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Father, Son, Holy Spirit



In The Beginning 

In the beginning, God created man, and it is interesting to note that the following Bible passage uses "let us" and "our image" when God refers to Himself:

  • Genesis 1:26 KJV - And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Defining Terms

The word "God" was translated from the Hebrew word Elohim, which is Strong's H430:

Strong's Number: H430
Original Word: אלהים
Transliterated Word: 'ĕlôhîym
Phonetic Spelling: el-o-heem'
Parts of Speech: Noun Masculine

  • Strong's Definition - Plural of H433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural {thus} especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative: - {angels} X {exceeding} God (gods) ({-dess} {-ly}) X (very) {great} {judges} X mighty.

Brown-Driver-Briggs' Definition
(plural)
a) rulers, judges
b) divine ones
c) angels
d) gods

(plural intensive - singular meaning)
a) god, goddess
b) godlike one
c) works/special possessions of God
d) the (true) God
e) God

This usage of the word Elohim in Genesis 1:26 seems to refer to the Almighty Creator, and is used in plurality. It would make sense that God Almighty is using plurality when referring to Himself as the Holy Trinity.

Jesus The Creator?

We know from John 1 that Jesus is the Word, the Word was God, and the Word was made flesh:

  • John 1:1-2,14 KJV - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

We also know that Jesus (the Word) created all things:

  • John 1:3-5 KJV - All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.


This was echoed in the book of Colossians:

  • Colossians 1:15-19 KJV - (Jesus) Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: [16] For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: [17] And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. [19] For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

• Glimpses of Salvation

This shows us that Jesus was and is the fullness of God in bodily form and all things were created by Him, and for Him. This shows us also that Jesus is separate from the Father God.

God Is A Spirit?

Jesus told us that the Father is a Spirit:

  • John 4:23-24 KJV - But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. [24] God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.


So we can infer that God the Father is an invisible Spirit, and separate but equal to God the Son Jesus:

  • Philippians 2:5-11 KJV - Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. [9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: [10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; [11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


The First And The Last

In the Old Testament (Jewish Tanakh), God Almighty (YHVH - H3068), calls Himself the First and the last, and that He is the only God.

  • Isaiah 44:6 KJV - Thus saith the Lord (Strong's H3068) the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

The word LORD (H3068) was translated from YHVH which is the Almighty God, and Jesus calls Himself the first and the last, God Almighty, in Revelation 1:7-8 and also in Revelation 22:12-16. If God is one God and there is no other God, then how can Jesus also be Good Almighty? It is because God the Son is one with God the Father.




The Father and Son Are One

Some Christians say that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have separate wills, yet Jesus disproves that idea:

  • John 5:30 KJV - I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
  • John 10:30 KJV - I (Jesus) and my Father are one.

In addition, this verse shows us that God was in Christ:

  • 2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV - To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Also, we see from this verse that three forms of God bear record in Heaven and are one:

  • 1 John 5:7 KJV - For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.


The Spirit of Christ

We also see from these verses that the Spirit of Christ, is the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of God:

  • Romans 8:9 KJV - But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
  • John 14:15-18 KJV - If ye love me (Jesus), keep my commandments. [16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. [18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Jesus in The Old Testament?

We also see that in the Old Testament, it seems to show that God the Son rained judgment down from God the Father in Heaven:

  • Genesis 19:24 KJV - Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven;

The word "Lord" is translated from Strong's H3068:

Strong's Number: H3068
Original Word: יהוה
Transliterated Word: Yehôvâh
Phonetic Spelling: yeh-ho-vaw'
Parts of Speech: Proper Name

  • Strong's Definition - From H1961; (the) self Existent or eternal; {Jehovah} Jewish national name of God: - {Jehovah} the Lord. Compare {H3050 } H3069 .
  • Brown-Driver-Briggs' Definition - Jehovah = "the existing One" -  the proper name of the one true God



This seems to show that Jesus appeared on earth in the Old Testament, and is separate from God the Father. However, they are both Jehovah (Lord Almighty).

 

For more information on the identity of Jesus please see my other articles:

• A Christophany?
• Who is Jesus?

The Father, Son, Holy Spirit

It is interesting to note, even Jesus referred to God in three parts:

  • Matthew 28:18-20 KJV - And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

We also see, in these passages, that the Father was in Heaven, Jesus was on earth, and the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus at His baptism:

  • Mark 1:9-12 KJV - And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. [10] And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: [11] And there came a voice from heaven, saying , Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. [12] And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.




The False Cults

Also, beware of certain sects and cults that say Jesus was an angel incarnated in human form. Some Christian offshoots say we can become God, which is a lie. We know from these verses that Jesus the Son made all the worlds (universe), and He is the expressed image of the Father, and was made so much better than the angels, and will be worshippes by all the angels:

  • Hebrews 1:1-14 KJV - God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, [2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; [3] Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; [4] Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. [5] For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? [6] And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. [7] And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. [8] But unto the Son he saith , Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. [9] Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. [10] And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: [11] They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; [12] And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. [13] But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? [14] Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?



It seems King David also referenced the Holy Trinity in Psalms 110. 

  • Psalm 110:1-7 KJVS - The LORD (Jehovah - H3068) said unto my Lord (Adown - H113), Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. [2] The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. [3] Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. [4] The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. [5] The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. [6] He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. [7] He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

• Jesus As Melchizedek 

We clearly see King David is addressing two Lord's, and it seems as though he is referring to God the Son and God the Father. This parallels the passage from the Hebrews 1 narrative as the Son being God who will rule all nations with a Sceptre (rod) of righteousness. This prophecy of Jesus being the Lord of Zion is also found in Psalms 2:

  • Psalm 2:6-12 KJV - Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. [7] I will declare the decree: the Lord (Jehovah - H3068)  hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. [8] Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. [9] Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. [10] Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. [11] Serve the Lord (Jehovah - H3068) with fear, and rejoice with trembling. [12] Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

* It seems Psalms 2, Psalms 110, and Hebrews 1 all declare the Lordship of Jesus (God embodied). Therefore, Psalms 110 declares the mystery of the Son and the Father, both being God.

In addition, according to a Messianic Jewish article, it is explained that Elohiym and Echad denotes the truth of the Triune God being One:

Shema Yisrael - Elohiym and Echad

  • Deuteronomy 6:4 - Hear O Israel, YHVH our God is ONE (Echad)

The relationship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit has been a point of discussion for almost 2000 years.

In Malachi 3:6 we read that YHVH does not change. Therefore the key to understanding the relationship of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit can be found in the above verse Deuteronomy 6:4.

To employ that key we must look at the original language of the text where YHVH is describes as One. The verse is the basis of the Shema which is the fundamental statement of faith for the Jewish people.

Most non Messianic Jews have a big problem with the Christian concept of a triune God.

The key for both Jews and Christians to learn the correct concept of our God is the word echad. Echad is the Hebrew word for one, but more precisely it means a single entity but made up of more than one part.
There is another Hebrew word from the same root – Yachid which means single.

The meaning of Echad (more than one part) is a confirmation of the Hebrew word Elohim which is translated as God. Elohim is a plural word – more than one being called God.

There is one more clear proof of the truine nature of the God of Israel.

Isaiah 48:16 - And now YHVH and His Ruach (Spirit) have sent Me (an eternal person speaking in verse 12 and 16  – Yeshua)

Three entities can be clearly seen in that verse. The nature of God is a mystery, but we can clearly see that although God is Echad, He is much more than that –
He is Echad and He is Elohim – Hallelu YAH
The LORD bless you and keep you as you seek Biblical truth and incorporate it into your spiritual life.



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