The Trinity

John 1:1-3, 14
(1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
(2) The same was in the beginning with God.
(3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made
(14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1 John 5:7
(7) For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

The scriptures reveal that there are three distinct persons that make up "the Godhead" (Acts 17:29; Rom. 1:20; Col. 2:9). Christians have long referred to this Bible doctrine as the Trinity. Those that deny this truth make an issue out of the word “Trinity” not being found in the Bible. The word “incarnation” is not in the Bible. The word “rapture” is not in the Bible. The word “Bible” is not even in the Bible! But there is certainly nothing wrong with using such terms in reference to Bible doctrines. The Trinity is a fundamental of the Christian faith and is therefore only denied by cults and heretics.  

 

Those that deny the Trinity accuse us of worshipping three Gods. No, we believe that there is only ONE true and living God (as the Bible clearly says in many passages). But we also believe that the true and living God exists in three co-equal Persons (as the Bible also clearly teaches in many passages). The heretics say that doesn’t make sense to them (human reasoning is their final authority, not the word of God). I know why they cannot receive it and why it is foolishness to them (1 Cor. 2:14)! There are many things about my infinite God that my finite mind cannot humanly comprehend but I believe what the Spirit reveals to me about God through His word.

 

Is it any wonder that 1 John 5:7 is one of the most attacked verses in the Bible?! Corrupt manuscripts and modern versions that are based upon them omit the verse. Even the Old Scofield Reference Bible has a marginal note that says, “It is generally agreed that v.7 has no real authority, and has been inserted.” Generally agreed among whom? Who cares! My final authority is not the "scholarship" of men but the pure words of God. There is manuscript evidence for this verse but the KJB itself is the best evidence that it belongs in the word of God! Believing and rightly dividing the KJB will save us from apostasy, heresy, and deception.  

 

The scripture was given as a progressive revelation. The Trinity is intimated in the OT (examples: Gen. 1:26-27; 11:5-9; Isa. 6:1-8; 7:14; 9:6-7; Dan. 3:24-25; Mic. 5:2) and clearly revealed and emphasized in the NT. The following lists provide examples and are by no means exhaustive.

 

Father, Son, and Spirit are called God:

1) The Father (Phil. 2:11)

2) The Son (Heb. 1:8)

3) The Holy Ghost (Acts 5:3-4)

 

Mentioned together in the same passage as three distinct Persons:

1) Baptism of Christ (Matt. 3:16-17)
2) Christ promising the Comforter (Jn. 14:16)
3) Kingdom Commission (Matt. 28:18-20)
4) Apostolic benediction (2 Cor. 13:14)
5) Unity of the Spirit (Eph. 4:4-6)

 

Same attributes applied to Father, Son, and Spirit:

1) Eternal (Father, Ps. 90:2; Son, Mic. 5:2; Spirit, Heb. 9:14)

2) Omnipotent (Father, Job 42:2; Son, Rev. 19:6; Spirit, Rom. 15:19)

3) Omniscient (Father, Jer. 17:10; Son, Rev. 2:23; Spirit, Heb. 4:12)

4) Omnipresent (Father, Jer. 23:24; Son, Matt. 18:20; Spirit, Ps. 139:7)

5) Holy (Father, Jn. 17:11; Son, Rev. 3:7; Spirit, Eph. 4:30)

6) True (Father, Jn. 7:28; Son, 14:6; Spirit, 1 Jn. 5:6)

 

The Trinity working in Unity as the Godhead:

1) Creation – The Spirit moved (Gen. 1:2), God spoke, Christ (the Word) created all things (Jn. 1:1-3); God said, "Let US make man in OUR image" (Gen. 1:26)

2) Incarnation – The Father gave (Jn. 3:16-17), the Spirit placed the seed (Matt. 1:18; Lk. 1:35), and the Son was born of the virgin (Matt. 1:18-25)

3) Resurrection ("But God raised him from the dead", Acts 13:30) – Father (Gal. 1:1), Son (Jn. 10:17), Spirit (Rom. 8:11)

4) Salvation (Father, Eph. 1:3-6; Son, Eph. 1:7-12; Spirit, Eph. 1:13-14)

5) Prayer – We pray to the Father (Eph. 3:14), in name of the Son (Eph. 5:20), in the Spirit (Eph. 6:18)