"Teaching Them to Observe All That I Commanded You"
The Trinity
The doctrine of the Trinity is a perplexing mystery that is incomprehensible for us to fully understand, it can still be grasped by us at a very basic level. The fundamental concept is that the one God exists as three persons, each one fully God and sharing one essence. They have eternally existed in the relationship as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each is an individual person, and they mutually indwell each other as they share the same essence. They are united as one being and cannot be separated. They interact with each other as members of the Godhead. They each have assumed roles in the drama of redemption and in their relationship to the creation. The Father is creator, the Son is redeemer, and the Holy Spirit is sustainer.
The doctrine of the Trinity is an essential teaching of Christianity and any institution or group that denies this doctrine cannot claim to be Christian. There are some denominations and cults who deny this doctrine, but denial of this teaching is considered heresy, and it places a person or group outside of the faith. Many people will struggle to understand the concept of the Trinity and the concept of a being existing as three persons, who all share one essence. This idea lies beyond the physical laws of the natural world and extends into the supernatural realm of existence. People have difficulty transitioning their minds beyond the limits of their experiential knowledge. God exists outside of time and space. He is the creator of all that exists and is not subject to the laws of the natural world. He is an infinite being who’s being is beyond our comprehension. This is known as the incomprehensibility of God. Click on the link below for further information.
The Incomprehensible God
It has been my experience in teaching students about the doctrine of God that many of them encounter a mental barrier as they move from the world of the natural to the realm of the supernatural. The nature of God, the heavenly realm, and the angels all exist in the supernatural dimension and must be understood from that perspective. Since God is an infinite supernatural being who is unlike humans who are physical in nature, they cannot get past trying to imagine Him in human terms. The Trinity is an example, which is the concept that God is one being existing as three persons. They struggle with this doctrine because their minds cannot get passed the mental barrier where they think only in human terms. God as the only infinite being is uncreated, He has always existed, without beginning or end. Because they cannot understand this, they reject it and here lies the difficulty in teaching the doctrine. Knowing that this barrier exists, the student must train his mind to transition from the natural world to the supernatural as he studies the nature of the being of God.
God exists in a form far above our understanding and we can only grasp at His existence based on what He has revealed to us in Scripture. Humans were created by the infinite God with finite minds able to understand the natural world. While mankind has progressed in knowledge, he/she cannot comprehend the infinite or try to place themselves on the same level of God by thinking that they can possess His same level of knowledge. We must proceed with the words given by the great 17th century Dutch theologian Wilhelmus A’Brakel, “Believers must not, nor do they desire to, proceed with their minds beyond its defined limitations.”
“First, it must be understood that God is incomprehensible in His Essence and existence. It should further be understood that we human beings, to whom God has been pleased to reveal Himself in a manner sufficient to lead us unto salvation, only know in part and are but able to grasp a fragment or the external fringes of the doctrine at hand. Believers must not, nor do they desire to, proceed with their minds beyond its defined limitations.”
Wilhelmus A Brakel, “The Christian’s Reasonable Service,” vol.1 pg. 139.
The Attributes of God Shared by All Three Persons of the Trinity
Catalog of the Attributes of God
In alphabetical order, here are fourteen of the attributes of God considered by meaning.
A. Eternity
Meaning. The attribute of eternity means that God exists endlessly. His existence extends endlessly backward and forward (from our viewpoint of time) without any interruption or limitation caused by succession of events. Putting these ideas together, Berkhof defines eternity as “that perfection of God whereby He is elevated above all temporal limits and all succession of moments, and possesses the whole of His existence in one indivisible present.”
God’s eternity and self-existence are interrelated concepts. Some theologies use the word aseity to denote self-existence; i.e., God depends a se, on Himself. If God exists endlessly, then He never came into existence nor was He ever caused to come into existence. He is endlessly self-existent.
A ramification. A comforting ramification of God’s eternity is the confidence that God has never, nor will He ever, cease to exist; therefore His sustaining, providential control of all things and events is assured.
B. Freedom
Meaning. Freedom in God means that He is independent of His creatures and His Creation.
Scripture. When Isaiah asked the people who had directed the Lord or taught Him anything or instructed Him, he expected the answer, “no one,” because God is free, that is, independent of His creatures (Isa. 40:13–14).
An application. Being free, God is not obligated to us in any way unless He chooses to initiate an obligation. He does not have to do anything for us unless He chooses to do so. Consequently, we cannot put Him in our debt.
C. Holiness
Meaning. Usually defined negatively and in relation to a relative, not absolute, standard, holiness in the Bible means separation from all that is common or unclean. In respect to God, holiness means not only that He is separate from all that is unclean and evil but also that He is positively pure and thus distinct from all others.
An analogy may help in understanding this concept. What does it mean to be healthy? It is the absence of illness, but also a positive infusion of energy. Holiness is the absence of evil and the presence of positive right. In God, His holiness is a purity of being and nature as well as of will and act.
Applications. The absolute, innate holiness of God means that sinners have to be separated from Him unless a way can be found to constitute them holy. And that way has been provided in the merits of Jesus Christ.
The holiness of God becomes the standard for the believer’s life and conduct (1 John 1:7). This should put to an end the often useless discussions over what is permitted and what is not in the Christian life. Proper conduct can be tested by the simple question, Is it holy? This is the believer’s standard. Although he does not always measure up to it, he must never compromise it.
D. Immutability
Meaning. Immutability means that God is unchangeable and thus unchanging. This does not mean that He is immobile or inactive, but it does mean that He is never inconsistent or growing or developing.
Problem. If God is immutable, how can it be said that He repents? (Gen. 6:6; Jon. 3:10). If there actually was a change in God Himself, then either He is not immutable or not sovereign or both. Most understand these verses as employing anthropomorphism; i.e., interpreting what is not human in human terms. In the unfolding revelation of God’s plan there seems to be change. However, this can be said to be so only from the human viewpoint, for His eternal plan is unchanging, as is He.
Ramifications in relation to us. Immutability offers comfort and assurance that God’s promises will not fail (Mal. 3:6; 2 Tim. 2:13). Immutability reminds us that God’s attitudes toward sin, for example, do not change. Therefore, God can never be coaxed or compromised into changing.
E. Infinity
Meaning. Infinity means that God has no bounds or limits. He is in no way limited by the universe or by time-space boundaries. But it does not mean that He is somehow spread out through the universe, one part here and another there. “The infinity of God must be conceived as intensive rather than extensive …”
Observation. Sometimes this attribute is labeled immensity. It differs from omnipresence in that it emphasizes the transcendence of God (because He is not bound by space), while omnipresence focuses on the immanence of God (because He is everywhere present).
F. Love
Meaning. Like many Christian terms, love is more often discussed than defined. Even the dictionary offers little help. Love consists of affection and also of correction. Babies are cuddled and corrected, and both are true expressions of parental love. Furthermore, both are done by parents in the belief that they are doing the best thing for the child at the time. Love seeks good for the object loved. What is good? In God it is the perfection of holiness and all that that concept implies. Love in God is seeking the highest good and glory of His perfections. This implies no selfishness in God as it would in human beings.
Scripture. The Bible directly states that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). The absence of the article before “love” (the verse does not say, God is the love) indicates that this is the very nature of God. The presence of the article before “God” (literally, the God is love) shows that the statement is not reversible; it cannot read, “Love is God” (as Christian Science asserts).
Application. Since all the attributes are possessed by each person of the Trinity, there must be some loving interaction (inconceivable to humans, to be sure) within the Trinity.
God who is love allows Himself to love sinful people. That is grace (Eph. 2:4–8).
Some related words. Closely related to love are goodness, mercy, long-suffering, and grace. Although distinctions are made, they are not exact. Goodness may be defined as God’s benevolent concern for His creatures (Acts 14:17). Mercy is that aspect of His goodness that causes God to show pity and compassion (Eph. 2:4; James 5:11). Long- suffering speaks of self-restraint in the face of provocation (1 Pet. 3:20; 2 Pet. 3:15). Grace is the unmerited favor of God shown to man primarily in the person and work of Jesus Christ. All of these concepts are related and stem from the love of God who is love.
A heresy. The heresy of universalism grows out of an unbalanced concept of the attributes of God. It teaches that since God is love He will ultimately save all people. But God’s perfection of love does not operate apart from His other perfections, including holiness and justice. Therefore, love cannot overpower holiness and save those who reject Christ and die in their sins. Furthermore, universalism in reality does not have a proper definition of love, since it sees only the affection aspect of love and not the correcting aspect. Finally, universalism contradicts direct statements of Scripture (see Mark 9:45–48).
G. Omnipotence
Meaning. Omnipotence means that God is all-powerful and able to do anything consistent with His own nature. In actuality He has not chosen to do even all the things that would be consistent with Himself for reasons known ultimately only to Himself.
A question. Does omnipotence have any limitations? The answer is yes, and in two areas: natural limitations and self-imposed limitations. The natural limitations include the things God cannot do because they are contrary to His nature. He cannot lie (Titus 1:2), He cannot be tempted to sin (James 1:13), He cannot deny Himself (2 Tim. 2:13).
H. Omnipresence
Meaning. Omnipresence means that God is everywhere present with His whole being at all times.
Scripture. In Psalm 139:7–11 David asked the question if there is anyplace one can escape from the presence of God. His answer is no, for His omnipresence is unlimited by space (v. 8), undaunted by speed (v. 9), and unaffected by darkness (vv. 11–12).
Some distinctions. As stated in the definition, omnipresence does not mean that God’s being is diffused throughout the universe as if part of Him is here and part of Him there. His whole being is in every place, and the presence of the Lord within every believer serves as a good illustration of this.
Omnipresence does not mean that the immediacy of His presence does not vary. It does. His presence on His throne (Rev. 4:2), in Solomon’s temple (2 Chron. 7:2), or in the believer (Gal. 2:20) certainly differs in its immediacy from His presence in the lake of fire (Rev. 14:10). Though in the lake of fire people will be separated from the face-presence of God (2 Thess. 1:9, prosopon), they will never be separated from Him who is omnipresent (Rev. 14:10, enopion). There is obviously no presence of fellowship (for His face will be turned away from the wicked in the lake of fire) as exists when He indwells believers.
Some ramifications. No person can escape the presence of God. This warns unbelievers and comforts believers who, because God is omnipresent, can practice the experience of His presence in every circumstance of life.
I. Omniscience
Meaning. Omniscience means that God knows everything, things actual and possible, effortlessly and equally well. A. W. Tozer wrote:
God knows instantly and effortlessly all matter and all matters, all mind and every mind, all spirit and all spirits, all being and every being, all creaturehood and all creatures, every plurality and all pluralities, all law and every law, all relations, all causes, all thoughts, all mysteries, all enigmas, all feeling, all desires, every unuttered secret, all thrones and dominions, all personalities, all things visible and invisible in heaven and in earth, motion, space, time, life, death, good, evil, heaven, and hell.
Because God knows all things perfectly, He knows no thing better than any other thing, but all things equally well. He never discovers anything, He is never surprised, never amazed.
3. Applications.
Omniscience and security. Nothing can ever come to light in the believer’s life that would surprise God and cause Him to cast him out.
Omniscience and sensitivity. Every warning God gives comes from an omniscient Being, so we should be extremely sensitive to them. He does not warn us on the basis of only guessing what might happen. He knows.
Omniscience and solace. When faced with inexplicable circumstances in life, we invariably take refuge and find solace in the omniscience of God. Not only does He know what actually happened, but He knows what might have happened. He always knows what ultimate good and glory will come from events we cannot understand.
Omniscience and salvation. Unbelievers ought to fear death when they realize that they must stand before an all-knowing God (Heb. 4:13).
J. Righteousness
Meaning. Though related to holiness, righteousness is nevertheless a distinct attribute of God. Holiness relates to God’s separateness; righteousness, to His justice. Righteousness has to do with law, morality, and justice. In relation to Himself, God is righteous; i.e., there is no law, either within His own being or of His own making, that is violated by anything in His nature. In relation to His creatures He is also righteous; i.e., there is no action He takes that violates any code of morality or justice. Sometimes these two aspects of righteousness are called absolute (in relation to Himself) and relative (in relation to His Creation).
K. Simplicity
Meaning. The attribute of simplicity means that God is not a composite or compounded being. This has to do with His essence, so that it in no way contradicts the revelation of the Trinity. But this attribute also reminds us that when we consider God as a Triune Being He is not divisible or composed of parts or multiple substances.
Ramifications. The simplicity of God underscores His self-existence (for there was no prior cause to form a composite being), assures us that God will never be anything other than Spirit, and enables us to worship in spirit; i.e., not in material ways.
L. Sovereignty
Meaning. The word means principal, chief, supreme. It speaks first of position (God is the chief Being in the universe), then of power (God is supreme in power in the universe). How He exercises that power is revealed in the Scriptures. A sovereign could be a dictator (God is not), or a sovereign could abdicate the use of his powers (God has not). Ultimately God is in complete control of all things, though He may choose to let certain events happen according to natural laws that He has ordained.
The problem. The sovereignty of God seems to contradict the freedom or actual responsibility of man. But even though it may seem to do so, the perfection of sovereignty is clearly taught in the Scriptures, so it must not be denied because of our inability to reconcile it with freedom or responsibility.
M. Truth
Meaning. Truth means “agreement to that which is represented” and includes the ideas of veracity, faithfulness, and consistency. To say that God is true is to say, in the most comprehensive sense, that He is consistent with Himself, that He is all that He should be, that He has revealed Himself as He really is, and that He and His revelation are completely reliable.
Ramifications. Because God is true, He can do nothing inconsistent with Himself. His promises can never be broken or unfulfilled (see 2 Tim. 2:13), and the Bible, which is His Word, must also be inerrantly true.
N. Unity
Meaning. Unity means that there is but one God, who is indivisible.
Final Thought
One important concluding thought about the perfections of God: they describe the only true God who exists in the form of the Trinity. Man creates his own false gods whom he can manipulate and control. But the only actual God who exists is the One who is revealed primarily in the Bible and revealed by these attributes or perfections of His being. To be able to know this living and true God requires a miracle of the gracious revelation of Himself. To walk in worship with that living and true God is the privilege of all who know Him.
Reference: Above catalog is from the following source–Ryrie, C. C. (1999). Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth. Moody Press
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