Three in One – Matthew 28:18-20
Most of us are somewhat familiar with Greek mythology. Let me use Greek mythology as a contrast to the God of the Bible. The principal Greek gods were the Olympians, residing on Mount Olympus, under the eye of Zeus. Then, you have Pan, Nymphs, Naiads, Dryads, Nereids, Satyrs, and Erinyes.
Greek gods had physical but ideal bodies. They can be wounded, if only under special circumstances. Greek gods were immortal, but only by the use of nectar and ambrosia, which rejuvenated their blood.
Greek gods have a genealogy, different interests, a unique area of expertise, and their own personality. They are also limited to certain aspects of life. That’s why you have Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, Ares, the god of war, Hades, the ruler of the underworld, Athena, the goddess of wisdom and courage.
That is how man develops his image of “god.” And, obviously, man’s gods reflect man’s nature.
But the God of nature is not like that. Additionally, the Bible reveals that there are, in fact, three persons that share in that divine, unique, absolute nature. We can define “person” as a being with: intellect, will, and feelings. The Bible reveals that each person in the Godhead has the attributes of deity and aspects of personality.
THE FATHER IS GOD:
There is God the Father – John 6:27. “God the Father” is found 18 times in the New Testament. For there to be a “Father” in the Godhead, there must also be, at least, a “Son” in the Godhead…
THE SON IS GOD:
The inspired New Testament writers called Jesus God in various passages: John 20:28; Rom. 9:5; Titus 2:13; John 1:18; 2 Peter 1:1.
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There is God the Holy Spirit – Acts 5:3-4. He has attributes of deity: Rom. 8:2; John 16:13; Rom. 15:30; Eph. 4:30; Heb. 9:14; Psa. 139:7; 1 Cor. 2:11.
Baptism is in the name of the Godhead – Matthew 28:19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Paul gives a benediction in the name of the Godhead in 2 Corinthians 13:14: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
WHY IS THE TEACHING OF THE GODHEAD IMPORTANT?
1. It could be that our own triune nature reflects, to a degree, God’s triune nature. Man is composed of soul, spirit, and body: 1 Thess. 5:23. The analogy breaks down since we know that our body can be and will be separated from our soul and spirit. But clearly there is a unity there that defies scientific explanation.
2. Of course, if we want to know Truth, then we need to understand the tri-une nature of God because that is what Truth teaches.
3. The Godhead shows us that submission does not mean inferiority. In the “chain of command,” we have: Father – Son – Holy Spirit (John 8:29; 15:26). One is submissive to the other when it comes to their roles, but their natures are all the same. In the same way, men are not superior to women nor are women superior to men. In Christ, we are equal and are one – Galatians 3:28. But we do have different roles – men are to be the leaders in the church and in the home and women have a supporting role. Different roles clearly do not mean inferiority nor superiority.
4. The unity of all believers, all Christians, flows out of the unity of God’s essence – Eph. 4:3-6. If we will work, each of us, at being more like Christ, then we’ll have unity with each other. God is called the “God of peace” five times in the New Testament. That peace is the type of peace that exists within the Godhead. We can experience that peace if we are united with Christ.
The Godhead is working to save you from your sins. Love the Father. Hear the Spirit. Accept the Son.
–Paul Holland
