BBDSeven

“Basic Baptist Doctrine, Lesson 7”
(printer friendly version)

Bethel MBC

Basic Baptist Doctrine

February 20, 2008

Lesson 7

The Trinity

While we do not find the term “trinity” in the Scriptures, the doctrine is clear. We teach that the Bible defines and describes the three separate offices of the Godhead. We hope to briefly introduce you to the persons of the trinity, discuss some of the attributes of each, and distinguish them from each other.

I. The Trinity

The word “trinity” was used in the second century A.D. by Tertullian to express the concept taught in the Scriptures. He denoted the triune (three in one) revelation of God as Father (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 6:9), Son (John 8:36), and Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:2; John 14:26).

We do NOT worship three Gods. God is one God, but with three distinct natures. The three persons of the Godhead have always existed and are seen in several different places within the scriptures.

a. Creation (Gen 1:1, 2; Ps 104:28-30; John 1:1-3; Col 1:15-16)

b. Revelation (II Tim 3:6; Hebrews 1:1-2; II Peter 1:21)

c. Redemption (Hebrews 10:5-15)

d. Providence (Matthew 6:25-31; John 14:1-3, 16-18; 16:13)

Perhaps the best example of the above is redemption. The Father proposed it; the Son provided it; the Holy Spirit propagates it. All three persons of God were present at the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:16-17) and in his resurrection (Romans 1:4).

Further, as the Bible teaches we see that in the Old Testament, God the Father is predominant in dealing with mankind. In the Gospels, God the Son is the focal point and in the rest of the New Testament (and today) God the Holy Spirit is paramount although all three are present at all times.

Systematic theology speaks of the attributes of God, which are usually divided into seven natural and four moral qualities relating to God’s person.

The natural attributes are:

a. self-existence – not created by an outside source

b. immutability – unchanging character, nature, and purpose

c. omnipresence – present in all space and time

d. immensity – not confined to space and time

e. eternity – past, present, future equally known to Him

f. omniscience – all knowledge simultaneously

g. omnipotence – unlimited power

The moral attributes of God are:

a. holiness – supreme moral excellence

b. righteousness – self affirmation of right vs. wrong

c. truth – source and ground of all forms of knowledge

d. love – self0imparting nature of God seeking the highest good and complete possession of His creatures

II. God the Father

A. Sovereignty of God

By this we mean to express that God bears the rule of the universe (Ps 10:16; Jer 10:10). God can justly act any way that He decides. However, God has placed certain limitations upon Himself in relation to man:

1. He has willed to not violate the free will of man (Genesis 3)

2. He cannot act contrary to His nature (Genesis 18:25)

3. He cannot ignore sin

4. He cannot lie

B. Fatherhood of God

Jesus reveals to us His relationship with God is that of a son. Thus, God is the Father figure and this is taught in Job 1:6; Hosea 11:1; Matthew 5:45; Luke 15:11-32; and Acts 17:28. The concept of “the Father” is taught in John 4:23 and Jesus taught his disciples to pray “Our Father…” in Matthew 6:8-9.

There remains a clearly shown relationship between the first and second persons of the Godhead. Jesus said in John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.” The New Testament teaches that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God and that men may become the adoptive sons of God. Men are constituted with the capacity to become the sons of God not by their power but by God’s grace. This is done by the change in nature described in John 3:3 and by grace-faith as seen in Ephesians 2:8-9. For scriptural backing of this doctrine, see John 1:12.

C. Love of God

I John 4:8 states that “God is love”. The New Testament uses the following words to describe love:

1. Phileo – verb, 25 times, denotes friendliness prompted by sense and emotion

2. Agapao – verb, 142 times, a love grounded in admiration, esteem

3. Agape – noun, 116 times, the love which has God for its only source

AGAPE love:

a. Its source is God (I John 4:10)

b. Is man’s response to God’s love (I John 4:19)

c. Love that men should have for each other (I John 4:11)

d. Described as “charity” in I Corinthians 13

e. God proposes salvation to men with it (John 3:16; Romans 8:37)

f. Christ acted with this love (Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:2)

God’s perfect illustration of AGAPE love as described above is the cross. See I John 4:8-21. In picture, we see AGAPE love in the tracing of the form of the cross:

a. I John 4:10 God’s love comes down to man

b. I John 4:19 Man’s love rising in response to God’s love

c. I John 4:20 The Christian’s love going out to other believer

D. Wrath of God

The wrath of God is not angry expression, vindictiveness, or hatred. It is his resistance to sin, which expresses itself in penalty.

The two New Testament words for wrath are Thumos and Orge. Thumos denotes a reaction of boiling up and soon subsiding. It is used only in Revelation except for Romans 2:8. Orge means that which gradually rises and becomes more settled or abiding. Orge can be found in Matthew 3:7; John 3:36; Romans 1:18, 2:5; Colossians 3:6; Revelation 6:16, 19:15. Orge is generally defined as God’s low in operation. God has not appointed man unto wrath ( I Thess 5:9) but we are the children of wrath because of our sinful nature. Through Christ man can be saved from the wrath of God (Romans 5:9).

E. Mercy and the Grace of God

The mercy of God is related to the love of God. God is love in His nature and cannot cease to love, but He shows mercy as he wills (Luke 1:50). God loves a sinner whether or not he repents. His mercy is conditioned on repentance. This does not mean that God gives mercy grudgingly. He is abundant in mercy (Ephesians 2:4; I Peter 1:3), but in his own choosing.

F. Foreknowledge of God

This is based upon God’s omniscience. Simply put, God knows everything before it occurs. This doctrine has been the source of several denominational splits and factional difficulties. Here is a generalization of the differences:

1. Calvinists believe that since God has willed what will happen in the future, he knows that it will happen (predestination)

2. Arminians insist that while man is free, God knows his choices in advance (foreknowledge)

3. Socinians contend that God knows all that is knowable, but that events determined by man’s free choice are unknowable

What do we teach?

We teach that everyone has a free will to make all choices in life. While God knows what we will choose, He does not interfere with our decisions whether they are good or bad (Arminianism).

G. Providence of God

The word appears only once in the Bible (Acts 24:2). The English word comes from the Latin pro (forward) and videre (to see). Thus, it means to see forward or ahead. We get our word “provision” which is food that is stored ahead of time. So, “providence” may be understood as “provide-ence”. The Greek word rendered “providence” is pronoia, forethought. Basically, providence is God’s control or direction of the universe toward the end which he has chosen. God is above nature and man, yet he is concerned with both. This presupposes both miracles and natural events (Mal 3:11) in god’s operation. Providence encompasses the race (Matthew 5:45) as well as individuals (Matt 6:25; 10:29-31). To accomplish his purpose God uses both nations (Is 45:1) and individuals (Genesis 12:1). This is especially seen in the nation of Israel (Exodus 19:1) and in the church (I Peter 2:9).

III. God the Son, Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity. “Jesus” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word “Joshua” or “Yeshua” meaning “Jehovah is salvation.” Christ is our Lord’s official title and in the Hebrew it is “Messiah” or the Anointed One. Jesus is the incarnation (in flesh) of God the Son, see John 1:1-14.

Important to remember is that Jesus is coexistent, coequal, and coeternal with God the Father (v.1,2). He is the Creator of the universe and the source of life (v3,4). He is the “image (exact manifestation) of the invisible God” Colossians 1:15. He is the source, immediate agent, and goal of the universe, both material and spiritual (v 16). He is the Head of the church and the Reconciler of man with God (v 18-22). He is God become flesh (John 1:14). He had a virgin birth (Matthew 1:22-23), sinless life (Hebrews 4:15); vicarious death (John 10:17; 11:50), bodily resurrection (Romans 1:4; I Corinthians 15:3-5), ascension (Acts 1:9), continuing intercession (Hebrews 7:25) and Second Coming (I Thessalonians 4:16).

In summary, Colossians 2:9 states, “For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”

A. Messiah or Christ

Messiah is the Hebrew word meaning, “anointed”. God’s people of old used oil to anoint or consecrate objects to the Lord. They anointed stones for altars, the tabernacle, the vessels in the tabernacle, etc. Later, persons were anointed such as Saul and David as king. The word Messiah came to refer to the one that God was to send. The Greek word “Christ” is the equivalent of the Hebrew word “messiah”. Jesus never used the name “Christ” for himself, preferring to refer to himself as the Son of Man most of the time.

B. Incarnation

The word incarnation does not appear in the Bible, but the idea is present throughout the New Testament. Incarnation means that God in Jesus Christ revealed himself to man in a flesh and body (I Timothy 3:16). Thus God who is a Spirit (John 4:24) manifested himself to the natural senses of man ( I John 1:1-3).

We find several instances that prove that Jesus was in fact a man. A God-man sent to suffer as a man because of God’s love for mankind. Jesus grew tired (Mark 4:38; John 4:6), became hungry (Matthew 4:2), thirsty (John 19:28), he died and was buried. He knew emotion: wonder (Mark 6:6), compassion (Luke 7:13) and joy (Luke 10:21). He was tempted (Matthew 4:1-11) yet without sin.

As God, Jesus forgave sin (Matthew 9:2-6), assumed judgeship (Matthew 25:31), revealed God’s will (Matthew 11:27), arose from the dead (Luke 24:1-8; Romans 1:4) and commissioned his church (Matthew 28:18-20).

C. Virgin Birth

The first issue necessary for the incarnation of Christ is the virgin birth. This virgin birth was anticipated in Genesis 3:15, prophesied in Isaiah 7:14, and proclaimed in Matthew and Luke. Matthew 1:23 cites the virgin birth of Jesus as the fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14. Paul mentions the virgin birth in Galatians 4:4. Missionary Baptists teach, as the Bible does, that God the Holy Spirit placed Jesus into the virgin Mary. Jesus thus escaped the contamination of sin while receiving part of God (Holy Spirit) and part of mankind (Mary).

D. Son of Man

This self-designation of Jesus appears 87 times in the New Testament. He likely preferred this term as it had no political inferences as Christ and Son of David held. Jesus likely loved this name (as we should) because it testifies to His purpose in being personified. In heaven, Jesus still claims to be the son of man (Acts 7:56; Revelation 1:13; 14:14). Matthew 25:31 states that the “Son of man shall come in his glory” and his own will be “changed” (I Corinthians 15:52). Our Lord became the “Son of man” that we might become “sons of God” (John 1:12).

E. Vicarious Death

This means that Christ’s death was not for himself, but for others. It is the idea of substitution. He accomplished for man what he could not do for himself. This concept is taught in the Old Testament on the Day of Atonement. Jesus took the place of the scapegoat for us. See Isaiah 53 for a foreshadowing of this happening.

Two important Greek prepositions teach this concept. The first preposition is anti and means to set over against another or in place of another. Read Matthew 20:28 with that explanation. Next is huper, which is defined as over, on behalf of, for, or as a substitute for. It sometimes carries the idea of one standing over another to take the blows meant for him. With this knowledge, read II Corinthians 5:21 and John 11:50.

Substitution is seen in John 1:29 “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” “Taketh away” renders the verb airo, to take up that of another and bear as one’s own. (Matthew 27:32) Thus Jesus took our sins and bore them on the cross as though they were His own.

F. Bodily Resurrection

True Baptists teach (most assuredly) that Jesus rose bodily on the third day as Jesus himself had promised. If the resurrection can be disproved, the gospel is rendered powerless. The resurrection is the key to the gospel and the completion of the plan of salvation for all mankind.

In I Corinthians 15, Paul answers the Platonic philosophers who insisted on a spiritual resurrection only. He thoroughly argues for a bodily resurrection. Four times he says that Jesus was “seen” (v 5-8). This word (Greek, horao) means to see with the natural eye and to interpret and retain what is seen. Jesus was “seen” by Peter (Luke 24:34), the twelve (Luke 24:36; John 20:19), above 500 at once (Matthew 28:16), James and “all the apostles” (John 20:26). Finally, he was seen of Saul of Tarsus, the persecutor (Acts 9), who became Paul the apostle.

The bodily resurrection of Jesus authenticates his deity (Matthew 12:40; Romans 1:4), justifies the believer (Romans 4:25), authenticates the gospel (I Corinthians 15:12-20), and is the first fruits of that which ours shall be the greatest harvest ( I Corinthians 15:23).

G. Ascension

Forty days after his resurrection Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9). In heaven our Lord is the same Jesus his disciples knew on earth. He is still the crucified Lord (Revelation 5:6,12). He is one with his people on earth (Acts 7:56; 9:4). He is our mediator between God and man ( I Timothy 2:5; I John 2:1). He is our High Priest who can be touched with our infirmities (Hebrews 4:15). He helps us in our trials and renders effective our reconciliation to God (Hebrews 2:17,18).

H. Post ascension Christ

What has Jesus done since He returned to heaven and what is He doing today? The Bible states that He sat down at the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12-13). He presented Himself to the Father as our atonement. He sent the Holy Spirit to His people as the Comforter. He “ever liveth to make intercession” for his own (Hebrews 7:25). He is also our advocate (I John 2:1) which means one that pleased the cause of another, especially for the defense. Jesus is also concerned for the welfare of his people on earth. He stood by the throne as Stephen was stoned to death (Acts 7:55).

I. Mediator

The word “mediator” appears six times in the New Testament: Galatians 3:19-20; I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6, 9:15, 12:24. The word is comprised of mesos (middle) and mesites (the one in the middle or mediator). The latter is used to describe Moses as the “mediator” of the law (Galatians 3:19-20). In Hebrews, it speaks of Christ as the “mediator” of the new covenant (see above verses). Christ is our only hope and mediator between us (sinful men) and God (holiness).

IV. God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity. He is NOT, however, a junior or inferior partner. He is a person, not an “it” and possesses all the attributes of personality. The Sprit is present in both testaments. In the Old Testament: Genesis 1:2; Psalm 51:11, 104:28-30. He is most prevalent in the New Testament, including: Matthew 1:18, 4:1; Acts 2:1; Revelation 22:17.

The work of the Holy Spirit is generally classified under revelation, incarnation, administration, evangelization, and sanctification. In revelation He inspired those who received the revelation (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21). He illuminates and directs those who seek to understand the revelation (John 14:26; 16:13). In the incarnation he was the divine power in conception (Matthew 1:18). He was present at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:16) and temptation (Mark 4:1; Mark 1:12). Jesus’ ministry was in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14-21). He came to the disciples after Jesus’ ascension (John 14:16-18; Acts 2:1). As administrator, the Holy Spirit directed the spread of the gospel (Acts) then, as He does today. In evangelism, He convicts lost sinners with respect to sin, righteousness, and judgment. By His power repentant and believing souls are regenerated (John 3:5). In sanctification, He indwells the Christian as he grows in the likeness of Christ and in his service. The moment a person is regenerated, the Holy Spirit takes up an abode in his life.

There are several “gifts” of the Holy Spirit that the Bible mentions. The world is full of people who abuse these gifts. Below is a discussion of some of these gifts and our beliefs as Missionary Baptists.

A. Speaking in Tongues

The New Testament phenomenon of speaking in “tongues” is recorded only in Acts 1 and I Corinthians. The term applied to this phenomenon is “glossolalia”. It appears to have been a temporary gift of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 13:8) designed to hasten the early spread of the gospel. The word “tongue” refers to the physical organ (lashon in the Hebrew and glossa in the Greek). It translates a Greek word meaning dialect (dialektos Acts 1:19; 2:8; 21:40; 22:2;26:14).

In Acts 2, people began to speak in different languages while filled with the Holy Spirit…verse 4 uses glossa. Each man heard in his own dialect (dialektos, v 6-8). The other reference is in I Corinthians 12-14. Paul lists “tongues” among the spiritual gifts received by some members of the church. Paul said that prophecy or to preach is better than speaking in “tongues” (14:1). Simply understood, the speaking in tongues or languages other than our own was proof to the heathen that God was in their preaching (v. 21). It was a temporary gift, not one of the greatest (14:5), which would fulfill its function and pass away (I Cor 13:8).

B. Interpretation of Tongues

Of course, those that hold to talking in unknown tongues also hold to interpretation of tongues. This is another gift of the Holy Spirit to the early church which is no longer in existence. As Missionary Baptists, we do not condone or tolerate the expression or interpretation of tongues . I have seen many, many people get very full of the Spirit and have their “cups overflow”, but I’ve yet to see anyone talk in an unknown tongue.

C. Divine Healing

Most of the believers of speaking in unknown tongues also hold to divine healing. There are three basic Greek words rendered “heal”. Sozo sometimes means to heal (Mark 5:23; Luke 8:36; Acts 14:9) but generally refers to salvation. Therapeuo basically means to heal by natural means (Luke 8:43) but is also used to refer to miraculous healings. Paul uses iama, for iaomai, hence miraculous healing (I Corinthians 12:9, 28,30). It was a gift of the Holy Spirit, along with other gifts such as “tongues”. Jesus healed compassionately and as an evidence that the power of God was in His work (Luke 5:17). This power of healing was given to some apostles for the same reasons (Matthew 10:8). Likewise, this gift seems to have been given to certain others during the 1^st century. However, as like these other spiritual gifts (I Cor 12:8), it was to fulfill a function and pass away (I Cor 13:8). It was the evidence of God’s presence in the Christian movement / early church in its infancy (I Cor 13:11) to further the early advance of the gospel.

D. Prophecy

The prophets of the Old Testament foretold future events and were very prevalent in the workings of the Lord with His people. The word “prophet” is derived from the Greek word prophetes, meaning one who speaks forth. Its primary element in the word is its function, not the time. Whether the prophet spoke of past, present, or future, he was telling forth for God. In the New Testament, the emphasis of the ministry of the prophet as foreteller gradually gave way to that of telling forth. John the Baptist was the last of a long line of prophets in the Old Testament sense of the word (Matthew 11:9,11). For he heralded him who was the fulfillment of the forthtelling of the prophets (Luke 24:27,44). Jesus was a “prophet” in that He fully revealed or spoke firth for God, as well as foretold future events.

Paul gives a greater importance to “prophecy” than “tongues” and other ecstatic gifts (I Cor 14:5). But even this gift was of a temporary nature (I Cor 13:8). It fulfilled its function and gave place to all who by the power of the Holy Spirit tell forth the gospel of God’s grace in Jesus Christ.

E. Miracles

The power to work miracles was a gift of the Holy Spirit (I Cor 12:10). The Gospels record thirty-five distinct miracles performed by Jesus. He also wrought numerous miracles which are not recorded (Matthew 4:23-25; Mark 6:56; Luke 6:17-19). Jesus never worked a miracle purely for his own benefit, nor did he do so on demand (Matthew 12:38; Luke 23:8). The miracles of Jesus dealt with nature, healing, demons, and death. He himself was a miracle as seen in His virgin birth, sinless life, vicarious death, and bodily resurrection.

The New Testament uses four words with reference to miracles: dunamis, act of power, mighty work (Matthew 11:20-23); semeion, sign (John 2:11); teras, wonder (Matthew 24:24); ergon, work (Matthew 11:2).

We all realize that miracles occur every day. Most miracles today, in my opinion, happen internally. Although outward or visible miracles do happen, the need to commend the veracity of the gospel and church has lessened as the gospel has spread. Much like the above miracles of the Holy Spirit, miracles have taken a different role as time has progressed.

Do Missionary Baptists believe in speaking in tongues? Sure we do. It is recorded in the Bible. Do we practice it? No, it was an apostolic era gift given for the reasons stated above.

Do Missionary Baptists believe in divine healings? Sure we do. Do we practice the laying on of hands, the anointing of oil, etc? No; for the same reasons as given for talking in unknown tongues.

Do Missionary Baptists believe in prophecy? Sure we do. Prophets are mentioned throughout the Bible, especially in the O.T. See the above discussion to understand how prophecy has changed and why.

Do Missionary Baptists believe in miracles? Sure we do. Are you saved?? Then you have experienced a miracle from God firsthand! We do not practice divine miracles as manifested through human instrumentation. Miracles today are totally of God and usually internal and unseen.

What is important for you to remember concerning the Trinity?

1. Trinity means three in one. Three distinct persons included and inseparable in one God. (Visualize a three-leaf clover for an illustration. Three distinct leafs from one stem, etc)

2. God the Father – usually considered the first person of the Godhead, but not superior to the other two persons. Predominant in the dealings with man in the Old Testament.

3. God the Son – Jesus Christ – considered the second person of the Godhead. Predominant during his life on earth among men. Is our mediator and advocate between us and God the Father.

4. God the Holy Spirit – Considered the third person of the Godhead. Is predominant presently in the church age and is our connection to God in His direct dealings with us as individuals and churches.

5. All three parts persons of the Trinity are present, active, and essential to the process of a lost sinner obtaining salvation via the grace of God.

6. All three persons have been ever existent and are eternal.