God has revealed Himself to humanity. He wants us to know Him as He really is and desires relationship with us. But, do we want to know Him, or do we want to create an image of Him and call that image, “God?” Do we merely want to reinforce what we think we know about Him? Has it occurred to any of us that the mysteries in the Bible are not only meant to be searched out as treasure, but it’s part of pursuing Him? It is part of seeking His face. If you’ve read a good amount of Scripture, you may have come across some verses that implore us to seek His face. He pursued us first, now it’s our turn to pursue Him as one would pursue someone we dearly love. After all, He is supposed to be our First Love! Let’s see what He reveals about Himself in the Bible. In particular, let’s examine the Trinity. While we may not see this particular term in Scripture, we may indeed see the principle. Keep in mind that such terms are snapshots used to express principles as a whole. They are not intended to add to the Word of God, nor take anything away for that matter. We must seek to conform our thinking to His. There will be no attempt to force the Bible to reflect a theory of sorts; rather, we’ll take an honest approach in order to conform to His intended view.
Some may ask, what is the Trinity? In the one true God there are three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Hence, God the Father; God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Three distinct persons, yet only one God; not three separate ones. 1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word (the Son, see also John 1:1-18), and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one (KJV). The book of Genesis gives us a taste of this, as we read the account of the creation of man. Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness . . . Did you notice the plural forms (“Let Us” and “Our image”)? He wasn’t talking to angels, since they are not part of the Godhead. Even our very nature is triune. 1 Thessalonians 4:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (NASB).
As stated in some previous blogs, understanding Jesus holds three major positions helps us comprehend the Trinity. He is not limited to these three, but they serve as major components in grasping the nature of God. Here is a brief review of those positions: Son of man in which He represents man to God; Son of God in which He represents God to man (John 5:23-26) and God the Son by Whom all things consist (Colossians 1:12-19; 2:9-10). In these positions, He is 100 percent God and 100 percent man. As the Son of man, He relinquished His own glory, power and authority. He relied on Father and Holy Spirit to minister while on the earth (see Matthew 3:16-17; 4:1; John 5:22, 27, 30; 17:1-5, 22, 24; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 9:14). He took on our humanity, so He could die in our stead on the Cross. As our Peer, He lived a sinless life, so He was able to present the pure, spotless sacrifice on our behalf (Hebrews 9:12-28). Only a sinless man could die for mankind; which Jesus did (Hebrews 1:9-18; 4:14-15).
Hebrews 1:1-3 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, Whom He appointed heir of all things, through Whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power . . . (NASB).
The words, “exact representation” is rendered “express image” in the King James Version. It means whatever the divine essence is, Jesus is the perfect Expression. “Nature” is also rendered as “person” (KJV), and “assurance” (NASB) or “substance” (KJV) in Hebrews 11:1. By definition, it’s what really exists under any appearance; the reality or essential nature, or in this case, the exact expression of God’s essence or being. Hence we read:
“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” Philip *said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus *said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves (John 14:7-11).
Our Father expressed Himself through Jesus while He was on the earth, and continues to speak to us through Holy Spirit. Be encouraged to study this principle out for yourself, if you haven’t already. If you have, more than likely you have been finding more passages of Scripture pointing to the Trinity as you study the Bible in general. Share what you find. Let’s learn and grow together!
