God Within Us: The Trinity (2)
Notes
Transcript
The Trinity
A. There is one God manifested in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit 1 Timothy 3:16
“Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.”
B. I think the term "triunity" more clearly indicates the "Three-in-One" aspect of the Godhead.
C. In Hebrew, the singular word for God is El, the dual tense is Elah, and to indicate three or more the word Elohim is used. Elohim is the word translated "God" in Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A PERSON.
A. The Holy Spirit is thought by some to be an "essence" or "power" of God rather than a separate person, because "ruach", the Hebrew word for Spirit, also means breath, and"pneuma", the Greek word for Spirit, also means wind or air. We as Christians know He is a person. The early Church scholar, Arias, caused division with his declaration that God the Father was the only true God, that Jesus was a created being, and the Holy Spirit was only an essence.This doctrine is known as the Arian heresy.
B. The Holy Spirit has the characteristics of a person
1. I Corinthians 2:10-11 - the Holy Spirit searches and has knowledge.
2. I Corinthians 12:11 - the Holy Spirit distributes gifts as He wills.
3. Romans 8:27 - He has a mind.
4. Romans 15:30 - He loves us.
5. John 15:26, 16:13- He testifies of Jesus and exalts the Father and Son over Himself.
6. Personal pronouns are used when referring to the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17, John 16:7-15). "Comforter" in John 14:16 is "parakletos" which means "One who comes alongside of to help". The Holy Spirit is always with us ready to help when we ask Him to.
C. Personal acts are ascribed to the Holy Spirit.
1. Acts 13:2 - the Holy Spirit speaks.
2. Romans 8:26 - the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.
3. I John 2:20-27. John 14:26 - He teaches us.
4. Acts 16:6-7 - the Holy Spirit guides Paul, sometimes forbidding things. 5. Genesis 6:3 - the Spirit strives with man.
D. The Holy Spirit can receive treatment as a person. 1. Ephesians 4:30 - He can be grieved by us.
1. Hebrews 10:29 - We can insult Him.
2. Acts 5:3 - He can be lied to.
3. Matthew 12:31-32 - He can be blasphemed.
E. The Holy Spirit is identified with the Father and the Son as a person.
1. Matthew 28:19 - He is named with the Father and Son in baptism.
2. 2 Corinthians 13:14 - He is named with the Father and Son in benediction. 3. Acts 15:28 - He is identified with the believers as a person.
