Showing posts with label Trinity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trinity. Show all posts

Thursday, June 26, 2025

The Holy Trinity—Master List V2 BY Artison Rex

 

The Holy Trinity—Master List V2

by Artison Rex

The Biblical Doctrine of the Trinity: An Exhaustive Reference


The doctrine of the Trinity is rooted in the Bible's affirmation of monotheism—that there is only one true and living God—and yet it simultaneously reveals three distinct Persons who are fully and equally God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is not a contradiction but a mystery consistent with the scriptural witness.


I. The Foundation: Monotheism


• Deuteronomy 6:4 – "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one."


• Isaiah 43:10 – "Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me."


• Isaiah 44:6 – "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god."


• Isaiah 45:5-6, 21-22 – "I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God."


• Mark 12:29-32 – Jesus affirms the Shema: "The Lord our God, the Lord is one."


• 1 Timothy 2:5 – "For there is one God..."


II. The Deity of Each Divine Person


A. The Father is God


• John 6:27 – "The Father, who has set his seal on him."


• 1 Peter 1:2 – "According to the foreknowledge of God the Father..."


• Romans 1:7 – "Grace to you and peace from God our Father."


• Galatians 1:1 – "God the Father, who raised him from the dead."


B. Jesus Christ is God


• John 1:1 – "The Word was God."


• John 1:14 – "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."


• John 1:18 – "The only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known."


• John 20:28 – Thomas: "My Lord and my God!"


• Romans 9:5 – "Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever."


• Titus 2:13 – "Our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ."


• 2 Peter 1:1 – "Our God and Savior Jesus Christ."


• Hebrews 1:8 – "But of the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.'"


• Philippians 2:6 – "Though he was in the form of God..."


• Colossians 1:15-17 – "In him all things were created."


• Colossians 2:9 – "In him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily."


C. The Holy Spirit is God


• Acts 5:3-4 – Lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God.


• 1 Corinthians 3:16 – "God's Spirit dwells in you."


• 2 Corinthians 3:17 – "The Lord is the Spirit."


• Hebrews 9:14 – "The eternal Spirit."


• Psalm 139:7-8 – Omnipresence of the Spirit.


• Some quotes in the Old Testament spoken by Yahweh are said (in the NT) to have been spoken by the Holy Spirit (Acts 28:25-27; Heb. 10:15-17)


III. Distinction of Persons


• John 5:20, 30, 32, 37 – The Father and the Son are not the same person.


• John 14:16 – Jesus will ask the Father to send another Helper.


• John 15:26 – The Spirit proceeds from the Father, sent by the Son.


• John 17:5 – Jesus speaks of the glory he had with the Father before the world existed.


• Matthew 3:16-17 – At Jesus' baptism: the Father speaks, the Son is baptized, the Spirit descends.


IV. Unity of the Three Persons


• Matthew 28:19 – "Baptizing them in the name [singular] of the Father and of the Son and of 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."


• Ephesians 4:4–6 – "One Spirit... one Lord... one God and Father."


V. Interchange and Indistinction in Roles


• 1 Corinthians 10:9 – The Israelites tested Christ in the wilderness, though YHWH is the referent in Numbers.


• Romans 8:9 – Spirit of God and Spirit of Christ used interchangeably.


• Romans chapter 8 (whole chapter) all three referred to interchangeably.


• Acts 16:6–7 – The Holy Spirit and Spirit of Jesus guide Paul. Used interchangeably. 


• 2 Corinthians 3:17–18 – "The Lord is the Spirit."


• 1 Peter 1:11 – The Spirit of Christ in the prophets.


VI. The Work of the Trinity


A. Creation


• Genesis 1:1–3, 26 – God creates, Spirit hovers, plural language used.


• Psalm 148:5 – Commanded by God, creation exists.


• John 1:1–3 – The Word created all things.


• Colossians 1:16 – All things created through and for the Son.


B. Revelation


• John 1:17-18 – The Son reveals the Father.


• John 16:13-15 – The Spirit glorifies the Son, sent by the Father.


• Mark 13:11 – The Holy Spirit speaks through believers.


• 2 Corinthians 13:3 – Christ speaks in Paul.


• Hebrews 1:1-2 – God spoke through the Son.


C. Sanctification


• Hebrews 2:11 – Jesus as sanctifier.


• 1 Peter 1:2 – Sanctification of the Spirit.


• Jude 1 – Sanctified by the Father and preserved in Jesus.


D. Supplying Ministers


• Jeremiah 3:15; 26:5 – God gives shepherds.


• Matthew 5:10 – Blessed are the persecuted for righteousness.


• Acts 13:2 – The Holy Spirit sets apart Paul and Barnabas.


• Acts 20:28 – The Spirit appoints overseers.


• Ephesians 4:11 – Christ gives apostles, prophets, etc.


E. Prayer and Access to God


• John 14:14 – Prayer in Jesus’ name.


• Ephesians 1:6; 2:18; 6:18 – Access to the Father through the Son by the Spirit.


F. Confirmation and Presence


• Matthew 3:16–17 – Father speaks, Son baptized, Spirit descends.


• Matthew 17:5 – Transfiguration: Father affirms Son.


G. Salvation


• John 6:63 – The Spirit gives life.


• 1 Corinthians 6:11, 19-20 – Washed, justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit.


• Ephesians 1:7–9 – Redemption in Christ, purpose of the Father.


• 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 – Chosen by God, sanctified by the Spirit, called through the gospel.


• Titus 3:4–6 – Saved by the mercy of God, through the washing of rebirth by the Holy Spirit.


• 1 Peter 1:2 – Chosen by the Father, sanctified by the Spirit, sprinkled by the blood of Christ.


VII. Reflections on the Trinity vs. Unitarianism


The vast and cohesive scriptural evidence points not toward a polytheistic view of separate divine beings, nor a modalistic confusion of roles, but to a complex unity—one God in three co-eternal, co-equal persons. Attempts to affirm only the deity of the Father while still calling Jesus "God" result in philosophical contradictions or a slide into functional polytheism.


Trinitarianism is not heathen; it is the most faithful and biblically consistent view of the one God revealed in Scripture.


The early Church Fathers universally affirmed this faith:


• Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110 AD): "Jesus Christ our God."


• Justin Martyr (c. 150 AD): "The Word... being God."


• Tertullian (c. 200 AD): Coined the term Trinitas (Trinity).


• Athanasius (4th Century): Defended the full deity of the Son and the Spirit.


Conclusion: The doctrine of the Trinity is not an invention of philosophy or creeds—it is the testimony of the whole of Scripture, rightly understood.


“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” – 2 Corinthians 13:14


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The Biblical understanding of the Trinity is founded on strict Monotheism~there is only one true God. (Dt 6:4;Is 43:10;44:6; etc.)


Yet, the Bible teaches and recognizes the Father as God (Jn 6:27; 1 Pe 1:2, etc)

The Lord Jesus Christ as God (Jn 1:1,14,18;20:28;Ro 9:5; Ti 2:13; 2 Pt 1:1; Heb 1:8, etc)

The Holy Spirit is recognized as God (Ax 5:3-4; 1 Cor 3:16)


These three are distinct individuals or persons

•the Father and Son are distinct (Jn 5:20,32,37;17:5)

•the Father and Son are distinct from the Spirit (Jn 14:16; 15:26)


These three are unified (Mt 28:19; also~3:12-16; 2 Cor 13:14)


●There exists some indistinction/interchange between the three:


•Jesus and the Father 1 Cor 10:9

•Between all 3 Rom 8:9

•Jesus and the Holy Spirit Ax 16:6-7 2Cor 3:17-18; 1 Pt 1:11


The Work of the Trinity~

Author of all Spiritual Operations 1 Cor 12:11; Col 1:29; Heb 13:21

Creator Gen 1:1-3,26;Ps 148:5;Jn 1:1-3;Col 1:16

Inspiring people to speak Mk 13:11;2 Cor 13:3; Heb 1:1

Sanctifier Heb 2:11; 1 Pt 1:2; Jude 1

Supplying ministers to the Church Jer 3:15;26:5; Mt 5.10; Ax 13:2; 20:28; Eph 4:11

Trinity works together in Revelation of God's truth Jn 1:17-18;16:13

Trinity works together in prayer Jn 14:14; Eph 1:6;2:18;6:18

Trinity works together in confirmation Mt 3:16-17

Trinity works together in salvation Jn 6:63; 1 Cor 6:19-21; Eph 1:7-9; 2 Thes 2:13-14; Ti 3:4-6; 1 Pt 1:2


As far as I can tell the Trinity is the best explanation of the references and information above.


I personally think there's just too much evidence that seems to work in favor of it, including quotes from the early Church Fathers and it's early formulation.


Also, on the flip side; I feel the Unitarian whether admitted or not has some problem with Polythiesm. If both Jesus and the Father can rightly be called "God" it seems to me those who affirm it, have an issue to one varying degree or other with a Polythiestic Pantheon where there is one Ultimate God but lesser Deities. This; to my mind, is far more 'heathen' than the Trinity could ever be.

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God is one Deut. 6:4


1.) Yet, the word "one" means one in unity as well as one in number. It means unity in John 10:30; 1 Jo 5:7; John 17:11,21-23 yet the 3 persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are spoken of as one in number and individuality. There is one God, the Father, one Lord Jesus Christ, and one Holy Spirit (1 Cor.8:6; Eph. 4:3-6)


The Father being called God (1 Cor. 8:6) the Son is called God (Is. 9:6; Heb 1:8; John 1:1-2,18;20:28) and the Holy Spirit is called God (Acts 5:3-4) Thus, there are 3 separate persons in divine individuality and divine plurality. As individuals they can rightly be called God and as a collective they can be spoken of and referred to as God. The word "God" is used either as a singular or plural word, like "sheep."


2.) Names/Titles of God prove a plurality of persons. The Hebrew word Elohim is the word for God in Ge 1:1 & in nearly 2600 other places in the OT. It is a uniplural noun meaning "Gods" and is so translated 210 times (Ge. 3:5; Ex. 22:28; 1 Sam 4:8; Dan 2:11; 4:6-9; 5:11,14, etc.) Sometimes elohim is used with plurality verbs and pronouns, "the Gods they caused me to wander" the monotheistic Abraham says in Ge. 20:13 and in Ge 35:7 it reads, "there the Gods appeared unto him" 


3.) Plural pronouns are used of God, proving a plurality of persons (Gen. 1:26;3:22;11:7;Is 6:8;John 14:23;17:11,22-22)


4.) "Man has become like one of us" Gen. 3:22 shows a plurality of persons.


5.) God said, "let us make man in our image, after our likeness" Ge. 1:26 "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him..." proves a plurality of persons, "Let US MAKE in OUR image" - 3 plural pronouns, "we,us,our" are used 6 times in four different texts: (Gen 1:26;3:22;11:7;Is. 6:8) whoever is being addressed has the potential in creating and since Ge. 1:27 reads "God created" and uses the singular pronoun "his image" the plurality of God is proven.


(The unanimous opinion of the early church fathers was God was convening with Christ )


6.) 2 or 3 persons called God have been seen by the same men at the same time and place(s) yet as being seperate persons. (Gen. 16:7-11;18:1-3,5,9-22;Dan. 7:9-14; Mat 3:16-17; Jn 1:31-34; Ax 7:54-60; Rev. 6:16;7:9-17;21:22; 22:3)


7.) 2 YaHWeHs are mentioned in Gen. 19:24 one on earth and one in heaven. Compare to Is. 44:6 where 2 YHWH are also distinguished, "thus saith Jehovah, the King of Israel, and HIS Redeemer, Jehovah of hosts" (ASV Emphasis mine) 


8.) Two persons are mentioned in the OT See Ps. 8:5-6 w/ Heb 2:5-18; Ps. 16:8-10 w/ Ax 2:25-36; Ps. 22:1-22 w/ Mat. 27:35,39-43,45-26; Heb. 9:14;10:5-12; Ps. 40:6-10 w/ Heb. 10:5-7; and Ps 45:6-7 w/ Heb 1:8-9


9.) 2 Lords are mentioned sitting side by side Ps. 110:1,5; Mt 22:44; 26:64; Ax 2:33-34;7:54-56;Ro 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3,13;8:1;10:12;12:2; 1Pe 3:22; Rev. 22:3


10.)2 persons are required and mentioned to understand the plain language of Ps. 2 whole chapter; Pro 30:4; Is. 4:2;10:16-17;28:16;44:6;49:1-10;50:4-11;52:13-53:12; 62:11; Mic 5:1-5; Jer 23:4-8;33:14-26;Zech. 3:8-10;6:12-13 In these passages one is anointed, becomes the Son of/is the Son of, is set by, is taught by, and serves the other; yet both are called YHWH, and or Lord


11.) Three self acting persons- YHWH Jehovah God, the Christ,  and the Holy Spirit, are all referred to as blessing, anointing, sending and serving or doing things for one another. Ps. 110:1+Ax 2:34-35; 1 Cor. 15:25; Heb. 1:13; Is. 11:2;42:1-7;48:16;59:21;61:1-2;63:1-14;Zech. 12:10-13:2; Lk 24:49; Ax 16:7


12.)Zech. 1:7-21 Jehovah and the angel of Jehovah (also called Lord), 1:19-20;2:1-13) are talking together. One Lord says to the other Lord that he has sent him to Israel (2:8-13) one Lord refers to himself as me and to Jehovah of hosts as his and he (2:8-11) the conference continues throughout Zechariah until 13:6-7 where both Lords are called "fellows" or "associate"


______________________


The following quotes show that the doctrine of the Trinity was indeed alive-and-well before the Council of Nicea: 


Polycarp (70-155/160).  Bishop of Smyrna.  Disciple of John the Apostle. 


“O Lord God almighty . . . I bless you and glorify you through the eternal and heavenly high priest Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, through whom be glory to you, with Him and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever” (n. 14, ed. Funk; PG 5.1040). 


Justin Martyr (100?-165?).  He was a Christian apologist and martyr. 


“For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water” (First Apol., LXI). 


Ignatius of Antioch (died 98/117).  Bishop of Antioch.  He wrote much in defense of Christianity. 


“In Christ Jesus our Lord, by whom and with whom be glory and power to the Father with the Holy Spirit for ever” (n. 7; PG 5.988).

“We have also as a Physician the Lord our God Jesus the Christ the only-begotten Son and Word, before time began, but who afterwards became also man, of Mary the virgin.  For ‘the Word was made flesh.’ Being incorporeal, He was in the body; being impassible, He was in a passable body; being immortal, He was in a mortal body; being life, He became subject to corruption, that He might free our souls from death and corruption, and heal them, and might restore them to health, when they were diseased with ungodliness and wicked lusts.” (Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, eds., The ante-Nicene Fathers, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975 rpt., Vol. 1, p. 52, Ephesians 7.) 


Irenaeus (115-190).  As a boy he listened to Polycarp, the disciple of John.  He became Bishop of Lyons. 


“The Church, though dispersed throughout the whole world, even to the ends of the earth, has received from the apostles and their disciples this faith: . . . one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them; and in one Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who became incarnate for our salvation; and in the Holy Spirit, who proclaimed through the prophets the dispensations of God, and the advents, and the birth from a virgin, and the passion, and the resurrection from the dead, and the ascension into heaven in the flesh of the beloved Christ Jesus, our Lord, and His manifestation from heaven in the glory of the Father ‘to gather all things in one,’ and to raise up anew all flesh of the whole human race, in order that to Christ Jesus, our Lord, and God, and Savior, and King, according to the will of the invisible Father, ‘every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess; to him, and that He should execute just judgment towards all . . . ‘” (Against Heresies X.l) 


Tertullian (160-215).  African apologist and theologian.  He wrote much in defense of Christianity. 


“We define that there are two, the Father and the Son, and three with the Holy Spirit, and this number is made by the pattern of salvation . . . [which] brings about unity in trinity, interrelating the three, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  They are three, not in dignity, but in degree, not in substance but in form, not in power but in kind.  They are of one substance and power, because there is one God from whom these degrees, forms and kinds devolve in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” (Adv. Prax. 23; PL 2.156-7). 


Origen (185-254).  Alexandrian theologian.  Defended Christianity and wrote much about Christianity. 


“If anyone would say that the Word of God or the Wisdom of God had a beginning, let him beware lest he direct his impiety rather against the unbegotten Father, since he denies that he was always Father, and that he has always begotten the Word, and that he always had wisdom in all previous times or ages or whatever can be imagined in priority . . . There can be no more ancient title of almighty God than that of Father, and it is through the Son that he is Father” (De Princ. 1.2.; PG 11.132). 


“For if [the Holy Spirit were not eternally as He is, and had received knowledge at some time and then became the Holy Spirit] this were the case, the Holy Spirit would never be reckoned in the unity of the Trinity, i.e., along with the unchangeable Father and His Son, unless He had always been the Holy Spirit.” (Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, eds., The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975 rpt., Vol. 4, p. 253, de Principiis, 1.111.4) 


“Moreover, nothing in the Trinity can be called greater or less, since the fountain of divinity alone contains all things by His word and reason, and by the Spirit of His mouth sanctifies all things which are worthy of sanctification . . . ” (Roberts and Donaldson, Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 4, p. 255, de Principii., I. iii. 7). 


Conclusion 


If, as the anti-Trinitarians maintain, the Trinity is not a biblical doctrine and was never taught until the council of Nicea in 325, then why do these quotes exist?  The answer is simple: the Trinity is a biblical doctrine, and it was taught before the council of Nicea in 325 A.D. 


Part of the reason that the Trinity doctrine was not “officially” taught until the time of the Council of Nicea is that Christianity was illegal until shortly before the council.  It wasn’t really possible for official Christian groups to meet and discuss doctrine.  For the most part, they were fearful of making public pronouncements concerning their faith. 


Additionally, if a group had attacked the person of Adam, the early church would have responded with an official doctrine of who Adam was.  As it was, the person of Christ was attacked.  When the Church defended the deity of Christ, the doctrine of the Trinity was further defined. Generally speaking, it usually takes some err for a position to 'have' to be articulated. The fact that the Nicene Council was overwhelming in agreement should lend some evidence to who is on the right side of the issue.


The early church believed in the Trinity as is evidenced by the quotes above, and it wasn’t necessary to really make them official.  It wasn’t until errors started to creep in that councils began to meet to discuss the Trinity as well as other doctrines that came under fire.


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Christ "Anointed One"

A. Preexistence of:

Affirmed in OT- Ps. 2:7;Pr. 30:4; Dan 7:13; Mi 5:2

Confirmed by Christ-Jn 8:57-58;3:13;6:33,38,62;8:23;16:28;17:5

Proclaimed by Apostles-Jn 1:1-3,12,14,18; Col 1:15-19; Philp 2:6-8

John the Baptist taught-Jn 1:30 Other Passages relating~Is 9:6; Zec 12:10;13:7; 1 Cor. 10:4; 2 Cor. 8:9; Heb ch 1; 11:26; (Angel of YHVH?)

"In the beginning" Jn 1:1-3,12,14,18;17:5,24;Col 1:17; 1 Jn 1:1;2:14

"Descended from heaven" Jn 3:13,31-36; 6:38,39,62; 8:23

"Come from the Father" Jn 1:18; 3:16,17,34; 5:36-38; 6:29,38,46,57; 7:27-29; 8:42; 10:36; 13:3; 16:30; 17:5,8,18; 1 Jn 1:1-3

"Before Abraham was" John 8:56-58


B. Deity/Divinity of: His own testimony regarding- Jn 7:29; 8:12-21,25-47; 10:25-38; 14:1-24; 15:8-27; 16:15; 17:1-8

His own Scriptural citations regarding his Deity- Jacob's dream of YHVH Jn 1:50-51+Gen 28:13-17 Shepherd Ps 23:1;95:7-8+Jn 10:11,27-28 Word forever Mk 13:31+Ps 119:89+Is 40:8 Mouth of Infants praise Mt 21:15-16+Ps 8:1-2 Shared glory/equal honor Jn 17:5+Is 42:8+Jn 5:23 Immutable hand Is 43:13+Jn 10:28-30 Fount of living water Jer 2:13+Jn 4:10;7:37 Light Is 60:19-20+Jn 8:12+1Jn 1:5;Jam 1:17 Judge of all Ps 62:12;96:13; Joel 3:12; Is 62:11+Mt 16:27; 25:31-46; Jn 5:22-23+Zec 14:3+Ax 1:6-11

I AM Ex 3:14; Dt 32:39;Is 43:10+Jn 8:24,28,58;18:5-8 Bridegroom Is 62:5; Hos 2:16+Mt 25:1;Rev 21:1,9 First and Last Is 41:4;44:6;48:12;Rev 1:7-8?+Rev 1:17-18;2:8;22:12-16

Acknowledged by Christ Jn 20:28,29

Predicted in Scripture Is 9:6; Jer 23:5-6; Mi 5:2; Zec 12:9-10; Mal 4:5

Acclaimed by witnesses Jn 1:1-3,14,18;Mk 2:7-8; Lk 5:21-22; Jn 5:18;10:33

Affirmed by Apostles-Ro 9:5; Phil 2:5-6; Col 1:16-17; 2:9; Ti 2:13; 2 Pt 1:1; Heb 1:8-10

•Creator Jn 1:1-4,10; 1 Cor 8:6; Eph 3:9; Col 1:16-17; Heb 1:2;8:10; Rev 3:14

•Equality with God Jn 5:17,18,23;10:30,38; 12:44-45; 14:6-11;15:23;17:10,21-23; 2 Cor 5:19; Phil 2:5-6; Col 1:15; 2:9; Heb 1:3-4, 10-12; 13:8

•Mutuality with God Mt 11:27; Jn 5:17,18,23-27,37,43; 12:44-45; 14:23; 16:23-32; 17:9-12; 2 Thes 1:2; 1 Ti 1:2

•Called God Is 7:14+Mt 1:23; Is 9:6; Jer 23:5-6; 33:16; Mt 4:7; Jn 1:1-4; 10:33; 20:28; Ax 20:28; Ro 9:5; Col 1:15,19; 2:9; 1 Ti 3:16; Ti 1:3;2:13; 2 Pt 1:1; He 1:8,10; 1 Jn 5:20


Called YHVH Is 40:3+Mt 3:3; Mk 1:1-3;Lk 3:4; Jn 1:23 Jacob's dream of YHVH Jn 1:50-51+Ge 28:13-17 YHVH's glory Is 6:1-3+Jn 12:41 YHVH first and last Is 41:4;44:6;48:12-16+Rev 1:17;2:8;22:12-16 YHVH Rock Ps 18:2; Is 44:8 cf Is 8:14; Dt 32:37+1Cor 10:4; 1 Pt 2:6+Is 8:14 Call on YHVH Joel 2:32+Ax 7:59-60; Rom 10:12-13; 1 Cor 1:2 Confessed as YHVH Is 45:23+Phil 2:9-11 

YHVH our righteousness Jer 23:5-6+1 Cor 1:30 YHVH pierced Zech 12:10+Jn 19:34-37

YHVH praised by Infants Ps 8:1-2+Mt 21:15-16

YHVH ascended on high Ps 68:18+Eph 4:7-10

YHVH Creator Heb 1:10-12 + Ps 102:25-27


Inferred as YHVH: By works~ Calming Storm Mt 8:23-27; Mk 4:39-41+Ps 107:28-29; 89:8-9 Walks on water Mk 6:48-51+Job 9:8 "I Am" Mt 14:27-33 "Why did you doubt?" Nu ch.14 Receives Worship 

Forgives sin Mk 2:5-12+Is 43:25; Nu 14:19-20; Ps 25:18; 32:5; 85:2;Jer 31:34;36:3

Healer of Infirmities Ps 103:2-5; 147:3+Mt 12:15;15:30; Lk 4:18,40; 6:19 Feeding Crowd in wilderness Mk 6:31-44; Jn 6:1-14 also Mk 8:1-9+Ex ch. 16

By reference~Peter's plea,like Isias Lk 5:8-10+Is 6:5 Seek and save the Lost Ez 34:16+Lk 19:9-10

Forgiver of sins Lk 7:36-50 Good Shepherd John 10:11-13+Ez 34:2,4 

King of Jews 1 Sam 8:6-7 + Mt 2:2;27:11 

•Pilate's sign "Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews"~ acronym-acrostic  YHVH - Yeshua HaNazaret VaMelek HaYehudim Jn 19:19+Zech 12:9-10

YHVH's fellow/associate Zech 13:7+Phil 2:6

YHVH for whose glory all things were created Pr 16:4+Col 1:16 YHVH Messenger of the Covenant Mal 3:1;4:5+ Lk 2:6-27

Yhvh judge of all Ps 96:13; + Rev 19:11-20

•As Warrior Ex 15:3; Ps 24:8+Rev 19:11

•Breathe of his mouth Is 11:4; Job 4:9 + 2 Thess 2:8; Rev 1:16; 2:12,16; Rev 19:15

•Faithful and True Rev 3:14; 19:11+21:5

•Blood on Garments Is 63:3+Rev 19:13

•Lord of Lords Dt 10:17; Dan 2:47;8:25 + Rev 17:14; 19:16; 1 Tim 6:15


Return to Mt Olivet Zech 14 +Ax 1


Lord of Glory Ps 24:7-8 +1 Cor 2:8;James 2:1


_______________


Jesus "Yahweh Saves" (see note on "Christ")


As God–YHVH God's pictographic name meaning~"yood-hand" "hey-behold" "vav-nail" "hey-behold" since Hebrew is a verb first language–God's Name literally means, "Behold, the Hand; Behold, the Nail"


Yahweh as Creator (Ge ch1 [v26-27] Is 44:24;Jn 1:1-3,10; Col 1:16-17; Heb 1:1-3,8-12+Ps 102:24-27)


Taking Adam's blame for sin (Ge 3:12+Zech 12:10;Jn 19:19)

Eve believes she got a man YHVH[?] (Ge 4:1)

Adam's Genealogy prophetic names (Gen ch5) "the Blessed God shall come down"


Yahweh giving new law on Mount (Ex ch 19-20+Mt ch5-7) "God said"~ "But I say"(to add to God makes Him God)

Yahweh Word never passes away (Is 40:8+Mt 24:35)

Yahweh's Law a way of life and death (Dt 30:19;+Mt 7:13-14, 24-27)

Yahweh saving his people with mighty hand and outstretched arm (Dt 26:8+Jesus' life and crucifixion)

Yahweh feeding multitudes in wilderness (Ex ch16+Mt 14:13-21)

Yahweh dwelling with his people (Ex. 25:8; Ez. 37:27; Zec 2:10+Mt 1:23;Jn 1:1,14,18)

Yahweh commissions people to Promised Land (Ge ch28; Ju ch1+Mt 28:18-20;Jn 1:49-51)

Yahweh promises his presence in conquest (Ge ch 28;Ex 3:12;Josh 1:5; Mt 28:18-20)


Yahweh King over Israel (1 Sam 8:7; Is 44:6; Jn 19:19)•Pilate's sign "Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews"~ acronym-acrostic  YHVH - Yeshua HaNazaret VaMelek HaYehudim (Jn 19:19+Zech 12:9-10)


Yahweh as Calming storms (Ps 89:8-9;107:23-30 +Mk 4:39-41)


Yahweh as walking on water (Job 9:8+Mt 14:22-33; Mk 6:48-51) •Jesus identifies and comforts with "I am" Ex 3:14;Is 51:12; 52:6 •Why did you doubt? -Peter/like Israel doubted God– Mt 14:30-31; Nu ch14 •recieves worship Mt 14:33

By reference~Peter's plea,like Isias Lk 5:8-10+Is 6:5 


Yahweh Rejected (Ex 16:8;1 Sam 8:7+Is ch53;Jn 1:11)

Yahweh Shepherd (Ps 23:1; Jn 10:11)

Yahweh seated on Throne (Is 6:1-3 (10)+John 12:40,41+Rev 3:21;7:17)

Yahweh Stone of stumbling (Is 8:14;+1 Pt2:8)

Yahweh's teaching rejected (Dt 32:18;Jer 9:13 31:32+Jn 6:52-66)


Yahweh the God with us, (Is 7:14+Mt 1:23) Mighty God, Father of Eternity (Is 9:6;Mi 5:2;+Jn 1:1-3,10)


Yahweh alone who is God.  (Is 44:24+Jn 1:1,18,50-51; 20:28) ~Savior(Is 43:11+Ax 4:12; Titus2:13)  ~Rock (Is 44:8+1 Pe 2:6-8)


Yahweh who sends himself (Is 48:12-16; Zec 12:10)

Yahweh our Righteousness (Jer 23:5-6+1 Cor 1:30)

Yahweh seeks and saves lost (Ez 34:16+Lk 19:9-10)

Yahweh as Giving rest (Ex 33:14; Mt 11:28)

Yahweh source of life (Dt 30:20+Col 3:3-4)

Yahweh Healer of Infirmities (Ps 103:2-5; 147:3+Mt 12:15;15:30; Lk 4:18,40; 6:19)

Yahweh forgiver of sin (Mk 2:5-12+Is 43:25; Nu 14:19-20; Ps 25:18; 32:5; 85:2;Jer 31:34;36:31)

Yahweh Worker of Wonders (Ex 3:20; 4:8-9;15:11+Jn 2:1-12; 9:1-41)

Yahweh as Giving the Spirit (Jn14:26;15:26;16:7;20:22; 2Tim 1:7-9)

Yahweh as having his own people (Ez 37:23+Titus 2:11-14)

Yahweh vs. lawlessness (Barabas) chosen beside him (Ex ch 32; Lev 20:2-5; 2Ki 17:16; 21:6; Jer 32:35+Mt 27:16;Mk 5:17;Lu 23:18;Jn18:40; Ax 3:14)

Yahweh as First and Last (Is 44:6;48:12-16+Rev 1:17; 2:8; 22:13-16)

Yahweh as power over life and death (Gen 6:3; Dt 32:39; Jn 17:1-2; Rev 1:18)

Yahweh as upholding all things (Job 38:33-37;Ps 104:1-35;145:16-17; Ax 17:28+Col 1:16-20; Heb1:3)


Yahweh as Bridegroom (Is 62:5; Hos 2:16+Mt 25:1;Rev 21:1,9)

Yahweh as Comforter (Is 51:12;2 Cor 1:3-4;+Mt 11:28; Jn 14:18)

Yahweh as causing all things to work together for good (Ge 50:20; Book of Job;+Rev 2:10)

Yahweh ascended (Ps 68:18+Eph 4:7-10)

Yahweh from whom all blessings flow (Jam 1:17; Jn 14:14)

Taste and see Yahweh is good (Ps 34:8+ 1 Pe 2:3)

The Unchanging Yahweh (Mal 3:6+Heb 13:8)

Yahweh as all in all (1 Cor 15:28+Col 3:11; Eph 1:23)


_________________________


Angel of Yahweh


• Ge 16:8-14 Omniscience (tells Hagar about future descendants) Omnipotent (promises to make specific future occur) Recognized as God (Hagar calls the Angel "God who sees" Correlation to Christ (has familiar tenderness of Jesus in the Gospels. Like woman caught in adultery (Jn 8:1-11) Hagar has been misused and the Angel comes in understanding and sympathetic way


• Ge 22:11-12 speaks as God, identifies Himself as God (have not withheld your only son, from Me) Correlation with Christ (the Father sacrifices His Son to give eternal life Jn ch3)


• Ge 31:13 recalls Jacob's dream (Ge 28:12) where the Angel identifies Himself as "the God of Bethel" who revealed Himself previously to Jacob.


• Ex ch3 Identifies as God: If we weren’t told at the beginning this was an angel, we wouldn’t even know it. The rest of the narrative shows Moses speaking to God.

Recognized as God: Moses turns his face away because he is afraid to look upon God (verse 6).

Demands worship: The angel tells Moses to remove his shoes because the ground in the angel’s presence is holy.

Omniscience: The angel tells Moses he has heard the cries of the afflicted in Egypt (verse 7).

Omnipotence: The angel’s message is that he will use Moses to deliver his people. Throughout the exchange, the angel promises to display his power to Egypt.

Omnipresence: When Moses expresses doubt, the angel promises to be with him (verse 12).

Immutability: When the angel reveals the name of God as “I AM,” it signifies God’s timeless and unchangeable nature.

Correlation with Christ: Here we see the angel of the Lord demonstrating a characteristic we recognize from Jesus’ ministry. He is empowering Moses to release his people from bondage (Luke 4:16–21).


•Ex 14:19-20+13:21-22

Angel of Yahweh is a protector of the Israelites

Identified as God: At one moment the guiding phenomenon is linked to God, and later identified as the angel of the Lord.


Nu 22:22-35

Angel of Yahweh shows distinction from YHVH God here. Balaam is unable to see the Angel until is given vision to see.

Distinct from God: Here we see both God and the angel of the Lord as separate agents in the same story.

Identified as God: The angel identifies Balaam’s sin as a personal affront.

Sovereignty: The angel talks about potentially taking Balaam’s life, but it doesn’t appear to be an order. The comment is delivered in a way that indicates the angel’s own authority.


Jdg 2:1-5

Angel of the Lord points to himself as the one who delivered Israel from the Egyptians, is the keeper of Israel’s covenant, and requires obedience. As a consequence of their insubordination, the angel informs the Hebrew nation that he’s withdrawing his protection from them. Angel takes credit for what the entire Biblical witness associates with God.


Jdg ch 13

Sovereignty: The angel informs Manoah and his wife how he plans to use Samson.

Identified as God: Monoah recognizes that they have seen God (verse 22).

Accepts worship: When Manoah offers to sacrifice a goat to the angel, the angel tells him to sacrifice it to the Lord. But the author of Judges tells us that the angel only said that because Manoah didn’t understand who he was talking to (verses 15–16). When it’s all over and Manoah is worried about being killed for seeing God, his wife tells him “If the Lord had desired to kill us, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands . . .” (verse 23).

Correlation with Christ: The angel of the Lord refuses to give Manoah his name because it is wonderful (or incomprehensible), which seems to hint to his identity as Wonderful, Counselor, and Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6).


1 Chr ch21

The Angel of Yahweh executes judgement over Jerusalem–a role associated with Jesus


Zech 1:12; 3:4

Correlation with Christ: Zechariah portrays the angel of the Lord as a mediator for Israel, an opponent of Satan, and a purifier of the righteous. These are all ministries associated with Jesus in the New Testament.


_____________________


Divinity of Jesus Christ in Early Christian Writings


He is Lord of all the world, to whom Hod said at the foundation of the world, "Let us make man after our image, and after our likeness." Barnabas (c.70-130, E),1.139.


Let us reverence the Lord Jesus Christ, whose blood was given for us. Clement of Rome (c.96, W), 1.11


God Himself was manifested in human form for the renewal of eternal life. Ignatius (c.105,E), 1.58


Continue in intimate union with Jesus Christ, our God. Ignatius (c.105,E), 1.68


I pray for your happiness forever in our God, Jesus Christ. Ignatius (c.105, E), 1.96


The Christians trace the beginning of their religion to Jesus the Messiah. He is called the Son of the Most High God. It is said that God came down from heaven. He assumed flesh and clothes Himself with it from a Hebrew Virgin. And the Son of God lived in a daughter of man. Aristides (c. 125, E), 9.265


Truly God Himself, who is Almighty, the Creator of all things, and invisible has sent from heaven, and placed among men, the One who is truth, and the Holy and incomprehensible Word...God did not, as one might have imagine, as one might have imagined, send to men any servant, angel or ruler....Rather, He sent the very Creator and Fashioner of all things–by whom He made the heavens...As a King sends his son, who is also a king, so God sent Him. He sent Him as God. Letter to Diognetus (c.125-200) 1.27.


Brethren, it is fitting that you should think of Jesus Christ as of God–as the Judge of the living and the dead. Second Clement (c.150), 7.517.


The Father of the Universe has a Son. And He, being the First Begotten Word of God, is even God. Justin Martyr (c 160, E), 1.184.


The above quotes were taken from: "A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs". David W. Bercot Hendrickson Publishers, 1998 pgs. 93-94


Justin Martyr quotes Jesus as God~

•"The Father of the universe has a Son, who also being the first begotten Word of God, is even God." (Justin Martyr, First Apology, ch 63)

• "Christ is called both God and Lord of hosts." (Dialogue with Trypho, ch, 36)

• Moreover, in the diapsalm of the forty-sixth Psalm, reference is thus made to Christ: 'God went up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet."Dialogue with Trypho, ch 37

• "Therefore these words testify explicitly that He [Christ] is witnessed to by Him who established these things, as deserving to be worshipped, as God and as Christ." - Dialogue with Trypho, ch. 63.

• Justin Martyr in Chap. LXVI. He (Justin) Proves From Isaiah That God Was Born From A Virgin. (Chapter Title, Chap. LXVI)

•"And Trypho said, "You endeavor to prove an incredible and well-nigh impossible thing;[namely], that God endured to be born and become man...some Scriptures which we mention, and which expressly prove that Christ was to suffer, to be worshipped, and [to be called] God, and which I have already recited to you, do refer indeed to Christ." (Dialogue with Trypho, ch 68)

•[Trypho to Justin] "...you say that this Christ existed as God before the ages, and that He submitted to be born and become man" 

•"Whence to God alone we render worship." (Justin Martyr, First Apology, ch 17) Yet, Justin says that they worship Jesus Christ as God.  "Therefore these words testify explicitly that He [Christ] is witnessed to by Him who established these things, as deserving to be worshipped, as God and as Christ." - Dialogue with Trypho, ch. 63.


________________________________






Saturday, May 24, 2025

The Holy Spirit Bears Witness and Testimony

 

John 15:26 ESV

[26]  “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the SPIRIT OF TRUTH, who proceeds from the Father, HE WILL BEAR WITNESS ABOUT ME. 


Acts 5:32 ESV

[32] And we are WITNESSES to these things, AND SO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT, whom God has given to those who obey him.”


Hebrews 10:15 ESV

[15] And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,


Acts 20:23 ESV

[23] except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 


Romans 8:16 ESV

[16] The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 


Romans 9:1 ESV

[1]  I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—


Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Defending the Trinity and Answering Questions/Objections by Anthony Rogers

 

As I've often said, Anthony Rogers is my favorite living defender of the Trinity. ENJOY!


Defending the Trinity and Answering Questions/Objections by Anthony Rogers

https://youtu.be/t1xvPL1fj0U?si=WzU0cH915QfH5bcO










Monday, October 9, 2023

"Our God Is Triune" book authors on "The Gospel Truth" YouTube channel

 

Some of the authors of the excellent book "Our God Is Triune" are gathered in the following YouTube video:

Our God is Triune: Dr. Michael Burgos, Anthony Rogers, Vocab Malone & Dr. Edward Dalcour
https://youtu.be/zNH-b3_uIsI




 

 

 

Sunday, February 5, 2023

The Trinity in the Book of Revelation: Interview with Dr. Brandon Smith

 

Michael Bird interviews Brandon Smith on why he wrote The Trinity in the Book of Revelation


The Trinity in the Book of Revelation: Interview with Dr. Brandon Smith
https://youtu.be/rF95ts2Ezq0







Tuesday, July 12, 2022

The Analytic Christian YouTube Channel Playlists on the Trinity

  

 The Analytic Christian is a Christian YouTube channel that focuses on philosophical theology. Jordan Hampton usually interviews experts in specific fields of philosophical theology. Here are some of the channel's Playlists that are directly relevant to the doctrine of the Trinity.

The Trinity:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew32U1gyOc8&list=PLlVH-ThCazKmStWtxqvoCPP3QD_mhfCI8


The Incarnation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ-m5nl4x4w&list=PLlVH-ThCazKkHW-733L5uQlR4EKRRDcy1



Saturday, December 4, 2021

Does the Trinity Make Sense? A Debate Between Chris Date vs Muslim Metaphysician

 

A great debate between Christian Chris Date and Muslim Jake Brancatella [AKA "Muslim Maetaphysician"]. The debate makes reference to a video Chris Date made prior to the debate. I've also  linked to a video that's probably the one that they're referring to.


Does the Trinity Make Sense? A Debate Between Chris Date vs Muslim Metaphysician
https://youtu.be/tTGViH-mM7Y






In the the episode below, Chris offered what he thinks is a logically coherent and orthodox doctrine of the Trinity, in anticipation of his debate with Jake Brancatella linked above:

Theopologetics 028: Can an Orthodox Doctrine of the Trinity Be Logically Coherent?
https://youtu.be/6WJ-mdKdNFo




Sunday, October 3, 2021

The Trinity demonstrated from The Lord's Prayer

 

There are many ways to argue for the Trinity. Some are more direct than others [as I've documented on my blog]. Here's an indirect way to argue for the deity of Christ and of the Holy Spirit from the Lord's Prayer. According to the Bible [sorry my Catholic friends], prayer is something you may only direct toward God who alone can hear and answer those prayers in that intimate relationship between the Creator and His creatures. In this article I'll go through the the Lord's Prayer and show how its petitions can be fulfilled in and by Christ and the Holy Spirit as well. I'll go through the Lord's Prayer twice and show how it applies to Christ and then later to the Holy Spirit. If the Lord's Prayer can also be applied in some sense to the Son and Spirit, then that's an indirect way of supporting the fully deity of the Son and Spirit. Often I'll list a number of verses as prooftexts. The lists aren't meant to be exhaustive. I could go on listing more verses, but a sample of verses should suffice.

The first point that needs to be recognized is that we can pray to the Son. Jesus said "If you ask ME anything in my Name I will do it" [John 14:12-14*]. The critical text has the word "Me" used by Jesus. Though, the Textus Receptus do not. I'm not sure but there might be some manuscripts in the Majority Text that include "Me." But modern critical texts do like the Nestle-Aland text and the United Bible Societies text. See this blog HERE for more details on the Greek of John 14:14. Paul prayed to Jesus for his thorn in the flesh to be removed [1 Cor. 12]. The Apostles prayed to the Lord to determine who would replace Judas [Acts 1:24]. The fact that Jesus can and ought to be prayed to should settle the issue of His full Deity. But I want to go further and show how the Lord's Prayer can also be applied to Jesus.

"Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your Name..."

In Trinitarianism the person of the Father is not the Son, nor is the person of the Son the Father. Within the relations of the persons of the Trinity, the Father begets, the Son is begotten, and the Holy Spirit proceeds. Yet, there are other senses in which we can call the Son "Father":

1. in that the Son is Creator as the Father is Creator. The Son is our ontological "Father" in that sense of also being Creator [Note how Eccl. 12:1 literally has "Creators" and Isa. 54:5 has "Fathers" and "Husbands"].

2. The Son is the "Everlasting Father" [or better translated] "Father of Eternity." Meaning, the Messiah possesses the attribute of eternality.

3. The Son is our "Father" redemptively. Jesus Himself referred to someone who He forgave [and eventually healed] "[my] son" in Matt. 9:2. Jesus wasn't afraid of calling someone "son" in that verse, as if it would deprive God the Father of any honor or glory.

"...who is in heaven..."


Jesus is in heaven. A textual variant in in John 3:13 implies there is a sense in which Jesus has always been in heaven [cf. the KJV which adds "which is in heaven"]. Even if we reject this doubitable variant, Jesus is said to be in the bosom of the Father [John 1:18]. Jesus is taught to be omnipresent. For example, He is said to fill "all in all" in Eph. 1:23. And even in heaven, Jesus is still with us to the very end of the Age [Matt. 28:20]. In fact, where two or three are gathered in Jesus' name, there He is among them [Matt. 18:20]. John 3:31 says Jesus is "above all" while at the same time having come to earth. It's as if Jesus is both in heaven and on earth simultaneously, even though there is a sense in which Jesus came to earth in a special way. This is all consistent with the Trinitarian understanding of the incarnation. Omnipresence implies the ability to be in multiple "places" at once. More could be said but that should suffice. We need to move along because there's much more in the Lord's Prayer.

"...hallowed be your Name..."


Jesus' name is hallowed in the use of the baptismal formula in Matt. 28:19 which is an act of worship. Notice how it doesn't say in the "nameS" plural, but in the "name" singular. Then it goes on to refer to the Father, Son and Spirit. By using the singular, Matthew unites all three as sharing the divine name, nature, attributes, and glory. That's why it's perfectly reasonable to invoke all three persons in baptism as an act of worship. If the Son and Spirit weren't fully God, then it would be blasphemous to so closely associate the names of the Son and Spirit with that of the Father, whose name is YHWH. But if the Son and Spirit share that Name, then it all makes perfect sense. Notice too that it uses the definite article for each person. "in the Name of THE Father and of THE So, and of THE Holy Spirit." Without the definite article, one might conclude that some kind of Modalism or Oneness understanding of the triad is true. But by using the definite article for each person, it affirms the genuine personal distinctions of all three. Thus, being more consistent with Trinitarianism, than with Modalism. While at the same time using the singular "Name" rather than "Names" so as to exclude other types of Unitarianism like Semi-Arianism, Arianism etc. Jesus also said we are to honor the Son just as we honor the Father [John 5:23; 1 Pet. 3:15; Heb. 3:3]. Then there are doxologies to Christ which show we ought to hallow the Son's name. See for example my blogpost here:

Doxologies to Christ
https://trinitynotes.blogspot.com/2014/05/doxologies-to-christ.html

Remember too that the Holy Spirit is invoked in adoring worship in the Pauline benediction of 2 Cor. 13:14. Where Paul prays, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." I could go on, but we need to move along.

"...Your Kingdom Come..."


We know that the Kingdom of the Father is also the Kingdom of the Son. This shouldn't be controversial. See for example,  2 Pet. 1:11; Dan. 7:13-14; Heb. 1:8 etc. There are also places where Jesus is expected to "Come." With the coming of the King simultaneously comes the Kingdom as well. Again, this shouldn't be controversial. See for example, Matt. 16:28; 1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Thess. 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23 etc.

Matt. 16:28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man COMING in HIS KINGDOM."

"...Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven..."

The will of Jesus is also sovereign according to the New Testament and ought to be desired, prayed for and submitted to as the Father's will is.

James 4:15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that."

1 Cor. 4:19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power.-

1 Cor. 16:7 For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.

Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, "Let the will of the Lord be done."

See more on this topic in my blogpost here:

Lord [Jesus Christ] Willing? God's Will and Christ's Will
https://trinitynotes.blogspot.com/2014/05/lord-jesus-christ-willing-gods-will-and.html

"...Give us this day our daily bread..."

This "bread" refers to both spiritual/heavenly and material/earthly necessities. Jesus Himself said, that HE HIMSELF is the Bread that comes down from heaven and gives people eternal life [John 6:22ff.]. Jesus also multiplied literal physical bread when He miraculously multiplied bread for 5,000 people and then again for 4,000. Jesus even told Peter how to find a coin in a fish's mouth to pay his and Jesus' taxes. So, Jesus can literally make provision for the people of God.

"...And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors..."

We know from the Gospels that Jesus could forgive sins. So, this shouldn't be controversial and therefore doesn't need many prooftexts. One should suffice:

Mark 2:7    "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
8    And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts?
9    Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'?
10    But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"---he said to the paralytic---
11    "I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home."

"...And lead us not into temptation..."

Jesus is repeatedly taught to be the Shepherd of God's people. Shepherds lead their flock. So, Jesus leading people shouldn't be controversial [cf. John 10:11, 14, 16; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25; 5:4;

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Rev. 7:For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and HE WILL GUIDE them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

1 Thess. 3:11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, DIRECT our way to you,

In fact, the use of the singular verb in 1 Thess. 3:11 probably has theological significance suggesting the equality and unity of the Father and Son. See the commentaries here:
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/1_thessalonians/3-11.htm

"But deliver us from evil [or the evil one]..."

By "evil" it likely refers to all sorts of evils and calamities, as well as evil spirits, including and especially the Devil. Jesus is clearly taught to be our deliverer [cf. Titus 2:13-14; Matt. 1:23; Gal. 1:4 etc.]. We know Jesus delivered Peter from sinking into the lake when Peter cried out for help [Matt. 14:22-32].

2 Tim. 4:18 And the Lord will DELIVER ME from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

Matt. 6:13b KJV "...For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."
Matt. 6:13b NKJV "...For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

This famous ending is a textual variant that is considered by many scholars not to be original. Though, because of its antiquity and widespread use in Christian history, it is included in most modern Bible translations either as a footnote, or somehow within the main text, but identified in some way as uncertain. For example, being placed in brackets. Assuming for the sake argument that the phrase is authentic, or at least ought to be regarded AS IF authentic, IT TOO applies to Jesus. The last prooftext I gave in the previous segment of the Lord's Prayer is an example. Let me quote it again.

2 Tim. 4:18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. TO HIM BE GLORY FOREVER AND EVER. Amen!

That passage is almost universally interpreted by seasoned commentators as referring to Jesus as the "Lord" rather than the Father. See also my blogpost on doxologies to Jesus here:

Doxologies to Christ
https://trinitynotes.blogspot.com/2014/05/doxologies-to-christ.html

As well as my blogpost on Rom. 9:5 here:

Romans 9:5 and Christ's Full Deity
https://trinitynotes.blogspot.com/2014/05/romans-95-and-christs-deity.html

Some might complain that if the doctrine of the Trinity is true, then the Lord's Prayer should also apply to the Holy Spirit. It can. But even if it couldn't that wouldn't undermine the doctrine of the Trinity, because the doctrine also entails the doctrine of perichoresis [AKA circumincession] whereby the life and work of each person of the Trinity is involved and intricately intertwined with the others. This is why the Spirit of the Lord Jesus who is the Son of the Father, is also the same Spirit of the Father.

See my blogpost here:

The Spirit of Jesus
https://trinitynotes.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-spirit-of-jesus.html




So, let's go through the Lord's Prayer and see if it can also apply to the Holy Spirit. I'll do this quickly because some of the same arguments I used for Jesus can be used for the Holy Spirit.

The first thing I want to point out is that the Holy Spirit can be prayed to. If He can be prayed to, then He is fully God as well. I've argued this in my blogpost here:

Praying to and Worshipping the Holy Spirit
https://trinitynotes.blogspot.com/2014/08/praying-to-and-worshipping-holy-spirit.html

I'll skip repeating myself and go directly to the Lord's Prayer. One can read the blogpost above for why the Holy Spirit can be prayed to.

"Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your Name..."

The Holy Spirit is omnipresent, and therefore is also in heaven.

Ps. 139:7    Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8    If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

The Holy Spirit's name is to be hallowed, as I argued above with the Father and Jesus by appealing to the baptismal formula in Matt. 28:19 and the Pauline benediction in 2 Cor. 13:14.

"...Your Kingdom Come..."

Is the Holy Spirit associated with the Kingdom of God? Yes.

Matt. 12:28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Rom. 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

"...Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven..."

Is the will of the Holy Spirit involved in the advancement of the Kingdom? Yes.

Acts 13:2    While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

1 Cor. 12:11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

"...Give us this day our daily bread..."

Does the Holy Spirit give us our bread [i.e. necessities]? Yes, because every blessing from the Father through the Son is applied and made real in our experience in the Holy Spirit. That's a repeated teaching in the New Testament that shouldn't need prooftexting. Besides, 1 Cor. 12:11 teaches that spiritual gifts come from the Holy Spirit as He wills, and Act 13:2 teaches the Holy Spirit can speak and answer prayer [in that case for direction, guidance, appointment and commission]. So, it follows one can pray to the Holy Spirit for provisions. If the Holy Spirit can give the higher spiritual gifts, then He can also give the lower mundane/earthly gifts of material blessings. The parallels of Matt. 7:11 and Luke 11:13 imply that in having the Holy Spirit you have–in principle–every other good thing you might ever need, because all blessings flow from the Father, through the Son in and by the Holy Spirit.

Matt. 7:11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Luke 11:13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

"...And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors..."

Is forgiveness of sin associated with the Holy Spirit? Yes.

Titus 3:4    But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
5    he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the WASHING OF REGENERATION AND RENEWAL OF THE Holy Spirit 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

Acts 2:38    And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

"...And lead us not into temptation..."

Is the Holy Spirit involved into leading? Yes. Even Jesus WAS lead into temptation/testing by the Holy Spirit [Matt. 4:1; Luke 4:1-2]. The Holy Spirit also leads and guides

Rom. 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Gal. 5:18    But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

"But deliver us from evil [or the evil one]..."

Is the Holy Spirit associated with deliverance, salvation, rescue? To ask the question is to answer it. The Father and the Son are often described as doing those things by the Spirit. For example, Jesus' earthly ministry is described as empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus quoting Isa. 61 says in Luke:

Luke 4:8    The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised,
19    To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.

Matt. 6:13b KJV "...For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."

I've already mentioned how this is a dubitable textual variant. But assuming ad arguendo that it's authentic, it also applies to the Holy Spirit. What I said above about the baptismal formula in Matt. 28:19 and of the the Pauline benediction in 2 Cor. 13:14 apply here too to the Holy Spirit. See also my blogposts here:

All Three Persons of the Trinity Mentioned In Scripture (Directly or Indirectly)
https://trinitynotes.blogspot.com/2014/09/all-three-persons-of-trinity-mentioned.html 

 The Full Deity of the Holy Spirit
https://trinitynotes.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-full-deity-of-holy-spirit.html

Thursday, May 20, 2021

What's Wrong with the Messianic Movement? The Trinity Dr. Tony Costa and Dr. Igal German

 

Dr. Tony Costa interviews Dr. Igal German on how some in the Messianic Jewish movement are teaching heresies that deny the doctrine of the Trinity.



https://youtu.be/cnbzb9ckTPI



Monday, May 17, 2021

The Biblical Basis of the Doctrine of the Trinity by Robert M. Bowman Jr.

 

 

The following is Robert Bowman's classic defense for the Biblical basis for the Trinity. It's a foundational work that every one should read to get an understanding of why Trinitarians think the doctrine of the Trinity is Biblical.


The Biblical Basis of the Doctrine of the Trinity by Robert M. Bowman Jr.

http://irr.org/biblical-basis-of-doctrine-of-trinity


Monday, November 30, 2020

The Old Testament Witness to the Trinity by Anthony Rogers

 

Anthony  Rogers, my favorite debater for the Trinity, presents an ongoing video series on the Old Testament Witness to the Trinity. This is a topic that I think is VERY important and useful. When done properly, this answers and addresses many objections and objectors to Christianity. If you can prove the Trinity is taught in the Old Testament, it proves that Christianity is the heir of Judaism to Jews, disproves Islamic monotheism and Islamic objections to the Trinity, and presents evidence for the truth of Christianity that ought to make atheist reconsider whether Christianity might actually be true.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBnoIhujt6A&list=PLnLlymBIRkYbgTFpgNLeyL9MnglQ3cdqp

Two Debates Between Anthony Rogers and Shabir Ally

 

Christian apologist Anthony Rogers and Islamic apologist Shabir Ally did a back-to-back debate on Nov. 14, 2020. Anthony Rogers is my favorite debater in favor the doctrine of the Trinity, and Shabir Ally is arguably the best Muslim apologist out there. So, these debates are a must watch.



DEBATE: Does the Bible Teach the Doctrine of the Trinity? (Anthony Rogers vs. Shabir Ally)
https://youtu.be/xULtdsZXy68
or
https://youtu.be/dENDTpu-ank



DEBATE: Is Islamic Monotheism Pure? (Shabir Ally vs. Anthony Rogers)
https://youtu.be/5XubcX_tZm0
or
https://youtu.be/8Dtch7E370k

Anthony Rogers did some post debate videos:


Post-Debate Thoughts; Q&A [by Anthony Rogers]
https://youtu.be/WNDmQcJ1xbc






Trinity or Quadrinity? An Answer to Shabir Ally
https://youtu.be/M1E0Btktbhw
 
 
 
 
 
Trinity or Quadrinity: An Answer to Shabir Ally (Part Two)
https://youtu.be/KORZGy7JLLQ
 




Sunday, October 25, 2020

Toviah Singer and Genesis 1:26 by Anthony Rogers

 

Tovia Singer is a well known rabbi who argues against Christianity and Christian Trinitarianism. Here's a video where Anthony Rogers addresses rabbi Tovia Singer's comments on Gen. 1:26. Rogers' comments in this video is in addition to his other main comments on Gen. 1:26 in other videos for example HERE [linked again below].



Toviah Singer and Genesis 1:26
https://youtu.be/7sJGmAALEa4


 Again, the above video presupposes you have seen Anthony Rogers' videos on the topic of Gen. 1:26. For example here:


The Trinity in Genesis? Two Objections (The Trinity in Jewish and Christian Scriptures, Part 2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCMHAdZBJcM&list=PLuXxHEHGRVu9Et4L2kxCdoUCcJeheDJST&index=3

 

 

 

Sunday, January 19, 2020

The Trinity in Jewish and Christian Scripture by Anthony Rogers




Anthony Rogers' EXCELLENT video series on the Biblical case for the doctrine of the Trinity. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h09_8EkJWhg&list=PLuXxHEHGRVu9Et4L2kxCdoUCcJeheDJST

Or click the link below to automatically open up a browser window to play the videos playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h09_8EkJWhg&list=PLuXxHEHGRVu9Et4L2kxCdoUCcJeheDJST

The series can also be found in another YouTube channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwn4bMm0XJ8&list=PLshImU6jwhvy1C6ZnwriJlgiHz623WNkq


The Eternal Generation of the Son by Lee Irons


Lee Irons explains the doctrine of the eternal generation/filiation of the Son, and the eternal procession/spiration of the Holy Spirit. I don't dogmatically hold to these doctrines, but I do lean toward them. They make some metaphysical and philosophical sense. As well as having some Biblical warrant. Though, not as strong as Dr. Irons claims. His inferences from Scripture aren't necessary, even if they might be likely/probable. Western Trinitarian Christianity has traditionally held to these doctrines, even though some modern Protestants reject them in order to affirm that Christ and the Spirit are themselves also autotheos as the Father is.