The triune God of the Bible has been under attack for some time now. Various religious groups find their way of talking about the God of the Bible, but then twisting the truth just enough so that there is no value to what is being said any longer. When someone does not have his facts straight, the degree to which it will affect him depends upon the subject matter itself and the situation that he finds himself in.
Getting the facts straight
For instance, if someone were to say that Russia was only a part of the continent of Asia, while another person said that Russia was actually apart of two continents (Asia and Europe), it may not really matter who is right and who is wrong in this situation.
But let’s say that these individuals were taking a test and whether they passed or failed was dependent upon getting the right answer. Obviously, a right answer would mean a little more in this situation.
This same type of situation can be seen within Christianity. If someone believed that the gift of prophecy was still in effect today while another believed that it was not, this would be more serious than not knowing whether Russia was a part of two continents or just one. One of the reasons for this is that it is a biblical matter.
Diverse beliefs
Now let’s back-track and consider the various religious groups of our day. One of the major tactics of Satan is to twist the truth. He did this in the Garden of Eden, and he did this when he sought to tempt Jesus in the wilderness. Jesus’ example can be a great benefit in understanding the way in which Satan works today. In seeking to steer Jesus away from truth, Satan did not try to tell a blatant lie. He sought to take the truth itself out of context. He desired to keep his lie close to the truth but twist it enough to where it would lead Jesus astray.
This same tactic of the enemy can be seen in the beliefs of Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the Mormons. All of these groups find similarities with orthodox Christianity, but they veer away on matters that are vitally important.
The Muslim believes that Allah alone is God and that he does not have a son, while also stating that the Old and New Testaments are the foundation for the Quran. They believe that the Bible has been corrupted. They would also say that Jesus was a good teacher and was a prophet to the Jews. The Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Father alone is God, Jesus was merely a person, and the Holy Spirit is nothing more than the force of God. The Mormon believes that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all gods but that they are distinct. They also believe that there are many gods and that some people will actually become gods one day.
All of this matters. We cannot apply the saying, “All roads lead to Rome,” to our belief system. The truth matters. Having the right answer is vitally important in this situation, much more so than knowing if Russia is a part of one continent or two. The stakes are high; a person’s eternal state is on the line. One of the ways in which the Christian must fight for truth and be firmly grounded in his belief is found in the doctrine of the Trinity. This Easter, find reasons to rejoice in the triune God of the Bible Who raised Christ from the dead.
The Father took part in the resurrection of Christ
Scripture says, “… Jesus of Nazareth… Whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it” (KJV, Acts 2:22, 24). In this portion of Scripture, Peter is speaking to a large crowd of people in Jerusalem. Prior to this point, Peter had recently denied Christ and laid down his cross. Here we see Peter, after the Spirit had been poured out upon him, rising to the occasion and professing Christ boldly.
As Peter does this, he takes special care to attest to the resurrection of Jesus. In doing so, Peter highlights the fact that God the Father raised Jesus Christ from the grave. We can be sure that the Father is God, for nobody has the power to raise the dead but God alone.
The Son took part in the resurrection of Himself
It is an interesting fact that Jesus actually took part in raising Himself from the dead. Scripture says, “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). Elsewhere Jesus says, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received from my Father” (John 10:17-18). Jesus spoke boldly about His ability to both lay down His life and take it up again. He was confident in His ability to give His life but also to secure His life after death.
This Easter seek the face of Christ as God the Son, the Risen Lamb. Jesus rose from the dead, and in doing so, He proved His deity along with God the Father. Jesus has to be God; there is no other way. Christ’s ability to die would not prove His deity. However, the fact that Christ was able to raise His own dead body from the grave carries with it serious implications. Jesus is God!
The Holy Spirit took part in the resurrection of Christ
The Holy Spirit must also be worshipped and adored this Easter season. Praise the triune God of the Bible for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Scripture says, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit (1 Pet. 3:18). When the Bible uses the word “quickened,” it contains the meaning of Christ’s being made alive by the Spirit after His death. The Holy Spirit is a life-giving Spirit. The Holy Spirit is responsible for imparting life to dead sinners. It is by the Spirit that the Christian is united to the Bread of Life.
Once again, the triune God of the Bible can be seen in the resurrection of Christ. Rejoice this Easter as God has made Himself known to you. If you believe that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are three Persons in one God, you are aligning yourself with orthodox Christian beliefs.
For further study
Look at the way that the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are present in Jesus’ baptism in Luke chapter 3. Now look at the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. Finally, try reading Ephesians chapter 1. How were the Father, the Son, and the Spirit all present in the baptism of Christ? Who was mentioned in the Great Commission? What part do the Father, the Son, and the Spirit play in salvation?
Throughout Scripture, it is said of God that God is one God. The Bible also tells us that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Spirit is God. The Christian seeks to take the Bible as a whole, rather than isolate a Scripture and create a doctrine. Take the Bible as a whole, and you will see the triune God shining through its pages.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for electing me. Jesus, I thank You for dying for me. Holy Spirit, I thank you for regenerating me. Triune God, I thank you for the resurrection of Christ this Easter season. Help me to seek Your face in Your Word and strive to get to know You more. Increase my faith in the resurrected Christ. Work in my heart that I might give You the praise that You deserve. In Jesus’ name, Amen.