The Holy TrinityWritten by Stephen Kingery
Not too long ago, in an attempt to witness to several people via electronic mail through computer networks, I made a statement as to what constitutes my faith. As part of that statement, I said that I believe in Trinity: God Father, God Son and God Holy Spirit. One of people to whom I was trying to witness was of Jewish faith and he rejected concept of Trinity. The Holy Trinity is fully supported in Scripture in both Old Testament and New Testament. In this article, I would like to share some of these Scriptures and how they proclaim existence of God in Three Persons. The idea of Trinity is found early in Bible in Genesis 1:26, "Then God said, ‘Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over fish of sea, over birds of air, and over cattle, over all earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on earth.'" As we see here, God said "Let us make man in Our image. . ." indicating that we (man) are made in image of God and others. We know from reading Scripture that angels are different from us in many respects. The fact that angels do not have gender is one. Therefore, it is unlikely that God would have been referring to Himself and angels in this passage. The Bible does not speak of any other beings in heaven. The only conclusion that we can draw from use of plural pronoun "Our" is that God was referring to Himself along with at least one other being or person on a level with Him. The plural pronoun "Us" is also used in Genesis 3:22a where Lord said, "Behold, man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil." Again indicating that there is more than one person in Godhead. Those who reject idea of a Holy Trinity usually accept or have some belief in God. They just do not believe that Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ are a part of God. Therefore let's take a look at Holy Spirit and preexistence of Christ. The Holy Spirit References to "Spirit of God" abound in Old Testament. "The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on face of deep. And Spirit of God was hovering over face of waters." (Genesis 1:2) The first occasion is in second verse of Genesis. We see here that God was at least two different persons – God Father and God Holy Spirit – at beginning of creation. Many other Scriptures refer to Holy Spirit in some manner. Here are just a few: "My Spirit" (Genesis 6:3), "Spirit of God" (Genesis 41:38), "Your Holy Spirit" (Psalms 51:11), "Spirit of Lord" (Isaiah 11:2), and "My Spirit who is upon you" (Isaiah 59:21). Throughout Old Testament we see these and many other references to Holy Spirit. In New Testament we find that Holy Spirit is more fully explained, and we know in more detail purpose that Holy Spirit has in our lives. He is a comforter or helper for us, as Christians. The Holy Spirit was there when Jesus was conceived in womb of Mary, "Now birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of Holy Spirit." (Matthew 1:18) The Holy Spirit was there when Jesus went up into wilderness to undergo temptations of devil, "Then Jesus was led up by Spirit into wilderness to be tempted by devil." (Matthew 4:1) The Holy Spirit was there when apostles needed guidance to preach gospel and write New Testament and do it without error, "For Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say." (Luke 12:12) Even though Holy Spirit was present and active in life and ministry of Jesus, this was not only purpose which Holy Spirit would have for us. The Holy Spirit would fulfill another very important role for God. Jesus taught disciples about purpose of Holy Spirit during His ministry. "‘He who believes in Me, as Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke concerning Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." (John 7:38,39) "And I will pray Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever; Spirit of truth, whom world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:16,17) "But Helper, Holy Spirit, whom Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you." (John 14:26) "But when Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from Father, Spirit of truth who proceeds from Father, He will testify of Me." (John 15:26) "Behold, I send Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:49)
| | The Holy TrinityWritten by Stephen Kingery
Not too long ago, in an attempt to witness to several people via electronic mail through computer networks, I made a statement as to what constitutes my faith. As part of that statement, I said that I believe in Trinity: God Father, God Son and God Holy Spirit. One of people to whom I was trying to witness was of Jewish faith and he rejected concept of Trinity. The Holy Trinity is fully supported in Scripture in both Old Testament and New Testament. In this article, I would like to share some of these Scriptures and how they proclaim existence of God in Three Persons. The idea of Trinity is found early in Bible in Genesis 1:26, "Then God said, ‘Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over fish of sea, over birds of air, and over cattle, over all earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on earth.'" As we see here, God said "Let us make man in Our image. . ." indicating that we (man) are made in image of God and others. We know from reading Scripture that angels are different from us in many respects. The fact that angels do not have gender is one. Therefore, it is unlikely that God would have been referring to Himself and angels in this passage. The Bible does not speak of any other beings in heaven. The only conclusion that we can draw from use of plural pronoun "Our" is that God was referring to Himself along with at least one other being or person on a level with Him. The plural pronoun "Us" is also used in Genesis 3:22a where Lord said, "Behold, man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil." Again indicating that there is more than one person in Godhead. Those who reject idea of a Holy Trinity usually accept or have some belief in God. They just do not believe that Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ are a part of God. Therefore let's take a look at Holy Spirit and preexistence of Christ. The Holy Spirit References to "Spirit of God" abound in Old Testament. "The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on face of deep. And Spirit of God was hovering over face of waters." (Genesis 1:2) The first occasion is in second verse of Genesis. We see here that God was at least two different persons – God Father and God Holy Spirit – at beginning of creation. Many other Scriptures refer to Holy Spirit in some manner. Here are just a few: "My Spirit" (Genesis 6:3), "Spirit of God" (Genesis 41:38), "Your Holy Spirit" (Psalms 51:11), "Spirit of Lord" (Isaiah 11:2), and "My Spirit who is upon you" (Isaiah 59:21). Throughout Old Testament we see these and many other references to Holy Spirit. In New Testament we find that Holy Spirit is more fully explained, and we know in more detail purpose that Holy Spirit has in our lives. He is a comforter or helper for us, as Christians. The Holy Spirit was there when Jesus was conceived in womb of Mary, "Now birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of Holy Spirit." (Matthew 1:18) The Holy Spirit was there when Jesus went up into wilderness to undergo temptations of devil, "Then Jesus was led up by Spirit into wilderness to be tempted by devil." (Matthew 4:1) The Holy Spirit was there when apostles needed guidance to preach gospel and write New Testament and do it without error, "For Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say." (Luke 12:12) Even though Holy Spirit was present and active in life and ministry of Jesus, this was not only purpose which Holy Spirit would have for us. The Holy Spirit would fulfill another very important role for God. Jesus taught disciples about purpose of Holy Spirit during His ministry. "‘He who believes in Me, as Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke concerning Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." (John 7:38,39) "And I will pray Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever; Spirit of truth, whom world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:16,17) "But Helper, Holy Spirit, whom Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you." (John 14:26) "But when Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from Father, Spirit of truth who proceeds from Father, He will testify of Me." (John 15:26) "Behold, I send Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:49)
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