We are currently looking at the Articles of Faith of Zion Primitive Baptist Church, which were adopted in 1847. Article One sets forth our fundamental belief that God is the true God! Today, we want to look at another aspect of God: the Trinity.
The word “Trinity” does not appear in Scripture. However, the concept is replete throughout the word of God! Today, we are going to look at the fact that God, although “One God,” is nonetheless a Trinity.
In order to understand the Trinity, we must first understand that God is ONE God, not many! This concept of God being “One God” begins in Genesis. In the very first verse of Chapter One, we read, “In the beginning GOD” – not “gods!” Ours is a monotheistic religion, unlike the religions of the pagans of ancient times who had a pantheon of gods. Isaiah reminds us that God is the only true God: “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me. . . .” Isa. 46.9. In the great Shema, which is still quoted today by faithful Jews to express the essence of their Judaistic beliefs, we read the following: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord. . . .” Deut. 6:4. Jesus Himself reaffirms this declaration in Mark 12:29: “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord. . . .”
However, even though God is “One God,” He exists as a Trinity: He is the great “Three in One!” God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are the three Persons of the Godhead, and although we may not completely understand this, we need to believe it because Scripture teaches it. Interestingly, in Genesis 1:1, the very first Hebrew name of God – Elohim – is in basic construct a plural noun in the Hebrew language. I believe this is a hint from the very beginning of Scripture that God, although One, is a Trinity.
The clearest statement, however, of the Trinity is contained in 1 John 5:7: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. . . .” And let us not forget John’s gospel: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus Himself declared, “I and my Father are one.” John 10:30.
I want to make two last points before closing. First of all, one of the problems I have with most of the modern translations of the Bible is that they leave out so many verses, including 1 John 5:7. As I have said, this verse is the clearest statement of the Trinity contained in Scripture, and yet it is left out of most of the newer Bibles! This fact alone is enough for me to stick with the King James Translation and avoid these newer “translations” of Scripture!
Finally, I find it very interesting and amazing that God exists as a Trinity. This tells me that God is a social God! He chooses to exist in this way because He clearly desires fellowship with Himself. As His children, we are social creatures who need fellowship as well! That is one of the reasons that I believe church is so important – as His children, we need to be seeking fellowship with one another on a constant basis.
May the Lord bless you is my prayer!
Elder Chris McCool, Pastor