The word “trinity” is not in the Bible, but it is used to designate the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit: the three in one. It is not three Gods but three parts. Three persons are all one: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In Genesis 1: 26 we see this: And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Let US make man in OUR image. This proves the existence of more than one. In Matthew 3;16-17 Jesus was baptized. All three persons of the Godhead were present. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. God the Father was the voice from heaven. God the Son (Jesus) was being baptized. God the Holy Spirit descended like a dove. Paul and Peter wrote of the existence of the Trinity. See II Corinthians 13:14, Ephesians 1 and I Peter 1:2. Some don’t understand this, and while it may be difficult, the Trinity is established in scripture. One way to illustrate it is that one man can be a husband, a father, and a son all at the same time. He’s still one man but he has distinct roles. God also illustrates it when he speaks of a man and woman being married by saying For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh. The man and woman become one.
The foundation of the Trinity is God. Deuteronomy 6:4 states: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord. Ancient religions believe in many gods. We believe and serve the one True and Living God. It is the Spirit who gives life and the Son who died for us. No true, born again Christians ever taught that these three are three Gods. That’s called polythiestism. We are monotheists, believing in one God.
Who is God? He can’t be explained. We just know he’s there. He can be seen in creation. Look around you and look at yourself. He is eternal–he’s always been. From eternity past to eternity future, he is. The Bible calls him I AM and Alpha and Omega. He is omnipotent–all powerful. Although God took nothing and made creation, it was a simple matter to him. Man has never created anything because he has never started from nothing. He has the power to raise the dead. We see this in the raising of the son of the widow of Nain, the raising of Jairus’ daughter, and the raising of Lazarus. He has the power to heal. The woman with the issue of blood had been sick 12 years yet by touching the hem of his garment in faith she was made well. He has power over demons; he commanded them to come out of possessed people many times. He has power over nature. He calmed storms and walked on water. He can save the vilest sinner as evidenced by what he did for the woman at the well in Samaria, the woman caught in the act of adultery and by going home with Zacceaus. Look at Paul. He persecuted, and even killed Christians, yet Jesus saved him. He is also omnipresent. This means he is everywhere present. That’s why he could tell us he’d never leave or forsake us. How? He’s just God! He’s also immutable. He never changes. Hebrews 13:8: the same yesterday, and to day, and forever. God is love. There are four characteristics of that love I want to just mention. His love is sovereign. It is infinite. It is unconditional. Romans 5:8 says: But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. And He is persistent in his love.
Who is Jesus? He’s the very Son of God or he’s just a mere man. A mere man cannot save. Jesus could and can. He’s not just a mere man. Like God, He is also eternal. John 1:1 says in the beginning was the Word (Jesus) and the Word (Jesus) was with God and the Word (Jesus) was God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. Isaiah 7:14 tells us this. Matthew 16:16 tells us He’s the Son of God. He is the ONLY way to be saved. In John 14: 6 Jesus says I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. He was raised from the dead on the third day. Read Matthew 28.
Who is the Holy Spirit? He’s the third person of the Trinity. He is not an it. When did he come? In John 20:22 Jesus breathed on the disciples and said Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Here the Spirit rested upon them. In Acts on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit indwells the believers. He is not hovering over us; he’s in us. He’s been represented by a dove and by fire. We are commanded to be filled with the Holy Spirit all the time but the baptism of the Spirit happens when a person gets saved. The Bible says that without the Spirit we are none of his. Without him: not saved. His duties are to convict of sin. He teaches. He seals us. He enlightens. He comforts and quickens. He intercedes. He confirms.
God the Father. God the Son. God the Holy Spirit. Each has a role in our salvation. The Spirit convicts us of sin. The Son saves us by the blood he shed on the cross of Calvary. The Father accepts us through his very own Son. The great three in one!
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 