Trinity
The Holy Trinity[1] is the Biblical truth that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are not different but one.
Most churches, such as the Catholic Church and Protestant churches, acknowledge the Trinity, but their interpretations are different. The Old and New Testaments, however, describe the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as one God the Father.
Concept of the Trinity
The Bible teaches us that God the Father Jehovah, God the Son Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit are the same. The concept of the Trinity that the Three are one can be easily understood through the three states of water (H2O). Water (liquid) turns into ice (solid) when it is below freezing point and becomes vapor (gas) when it is above 100℃. Water, ice, and vapor each have a different name and form, but they have the same chemical compound (H2O). Another example is a monodrama. In a monodrama, one actor plays all the roles alone. Even if the actor plays three different roles, the one actor is still the same person.
In the Bible, there are God the Father, the Son of God (God the Son), and the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit). Even though They appear at different times, They are still God. Comparatively speaking, as water does not change its chemical compound when its state changes or an actor does not become a new person when leading a monodrama, God is still the same even if He appears in three different forms.
God the Father Jehovah = God the Son Jesus
Many churches have different opinions on who Jesus is. Some churches say that Jehovah and Jesus are one God, but They exist separately within the one God. Other churches regard Jesus as one of the angels or as a man. Some even insist that Jehovah and Jesus are different from each other although They are described as one because They have the same will and goal.
Only the Bible can accurately prove who Jesus is.
"You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me."
When Jesus mentioned the Scriptures (Bible), He was referring to the Old Testament, not the New Testament. Unless we study the prophecies in the Old Testament about Christ who is to come, we can never know who Jesus really is. If we carefully examine the prophecies in the Old Testament, through their fulfillment, we can understand who Jesus is and the Trinity.
Jehovah’s Messenger Prepares the Way for the Lord
The Old Testament prophesied that the LORD (Messiah) Himself would come into this world.
“See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. . . . ,” says the LORD Almighty.
This means that God Jehovah will send His messenger first to prepare the way for Him to come into this world. The same prophecy is seen in the book of Isaiah.
A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.” . . . lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him.
The prophecy about the messenger who prepares the way for the LORD was fulfilled by John the Baptist, and the prophecy about the LORD was fulfilled by Jesus who came in the flesh.
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ”
A Stone That Causes Men to Stumble and a Rock That Makes Them Fall
The prophet Isaiah prophesied that the LORD would be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.
“The LORD Almighty . . . but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare. Many of them will stumble; they will fall and be broken, they will be snared and captured.”
The prophecy about a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall was fulfilled by Jesus Christ. To those who didn’t believe, Jesus became a stone that caused men to stumble and a rock that made them fall.
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him [Jesus] . . . For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,” and, “A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
The LORD Almighty in the Old Testament is Jesus Christ who came as a man in the New Testament times.
The Savior
In the Old Testament, it is written that there is no other Savior except the LORD.[2][3]
“I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior.”
In the New Testament, however, it is written that there is no other Savior except Jesus.
He [Jesus] is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
If the LORD God and Jesus are different from each other, the two records cannot be true at the same time. When we look at the words in the Old and New Testaments that testify about the Savior, it is clear that God Jehovah and Jesus are one and the same.
The Judge
The Bible prophesies that in the future, the LORD will come with fire to condemn the world on Judgment Day.
See, the LORD is coming with fire, and his chariots are like a whirlwind; he will bring down his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For with fire and with his sword the LORD will execute judgment upon all men, and many will be those slain by the LORD.
In the New Testament, however, it is written that Jesus is the One who will be revealed in blazing fire and bring judgment.
This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power
Through this, we can understand that Jesus is God Jehovah who will come as the last Judge.
Jehovah Sits on David’s Throne
In the Bible, it was prophesied that the Everlasting Father, God Jehovah, would be born as a child and sit on David’s throne.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
It was Jesus who was born into the world as a child and a son[4] and was given the throne of David.
“You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,”
Through this, we can understand that Jesus, who was born as a child and sat on David’s throne, and God Jehovah are one and the same.
Immanuel
The Old Testament prophesied that the One born through a virgin would be called “Immanuel.”[5] This prophecy was fulfilled through the birth of Jesus.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. . . . “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”
Immanuel (Hebrew: עִמָּנוּאֵל) is a combination of immanu (עמנו, with us) and el (אל, God). Altogether, it means “God with us.” As Jesus was born as a child, God Jehovah came to be with people. In other words, God was born as a child through a virgin. Therefore, Jesus is God Jehovah.
The Alpha and the Omega
According to the Bible, both the Father and the Son are the Alpha and the Omega.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God.
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
Alpha and Omega are the first (Α) and last letters (Ω) of the Greek alphabet. In the Bible, "the Alpha and the Omega" means the first and the last, the beginning and the end. If God the Father Jehovah and God the Son Jesus were different from each other, the Son could not be the Alpha because the Father existed before the Son. In the Bible, however, both the Father and the Son are the Alpha. Therefore, the Father and the Son are the same.
King of Kings and Lord of Lords
God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, . . .
“He [Lamb] is Lord of lords and King of kings. ”
Only God can be called the “King of kings and Lord of lords.” Jesus, the Lamb,[6]is called the “King of kings and Lord of lords” because He is God the Father Jehovah.
Lord of the Sabbath
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths.’ ”
“For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
The Sabbath is the day of God Jehovah. In the New Testament, however, Jesus said that He was Lord of the Sabbath. This means that God the Father and Jesus are one and the same.
God the Father Jehovah = Holy Spirit
There Is Only One Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a term that refers to the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God is not different from God Himself.[7] If God and the Holy Spirit were different, there would be two Holy Spirits; however, the Bible explains that there is only one Holy Spirit.[8]
There is one body and one Spirit.
Therefore, Jehovah and the Holy Spirit are one and the same.
The Holy Spirit Searches the Thoughts of God
Comparatively, as the spirit within us is ourselves, so the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, is God Jehovah. As the spirit within us fully understands us, the Holy Spirit searches the deep things of God, which no one can know except God.
God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
The Holy Spirit, who is the only One who searches even the deep things of God, is God Himself.
The Bible Is God-Breathed
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Apostle Paul said that the Bible is God-breathed; however, Apostle Peter said that the Old Testament prophets were carried along by the Holy Spirit when they wrote the Bible. This means that God the Father Jehovah is the Holy Spirit.
God the Son Jesus = Holy Spirit
God the Father Jehovah and God the Son Jesus are one; God the Father Jehovah and God the Holy Spirit are also one. This means that God the Son Jesus and God the Holy Spirit are one. Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit. It means that the Holy Spirit was born in the flesh through the body of Mary.[9]
One Mediator
A mediator is a person who helps to resolve a conflict between two or more people. In the Bible, it refers to a person who helps to restore the relationship between God and mankind who have been separated by sin. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ works alone as the Mediator between God and men.[10]
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
Unlike the priests in the Old Testament, Jesus is a living and eternal priest who intercedes for the saints. [11][12] This is a role that Jesus, the only Mediator, can play.
In the book of Romans, however, it says that the Spirit and Jesus intercede for the saints.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. . . . Christ Jesus, . . . is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
The Holy Spirit also does the mediating work that only Jesus can do. This means that the Holy Spirit and Jesus are one and the same.
Advocate (Counselor)
Jesus sacrificed Himself as an offering to pay for the sins of mankind. Apostle John described Jesus as an advocate who speaks on behalf of the saints before God.
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate (παρακλητος, paráklētos)[13] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1 John 2:1–2, KJV
The original Greek word for advocate is paráklētos (παρακλητος), which means a person who is called to stand by and defend someone. The only Counselor for all human beings, who are sinners, is Jesus who became the peace or fellowship offering to atone for the sins of His people. John, who wrote that Jesus is our Advocate, also wrote that the Holy Spirit is the Advocate (Counselor).
“But the Counselor [παρακλητος, paráklētos], the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
Through this, we can understand that Jesus, who is the only Advocate (Counselor), is the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit Is With Us Forever
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever–the Spirit of truth. . . . he lives with you and will be in you. . . . On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”
"Another Counselor" refers to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells with and in the saints forever; however, in Matthew 28 and John 6, it is written that Jesus will always dwell and be with the saints until the end.
- "“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
- “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.” John 6:56
This means that Jesus, who is with the saints forever, is the Holy Spirit. According to the truth of the Trinity, God the Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one and the same.
The Lamb and the Holy Spirit
Apostle John saw a revelation of the heavenly wedding banquet that would take place in the future.
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready."
The “Lamb” refers to Jesus. According to this verse, when Jesus, the Lamb, comes back into this world, this event will take place. The Lamb (Jesus) and His bride, who appear at the heavenly wedding banquet, are described as the Spirit and the Bride in the last chapter of Revelation.
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
In this prophecy, the Spirit refers to Jesus who comes again to this world; therefore, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one and the same.
The Spirit of Christ and the Holy Spirit
Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Apostle Peter wrote that the words of the prophecies, which were written by the prophets of the Old Testament who were moved by the Spirit of Christ, were written by men who were carried along by the Holy Spirit. This means that God the Son Jesus and God the Holy Spirit are one and the same.
The Correct Understanding the Trinity
Throughout the Old and New Testaments, the Bible consistently shows that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one and the same God.[14] Even though each has a different name, They are still the same. Those who understood the Trinity like Apostles Paul and John knew that Jesus Christ was God Jehovah who created the heavens and the earth with His words.[15][16] God the Holy Spirit is also God Jehovah the Creator, and Jesus Christ who forgave the sins of mankind through the new covenant.
Related videos
- Three Is One? Solve the Secret of the Trinity
- Sermon: Trinity
See also
- Name of God
- God the Father (Jehovah)
- God the Son (Jesus)
- The Holy Spirit
- EXPLANATIONS OF THE TRINITY: GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
- Council of Nicaea
External links
References
- ↑ "Trinity". Merriam-Webster.
- ↑ "Isaiah 45:21".
- ↑ "Hosea 13:4".
- ↑ "Matthew 3:17".
- ↑ "Immanuel". Dictionary.com.
- ↑ "John 1:29".
- ↑ "John 4:24".
- ↑ "1 Corinthians 12:13".
- ↑ "Matthew 1:18".
- ↑ "1 Timothy 2:5".
- ↑ "Hebrews 7:24–25".
- ↑ "Isaiah 53:12".
- ↑ "paraklétos". Bible Hub.
- ↑ "Matthew 28:19".
- ↑ "Romans 9:5".
- ↑ "John 1:1–14".