We believe there is one God eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matt. 28:19 NASB)
Yesterday I shared the first “We believe” foundational statement held by Bible believing evangelical Christians.
Here is another one
We Believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Cor. 13:14 NLT)
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Eph. 4:16 NIV)
“I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30 KJV)
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.” (Matt. 3:16 NIV)
The Trinity is taught in both the Old and the New Testaments
It is taught by implication in the Old and by direct statement in the New. In the first book of the Bible, God is referred to as “us” and “our”.
“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” (Gen. 1:26 ESV)
All Three Persons are called God in different places in the Bible
Father — “Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.” (Gal. 1:1 NIV)
Son — “Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28 NIV)
Spirit — “Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.’” (Acts 5:3-4 NIV)
All three Persons are associated together on an equal basis in numerous passages:
- Jesus' baptism— voice of the Father, Son baptized, Spirit descending like a dove. (Matt. 3:13-17)
- Salvation— chosen by the Father, sanctified by the Spirit, sprinkled with the blood of Jesus. (1 Peter 1:2)
- Sanctification— grace of the Lord Jesus, love of God, fellowship of the Holy Spirit. (2 Cor. 13:14)
- Christian Baptism— baptized in one name, yet three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matt. 28:19
- Prayer— strengthened by his Spirit, know the love of Christ, filled with the fullness of God. (Eph. 3:14-21)
- Christian Growth— chosen by God, loved by the Lord, sanctified by the Spirit. (2 Thes. 2:13)