The following article is the result of a long examination of the doctrine of the Christian Trinitarian God that I’ve written while defending and teaching on Trinitarianism. I present it here so you can study it and learn more deeply who our wonderful God really is. Please feel free to print this up and present it in Bible studies.
I’ve presented the material in different stages. First, there is the overall statement, then the overall statement with scripture references. Then I presented the five major categories – which is just the overall statement broken into five sections. After that, I present the same five sections with scripture references all listed out. That way, it is a completed unit that you can print and study.
Also, as I modify it, I will put dates here with notes, so that you can know where the additions are made. God bless.
4/29/2022, First draft.
Uniqueness of God The Christian God is the one and only divine Being. He is the “I AM.” He has nothing against which He can be compared and defined. Therefore, truth, wisdom, goodness, justice, love, holiness, mercy, etc., are self-revealed as an expression of his Holy Nature. God expresses Himself through creation, scripture, and Jesus. His self-revealed character is the ultimate standard with which we measure all things. God is the source of all truths, all actualities, and all potentialities. Aseity of God There have been no gods before Him, and there will be no gods after Him. He is eternal, uncreated, non-contingent, unchanging, transcendent, sovereign, and immutable. There is no condition in which the Christian God might exist or could not exist since that would not be the God of the Bible. He simply is by nature, eternal. Therefore, nothing can be proposed by which God’s existence, goodness, and nature can be compared and measured. Nature of God He is spiritual in nature and exists as a Trinity, consisting of three divine, distinct, and simultaneous persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is not comprised of parts but is one Being which we call Divine Simplicity. Neither person derives His substance from either or both of the others. The three persons share the same divine essence, known as the Ontological Trinity, but express different functions in creation known as the Economic Trinity. The three persons inter-indwell each other, which is called the perichoresis. As a result, there is one will. Yet, in the fullness of Scripture, God expresses Himself in three, distinct, and simultaneous persons. God’s incommunicable attributes stress His transcendence, and His communicable attributes stress his immanence. He possesses infinite knowledge, wisdom, presence, and power that manifest out of His good and holy nature. Whatever attribute God possesses, He does not possess its opposite. God is good and cannot be not good. Unity and Diversity of God In the Trinity are unity and diversity, which are equally basic and mutually dependent upon one another. The unity and diversity of God’s nature provide the unifying principle of the one and the many behind the material world as well as universals within it. Therefore, God is the ultimate and necessary Being who provides the precondition for all intelligibility. Creation of God Everything that exists, does so as a direct action of God’s decretive will or as a result of His permissive will. He created the universe as well as people. God is neither included in space nor absent from it. He does whatever He pleases and ordains all that occurs yet He is not the cause of sin. Since He is the ultimate standard of all that is good and righteous, He will judge all people. Those who have, by faith, trusted in the atoning sacrifice of the Second Person of the Trinity, Jesus, who is God in flesh, will be saved from eternal judgment. Those who have not will face righteous and eternal condemnation.
The Christian Trinitarian God defined with Scripture References
Uniqueness of God The Christian God is the one and only, divine Being. He is the “I AM” (Isaiah 44:6; Exodus 3:14). God has nothing against which He can be compared and defined (Isaiah 40:18; 44:7; 46:9). Therefore, truth, wisdom, goodness, justice, love, holiness, mercy, etc., are self-revealed as an expression of His Holy Nature (Matt. 12:34, Gen. 1:3). God expresses Himself in creation (Rom. 1:20), scripture (Ex. 20:1–5; John 5:39), and Jesus (John 1:1,14; Heb. 1:3). His self-revealed character is the ultimate standard with which we measure all things (1 Peter 1:16). He is the source (Rom. 4:17) of all truths (Psalm 31:5; Eph. 1:11), all actualities (Gen. 1:1; Isa. 44:24), and all potentialities (Luke 10:13; John 15:22). Aseity of God He has no beginning or end (Psalm 90:2). There have been no gods before Him, and there will be no gods after Him (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6, 8; 45:5). He is uncreated (Psalm 90:2; 1 Tim. 1:17), non-contingent (Isa. 44:24; Acts 17:25; 1 Tim. 6:16), unchanging (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8), transcendent (Gen. 1:1; Ex. 3:14; Isa. 44:24), sovereign (Isaiah 46:10; Eph. 1:11), and immutable (Mal. 3:6). There is no condition in which the Christian God might exist or could not exist (Ex. 3:14; Psalm 90:2) since that would not be the God of the Bible. Therefore, nothing can be proposed by which God’s existence, goodness, and nature can be compared and measured (Isa. 46:5) Nature of God He is spiritual in nature (John 4:24; Luke 24:39) and exists as a Trinity (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14), consisting of three divine, simultaneous, and distinct persons, the Father (Phil. 1:2), the Son (John 1:1,14; Col. 2:9), and the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3–4; Acts 8:29; 11:12; 13:2). The Trinity is not comprised of parts (Deut. 6:4) but is one simple divine being which we call Divine Simplicity (Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29; 1 John 1:5). Neither person of the Trinity derives His substance from either or both of the others (Mal. 3:6; Gen. 1:26; John 10:30; Eph. 1:4). The three persons share the same divine essence known as the Ontological Trinity (Phil. 1:2; Col. 2:9; Acts 5:3-4), but express different functions in creation known as the Economic Trinity (John 3:16; 6:38; 15:26; 16:8; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 1:4-7). The three persons inter-indwell each other (John 10:38; 1 Cor. 2;11), which is called the perichoresis. As a result, there is one will (Isaiah 46:10; 55:11). Yet, in the fullness of Scripture, God expresses Himself in three, distinct, and simultaneous persons (Phil. 1:2, John 1:1, 14; Acts 5:3-4). God’s incommunicable attributes (Mal. 3:6; 1 John 3:20; Psalm 139:7-12) stress His transcendence, and His communicable attributes (John 3:16; Isaiah 1:18; Rom. 2:4) stress his immanence. He possesses infinite knowledge (1 John 3:20), wisdom (Psalm 147:5), presence (Psalm 139:7–12), and power (Genesis 18:14) that manifest out of His good and Holy Nature (1 Pet. 1:16; Matt. 12:34). Whatever attribute God possess means He cannot possess its opposite (Titus 1:2). Therefore, God is good and cannot be not good (1 Pet. 1:16). Unity and Diversity of God In the Trinity are unity and diversity (Deut. 6:4; Isaiah 48:16), which are equally basic and mutually dependent upon one another. The unity and diversity of God’s nature provide the unifying principle of the one and the many behind the material world as well as universals within it (Gen. 1:26-27). Therefore, God is the ultimate and necessary Being who provides the precondition for all intelligibility (Exodus 3:14; Isaiah 1:18). Creation of God Everything that exists, (Isa. 44:24) does so as a direct action of God’s decretive will (Gen. 1:1) or as a result of His permissive will (Matt. 3:15; Isaiah 65:1). He created the universe (Gen. 1:1) as well as people (Gen. 1:26). God is neither included in space nor absent from it (Gen. 1:1-3; John 1:1-3; Col. 1:16-17). He does whatever He pleases (Psalm 115:3; Dan. 4:35) and ordains all that occurs (Eph. 1:11) yet He is not the cause of sin (Acts 4:27-28; 2:23). Since He alone is good (Mark 10:18), He is the ultimate standard of all that is good, holy, and righteous (1 Sam. 2:2; Psalm 7:11; 1 Pet. 1:16). Therefore, He will judge all people (Psalm 7:8; 96:13; Rev. 11:18; 20:12). Those who have, by faith (Rom. 3:28; 4:5), trusted in the self-revealed atonement of Jesus (Zech. 12:10; 1 Pet. 2:24), who is God in flesh (John 1:1, 14; Col. 2:9; Heb. 1:8), will be saved from God’s righteous and eternal condemnation (Rom. 4:5; 5:1; 8:1). Those who have not will face righteous and eternal condemnation (Rev. 20:10-15).
The Christian Trinitarian God defined
1. Uniqueness of God
The Christian God is the one and only divine Being. He is the “I AM.” He has nothing against which He can be compared and defined. Therefore, truth, wisdom, goodness, justice, love, holiness, mercy, etc., are self-revealed as an expression of his Holy Nature. God expresses Himself through creation, scripture, and Jesus. His self-revealed character is the ultimate standard with which we measure all things. God is the source of all truths, all actualities, and all potentialities.
2. Aseity of God
There have been no gods before Him, and there will be no gods after Him. He is eternal, uncreated, non-contingent, unchanging, transcendent, sovereign, and immutable. There is no condition in which the Christian God might exist or could not exist since that would not be the God of the Bible. He simply is by nature, eternal. Therefore, nothing can be proposed by which God’s existence, goodness, and nature can be compared and measured.
3. Nature of God
He is spiritual in nature and exists as a Trinity, consisting of three divine, distinct, and simultaneous persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is not comprised of parts but is one Being which we call Divine Simplicity. Neither person derives His substance from either or both of the others. The three persons share the same divine essence, known as the Ontological Trinity, but express different functions in creation known as the Economic Trinity. The three persons inter-indwell each other, which is called the perichoresis. As a result, there is one will. Yet, in the fullness of Scripture, God expresses Himself in three, distinct, and simultaneous persons. God’s incommunicable attributes stress His transcendence, and His communicable attributes stress his immanence. He possesses infinite knowledge, wisdom, presence, and power that manifest out of His good and holy nature. Whatever attribute God possesses, He does not possess its opposite. God is good and cannot be not good.
4. Unity and Diversity of God
In the Trinity are unity and diversity, which are equally basic and mutually dependent upon one another. The unity and diversity of God’s nature provide the unifying principle of the one and the many behind the material world as well as universals within it. Therefore, God is the ultimate and necessary Being who provides the precondition for all intelligibility.
5. Creation of God
Everything that exists, does so as a direct action of God’s decretive will or as a result of His permissive will. He created the universe as well as people. God is neither included in space nor absent from it. He does whatever He pleases and ordains all that occurs yet He is not the cause of sin. Since He is the ultimate standard of all that is good and righteous, He will judge all people. Those who have, by faith, trusted in the atoning sacrifice of the Second Person of the Trinity, Jesus, who is God in flesh, will be saved from eternal judgment. Those who have not will face righteous and eternal condemnation.
The Christian Trinitarian God Defined with Scripture References
1. Uniqueness of God
The Christian God is the one and only, divine Being. He is the “I AM” (Isaiah 44:6; Exodus 3:14). God has nothing against which He can be compared and defined (Isaiah 40:18; 44:7; 46:9). Therefore, truth, wisdom, goodness, justice, love, holiness, mercy, etc., are self-revealed as an expression of His Holy Nature (Matt. 12:34, Gen. 1:3). God expresses Himself in creation (Rom. 1:20), scripture (Ex. 20:1–5; John 5:39), and Jesus (John 1:1,14; Heb. 1:3). His self-revealed character is the ultimate standard with which we measure all things (1 Peter 1:16). He is the ultimate source (Rom. 4:17) of all truths (Psalm 31:5; Eph. 1:11), all actualities (Gen. 1:1; Isa. 44:24), and all potentialities (Luke 10:13; John 15:22).
The Christian God is the one and only (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6), divine Being. He is the “I AM” (Exodus 3:14).
Isaiah 43:10, “You are My witnesses,” declares the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and believe Me And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me.”
Isaiah 44:6, “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me.”
Exodus 3:14, “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM’; and He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”
God has nothing against which He can be compared and defined (Isaiah 40:18; 44:7; 46:9).
Isaiah 40:18, “To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him?”
Isaiah 44:7, “Who is like Me? Let him proclaim and declare it. Yes, let him recount it to Me in order, from the time that I established the ancient nation. And let them declare to them the things that are coming and the events that are going to take place.”
Isaiah 46:9, “Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me,”
Therefore, truth, wisdom, goodness, justice, love, holiness, mercy, etc., are self-revealed as an expression of His Holy Nature (Matt. 12:34, Gen. 1:3).
Matthew 12:34, “You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.”
Genesis 1:3, “Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.”
God expresses Himself in creation (Rom. 1:20), scripture (Ex. 20:1–5; John 5:39), and Jesus (John 1:1,14; Heb. 1:3).
Creation
Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”
Scripture
Exodus 20:1–5, “Then God spoke all these words, saying, 2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 5 “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,”
John 5:39, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me.”
Jesus
John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Hebrews 1:3, “And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”
His self-revealed character is the ultimate standard with which we measure all things (1 Peter 1:16).
1 Peter 1:16, “because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”
He is the source (Rom. 4:17) of all truths (Psalm 31:5; Eph. 1:11), all actualities (Gen. 1:1; Isa. 44:24), and all potentialities (Luke 10:13; John 15:22).
Ultimate Source
Romans 4:17, “(as it is written, “A father of many nations have I made you”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.”
All truths
Psalm 31:5, “Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O Lord, God of truth.”
Ephesians 1:11, “also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,”
Actualities
Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Isaiah 44:24, “Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, ‘I, the Lord, am the maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by Myself and spreading out the earth all alone,’”
Potentialities
Luke 10:13, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.”
John 15:22, “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.”
2. Aseity of God
Aseity – God is entirely self-sufficient, non-contigent, in all aspects of His existence.
He has no beginning or end (Psalm 90:2). There have been no gods before Him, and there will be no gods after Him (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6, 8; 45:5). He is uncreated (Psalm 90:2; 1 Tim. 1:17), non-contingent (Isa. 44:24; Acts 17:25; 1 Tim. 6:16), unchanging (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8), transcendent (Gen. 1:1; Ex. 3:14; Isa. 44:24), sovereign (Isaiah 46:10; Eph. 1:11), and immutable (Mal. 3:6). There is no condition in which the Christian God might exist or could not exist (Ex. 3:14; Psalm 90:2), since that would not be the God of the Bible. Therefore, nothing can be proposed by which God’s existence, goodness, and nature can be compared and measured (Isa. 46:5)
He has no beginning or end (Psalm 90:2).
Psalm 90:2, “Before the mountains were born Or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”
There have been no gods before Him, and there will be no gods after Him (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6, 8; 45:5).
Isaiah 43:10, “You are My witnesses,” declares the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me.”
Isaiah 44:6, “Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me.’”
Isaiah 44:8, “Do not tremble and do not be afraid; Have I not long since announced it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses. Is there any God besides Me, or is there any other Rock? I know of none.”
Isaiah 45:5, “I am the Lord, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known Me;”
He is uncreated (Psalm 90:2; 1 Tim. 1:17), non-contingent (Isa. 44:24; Acts 17:25; 1 Tim. 6:16), unchanging (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8), transcendent (Gen. 1:1; Ex. 3:14; Isa. 44:24), sovereign (Isaiah 46:10; Eph. 1:11), and immutable (Mal. 3:6).
Uncreated
Psalm 90:2, “Before the mountains were born Or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”
1 Timothy 1:17, “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Non-contingent
Isaiah 44:24, “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, “I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself And spreading out the earth all alone,”
Acts 17:25, “nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;”
1 Timothy 6:16, “who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.”
Unchanging
Malachi 3:6, “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”
Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Transcendent
Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Exodus 3:14, “God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ””
Isaiah 44:24, “Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, “I, the Lord, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself And spreading out the earth all alone,”
Sovereign
Isaiah 46:10, “Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’”
Ephesians 1:11, “also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.”
Immutable
Malachi 3:6 “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”
There is no condition in which the Christian God might exist or could not exist (Ex. 3:14; Psalm 90:2), since that would not be the God of the Bible.
Exodus 3:14, “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM’; and He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”
Psalm 90:2, “Before the mountains were born Or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”
Therefore, nothing can be proposed by which God’s existence, goodness, and nature can be compared and measured (Isa. 46:5).
Isaiah 46:5, “To whom would you liken Me And make Me equal and compare Me, that we would be alike?”
3. Nature of God
He is spiritual in nature (John 4:24; Luke 24:39) and exists as a Trinity (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14), consisting of three divine, simultaneous, and distinct persons, the Father (Phil. 1:2), the Son (John 1:1,14; Col. 2:9), and the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3–4; Acts 8:29; 11:12; 13:2). The Trinity is not comprised of parts (Deut. 6:4) but is one simple divine being which we call Divine Simplicity (Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29; 1 John 1:5). Neither person of the Trinity derives His substance from either or both of the others (Mal. 3:6; Gen. 1:26; John 10:30; Eph. 1:4). The three persons share the same divine essence known as the Ontological Trinity (Phil. 1:2; Col. 2:9; Acts 5:3-4), but express different functions in creation known as the Economic Trinity (John 3:16; 6:38; 15:26; 16:8; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 1:4-7). The three persons inter-indwell each other (John 10:38; 1 Cor. 2;11), which is called the perichoresis. As a result, there is one will (Isaiah 46:10; 55:11). Yet, in the fullness of Scripture, God expresses Himself in three, distinct, and simultaneous persons (Phil. 1:2, John 1:1, 14; Acts 5:3-4). God’s incommunicable attributes (Mal. 3:6; 1 John 3:20; Psalm 139:7-12) stress His transcendence, and His communicable attributes (John 3:16; Isaiah 1:18; Rom. 2:4) stress his immanence. He possesses infinite knowledge (1 John 3:20), wisdom (Psalm 147:5), presence (Psalm 139:7–12), and power (Genesis 18:14) that manifest out of His good and Holy Nature (1 Pet. 1:16; Matt. 12:34). Whatever attribute God possess means He cannot possess its opposite (Titus 1:2). Therefore, God is good and cannot be not good (1 Pet. 1:16).
He is spiritual in nature (John 4:24; Luke 24:39) and exists as a Trinity (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14), consisting of three divine, simultaneous, and distinct persons, the Father (Phil. 1:2), the Son (John 1:1,14; Col. 2:9), and the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3–4; Acts 8:29; 11:12; 13:2).
Spiritual in nature
John 4:24, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Luke 24:39, “See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
Trinity
Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,”
2 Corinthians 13:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.”
Three Persons
Father
Philippians 1:2, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Son
John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Colossians 2:9, “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,”
Holy Spirit
Acts 5:3–4, “But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.””
Acts 8:29, “Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go up and join this chariot.’”
Acts 11:12, “The Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings. These six brethren also went with me and we entered the man’s house.”
Acts 13:2, “While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.””
The Trinity is not comprised of parts (Deut. 6:4) but is one simple divine being which we call Divine Simplicity (Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29; 1 John 1:5).
Not parts
Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!”
Mark 12:29, “Jesus answered, ‘The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord.’“
1 John 1:5, “This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.”
Neither person of the Trinity derives His substance from either or both of the others (Mal. 3:6; Gen. 1:26; John 10:30; Eph. 1:4).
Malachi 3:6, “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”
Genesis 1:26, “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.””
John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.”
Ephesians 1:4, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love”
The three persons share the same divine essence known as the Ontological Trinity (Phil. 1:2; Col. 2:9; Acts 5:3-4), but express different functions in creation known as the Economic Trinity (John 3:16; 6:38; 15:26; 16:8; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 1:4-7).
Ontological Trinity
Philippians1:2, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Colossians 2:9, “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,”
Acts 5:3-4, “But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
Economic Trinity
John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
John 6:38, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
John 15:26, “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,”
John 16:8, “And He [the Holy Spirit], when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.”
2 Corinthians 5:21, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Ephesians 1:4–6, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”
The three persons inter-indwell each other (John 10:38; 1 Cor. 2;11), which is called the perichoresis. As a result there is one will (Isaiah 46:10; 55:11).
Inter-indwell
John 10:38, “but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.”
1 Cor. 2:11, “For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.”
One will
Isaiah 46:10, “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’” (Isaiah 46:10).
Isaiah 55:11, “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”
Yet, in the fullness of Scripture, God expresses Himself in three, distinct, and simultaneous persons (Phil. 1:2, John 1:1, 14; Acts 5:3-4).
FATHER
SON
HOLY SPIRIT
Called God
Phil. 1:2
John 1:1, 14
Acts 5:3-4
All-knowing
1 John 3:20
John 21:17
1 Cor. 2:10-11
Fellowship
1 John 1:3
1 Cor. 1:9
2 Cor. 13:14
A Will
Luke 22:42
Luke 22:42
1 Cor. 12:11
Loves
John 3:16
Eph. 5: 25
Rom. 15:30
Speaks
Matt. 3:17
Luke 5:20
Acts 13:2
Phil. 1:2, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
John 1:1, 14, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” 14 “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Acts 5:3-4, “But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
Luke 22:42, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
1 Cor. 12:11, “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”
God’s incommunicable attributes (Mal. 3:6; 1 John 3:20; Psalm 139:7-12) stress His transcendence, and His communicable attributes (John 3:16; Isaiah 1:18; Rom. 2:4) stress his immanence.
Incommunicable attributes
Immutability
Malachi 3:6, “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”
Omniscience
1 John 3:20, “in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things.
Omnipotence
Jeremiah 32:17, “Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You,
Omnipresence
Psalm 139:7-12, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. 8 If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 9 Even there Your hand will lead me, a nd Your right hand will lay hold of me. 10 If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” 11 Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You,” (Psalm 139:7–12).
Communicable attributes
Love
John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
Reason
Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.”
Kindness
Romans 2:4, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?”
He possesses infinite knowledge (1 John 3:20), wisdom (Psalm 147:5), presence (Psalm 139:7–12), and power (Genesis 18:14) that manifest out of His good and Holy Nature (1 Pet. 1:16; Matt. 12:34).
Knowledge
1 John 3:20, “in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things.”
Wisdom
Psalm 147:5, “Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.”
Presence
Psalm 139:7–12, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” 12 Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.”
Power
Genesis 18:14, “Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.””
Good and Holy Nature
1 Peter 1:16, “because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.””
Matthew 12:34, “You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.”
Whatever attribute God possess means He cannot possess its opposite (Titus 1:2). Therefore, God is good and cannot be not good (1 Pet. 1:16).
Titus 1:2, “in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,”
1 Peter 1:16, “because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.””
4. Unity and Diversity of God
In the Trinity are unity and diversity (Deut. 6:4; Isaiah 48:16), which are equally basic and mutually dependent upon one another. The unity and diversity of God’s nature provide the unifying principle of the one and the many behind the material world as well as universals within it (Gen. 1:26-27). Therefore, God is the ultimate and necessary Being who provides the precondition for all intelligibility (Exodus 3:14; Isaiah 1:18).
In the Trinity are unity and diversity (Deut. 6:4; Isaiah 48:16), which are equally basic and mutually dependent upon one another.
Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!”
Isaiah 48:16, “Come near to Me, listen to this: From the first I have not spoken in secret, From the time it took place, I was there. And now the Lord God has sent Me, and His Spirit.”
The unity and diversity of God’s nature provide the unifying principle of the one and the many behind the material world as well as universals within it (Gen. 1:26-27).
Genesis 1:26-27, “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.’”
Note
God’s trinitarian nature is one God in three persons, one and the many, unity and diversity.
The issue of the one and the many deals with the relationship between one object and the shared characteristics between those objects. So, for example, 10 green (particular) chairs (particulars) share ‘greenness’ and ‘chairness.’
The many particulars must be logically brought into unity with one another (what unifies them?); otherwise, there is no congruence between them. But, if the particulars unrelated, then that would imply multiple ‘creations’ of particulars. Who or what creates them? Furthermore, then we would have multiple independent, abstract particulars.
The one and the many deals universals (universal concepts, i.e., chair) and particulars (manifestations of those concepts, particular chairs). There is one idea called ‘chair’. But there are many different kinds of chairs all over the world. Logically, the many particulars must be brought into unity with one another; otherwise, there is not congruence between them. Are the particulars unrelated? If so, this would imply multiple ‘creations’ of particulars. If we rationally derive their existence as unrelated to each other, then we have multiple independent, abstract particulars. But, if unity is sought among the particulars, how do we obtain that unity? What is that which unites particulars? Also, how do we unify particulars without destroying their particularity?
Is everything one substance with different forms that manifest in many particulars? If so, then what is the “one substance”? Is it material, such as stone or water, or number, or mind?
Therefore, God is the ultimate and necessary Being who provides the precondition for all intelligibility (Exodus 3:14; Isaiah 1:18).
Exodus 3:14, “God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.”
5. Creation of God
Everything that exists, (Isa. 44:24) does so as a direct action of God’s decretive will (Gen. 1:1) or as a result of His permissive will (Matt. 3:15; Isaiah 65:1). He created the universe (Gen. 1:1) as well as people (Gen. 1:26). God is neither included in space nor absent from it (Gen. 1:1-3; John 1:1-3; Col. 1:16-17). He does whatever He pleases (Psalm 115:3; Dan. 4:35) and ordains all that occurs (Eph. 1:11) yet He is not the cause of sin (Acts 4:27-28; 2:23). Since He alone is good (Mark 10:18), He is the ultimate standard of all that is good, holy, and righteous (1 Sam. 2:2; Psalm 7:11; 1 Pet. 1:16). Therefore, He will judge all people (Psalm 7:8; 96:13; Rev. 11:18; 20:12). Those who have, by faith (Rom. 3:28; 4:5), trusted in the self-revealed atonement of Jesus (Zech. 12:10; 1 Pet. 2:24), who is God in flesh (John 1:1, 14; Col. 2:9; Heb. 1:8), will be saved from God’s righteous and eternal condemnation (Rom. 4:5; 5:1; 8:1). Those who have not will face righteous and eternal condemnation (Rev. 20:10-15)
Everything that exists, (Isa. 44:24) does so as a direct action of God’s decretive will (Gen. 1:1) or as a result of His permissive will (Matt. 3:15; Isaiah 65:1).
Isaiah 44:24, “Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, “I, the Lord, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself And spreading out the earth all alone.”
Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Matthew 3:15, “But Jesus answering said to him, ‘Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he permitted Him.”
Isaiah 65:1, “I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’ To a nation which did not call on My name.”
He created the universe (Gen. 1:1) as well as people (Gen. 1:26).
Genesis 1:1–3, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:26-27, “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
God is neither included in space nor absent from it (Gen. 1:1-3; John 1:1-3; Col. 1:16-17).
Genesis 1:1–3, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. 2All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”
Colossians 1:16–17, “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
He does whatever He pleases (Psalm 115:3; Dan. 4:35) and ordains all that occurs (Eph. 1:11) yet He is not the cause of sin (Acts 4:27-28; 2:23).
Does what He pleases
Psalm 115:3, “But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.”
Daniel 4:35, “All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”
Ordains all that occurs
Ephesians 1:11, “also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,”
Not the cause of sin
Acts 4:27, “For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.”
Acts 2:23, “this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.”
Since He alone is good (Mark 10:18), He is the ultimate standard of all that is good, holy, and righteous (1 Sam. 2:2; Psalm 7:11; 1 Pet. 1:16).
Good
Mark 10:18, “And Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.’”
Holy and righteous
1 Samuel 2:2, “There is no one holy like the Lord, indeed, there is no one besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.”
Psalm 7:11, “God is a righteous judge, and a God who has indignation every day.”
1 Peter 1:16, “because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”
Therefore, He will judge all people (Psalm 7:8; 96:13; Rev. 11:18; 20:12).
Psalm 7:8, “The Lord judges the peoples; Vindicate me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and my integrity that is in me.”
Psalm 96:13, “Before the Lord, for He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.”
Revelation 11:18, “And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”
Revelation 20:12, “And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.”
Those who have, by faith (Rom. 3:28; 4:5), trusted in the self-revealed atonement of Jesus (Zech. 12:10; 1 Pet. 2:24), who is God in flesh (John 1:1, 14; Col. 2:9; Heb. 1:8), will be saved from God’s righteous and eternal condemnation (Rom. 4:5; 5:1; 8:1).
By faith
Romans 3:28, “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”
Romans 4:5, “But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,”
Atonement
Zechariah 12:10, “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.”
1 Peter 2:24, “24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.”
Jesus is God in flesh
John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Colossians 2:9, “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,”
Hebrews 1:8, “But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom.”
Saved from condemnation
Romans 4:5, “But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,”
Romans 5:1, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
Romans 8:1, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Those who have not will face righteous and eternal condemnation (Rev. 20:10-15).
Revelation 20:10–15, “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
The post The Christian Trinitarian God Examined In Depth appeared first on Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry.
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