1 John 5:6-13
The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit
For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. [1 John 5:7]
This is the clearest and most concise reference to the Holy Trinity in the Bible, yet there are many. “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit…” The identification of the Father and the Holy Spirit is obvious. The identification of the Word becomes obvious when reading John 1:1 and John 1:14 [“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”] It is obvious; the Word is none other than Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity.
The doctrine of the Trinity is one that distinguishes Christianity. Holding to it differentiates the true Christian church from a cult. Why so black and white? Because it involves the identification of the very Person of God! If a person does not believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; they are believing in a different god. And if they are believing in a different god, then who are they believing in?
This taps into the topic of antichrist, a term coined in John’s letters, but not only was it applicable in John’s day, it is even more so today! The spirit of antichrist is alive and well, and exceedingly deceptive. It looks like the real. It has the look and feel of goodness, righteousness, and love [on the outside] but on the inside it is anything but. The distinguishing mark is on the inside! And it is on the inside, within the heart, that the Spirit of God [the Third Person of the Trinity] dwells.
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit is a vital doctrine of the Christian faith. If a person does not hold to it; they are not believing in the God of the Bible.
This morning we will do an apologetic of the Trinity by referencing several Scriptures, both in the Old and New Testaments. But remember, apologetics can only lead a horse to the water; it cannot make him drink. The drinking [of the Living Water] comes by faith. And in this economy of faith; it is in the believing that we truly see.
This morning we will do an apologetic of the Trinity by referencing several Scriptures, both in the Old and New Testaments. But remember, apologetics can only lead a horse to the water; it cannot make him drink. The drinking [of the Living Water] comes by faith.
And in this economy of faith; it is in the believing that we truly see.
