The Trinity - Matthew 3:13-17, 1 Cor. 2:12-13, Eph. 1:3-14 - July 26, 2009

Sunday School Lesson – The Trinity – July 26, 2009

This is our final lesson in our study entitled “Experiencing God Triune-ly.”

Our scripture is Matthew 3:13-17; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13; Ephesians 1:3-14.

The word “Trinity” will not be found in the Bible. The ONE TRUE GOD in three (3) persons is the heart of Christian belief, which is supported by scripture. Our first scripture should help us better understand that the FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT are distinct persons but all are ONE. As we began our study, I stated that to me the simple answer regarding the Trinity is if you ask the same question to any one of the THREE, you will get the same response. The Three (3) are in perfect harmony and unity with each other. Just as all believers should be in harmony and unity with each other.

The Trinity can be confusing but keep in mind that understanding the Trinity is not required to be a Christian. CHRIST in you makes you a Christian. It is a matter of faith, not understanding the Trinity. When we all get to heaven then we will know all truth. Let’s see if we can dig out a few nuggets or gems to help us better understand the TRINITY.

Let’s read Matthew 3:11, 13-17:

11 “I (John the Baptizer) baptize you with[4] water for repentance,[5] but the One (CHRIST) who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to take off[6] His sandals. He Himself will baptize you with[7] the Holy Spirit and fire.

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to stop Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and yet You come to me?” 15 Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him [to be baptized]* .
16 After Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for Him,[9] and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on Him. 17 And there came a voice from heaven: This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him!

JESUS is beginning HIS earthly ministry. HIS cousin, John the Baptizer or Baptist, was the forerunner of CHRIST heralding the coming of the Messiah/CHRIST. In the wilderness/desert, John was preaching about repentance, committing one’s life to obedience and service to GOD, the coming of the Messiah/CHRIST and the coming of the HOLY SPIRIT. He was baptizing those who had committed themselves to a changed life with the hope of the coming Messiah. JESUS asked John to baptize HIM, which at first John refused because he did not think HE needed to be baptized.

The Apostle Matthew gives us insight into the Trinity. GOD, THE FATHER, GOD, THE SON and GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT are all eternal and were present at the inauguration of JESUS’ public ministry. We see the role of each person in the Trinity. JESUS, GOD’S SON was physically present in human form ready to obediently serve GOD. As JESUS came out of the water, the heavens opened and THE HOLY SPIRIT came down upon JESUS and GOD, THE FATHER spoke from heaven acknowledging that JESUS was HIS SON.

In my opinion, up until the coming of JESUS, I view GOD more in the judgment mode. But GOD had the plan of redemption because HE loved the world and the people in the world. John 3:16 captures this so beautifully.

John 3:16-18: (JESUS is speaking and gives us insight into the heart of GOD, THE FATHER.)

16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His • One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.[10] 17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the • One and Only Son of God.

GOD’S grace was extended to mankind through the obedience of CHRIST in HIS death, which was confirmed by HIS resurrection.

THE HOLY SPIRIT came upon CHRIST to equip him for ministry. THE HOLY SPIRIT comes upon all believers to equip them for ministry and gift them according to GOD’S plan and purpose for them to obediently serve HIM. Keep in mind, GOD’S objective is for all believers to be made into the image of HIS SON.

The manner in which Matthew relates this event to us helps us to relate to the three (3) distinct Persons of the Trinity.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 2:12-13:

12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, in order to know what has been freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people.[7]

The Apostle Paul gives us further insight why GOD gave believers the HOLY SPIRIT. The HOLY SPIRIT reveals the things of GOD in contrast to the things the physical has to offer. As GOD’S children, believers have such a great heritage that can only be revealed by GOD through the HOLY SPIRIT. GOD’S desire is for believers to represent HIM to a lost world. This is GOD’S plan to spread the Gospel to others. Lives changed by GOD are powerful testimonies to those who seek truth. Spiritual matters are discerned by the Spirit and to non-believers Spiritual things cannot be understood. Spiritual matters are foolishness to those who do not believe. Thus, the HOLY SPIRIT enlightens, teaches, corrects, convicts, comforts, confirms, assures, empowers, gifts, prompts, urges and the list goes on for all believers. It is overwhelming to see all that is available to all believers and know how little we have grown and matured for GOD to use us more.

Let’s read Ephesians 1:3-14:

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,[2] in Christ; 4 for He chose[3] us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.[4] In love[5] 5 He predestined[6] us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, 6 to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved. 7 In Him[7] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 He made known to us the • mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure that He planned in Him 10 for the administration[8] of the days of fulfillment[9]—to bring everything together in the • Messiah, both things in heaven and things on earth in Him. 11 In Him we were also made His inheritance,[10] predestined[11] according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will, 12 so that we who had already put our hope in the Messiah might bring praise to His glory. 13 In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation—in Him when you believed—were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 14 He is the down payment[12] of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession,[13] to the praise of His glory.

The Apostle Paul writes this letter to the Christians in Ephesus. He addressed the role of GOD, CHRIST and the HOLY SPIRIT in our salvation. He began by acknowledging GOD has blessed all believers with HIS love and grace by giving the world a plan of salvation through HIS SON, which is sustained and confirmed by the HOLY SPIRIT.

Just think about GOD knowing each person before HE created the world and HE allowed us to be born anyway. I think of this verse when I consider, “Where was I before I was born?” My answer is, “Safely in the heart and mind of GOD.” WOW!!!

GOD’S desire is for all humans to know HIM by accepting CHRIST as their SAVIOR. Ultimately, HE wants them to be made into the image of HIS SON by allowing CHRIST to be the LORD of their lives. This is an awesome journey and one I am still on. It is not easy, but exciting, when we see the hand of our LORD at work through our lives.

Verse 4, is an interesting verse. Bible scholars have different interpretations of this verse. Some interpret verse 4 in support of predestination. In my opinion, if predestination is true, then, the individual person does not have the freedom to choose. That would give those rejecting CHRIST a solid argument against GOD sentencing them to Hell on Judgment Day.

Here are my thoughts on verse 4, which have no Biblical support, so keep that in mind. I believe that the foreknowledge of GOD does not predestine a person to make a certain decision. Because GOD knows how a person will choose does not predestine him/her to make a certain choice. GOD’S desire is for every human ever conceived to become a believer but HE gives each person the freedom to choose. Many will not choose HIM. HE happens to know who will choose HIM and HE makes sure they will survive until their appointed time to be born arrives because HE has a plan and purpose for them. (We could say well, why does GOD allow those who do bad things to good people to survive? That would be using HIS foreknowledge to change the course of events and take away the freedom of choice. Sin in the world has resulted in disease, decay, death, un-Godliness, hate, murder, rape, abuse, addictions and the list goes on. We have to keep in mind Satan roams earth seeking who he can devour.)

Every person has to marvel when he/she looks back at his/her ancestry and consider that the premature death of an ancestor could mean he/she would not exist. Our existence is a miracle and the fact that we live in a human body is a miracle. To me the human body is hard to comprehend and I live in one. But we exist and it is because of the love, grace and protection of GOD. Acknowledge HIM in your life today because your being alive on earth was not a mistake because GOD has a plan for you.

GOD knew it was hard for humans to comprehend HIM and for HIM to know what humans experience. So HE allowed HIS ONLY SON to come to earth to live as a human, be subject to death and to be tempted in all ways as humans are tempted. In this way, HE could understand our humanness and humans could relate to HIM through CHRIST. This would accomplish many different purposes. The most important purpose is the redemption of all who would believe in CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR.

Some people may think that since GOD is GOD, HE did not need to experience humanness. You could be correct. We will all learn the truth when we get to heaven. This ends my opinion on verse 4.

As we study this scripture, we see that GOD wants HIS children to know HIM and to have absolute assurance of their salvation. In verses 13 and 14, at the moment of our salvation, HE seals us with the promise of the HOLY SPIRIT, as a guarantee, security deposit, down payment that we have been redeemed from the consequences of sin. We belong to HIM through the miracle of rebirth in our spirit and that we have the gift of eternal life. Romans 8:16 captures this assurance:

16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,

Do you know that you belong to GOD through CHRIST? If not, ask CHRIST to forgive you of your sins right now and ask HIM to come into your life. HE will and in that instant you will be born into the family of GOD with all the rights, privileges and benefits as an heir.

Christians belong to GOD as HIS children. In verse 5, Paul used the word “adopted.” JESUS told the Jewish Rabbi, Nicodemus, in John 3:3 - 3 Jesus replied, “• I assure you: Unless someone is born again,[1]he cannot see the kingdom of God.” I believe that either term “adopted” or “born-again” means the same. Believers become permanent members of GOD’S family the instant they accept CHRIST as their SAVIOR.

Some could think that since GOD, THE FATHER, GOD, THE SON and GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT are all ONE, then, CHRIST is not the only way to the FATHER. WRONG!!! SALVATION through CHRIST is GOD’S plan. The way to GOD is through CHRIST. CHRIST freely gave HIS life to redeem mankind from sin and death. If there was another way, then CHRIST died in vain.

Blessings to all and my prayer is that our LORD will enlighten the eyes of our hearts to HIS truth regarding our understanding of the Trinity.