The Doctrine of the Trinity:
Intermediate The Doctrine of the Trinity
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Scriptural Basis for the Doctrine of the Trinity
By Mike Ediger
I. ONE GOD - THREE PERSONS
A. ONE GOD - Deut 4:35; 6:4; Isa 43:10; 1 Tim 2:5.
B. The FATHER is GOD - John 17:1-3; 1Cor 8:6; 2Cor 1:3; Gal 1:1; Phil 2:11; Col 1:3; 1Peter 1:2.
C. The SON is GOD - Isa 9:6; John 1:1-18; 5:18; 8:58; 20:28; Rom 9:5; Col 2:9; Titus 2:13; Heb 1:8-12; 2Peter 1:1.
D. The HOLY SPIRIT is GOD - Acts 5:3-4; 2Cor 3:17-18. Implied in - Mark 3:29; John 15:26; 1Cor 6:19-20; Heb 9:14. "Spirit of God" - Gen 1:2; Gen 31:3; Num 24:2; 1Sam 19:20; 2Chr 24:20; Job 27:3; Isa 61:1; Ezek 11:24; Matt 3:16;12:28; John 4:24; Rom 8:14; 1Cor 7:40; Eph 4:30.
II. Although the word "Trinity" is not found in the Bible, the doctrine or the Trinity is plainly taught in Scripture, as evidenced by the passages listed below:
A. Old Testament
(1) Strongly implied - Gen 1:1-3; 12:7 (cf. Col 1:15-17; Job 33:4); Isa 48:12-16.
(2) Elohim (plural) - Gen 1:26; 11:7. The Trinity is implied in the word
(3) Other indications found in - Gen 48:15-16; Exod 31:3; Num 11:25; Judg 3:10; Isa 6:8; 11:2; 42:1; 61:1.
B. New Testament
(1) Clearly taught - Matt 3:16-17; 28:19; Luke 1:35; John 3:6-16; 14:16-17,23-26; 15:26; 16:13-15; Acts 2:32-33; 5:29-32; Rom 8:16-17,26ff; 1Cor 12:4-7; 2Cor 1:21-22; 3:14; Eph 1:1-14; 2:17-22; 3:16-19; 4:4-6; Col 1:3-8; 1Thes 1:2-5; 2Thes 2:13-14; Heb 9:14; 1Peter 1:2; 1John 3:21-24; Jude 20-21.
(2) The Trinity is implied in the word "Godhead" (KJV): Acts 17:29; Rom 1:20; Col 2:9.
III. Other texts support the doctrine of the Trinity:
A. In Isa 63:7-11, the Trinity is seen in the reference to
(1) The Lord who is the God of Israel was their Savior (vv.7-8).
(2) The Angel of His Presence saved them (v.9).
(3) The Holy Spirit was grieved at their rebellion and was within them (vv.10-11).
B. The seraphim's song in Isaiah 6:3 and the angelic chorus in Revelation 4:8 both containing the phrase, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord" seems to be a reference to the triune nature of God.
C. The Three-fold Benediction of Numbers 6:24-26 and the similar Apostolic Benediction of 2Corinthians 13:14 also seems to indicate the triune nature of God.
D. Those texts which clearly show a distinction between the three Persons of the Godhead (Father/ Son/ Holy Spirit) support the doctrine of the Trinity. Such passages include: Matt 3:16-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:32-34; John 14; 15:26; 16:7-14; 1Cor 12:4-6; 2Cor 13:14; Eph 1:3-14; 4:4-6; 5:18-20; 2Thes 2:13-14; 1Peter 1:2; Jude 20-21.
IV. While the word "trinity" is not found in the Scriptures, it is quite clear from the foregoing, that the Bible does, in fact, teach the doctrine of the Trinity. An honest appraisal of the Scripture texts listed above should lead to no other conclusion.
Note: All Scripture references from: The New King James Version. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982, unless otherwise indicated.
Books and eBooks by Gary F. Zeolla, the Director of Darkness to Light
The above article was posted on this Web site September 28, 1998.
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