The Trinity We believe there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons, equal in divine perfection. “The Trinity is not a concept to be solved, but a reality to be experienced."
Matthew 3:16–17 (NIV) 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Matthew 28:19 (NIV) Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
One What, Three Whos.
Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV) Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV) May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
The Father “We believe in God, the Father who is the Ruler, Creator of all that is. He is perfectly holy, just, loving, truthful, infinite, and personal. We believe that God not only created the world but also now upholds, sustains, governs, and providentially directs all that exists.”
The Father is the source. Genesis 1:1–2 (NIV) 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
“Elohim tells us WHAT God is, YHWH tells us who God is—our covenant-keeping I AM.”
Romans 11:36 (NIV) For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
1. The Father is Spirit John 4:24 (NIV) God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” 2. The Father is Light 1 John 1:5 (NIV) God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. Psalms 119:68(NLT) You are good and do only good. 3. The Father is Love 1 John 4:8–9 (NIV) 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
The Son “We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the one and only Son of God, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin, and is God's Anointed One, empowered by the Holy Spirit to inaugurate God's Kingdom on earth. He was crucified for our sins, died, was buried, resurrected, and ascended into heaven, and is now alive today, in the presence of God the Father and in His people. The victorious redemptive work of Christ on the cross provides freedom from the power of the enemy - sin, lies, sickness, and torment.”
Colossians 1:15–20 (NIV) 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross
John 1:1–14 (NIV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
1. The Son Reveals the Father Hebrews 1:1–3 (NIV) 1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 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.
John 14:9 (NIV) Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.
2. The Son Redeems humanity “To take on sin, Jesus had to take on flesh.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
3. The Son Reigns Philippians 2:6–11 (NIV) 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The Spirit “We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and the Son. The sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit empowers the Christian to live holy and minister supernaturally. The baptism of the Holy Spirit, according to Acts 1:4-8 and 2:4, is poured out on believers that they might have power to witness.”
John 14:16-17 (NIV) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you 1. The Spirit Convicts: 2. The Spirit Indwells: 3. The Spirit Empowers:
Father - The Source Son - The Expression Spirit - The Presence
Galatians 4:4–7 (NIV) 4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
