Emmanuel Evangelical Church Chippenham

From 8^th November 2007:

In this session we will consider how the Bible progressively reveals God as a God in three persons.

Background

We need to start with a definition, and for that we will use the following:

“God eternally exists as three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and each person is fully God, and there is one God.”

This is a widely misunderstood and often denied doctrine, but it is actually a vital doctrine for us to understand just who God is and what he is doing.

Progressive Revelation

Many who deny the doctrine of the Trinity start with a denial that the Trinity is ever mentioned in the Old Testament. Yet as with so much of God’s revelation of himself, he reveals this most difficult of attributes slowly and carefully:

1. Please read the following passages and note down what you learn about God (specifically as it relates to the Trinity):

   • Genesis 1:26
   • Genesis 3:22
   • Genesis 11:7
   • Isaiah 6:8

2. There are passages in the Old Testament in which one person is called ‘God’ or ‘Lord’ and is distinguished from another person who is said to be ‘God’ or ‘Lord’. Take a look at the following passages and see if you can spot when it happens:

   • Psalm 45:6-7
     • Now compare with Hebrews 1:8
   • Psalm 110:1
     • Now compare with Matthew 22:41–46
   • Isaiah 63:10

3. [See also Malachi 3:1-2; Hosea 1:7; Isaiah 48:16; Proverbs 8:22-31]