Isaiah 42:1-25;  Matthew 28:1-20 / Psalm 22:1-31

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

How are these articles divided?

Into three parts: The first concerns God the Father and our creation; the second, God the Son and our redemption; and the third, God the Holy Spirit and our sanctification.

Since there is only one Divine Bering, why do you speak of three, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

Because God has thus revealed Himself in His Word, taht these three distinct Persons are the one true, eternal God.

I. The Bible Teaches Trinity B Unity and Diversity

A. There is only one God.  Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: (Deuteronomy 6:4)

B. The one God of the Bible is complex -  all the human social relationships have their origin within God's unity.   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.  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Genesis 1:26-27)

C. Even the language of the Trinity appears across the Old Testament.  I will mention the loving‑kindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.  For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.  In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.  But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. (Isaiah 63:7-10)

D. If Jesus is what he claims, then all Scripture and ultimately all of life msut be understood in the Trinitarian context.  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6 AV)

II. God Displays Himself as Triune

A.  The baptism of Jesus displays all three persons of the Trinity.  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  (Matthew 3:16-17)

B. Unity and diversity appear together again in the formula for baptism.  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Matthew 28:18-19)

C. The same mystery recurs in the Apostolic Blessing.  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.   (2 Corinthians 13:14)

D. All three are distinguished from each other.  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; (Hebrews 1:2) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;  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. (John 14:16-17)

III. Salvation Depends on the Trinity

A. Access to God is necessary for salvation.  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (Ephesians 2:12)

B. Without Christ there is no access to God.  Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. (1 John 2:23)

C. Without the Holy Spirit there is no access to Christ.  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. (Romans 8:9)

D. The Holy Spirit only works in those who know Him.  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. (John 14:17)

E. The true faith, right worship, and proper obedience which illustrate eternal life collapse when people peal away the Trinity.  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3)