God's Three-in-Oneness: The Trinity

God’s Three-in-Oneness: The Trinity

Questions to consider while reading the Scriptures of this study:

1. Why is the doctrine of the Trinity unique among the various religions of the world?
2. How would you explain the biblical evidence of the Trinity?
3. What are the essential elements of the doctrine of the Trinity?
4. What, if anything, do analogies contribute to our understanding of the Trinity?
5. Why is the doctrine of the Trinity Important?

THE ONENESS OF GOD

• The exclusivity of worshiping the one true God
• The prohibition of idolatry
• Biblical references: Ex 3:13-15, Deut 6:4-6,13-14, Zech 14:9, 1 Cor 8:4-6, 1 Tim 2:5-6, Jms 2:19)

THE DEITY OF THE THREE

• Father (Matt 6:26, 6:31-32, 19:23-26, 27:46, Mark 12:17, 24:27)
• Son (Matt 12:28, 13:41, 19:14, 21:21, 21:43, 24:30, 25:31-33, 26:63-64, Mark 2:8-10, 14:62, Luke 12:8-9, 15:10, John 1:1-5)
• Holy Spirit (John 3:8, 16:8-11, Acts 5:3-4, 1 Cor 3:16-20, 1 Cor 12:4-11)

THREE-IN-ONENESS

• Matt 3:16-17, 28:19-20, John 1:33-34, 13:5, 14:16, 15:26, 16:7, 20:21-22, Acts 2:33/38, Rom 15:15-16, 2 Cor 13:14, Gal 4:6, 1 Pet 1:2

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF TRINITARIAN DOCTRINE

1. God is one, not several.
2. The deity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit must be affirmed.
3. The threeness and oneness of God are not contradictions.
4. The Trinity is eternal. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have always existed and have always been divine.
5. The functions of the three may seem subordinate at times, but are never inferior in essence. Non are ever less than another.
6. The Trinity cannot be fully understood.

References: Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013.