This study seeks to explain, in laymen terms, the nature of God and the doctrine of the Trinity. The study
mainly focuses on the Trinity doctrine, but also includes other aspects of God's nature. It is meant to be
read with the Bible. Any respected translation(NIV,KJV,NKJV,RSV,NRSV) will be adequate, but I
suggest the NIV version of the Bible as it is a very user friendly book. The language usage of the KJV is
very archaic, and can be confusing as languages change over time. In order to get a good grasp of this
material, please read the Scriptures that are associated with the points.

What is the nature of God? In the context of this study, the nature of God refers to the God's essence, not
his character traits. The nature of God does not refer to his love, patience, and mercy in the context of
this study.

Understanding the Trinity doctrine is essential to a proper, full bodied understanding of Christianity.
However, I do not believe that it is required for salvation. Why do I think this?

The thief on the cross is a good character study to prove this point. It's obvious that he accepted Jesus
Christ as Savior, and will be in the Kingdom, but it's very doubtful that Christ instructed him on the
nature of the Triune God while they hung on the cross(Luke 23:39-43).

In the Old Testament, many men of God died without knowing about the Triune God. The prophets, for
example, understood what they needed to understand in order to complete their mission. They understood
how Israel was wrong in one area, but did not understand the full scope of spiritual knowledge. It is
possible to be a righteous person and not have a full scope of spiritual knowledge(Matthew 13:17). Jonah
didn't have a very good understanding of God's nature if he thought he could escape his presence by
crossing the sea(Jonah 1:1-3). A true Christian will not knowingly teach against orthodox doctrine, though,
and will listen when God seeks to correct him(John 10:27).

Salvation involves the acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord. If a person's concept of
the nature of God is severely flawed, for example, if one denies the deity of Jesus Christ, it's doubtful that
the person is worshipping the true God. The deity of Jesus Christ is an essential aspect of Christianity.
The birth, life, crucifixion and death of Christ would be irrelevant if he were not God. Understanding the
doctrine of the Triune God isn't necessary for salvation, though. It's even questionable whether the New
Testament church focused on the Triune nature of God. They were focused on issues such as the life of
Christ, the calling of Gentiles, law and grace, and circumcision. The question of the nature of God was
not part of their immediate needs.

This need developed in the early church due to heretical beliefs such as Arianism. Scripture laid forth the
principles for formulating the Trinity doctrine, but the precise doctrine of the Triune nature of God was
not laid out in detail. This understanding was developed with the aid of subsequent councils responding to
heretical movements within the Church.

If the doctrine of the Triune God isn't necessary for salvation, why study it? Some Christians look down
upon studying doctrines like the nature of God. They look down upon theologians and their ability to
enrich the church. We need to use every member's strength to our collective advantage(I Corinthians
12:21). Understanding doctrines like the nature of God is important to the church(II Timothy 3:16-17).
Properly understanding God aids us in our relationship with Him. Both intellect and emotion are involved
in the effective Christian walk.

In examining the doctrines of unorthodox movements, it is obvious that one of the characteristics they
share is their rejection of the Triune God and key elements concerning the nature of God. Understanding
the Triune nature of God is a fairly good safeguard against heretical groups as it is a common area of
attack. For example, the Watchtower Society(Jehovah's Witnesses) are modern day Arians, and the LDS
Church(Mormons) are modern day tritheists. Rejection of one key doctrine such as the Triune nature of
God can have a cascade effect into other areas of one's theology.

Many cults do not believe in the Trinity because it defies human reasoning. They cannot understand the
concept of distinction within unity. Some people form a perspective and a way of thinking that is inflexible
and refuse to admit that anything can exist that doesn't conform to their perspective. God will not be
limited; we may apprehend certain aspects of his existence, but we are physical beings. We live in a
physical world, and that physical world is the only basis that we have for analyzing incoming information.
A Christian should realize that the physical senses are inadequate for comprehending the spiritual world.
While God's Spirit within Christians compensates for that to some extent(I Corinthians 2), we are still
physical beings. Christians believe in the Triune nature of God, not because it conforms to their reasoning,
but because Scripture teaches it.

The word Trinity is not found in Scripture. Some who question the validity of the Trinity doctrine use
this as a point of contention. This proposition is ridiculous, though, because the concept of the Trinity is
certainly taught in Scripture. If we applied similar reasoning to the word Bible we would have to deny the
concept of the canon of Scripture.

What does the concept of the Trinity entail? The Trinity proposes that there is one God, who exists in
three coessential Persons. These three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit do not have
separate existence. Many theologians believe that the word Triune is a better word than Trinity, as the
word Trinity sometimes causes the hearer to focus on the three persons part of the definition more than
the one God part. The concept is that there is unity of being or essence while being distinct in terms of
Persons.

These subpoints are the underpinnings of the Trinity doctrine:

   1.There is only one God. Christianity is not a polytheistic religion, believing in three separate gods.
     Christianity affirms the concept of monotheism, as does Judaism and Islam. God is one being.
   2.The Father is God.
   3.The Son is God.
   4.The Spirit is God.
   5.These three Persons of the Godhead are eternally distinct.

 An examination of the heresies associated with a denial of the Trinity may help in understanding the
Trinity. Polytheism is closely associated with paganism, and teaches that there are many gods. Tritheism
is a Christian form of polytheism that many unsuspecting Christians believe. It teaches that there are three
who are God, but they are only loosely related in an association, much like a father, son, and mother are
all one family. This error abandons the unity of the one God. Modalism, held by Oneness Pentecostals,
among others, says that there is one God who reveals himself in three modes, the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit, but these modes are not distinct Persons with a relationship aspect. There is only one God,
who reveals Himself in three Persons, much like an actor in a classic Greek play swaps masks during the
performance. This is an error as it denies the distinct personhood of each of the Persons of the Godhead.
Arianism teaches that only the Father is the uncreated one, and at one time Jesus Christ did not exist. He
was created by the Father, and is subordinate to the Father in terms of nature. This is a heresy because it
denies the deity and equality of the Father and Christ in terms of nature(Christ is subordinate to the Father
in terms of position, but not nature).

The Trinity doctrine of God's nature is the only view that satisfies what Scripture says in its entirety about
God's nature. Those who belong to unorthodox groups tend to take part of what Scripture says on the
nature of God, and accentuate this truth, while denying other Scriptures that would contradict their
assertion. One should be wary when their view requires all kinds of difficult scriptural explanations in
order to get around the clear, contradictory scriptures. This is a warning sign that one's doctrine is not on
a good foundation.  For instance, Scripture speaks both of Christ's deity and humanity. Some groups
accentuate one of these truths to the exclusion of the other. A proper Christology will transcend these
seemingly contradictory truths, and acknowledge both the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ.

Scripture teaches that there is one God, but this one God is manifested in three Persons. Some groups
accentuate the one God part of the definition, and some groups accentuate the three Persons part of the
definition. A proper understanding of the Triune nature of God harmonizes the whole of Scripture.

There is only one God

Christianity is a monotheistic faith. In this regard, it agrees with Judaism and Islam.

This section will cover the concept of monotheism. It will also cover some other aspects of God's nature.
Due to the influence of popular religion, a proper understanding of God's nature needs to be conveyed.
What is God composed of? Is he like a man in terms of form and appearance? If not, what about the
scriptural references to God's bodily parts?

Monotheism is the belief that there is only one God. The divine essence is united; there is one divine
essence. The Father, Jesus Christ, and the Spirit are not three separate gods; there is one God existing in
unity. This unity is a unity of essence, not of persons. The unity is a unity of essence and
correspondingly, purpose.

This concept is difficult to understand because we are physical creatures who only know about physical
things, but it is clearly taught in Scripture. We must not reject what God clearly reveals about Himself
because it doesn't fit into our understanding. Our understanding is good to deal with physical things in a
physical, finite creation. Describing God is outside of the realm of the physical, though. Sometimes our
language runs out of clear ways to describe things that are not physical.

The following verses show that there is only one God:

Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, Oh, Israel, The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Mark 12:32 God is one and there is no other but him….

John 10:30 I and the Father are one.

I Corinthians 8:4 ..there is no God but one.

James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that, and shudder.

Isaiah 43:10-11 …before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the Lord,
and apart from me there is no Savior.

Isaiah 44:6 …I am the first and the last; apart from me, there is no God.

Isaiah 44:8 ..is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know no other.

Isaiah 45:5-6 I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God…there is none
besides me, I am the Lord, and there is none other….

Isaiah 45:18, 21-22 I am the Lord, and there is no other…there is no God apart from me, a righteous
God and a Savior; there is none but me….I am God and there is no other.

Isaiah 46:9 I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.

Deuteronomy 32:39 See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me…

I Chronicles 17:20 There is no one like you, O Lord, and there is no God but you…

Psalm 18:31 …who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?

Joel 2:27 …I am the Lord your God..there is no other…

John 14:10 …I am in the Father, and the Father is in me…

Some critics of monotheism use the reasoning that, yes, there is only one God, but this is speaking of God
the Father only; that only God the Father uses the proper name of God. This position is untenable,
though, as you can see, God revealed himself to Isaiah as the one and only God. He referred to himself as
the Savior and the Rock. There is no confusion; there is only one God, and all other views do not have a
bibical basis. Some critics of monotheism say that the unity of God is not speaking of a unity of essence,
but a unity of purpose. Certainly there is a unity of purpose in God's nature(John 5:19, 8:28, 12:49), but
that is clearly not the meaning that is communicated in the verses above. It is talking about essence.

What about verses such as Daniel 7:13-14 where two divine beings are present in a vision? Does this
vision negate the oneness of God? In other visions, God is represented as one divine Being(I Kings
22:19). Visions are given to material beings to convey certain messages. They may not always be
theologically perfect. Human beings need a body or shape to see and to relate.

Other than the oneness of God's nature, what other observations about God are important? Some
heretical organizations, such as Mormonism, deny that God is spirit. They believe in a God and Christ
who are flesh and bone. This is an anthropomorphic view of the nature of God; making God into man's
image. Other teachers in the church make similar errors, except they suggest that God is in the appearance
of a man, only composed of a shiny 'substance' called spirit. God is spirit(John 4:24). God is not
composed of some type of substance that is called spirit; he is spirit. Spirit is not a shiny substance, as
popular religion has made it out to be. It is a state of being. Being composed of something implies that
something existed before the object made of it. God has existed since eternity. Nothing existed before
Him, so he cannot be made of flesh and bone or a shiny substance called spirit.

God reigns in heaven. Does heaven signify a place, or does it signify a state of being? Since God is
omnipresent, if heaven is his abode, it seems as though it is most properly understood as a state of being.
This state of being is a state of being exalted. What does it mean to go to heaven? It means to be exalted
to a different state of existence. What does it mean to be at God's throne? It means to share in his glory.
What does it mean to be at God's right hand? It means that one is God. Christ at God's right hand is God.

Scripture says that God made mankind in his image. God created mankind to be like him in terms of
moral attributes. We are created in God's image in this context(Genesis 1:26-27). This does not mean
form, but is referring to moral attributes, the ability to relate to other beings, to form character, and to
make decisions. God is the Creator. A body is a need that we have. He is not subject to the needs that
humans have(Acts 17:25). He engineered our bodies to supply the needs that we have in a material world.

God, however, has no needs. Consider your body for a moment. We have legs to walk. Does God need
to walk? He is omnipresent. We have hair over large areas of our skin to keep warm. Does God need to
keep warm? We have teeth to eat our food. Does God need teeth to eat? We have sexual organs to
procreate. God creates from nothingness. We have fingers to handle small objects. Does God need to be
in direct contact with something to move it? Stripped of what we need to deal with this material existence,
there would be little left(maybe nothing) of our bodies. The Bible directly states that God doesn't look like
a man or any other creature(Romans 1:23).

What about references to God's bodily parts? When used in reference to God, references to bodily parts
are figures of speech. Anthropomorphisms are used by God to relate to mankind. They are an example of
how God condescends to our level to convey meaning. Scripture also says that God will cover his children
with his wings(Psalm 91:1-4); does he suddenly become a chicken because we take these obviously
figurative words as literal? The meaning that is conveyed is the loving, caring, comforting nature of the
mother hen for her chicks. Figurative language is a part of how God conveys meaning to humanity(John
10:6, 16:25).

Some Christians and heretical organizations have taken the figurative language of the Bible in reference to
God's bodily parts to be literal. This has generated a belief in an anthropomorphic view of God that is
incorrect and not merited. Scripture speaks of God's face; this expression refers to his presence(Genesis
4:14, 16, Deuteronomy 5:4, Psalm 27:8, Jeremiah 21:10, I Peter 3:12, Ezekiel 15:7, Psalm 17:15, Isaiah
3:8, 1:15, Matthew 18:10, Exodus 33:14). Scripture refers to God's eyes. This expression conveys the
aspect of his awareness of everything, his watchful care, guidance and protection(Deuteronomy 11:12, I
Kings 9:3, Psalm 32:8, Psalm 11:4, Job 34:21-22). Scripture refers to God's ears. This expression
conveys his perfect knowledge of all things done on earth(James 5:4, Psalm 18:4). Scripture speaks of
God's mouth. This expression refers to God's will, command, sentence or word(Job 11:5, Isaiah 30:27,
Joshua 9:14, Isaiah 30:1-2, 11:4, II Thessalonians 2:8). Scripture refers to God's lips and tongue(Job 11:5,
Isaiah 30:27). This refers to God's mind, will, and intention. Scripture refers to God's arm. This
expression conveys God's strength and power(Isaiah 51:9-10,52:10, 59:16, Job 40:9, Acts 13:17).
Scripture refers to God's hand, which conveys God's powerful interventions and workings, his powerful
and gentle protection(Isaiah 11:11, Deuteronomy 4:34, Exodus 9:3, Psalm 21:8, John 10:28-29, Psalm
139:10) . Scripture refers to God's finger, which conveys the aspect of God's workings and
doings(Exodus 8:19, 31:18, Luke 11:20). Scripture speaks of God's heart, which conveys the meaning of
his mind and thoughts(Genesis 6:5-6, Ezekiel 28:6, I Samuel 13:14). Scripture speaks of God's bowels,
which convey the meaning of his deepest feelings and stirrings(Jeremiah 31:20). Scripture speaks of God's
bosom. This conveys the aspect of his intimate, personal and loving relationship with a person(Isaiah
40:11, 46:3). Scripture speaks of God's feet, which conveys the meaning of his activity on earth,
particularly in destroying his enemies(Psalm 74:3). Scripture speaks of God's breath, which conveys the
meaning of God's will and word(Psalm 33:6), and ability to impart life(Genesis 2:7).

What about incidences where God appeared in a manlike form to humanity(Exodus 24:9-11)? God can
manifest himself to humanity in the form of a human, or a burning bush, or a cloud of smoke and fire. It
doesn't mean that he is a human, a burning bush, or a cloud. It is, again, one manner in which God, who
transcends all that we know, condescends to the level of mankind to communicate meaning to us. No one
has ever actually heard God's voice or seen his essence(John 5:37, I John 4:12, I Timothy 6:16, John
1:18, 5:37). We cannot see or hear God. God is spiritual, and we are physical. Theophanies were
manifestations of God for the purpose of relating to humans.

Anthropomorphisms also apply to God's actions. For example, Genesis 9:15 records that God would
remember his covenant with mankind when the rainbow shines. To remember implies that one forgets
something for a while. God is beyond this limitation of mankind to forget. Genesis 6:6 states that God
changed his mind. This, too, is an anthropomorphism. God knows things before they happen(Psalm
139:16, Matthew 6:8, I Corinthians 10:13); he doesn't suddenly realize that he was wrong to do
something, and then reverses it. Isaiah 51:9, Psalm 78:65 and Genesis 2:2-3 infers that God sleeps and
rests, which refers to God's delay in taking action on some problem.

God is not a physical being and doesn't need to sleep; the concept is that he ceases his activity in a certain
area. Scripture speaks of God awakening(Psalm 44:23-24); this properly indicates that he is ready to act
on a certain manner. Scripture speaks of God and flying(Deuteronomy 33:26, Psalm 18:10). Why would
an omnipresent God need to ride, fly, or go up and down to and from the earth ? This concept refers to
his active involvement in the creation. Other anthropomorphisms include Genesis 8:1, Judges 10:16, and
Ezekiel 5:13.

References are made to objects in heaven. These references are obviously meant to convey meaning in a
manner that we can understand. Does God literally sit upon a throne made of wood or stone, or is the
meaning that he exercises his sovereign control over earth and humanity(Psalm 9:7-8, 11:4, 103:19, Acts
2:30, Colossians 1:16)? Do the references to God's armor and weapons refer to literal battle tools, or do
they refer to God's complete power to gain victory decisively and thoroughly(Psalm 45:3-5, 21:12,38:2,
Deuteronomy 32:41, Numbers 24:8)? Do the references to God's shield refer to a literal shield, or do they
refer to God's merciful defense and protection(Psalm 5:12, 84:1? Do the references to God's chariot refer
to a literal chariot pulled by spiritual horses, or do they refer to God's power and ability to gain
victory(Psalm 68:17)? Do the references to God's rod and staff refer to a literal walking aid, or do they
refer to God's protection and help(Psalm 23:4, Isaiah 10:5)?

God created all things, and is above all things. This includes the laws of physics. Having a form or body
means that we are subject to the laws of physics. To have a body, we must occupy a certain space at a
certain time. God created the laws of space and time, so he is not subject to them. God is omnipresent; he
is everywhere at all times(Jeremiah 23:23-24, I Kings 8:27, Hebrews 1:3, Psalm 139:7-10, Acts
17:24-28).

The Father is God

Those who hold unorthodox views on God's nature rarely question that the Father is God.

Who is the Father? The Father is the source of all life. When scripture speaks of him, it speaks in terms
that relate maleness. The Father doesn't have a form or sexual organs, of course, but spiritually he is our
Father. He is the source of life and cares for the needs of his children. He is a provider and protector. He
is supreme Ruler. God has chosen to reveal himself in the male image to convey this information to us.

Watchtower Society sometimes tends to characterize Christians as believing that Jesus and God the Father
are the same person. This is not true. Christians believe that there is one Being called God, but that this
one Being subsists in three distinct Persons. The Father and the Son are different Persons, but there is
only one God. This concept is hard to understand because of the manner in which we exist. We exist in a
material world where person=being. This isn't true in the spiritual realm. We may not fully understand this
concept, but it is taught in Scripture, and Scripture is the final authority of the Christian.

Although almost no one questions the deity of the Father, I will offer this single scripture to affirm it :

I Corinthians 8:6 …there is but one God, the Father..

The Son is God

The Watchtower Society, amongst other groups, denies the fundamental truth of Christianity, that God
came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ, lived amongst us, suffered the agony of the cross, died a
substitutionary death on our behalf, and rose on the third day. Without this understanding, Christianity is
stripped of its essence(I Corinthians 15:1-4). The Jesus of the Watchtower Society is not God in the flesh,
but is an incarnation of the archangel Michael. As such, his life, crucifixion, death and resurrection have
no value. The denial of the deity of Jesus Christ is a heresy.

Christ's own behavior indicated that he was God in the flesh. He accepted worship, which no normal
believer or even an angel would do(Acts 10:25-26, Revelation 19:10). He claimed to forgive sins, yet
Scripture clearly indicates that only God can forgive sin(Mark 2:5-7; we as individual Christians can
forgive sin against us personally, but not other sins).

It's haard to understand why anyone would deny the deity of Christ, yet still believe that Scripture is the
authority of his life. A cursory view of these scriptures will plainly reveal the deity of Jesus Christ:

John 1:18 ..no one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has
made him known.

John 1:1,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God..the
Word was made flesh, and made his dwelling among us…

John 5:18 ..he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God…

Hebrews 1:8-10 …about the Son he says, Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever…

Matthew 1:23 …the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him
Immanuel-which means, "God with us".

Philippians 2:5-6 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in the very
nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness….

Colossians 1:19 …God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile
to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood,
shed on the cross.

Colossians 2:9 ..in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form…

Titus 2:13 ..the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…

II Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness
of our God and Savior Jesus Christ…

I John 5:20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we
may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true--even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true
God and eternal life.

The Watchtower Society, amongst others, claim that Jesus Christ was not God in the flesh, but a created
being. They believe that Jesus Christ was actually an incarnation of the archangel Michael. Hebrews 1
precludes this possibility; verse 14 states …To which of the angels did God ever say, 'Sit at my right
hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.' Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to
serve those who will inherit salvation? This angelic view of Christ's nature infers that his life had a
specific beginning. In John 1:1,14, it states …in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God…the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. So, Scripture
portrays Christ as already in existence at the beginning. In fact, it reveals him as the Creator God.
Colossians 1:15-17 tells us…He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by
him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or
powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and
in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church,; he is the beginning and the
firstborn from amongst the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was
pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether
things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Angels are
created beings(Hebrews 1:7). If Christ created all things(including angels), then he cannot be a created
being.

These six comparisons are useful in proving the deity of Christ:

Comparison One

Revelation 1:8 I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to
come, the Almighty.

Revelation 22:12-16, 20 Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone
according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning
and the End…I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you the testimony for the churches..Amen. Come,
Lord Jesus.

The Lord God identifies himself in Revelation, chapter 1, as the Alpha and the Omega. In chapter 22, the
Alpha and the Omega identifies himself as Jesus Christ. The conclusion to this comparison is that Jesus is
God.

Comparison Two

Acts 2:32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact…

John 2:19,21 ..destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days…the temple he had spoken of
was his body…

The first verse says that God raised Jesus to life. The second verse clearly states that Jesus Christ would
raise his own body. The conclusion is that Jesus Christ is God.

Comparison Three

Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, I am who I am.

God established a divine title in this verse. The phrase 'I am' refers to the divine title. He identified himself
as the Self Existent One through this title.

John 18:5-8 …I am he, Jesus said…I am he…I am he….

In the Greek, Jesus clearly indicated that he was applying the divine title to himself. This caused a strong
reaction in the Jews who sought to murder him. Unlike cultists today, they clearly understood his
references to deity.

Comparison Four

Isaiah 41:4, 44:6, 48:12 ..This is what the Lord says-Israel's King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty; I
am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God….Listen to me, O Jacob, Israel, whom I
have called; I am he; I am the first and I am the last…

Revelation 2:8 To the angel of the church of Smyrna write; These are the words of him who is the First
and the Last; who died and came to life again….

In Isaiah, God clearly identifies himself as the First and the Last, the only God. In Revelation, Jesus
applies the title of First and Last to himself. The conclusion is that Jesus Christ is deity.

Comparison Five

I Samuel 2:2 There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our
God.

I Corinthians 10:3-4 They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink, for they
drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ…

In many places throughout the Old Testament, God is referred to as the Rock. In Samuel, Hannah
proclaimed that there is no Rock like our God, and there is no one besides Him. In Corinthians, Paul said
that Jesus was the Rock that accompanied the Israelites. Obviously, this affirms Christ's deity as well.

These few comparisons help to confirm the deity of Christ, but the plain statements in the New
Testament regarding the deity of Christ are very obvious. The integrity of organizations who deny this
fundamental belief, such as Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, is in severe question. The deity of Jesus
Christ doesn't rest on any one of these passages or comparisons. It's obvious that Jesus Christ claimed to
be God, and without his deity, his mission means little to mankind. Even unbelievers will acknowledge
that the deity of Christ is plainly taught in Scripture; their problem is that they don't generally accept the
authority of Scripture. It is an essential doctrine, as without this doctrine, Christianity is stripped of its
essence.

The Holy Spirit is God

The deity of the Holy Spirit is one of the fundamental aspects of the Trinity. The deity of the Holy Spirit
is not something that is commonly questioned, mostly it is the personhood of the Holy Spirit that is
questioned. Mainly, those who criticize the concept of the personhood of the Holy Spirit associate the
Holy Spirit with a force, rather than a person. An examination of Scripture will refute this heresy.

The deity of the Holy Spirit is demonstrated by the following Scriptures:

Acts 5:3-4 …Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy
Spirit….you have not lied to men but to God.

So, lying to the Holy Spirit is, in the words of Doctor Luke, the same as lying to God. Also,

II Corinthians 3:17 ..Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

The Personhood of the Holy Spirit is the most commonly criticized aspect of the Trinity relating to the
Holy Spirit. This may be due to the fact that Scripture does not assign a body or a face to the Holy Spirit.
In the Old Testament, God manifested Himself in several verses in theophanies, which are ways that God
makes himself appear in the physical realm, whether in clouds, a pillar of fire, or in a bodily form similar
to a man. In the New Testament, Christ in the incarnation actually became God in flesh, fully God and
fully man. It is not difficult to associate a human form to the Father or to Jesus Christ, but it is difficult to
associate a form with the Holy Spirit, although He has appeared in the form of tongues of fire(Acts 2:1-4),
a dove(Matthew 3:13-17), and chariots of fire(II Kings 2:11,16).

Does this difficulty negate the Personhood of the Holy Spirit? As explained earlier, God is not a being that
is limited by a body, and does not possess a body. Jesus Christ dwells in a resurrection body, as a result
of his dual nature. We have no problem associating the Father with personhood due to the humanlike
terms used to describe him. Can we find verses in Scripture that indicate the Personhood of the Holy
Spirit in a similar manner?

The Holy Spirit is consistently referred to in language that indicates personhood. The Spirit is a Person,
not a brute and inanimate, impersonal force.

Many that deny the personhood of the Holy Spirit use 'personification' to explain away the many passages
of Scripture that refer to the Holy Spirit in terms indicating personhood. This approach is unmerited for
the following reasons:

     The sheer number of passages involved. The references which suggest the Holy Spirit is a person
     are not a few in number. They number in the scores.
     The nonpoetic context of the passages which use personal language to refer to the Holy Spirit.
     The inappropriateness of having to explain away the clear and obvious sense of a passage.

Four principles should guide our study of the Bible, and in particular these principles should be applied to
our study of the Holy Spirit:

     Be consistent. If there is nothing in the context to suggest poetic language, it is wrong to call an
     expression personification just because it doesn't fit with one's preconceived ideas.
     Do not add additional words or thoughts to a verse which are not in the passage itself in order to
     "clarify" the verse.
     Do not change the meanings of words to fit what we want a verse to say. For example, we do not
     have the right to cross out 'He' and write 'it' in order to make the verse fit our opinions.
     One should accept the obvious sense of a passage unless there is some compelling reason to suggest
     otherwise.

With this foundation in place, we can look at the verses that strongly indicate the Personhood of the Holy
Spirit.

These points illustrate how the Bible suggests the Personhood of the Holy Spirit:

     The Bible uses personal pronouns when referring to the Holy Spirit(Acts 13:2).
     We are called into a relationship with the Holy Spirit(II Corinthians 13:14, Philippians 2:1).
     Fellowship is a personal relationship, not a relationship to a force.
     Our relationship with the Holy Spirit is characterized in ways indicative of personhood. He teaches
     us(John 14:26, I Corinthians 2:10-12). We can resist the Holy Spirit(Acts 7:51). We can grieve the
     Holy Spirit(Ephesians 4:30). We can lie to the Holy Spirit(Acts 5:3-4). We can please Him(Galatians
     6:8). We can blaspheme the Holy Spirit(Matt. 12:31-32, Mark 3:29, Luke 12:10). The Holy Spirit
     intercedes for us(Romans 8:26-27). The Holy Spirit helps us(II Timothy 1:14, John 14:26, 15:26,
     16:7). All of these relationship aspects convey the concept of the Personhood of the Holy Spirit.
     The Holy Spirit performs tasks which reflect Personhood, not the actions of a brute, impersonal
     force. The Holy Spirit teaches(Luke 12:12, John 14:26, LUKE 2:26, Hebrews 9:8, I Corinthians
     2:13, Ephesians 3:5). The Holy Spirit intercedes for us(Romans 8:26-27). The Holy Spirit comforts
     and encourages us(Acts 9:31). The Holy Spirit guides us(John 16:13, Acts 16:6, 20:22). The Holy
     Spirit warns us(Acts 20:23). The Holy Spirit places people in positions of leadership(Acts 13:2,
     20:28). The Holy Spirit predicts and foretells the future(Acts 21:11, John 16:13). The Holy Spirit
     bears witness and testifies(John 15:26, Acts 5:32, Hebrews 10:15, I John 5:6).
     The Holy Spirit is described in language that is indicative of Personhood. The Holy Spirit knows
     things, has intellect, and mind(Romans 8:26-27, Acts 15:28). The Holy Spirit feels(Ephesians 4:30).
     The Holy Spirit hears(John 16:13). The Holy Spirit speaks(Mark 13:11, Acts 8:29, 10:19, 11:12,
     13:2, 21:11, 28:25, Hebrews 3:7, John 16:13, Acts 1:16, Acts 21:11, I Timothy 4:1, Revelation 2:7,
     11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13,22, 14:13, 22:17).
     We are baptized in the name of the Holy Spirit in the same way that we are baptized into the name
     of the Father and the Son(Matthew 28:19).

Some object to the concept of the Personhood of the Holy Spirit.

One of the points that I have heard is that while the Father and Son are mentioned in Paul's greetings, the
Holy Spirit is omitted. By examining Paul's greetings, we can see that this is not true. In many cases, the
Father and Son only are mentioned(II Timothy 1:2, Philemon 1:3, II John 1:3). In other cases, only Jesus
is mentioned(II Thessalonians 3:18). In at least one case, all three are mentioned in the message(II
Corinthians 13:14). This verse refers to the '...grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and
the fellowship of the Holy Spirit...' clearly communicating the Triune nature of the one true God. The
greetings are not the only place where the apostles referred to the Triune nature of the one true God in
terms that clearly indicate their personhood. I Peter 1:2 talks about the '...foreknowledge of God the
Father...the sanctifying work of the Spirit...obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood...'.
Scripture clearly communicates the Personhood of the Spirit in these verses. We have no reason to think
that the Holy Spirit is not a person.

These Three Persons are Eternally Distinct

 The Three Persons of the Triune Godhead are eternally distinct. There is a difference in the words
distinct and separate. The Three Persons of the one God are distinct, but not separate. Separateness is a
spatial quality. God is not a spatial or being, and the laws of space and time do not apply to him.

Distinct refers to being able to set apart in one's mind. Separate refers to putting apart one or more things
in a complex. Separate is a spatial term. As an example of distinction, consider the distinct aroma of roses
in a flower garden with many types of flowers. We can tell the difference in their distinct smell from all
the other types of flowers in a flower garden, yet the smell of the rose is not physically separated for us.
As an example of separation, consider an operation to separate Siamese twins. They will no longer share
their common essence.

Separate only has meaning with reference to space. God is not subject to the laws of physics; he created
them and is above them. Therefore, separate is not a term that applies to his nature. God is not subject to
the laws of space and time.

The Three Persons of the one God are eternally distinct. There are three identities within the Godhead
that are based upon relationships. They are not separate individuals, though, because there is only one
God. Scripture shows in many places how the Three Persons of the Godhead relate to one another. Jesus
prayed to the Father(Matthew 11:25-27, 26:39), the Father sent Jesus, the Father affirmed Jesus(Matthew
3:16-17, 17:1-5, Mark 1:9-11), the Father sends the Holy Spirit, Jesus was led by the Spirit(Matthew 4:1).
The sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit illustrates the distinction between Jesus and the Holy
Spirit(Matthew 12:23-32). The references to the relationships between the Persons within the one
Godhead are many. Here are a few that show the relationships within the Godhead:

Matthew 28:19 ..go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…

Psalm 110:1 The Lord says to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for
your feet."

John 14:16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever, the
Spirit of truth…

II Corinthians 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship
of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

 Oneness Pentecostals, amongst others, err in the view that the Father, Son, and the Spirit are all the same
Person, only manifesting in three different modes of existence. The concept is much like that of an actor,
who changes masks during a play, but is still the same person essentially. The Father, Son and Spirit are
distinct Persons. There is an element of distinction between the Persons of the Godhead, as is clearly
taught in the above verses.

Conclusion

The Trinity doctrine rests upon the sound teaching of Scripture. Despite the claims of heretical elements
throughout time, it is the correct doctrine on the nature of God. It has been observed that denial of the
Trinity doctrine leads to other doctrinal problems. For example, LDS theology(Mormonism) denies the
Trinity. Instead, they believe that there are many gods on many planets, and that humans are literally
children of God. They believe that the celestial reward is to be exalted to godhood and to replicate
themselves throughout eternity. Their theology tends to result in many problems, including a degradation
of women in general.

I hope that this Bible study has aided you in understanding the teaching of Scripture on this essential
doctrine of Christianity.