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STOP BY A BUMP THE FUNDRAISER THREAD (It's in the Breaking News sidebar!)
Posted on 07/09/2003 6:53:32 PM PDT by NewLand
"Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of Hosts, I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God"
(Isaiah 44:6).
"The union of the three divine persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in one Godhead" (Webster's Dictionary).
The Bible teaches that there is only one God.
"Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!"
(Deuteronomy 6:4) .
Isaiah 44:6: "Thus says the Lord . . . I am the First and the Last; besides Me there is no God."
"For there is one God..."
(1 Timothy 2:5).
(See also: 2 Samuel 7:22; Psalm 86:10; Isaiah 45:18; Mark 12:29; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6)
The Bible teaches that there is a plurality of persons within God's nature.
Genesis 1:1 says, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth..."
Hebrew for God is Elohim, a plural noun yet singular in meaning.
"Then God said, "Let us make man in Our image..." (Genesis 1:26).
In Dueteronomy 6:4, the Hebrew word for "One" is echad, which means "to unify, to collect together." This literally means "a United One."
The Bible ascribes certain divine characteristics to God alone.
Ability to forgive sins eternally
Erasing, forgiving, forgetting transgressions.
Exodus 34:6-7; Isaiah 43:25; Psalm 51:4; Mark 2:5 – 7; Genesis 21:33; Deuteronomy 32:39 – 40; Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 44:6
Omnipresent and Immutable
Present in all places at all times unchanging, unwavering
Jeremiah 23:23 – 24; Psalm 139:7 – 10; Malachi 3:6
Omniscient and Omnipotent
Infinite awareness, all-knowing, all-seeing unlimited authority
Psalm 139:1 – 4; 145:5; Hebrews 4:13; Jeremiah 32:17; Psalm 115:3; Luke 1:37
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace"
(Isaiah 9:6).
"I am the Lord, that is My name: And My glory I will not give to another..."
(Isaiah 42:8).
The Bible ascribes these divine characteristics to three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are ALL referred to as "God" in the Bible. They are co-equal and work in unison:
Matthew 28:19; John 14:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2
The Bible teaches that Jesus is God.
Jesus is able to forgive sin:
Mark 2:5
Jesus is eternal:
Micah 5:2, John 1:1 – 2, 14; 8:58; Revelation 1:8, 11, 17 – 18
Jesus is immutable: Hebrews 13:8
Jesus is omnipresent: Matthew 18:20; 28:20
Jesus is omniscient: John 2:24 – 25; 16:30; Revelation 2:18,23
Jesus is omnipotent: Matthew 28:18; 1 Peter 3:22; Revelation 1:8
Jesus is the Coming Lord: Zechariah 14:3-5; Acts 1:9 – 11
Jesus receives worship: Matthew 2:11; 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; Luke 24:52; John 9:38; 20:28; Hebrews 1:5 – 8
Jesus declared Himself to be God: John 8:58; 10:30 – 33; 14:9
The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is God
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son:
Matthew 28:19; John 14:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2
The Holy Spirit is eternal:
Hebrews 9:14
The Holy Spirit is omnipresent:
Psalm 139:7 – 10
The Holy Spirit is the ultimate source behind the books of the Bible:
2 Peter 1:20 – 21; 2 Timothy 3:16
The Holy Spirit is plainly declared to be God:
Acts 5:3 – 4
Since the Bible declares that there is only one God and since the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all called God, the inescapable conclusion is that these three persons are the one God. This is the doctrine of the Trinity.
"Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins"
(John 8:24).
"For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist"
(Colossians 1:16 – 17).
The Westminister Confession
"There are three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are all one God, the same in substance, equal in power and authority."
The Apostles' Creed
"I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit."
The concept of faith is too complex for scientists to understand.
Beautiful.
Nothing can compare to the pure inspiration and majesty of God's Holy Word.
Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy.
It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.
Christ is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God it's end.
It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.
Read it slowly frequently and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgement, and be remembered forever.
It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.
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