This week’s class will focus on the topic of the Trinity, along with a review of last week’s questions on Abraham, Lot and Isaac from Genesis chapters 19-21. Application from this ancient culture still provides a vital lesson for us today! Each week’s class includes prayer, a review, an “apologetics” presentation and a homework assignment. You can also ask questions in the comment section below.

Watch this week’s class for session 4:

2023 A Case for the Old Testament

Session 4: The Trinity

Prayer and Reflection

1. Write out your prayer cards and exchange them at the end of the class.

2. From last week’s class: What are one or two reasons that we can trust the transmission of the Old Testament?

3. Recite to practice the memory verse below:

Memory Verse

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

Click here to check or review answers for Genesis chapters 19-21 given in the presentation

THE TRINITY

Genesis 1:1

In the beginning God…

The Hebrew word for God used here is Elohim
It is a term that denotes majesty and all-power within
The noun Elohim is plural (three or more)
When used with the word bara (create/created from nothing—bara is only used in the act of creation) Elohim becomes a singular verb (action)
Elohim is the normal usage when referenced in the Old Testament for the one true God
Elohim reveals that the Trinity is working together from the very beginning, and it shows the active participation of Father, Son and Holy Spirit in creation

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.

Genesis 1:1-2 (NASB)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

John 1:1-3 (NASB)

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:16-17 (NASB)

The Trinity:

One in Being: God

Three in Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Biblical names give us a glimpse into God’s character:

Elohim = God, The Triune All-Powerful Creator of the Universe (Genesis chapter 1)
YHWH (LORD) = The “I AM,” the LORD, the personal God of the Bible who loves and interacts with His creation (Genesis chapter 2)
LORD God = YHWH Elohim (personal and powerful)

There is one God

Examples from Scripture:

Deuteronomy 6:4 (THE SHEMA)

“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!”

1 Corinthians 8:4

Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one.

Galatians 3:20

Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.

1 Timothy 2:5

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

Each Member of the Trinity is God

The Father is God (John 6:27; Romans 1:7; 1 Peter 1:2)

The Son is God (John 1:1, 14; Romans 9:5; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:8; 1 John 5:20)

The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 3:16)

The Father is God:

27 Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal. Jn. 6:27
7 to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Rm. 1:7
2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. 1 Pt. 1:2

The Son is God:

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. Jn. 1:1, 14
9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form Col. 2:9
8 But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, And the righteous scepter is the scepter ofHis kingdom. Heb. 1:8
20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 1 Jn. 5:20

The Holy Spirit is God:

3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Acts 5:3-4
16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Cor. 3:16
1The Spirit of the Lord Godis upon me, Because the Lordhas anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners Isaiah. 61:1

The Members of the Trinity are distinguished from one another

In the Old Testament, “LORD” is distinguished from “Lord” (Genesis 19:24; Hosea 1:4)
The LORD has a Son (Psalm 2:7, 12; Proverbs 30:2-4)
The Spirit is distinguished from the “LORD” (Numbers 27:18) and from “God” (Psalm 51:10-12)
God the Son is distinguished from God the Father (Psalm 45:6-7; Hebrews 1:8-9)
*In the New Testament, Jesus speaks to the Father about sending a Helper, the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17)

*This shows that Jesus did not consider Himself to be the Father or the Holy Spirit

“LORD” is distinguished from “Lord”

24 Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lordout of heaven, Gen. 19:24
4 And the Lordsaid to him, “Name him Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will punish the house of Jehu for the bloodshed of Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. Hos. 1:4

The LORD has a Son

7“I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. and 12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! Ps. 2:7, 12
2 Surely I am more stupid than any man, And I do not have the understanding of a man. 3 Neither have I learned wisdom, Nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One. 4 Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know! Pro. 30:2-4

The Spirit is distinguished from the “LORD” and from “God”

18 So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; Num. 27:18
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit. Ps. 51:10-12

God the Son is distinguished from God the Father

6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. 7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your fellows. Ps. 45:6-7
8 But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, And the righteous scepter is the scepter oF His kingdom. 9 “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, hasanointed You With the oil of gladness above Your companions.” Heb. 1:8-9

*Jesus speaks to the Father about sending a Helper, the Holy Spirit

16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. Jn. 14:16-17

*This shows that Jesus did not consider Himself to be the Father or the Holy Spirit

The Person of the Father
…is the Authority, Perfect in Holiness, Receiver of Worship in Heaven

The Father:

He is the ultimate source or cause of the universe (1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11); divine revelation (Revelation 1:1); salvation (John 3:16-17); and Jesus’ human works (John 5:17; 14:10)
We pray to the Father through Jesus (Matthew 6:9-13; John 14)

The Father initiates all things

6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. 1 Cor. 8:6
11“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” Rev. 4:11
1The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John,Rev. 1:1
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Jn. 3:16-17
17 But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” Jn. 5:17
10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Jn. 14:10
9 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread. 12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’] Mt. 6:9-13
13 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. 15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. Jn. 14:13-15

The Person of the Son
…is the Redeemer, Source of life for humans, Intercessor with the Father

Jesus The Son:

The agent through which the creation happened and through which it is maintained (1 Corinthians 8:6; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17)
The agent of Divine revelation (John 1:1, 16:12-15; Matthew 11:27; Revelation 1:1)
The agent of Salvation (2 Corinthians 5:19; Matthew 1:21; John 4:42)
The agent of prayer (John 14)

The Father does all these things through the Son, who functions as His agent

6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. 1 Cor. 8:6
3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. Jn. 1:3
16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions 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. Col. 1:16-17
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jn. 1:1
27 All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Mt. 11:27
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John. Rev. 1:1
19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 2 Cor. 5:19
21 She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Mt. 1:21
42 and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.” Jn. 4:42
13 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. 15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. Jn. 14:13-15

The Person of the Holy Spirit
…is the Counselor, Comforter, Agent of the Father’s Will

The Holy Spirit:

The power behind the creation and maintenance of the universe (Genesis 1:2; Job 26:13; Psalm 104:30);
The power of Divine revelation (John 16:12-15; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Peter 1:21);
The power of Salvation (John 3:6; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:2)
The power through which Jesus works (Isaiah 61:1; Acts 10:38).

The Father does all these things by the power of the Holy Spirit

2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Gen. 1:2
13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you. Jn. 16:12-15
5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; Eph. 3:5
21for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 1 Pt. 1:21
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Jn. 3:6
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:5
2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. 1 Pt. 1:2
1The Spirit of the Lord Godis upon me, Because the Lordhas anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; Is. 61:1
38 You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38

Conclusion to the topic of Trinity

The Trinity is not a problem for Christians it is a solution to what is taught in Scripture.
For our finite minds created by an infinite God cannot, nor should not, be able to comprehend His entire being, yet He has given us a way to know Him personally, and that is through His Son, Jesus.
And, Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to teach us through the Scriptures, and to guide us during our time here on this earth.

Recommended Resources
Going Deeper

“Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus” and “No God But One,” both books by Nabeel Qureshi (and numerous talks on YouTube)
“Three Crucial Questions,” by Millard Erickson
“The Forgotten Trinity,” by James White
Stand to Reason Ministries (str.org): Greg Koukl, President – Articles, podcasts, You Tube presentations and more
Logos Bible Software: “Making Sense of the Trinity”

Bible Study

Each week we will have Bible study following the presentation. There will be questions presented here on the weekend, and basic answers will be part of the next presentation or posted mid-week for your review, depending on the topic. This can also be used to make a leader’s guide for your own small group and future studies!

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

Note: Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for Discussion or Going Deeper questions. If you use these kinds of sources share them with your group.

1. Review of Class Topic: Before getting into the Bible study questions, discuss today’s class presentation by summarizing what you learned, commenting or asking any questions.

Read Genesis Chapters 22-23:

2. (Genesis 22:1-19) Summarize the story of “the offering of Isaac.” Make a list of how many things you see pictured in this story that foreshadow Jesus and the events of the crucifixion. Discuss: What do you think Abraham felt during this time, and what was said about him in the book of Hebrews? Cross-reference by reading Hebrews 11:1-18 (focus on verses 17-18).

3. (Genesis 22:20-24) In this section we are suddenly given a genealogy of Abraham’s brother Nahor. Discuss: What do you think was the reason for this information at this point in the story, and is there a name you recognize that comes up later on?

4. (Genesis 23:1-20) The culture of that day was one of respect, yet bargaining was expected (as it is in most of the Middle East still today). What happened that caused Abraham to want to find land to buy?

Discuss: Abraham would now own property in the Promised Land. Why do you think that might be important later on?

5. Going Deeper: Where is Jesus? As we near the end of Abraham’s story, it would be important to reflect on the Word of God up to this point, and how it relates to the “Big Picture” of the Bible:

a. List the major events that have happened since Genesis chapter 1 to this point.

b. List the major characters we have studied in Genesis so far.

c. What major Covenants have been made by God so far?

d. What people or events can you cite that have foreshadowed Jesus and/or His ultimate purpose in God’s overarching plan?

Please join us each week as we continue our case for the Old Testament!

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15