Introduction A series of teaching on the main christian doctrines Titus 2:1 - teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine 1 Timothy 4:16 - watch your life and doctrine closely Basic notes, discussion questions & further resources
"If you deny the trinity you lose your soul, if your try to explain the trinity you shall lose your mind Saint Augustine
The Trinity Who is God? This is the biggest question we can ever ask as human beings!
What is the Trinity? One God, who eternally exists, as three distinct persons, father, son and spirit, who are each fully and equally God.
What is the Trinity? One God, who eternally exists, as three distinct persons, father, son and spirit, who are each fully and equally God. H2O - water, ice, steam (helpful and unhelpful) There is mystery in the doctrine of the Trinity
God as Father - of all creation, and of each one of us. Creator - (Isaiah 64:8; Malachi 2:10) "from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name" (Ephesians 3:15) Jesus taught his disciples to call God "our heavenly Father." Therefore, the loving relationship he has with the Father from eternity now extends to those adopted into God's family (Romans 8:15) As father, God displays his lordship over all creation, and love for his creatures.
God as Son Jesus - begotten, not created Jesus - fully God and fully man Jesus - one person in two natures, which are united without confusion Jesus - fully human, yet without sin!
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:1-3
"The job of doctrine is to hold us still before Jesus Rowan Williams
What does the Spirit do? His works are ineffable in majesty, and innumerable in quantity. How can we even ponder what extends beyond the ages? What did He do before creation began? How great are the graces He showered on creation? What power will be wield in the age to come? He existed; He pre-existed; He co-existed with the Father and the Son before the ages St Basil the Great
God as Holy Spirit He is God; he is a person (not a force) 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 - the Lord is the Spirit Acts 5:3-4 - if you lie to the Holy Spirit - you have lied to God. Ephesians 4:30 - he can be grieved Acts 7:51 - he can be resisted Hebrews 10:29 - he can be insulted
God as Holy Spirit He is God; he is a person (not a force) He was involved in creation, is involved revelation, redemption & sanctification Genesis 1:1-2 - God created the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters John 16:13 - But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth Romans 8:11 - the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies 2 Corinthians 3:18 - we are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit
God as Holy Spirit He is God; he is a person (not a force) He was involved in creation, is involved revelation, redemption & sanctification He gives gifts to us, and produces fruit in our lives 1 Corinthians 12:7ff - Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self- control. Against such things there is no law.
God as Holy Spirit He is God; he is a person (not a force) He was involved in creation, is involved revelation, redemption & sanctification He gives gifts to us, and produces fruit in our lives He convicts our sin, and he comforts us John 16:8 - When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment John 14:16-17 - I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever the Spirit of truth
God as Holy Spirit He is God; he is a person (not a force) He was involved in creation, is involved revelation, redemption & sanctification He gives gifts to us, and produces fruit in our lives He convicts our sin, and he comforts us He is sent by the father as the equipper for mission Acts 1:8 - you will receive power what the Holy Spirit comes on you - to be my witnesses - to the ends of the earth Luke 12:12 - the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say
God as Holy Spirit He is God; he is a person (not a force) He was involved in creation, is involved revelation, redemption & sanctification He gives gifts to us, and produces fruit in our lives He convicts our sin, and he comforts us He is sent by the father as the equipper for mission He is here now; we can experience God today! John 14:17 - the Spirit dwells with you, and will be in you Romans 8:15-16 - through the Spirit we receive adoption to God s family
God as Holy Spirit He is God; he is a person (not a force) He was involved in creation, is involved revelation, redemption & sanctification He gives gifts to us, and produces fruit in our lives He convicts our sin, and he comforts us He is sent by the father as the equipper for mission He is here now; we can experience God today!
God as Holy Spirit Salvation comes from the Trinity, happens through the Trinity, and brings us home to the Trinity Fred Sanders
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21
What difference does this teaching on Trinity and God as Holy Spirit make? What is God saying to me? What am I going to do about it?