has a Spiritual application)
Then Jesus expounded; If anyone loves Me, he will keep my word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
So, no one is morphing together with someone else. God will come to us and live His life in and trough us.
Jesus knew we would get mixed up, I guess that's why He repeated himself
The Word which you hear is not Mine but the Fathers who sent Me.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you
I am going to the Father, for My Father is greater than I (in his human form)
Let's examine this oneness a little bit more -
John 15:1,10;if you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Fathers commandments and abide in His love
So, God draws us with an everlasting kindness and as we accept Him through repentance, praise and worship we experience the very heart of God himself and He gives us the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Christ is the one through whom you and I can be drawn into the very presence of the invisible God. He in his human form is the icon of God, the image of the invisible. When we accept him we become the icon. As we come in contact with others our lives become a testimony to others and they experience the love of Christ, Experiencing the love of Christ they get drawn into His presence; ministering to a lost and dying world. Are you portraying Him well? Remember, you might be the only representation of Christ that someone would ever see, so what kind of an ambassador are you, are you an accurate representation of our Savior or are you the broken link.
We see then that Christ; the firstborn of all creation and the image of God the Father is also the Master Artist. We lost our way to heaven but Christ paid the ultimate price to redeem us from everlasting distraction - And it cost Him his life and His omnipresence. He generously bestowed love and grace on us to redeem us. It was a very costly gift. God became a man and died at their hand to redeem mankind.
Look at this from another perspective, if you will: I's like you giving up your humanity, your brain, your mansion, and your stuff to go and live with the germs in the surage farm to save them from drowning. But, in order for you to do so you have to be drowned yourself. So, they use you as an substitute, kill you, and then they drown you in manure. This is what God has done for us through His Son Jesus our redeemer.
In His human form: The fullness of God dwelt in Him bodily. Jesus is the firstborn of God's creation to reconcile all things, making peace through the blood of his cross. Christ's sacrifice on the cross was not simply in order to reconcile us to God.
We read in John 17:4-8,21
For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me;That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; (notice He says that the Father is in Him, and we know it’s the Holy Spirit in Him that is also Gods Spirit) that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent; And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one I in them, and You in Me; That they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”
So, It’s all good. God sent His son to die for us to redeem us with the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Would you accept Him today? Don’t neglect such a great salvation!
