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Resources for this Study
50 Core Truths of the Christian Faith – Gregg R. Allision
Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine – Wayne Grudem
Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth – John MacArthur & Richard Mayhue
Basic Christian Doctrines – Curt Daniel
A Definition
The doctrine of the Trinity affirms that the one true God eternally exists as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each of these three persons is fully God: The Father is fully God. The Son is fully God. The Holy Spirit is fully God. The three persons are equal in nature, glory, and power, sharing in the one Godhead. None of the three persons is dependent on the other for his deity. Rather, each is God of himself: The Father is God of himself. The Son is God of himself. The Holy Spirit is God of himself. Yet there are not three gods, but one God in three persons.The three persons are different in terms of their roles and relations. As for the distinctions in roles (the economic Trinity), the Father exercises the primary role in creation (working with the Son and the Spirit to create). The Son exercises the primary role in salvation (working with the Father and the Spirit to save). The Holy Spirit exercises the primary role in sanctification (working with the Father and the Son to bring transformation). Indeed, the three distinct persons in their different activities inseparably work together in creation, salvation, and sanctification. Still, these particular divine works are appropriated by—are the specific responsibility of—one of the three persons.GREGG R. ALLISON, 50 CORE TRUTHS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH: A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING AND TEACHING THEOLOGY (GRAND RAPIDS, MI: BAKER BOOKS: A DIVISION OF BAKER PUBLISHING GROUP, 2018), 90
About God: God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are equally God and are one God.
About God the Father: He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise (Isa. 40:10-17; Rom. 11:33-36). He is maker of heaven and earth (Gen. 1:1; Isa. 42:5). He reigns with providential care over the universe, and the flow of human history goes according to His purposes and plan (Rom. 8:28-30; Eph. 1:3-14).
About God the Son: Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is equal in nature with the Father (John 1:1; Col. 1:15, 2:9). Jesus has eternally existed as God (John 1:1-18, 8:54-58; Col. 1:15-16). He was born of a virgin, Mary, becoming truly a man, while remaining truly God (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38). He lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross (Heb. 4:14-16, 10:11-18; 1 John 2:2). He physically arose from the dead on the third day to demonstrate His power over sin and death (Matt. 28:1-20; Rom. 1:4; 1 Cor. 15:1-28, 54-57). He ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11) and will one day return to earth to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords (Dan. 7:14; 1 Tim. 6:14-16; Rev. 19:11-16).
About God the Holy Spirit: He is the third person of the Trinity. He is equal in nature with the Father and the Son. He guides men into all truth; exalts Christ; convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:7-14); cultivates Christian character (Gal. 5:22-26); comforts and prays for believers (Rom. 8:26); bestows spiritual gifts by which believers serve God and one another (1 Cor. 12:4-11); and seals believers for the day of final redemption (Eph. 1:13-14). His presence in the lives of Christians is the assurance of God that we are children of God and that He will complete His work in us (Rom. 8:16; Phil. 1:6).