It was apparently the English preacher Robert South (1634-1716) who claimed, "If you deny the doctrine of the Trinity, you could lose your soul, but if you strive too hard to understand it, you could lose your wits." Nevertheless, the principle found in Deuteronomy 29:29

NIV ²⁹ The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. KJV ²⁹ The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
requires us to seek to understand what God has revealed of Himself. We should do so with great humbleness.

What is the basis for our belief in the Trinity?

There is but one True God - Isaiah 44:6

NIV ⁶ “This is what the Lord says — Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.

KJV ⁶ Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

; James 2:19

NIV ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that — and shudder.

KJV ¹⁹ Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

, etc.

There are 3 Persons that the Bible reveals to be True God (i.e. God by nature). We are therefore driven to the conclusion that God is a Trinity. It is not something that we have dragged in from Paganism or the Roman Catholic Church as some who attack our Church like to suggest. The Trinity is a Biblical doctrine and we believe it and teach it because this is so. We are compelled by Scripture to accept that the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all God but there is only One God by nature.

The Father

No one disputes that He is God so we will not investigate His credentials further.

Jesus

Jesus is identified as God in both the Old and New Testaments, see:
Isaiah 9:6

NIV ⁶ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

KJV ⁶ For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

John 1:1

NIV ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

KJV ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 20:28

NIV ²⁸ Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

KJV ²⁸ And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Romans 9:5

NIV ⁵ Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

KJV ⁵ Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

Titus 2:13-14

NIV ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope — the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

KJV ¹³ Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; ¹⁴ Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Hebrews 1:8

NIV ⁸ But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

KJV ⁸ But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

Philippians 2:6

NIV ⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

KJV ⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

etc.

Jesus claimed the Divine Name "I AM" which Yahweh used when He revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush:
John 8:58

NIV ⁵⁸ “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

KJV ⁵⁸ Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Compare Exodus 3:14

NIV ¹⁴ God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

KJV ¹⁴ And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.

In Jesus dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily: Colossians 2:9

NIV ⁹ For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, KJV ⁹ For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
.

Jesus is "The Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End" – Revelation 22:13

NIV ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

KJV ¹³ I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

compare Isaiah 44:6

NIV ⁶ “This is what the Lord says — Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.

KJV ⁶ Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

; Isaiah 48:12

NIV ¹² “Listen to me, Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first and I am the last.

KJV ¹² Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.

Jesus shares the glory of God: John 17:5

NIV ⁵ And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

KJV ⁵ And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

; Matthew 16:27

NIV ²⁷ For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

KJV ²⁷ For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

compare Isaiah 42:8

NIV ⁸ “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.

KJV ⁸ I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

; Isaiah 48:11

NIV ¹¹ For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another.

KJV ¹¹ For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.

Jesus is the Creator: Yahweh says He made everything by Himself – Isaiah 44:24

NIV ²⁴ “This is what the Lord says — your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the Lord, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself,

KJV ²⁴ Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

. The New Testament states clearly that Jesus was the Creator and that He made everything for Himself – Colossians 1:16

NIV ¹⁶ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

KJV ¹⁶ For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

; John 1:3

NIV ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

KJV ³ All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

; Hebrews 1:10

NIV ¹⁰ He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

KJV ¹⁰ And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

. Quite clearly Jesus is Yahweh God.

Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords: Revelation 17:14

NIV ¹⁴ They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings — and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

KJV ¹⁴ These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

; Revelation 19:16

NIV ¹⁶ On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.

KJV ¹⁶ And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.

compare Deuteronomy 10:17

NIV ¹⁷ For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.

KJV ¹⁷ For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:

and 1 Timothy 6:15

NIV ¹⁵ which God will bring about in his own time — God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

KJV ¹⁵ Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

Jesus is Eternal: Hebrews 7:3

NIV ³ Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

KJV ³ Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

; Micah 5:2

NIV ² “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

KJV ² But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

compare Psalm 90:2

NIV ² Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

KJV ² Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

; Psalm 93:2

NIV ² Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity.

KJV ² Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.

Jesus accepts worship: Worship is for God only – Exodus 34:14

NIV ¹⁴ Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

KJV ¹⁴ For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

; Matthew 4:10

NIV ¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

KJV ¹⁰ Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

; Acts 10:25-26

NIV ²⁵ As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. ²⁶ But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

KJV ²⁵ And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. ²⁶ But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

; Revelation 19:10

NIV ¹⁰ At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”

KJV ¹⁰ And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

; Revelation 22:8-9

NIV ⁸ I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. ⁹ But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!”

KJV ⁸ And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. ⁹ Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

. Jesus accepted worship – Matthew 28:9

NIV ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.

KJV ⁹ And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

; Luke 24:50-52

NIV ⁵⁰ When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. ⁵¹ While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. ⁵² Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

KJV ⁵⁰ And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. ⁵¹ And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. ⁵² And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

; Hebrews 1:6

NIV ⁶ And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

KJV ⁶ And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

. To "call upon the name" is related to worship – Genesis 4:26

NIV ²⁶ Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord.

KJV ²⁶ And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.

; Genesis 12:8

NIV ⁸ From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.

KJV ⁸ And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord.

; Psalm 116:17

NIV ¹⁷ I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord.

KJV ¹⁷ I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.

; 79:6; Jeremiah 10:25

NIV ²⁵ Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the peoples who do not call on your name. For they have devoured Jacob; they have devoured him completely and destroyed his homeland.

KJV ²⁵ Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.

; Zephaniah 3:9

NIV ⁹ “Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder.

KJV ⁹ For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.

; Joel 2:32

NIV ³² And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls.

KJV ³² And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.

. This phrase used with reference to Jesus – Romans 10:13

NIV ¹³ for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

KJV ¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

; Acts 9:14

NIV ¹⁴ And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

KJV ¹⁴ And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

; Acts 9:20-21

NIV ²⁰ At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. ²¹ All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”

KJV ²⁰ And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. ²¹ But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

; 1 Corinthians 1:2

NIV ² To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ — their Lord and ours:

KJV ² Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:

; Acts 22:16

NIV ¹⁶ And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

KJV ¹⁶ And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

; 2 Timothy 2:22

NIV ²² Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

KJV ²² Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Jesus hears prayers: Acts 1:24

NIV ²⁴ Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen

KJV ²⁴ And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

; Acts 7:59-60

NIV ⁵⁹ While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

KJV ⁵⁹ And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. ⁶⁰ And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

; 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

NIV ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

KJV ⁸ For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. ⁹ And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

;John 14:14

NIV ¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

KJV ¹⁴ If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

; Revelation 22:20

NIV ²⁰ He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

KJV ²⁰ He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

.
Jesus is Omnipresent (Everywhere present at the same time): Matthew 18:20

NIV ²⁰ For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

KJV ²⁰ For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

; Matthew 28:20

NIV ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

KJV ²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Jesus reveals God to us: John 1:18

NIV ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

KJV ¹⁸ No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

; John 14:9

NIV ⁹ Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

KJV ⁹ Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

; Colossians 1:15

NIV ¹⁵ The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

KJV ¹⁵ Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

; Hebrews 1:3

NIV ³ The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

KJV ³ Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

. No mere man can reveal God – only God visible could reveal the invisible God. Jesus was both God and man – John 1:1

NIV ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

KJV ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

, John 1:14

NIV ¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

KJV ¹⁴ And the Word was made 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.

A comparison of some NT and OT passages showing that Jesus is Yahweh.
Hebrews 1:8-12

NIV ⁸ But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. ⁹ You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” ¹⁰ He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. ¹¹ They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. ¹² You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”

KJV ⁸ But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. ⁹ Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. ¹⁰ And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: ¹¹ They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; ¹² And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

with Psalm 102:24-27

NIV ²⁴ So I said: “Do not take me away, my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations. ²⁵ In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. ²⁶ They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. ²⁷ But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

KJV ²⁴ I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. ²⁵ Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. ²⁶ They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: ²⁷ But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

John 12:36-41

NIV ³⁶ Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them. ³⁷ Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. ³⁸ This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” ³⁹ For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: ⁴⁰ “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn — and I would heal them.” ⁴¹ Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.

KJV ³⁶ While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. ³⁷ But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: ³⁸ That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? ³⁹ Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, ⁴⁰ He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. ⁴¹ These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

with Isaiah 6:1-3

NIV ¹ In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. ² Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. ³ And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

KJV ¹ In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. ² Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. ³ And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

, Isaiah 6:10

NIV ¹⁰ Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

KJV ¹⁰ Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

1 Peter 3:14-15

NIV ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” ¹⁵ 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,

KJV ¹⁴ But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; ¹⁵ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

with Isaiah 8:12-13

NIV ¹² “Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. ¹³ The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread.

KJV ¹² Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. ¹³ Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.

Jesus is "he who searches hearts and minds" – Revelation 2:23

NIV ²³ I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

KJV ²³ And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

. "you (Yahweh) alone know the hearts of all men" - 1 Kings 8:39

NIV ³⁹ then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know every human heart),

KJV ³⁹ Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men; )

, see also Psalm 7:9

NIV ⁹ Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure — you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts.

KJV ⁹ Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

.
First fruits were offered to God but in Revelation 14:4

NIV ⁴ These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.

KJV ⁴ These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

they are spoken of as offered to God and the Lamb.

Saved people will be priests of God and of the Lamb: Revelation 20:6

NIV ⁶ Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

KJV ⁶ Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Some, influenced by people such as "Jehovah's Witnesses," have been led to believe that the New Testament reveals that Jesus was less than the Father by nature. A close look at the texts concerned reveals that Jesus was less in position not nature. We must not fail to notice that the Trinity is revealed to us in the context of the plan of redemption (covering the whole Bible). Jesus accepted a subordinate position to the Father as the Messiah. The above evidence clearly shows that He was not less than the Father by nature. (His Divinity was veiled while He was a man – He did use it on occasions – but never for His personal comfort or purposes).

The Holy Spirit is a Person

We do not learn much of His personality in the Old Testament, however, revelation is progressive (Romans 16:25-26

NIV ²⁵ Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, ²⁶ but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith — KJV ²⁵ Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, ²⁶ But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
; Ephesians 3:5-6

NIV ⁵ which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. ⁶ This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. KJV ⁵ Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; ⁶ That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
) and the Old Testament also leaves us in doubt as to the nature of "the Word" (e.g. Psalm 33:6

NIV ⁶ By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. KJV ⁶ By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
) but the New Testament makes it quite clear that He is a Person and is in fact God – John 1:1-3

NIV ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. KJV ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² The same was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
, etc. We cannot understand much about the personality and nature of the Holy Spirit for He is far different to us. However, the following references insist upon His personality.

He performs personal actions in association with other persons: Matthew 28:19

NIV ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

KJV ¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

; Acts 15:28

NIV ²⁸ It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:

KJV ²⁸ For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

; Revelation 22:17

NIV ¹⁷ The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

KJV ¹⁷ And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

– NB The Holy Spirit is a separate person from the Father and Jesus – Matthew 28:19

NIV ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

KJV ¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

etc.

He takes the place of Jesus: John 14:16

NIV ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever —

KJV ¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

. Could an impersonal force take the place of the Divine Jesus on earth? The Greek word translated "Comforter," "Helper," or similar here is parakletos. This New Testament Greek word is never applied to other than persons.

In John chapters 14-16 Jesus many times over deliberately broke the rules of Greek Grammar and referred to the Holy Spirit as "He," "Him," etc. Noted Theologians such as Leon Morris and J. I. Packer have pointed this out. Our own Scholar Wooldrow Whidden, on page 71 of The Trinity, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Hagerstown, 2002, says, "we should observe that while the word "Spirit" (Greek pneuma) is in the neuter gender in Greek, the personal pronoun ekeinos ('that one,' or 'He,' clearly used to refer to the neuter Spirit) is in the masculine gender. It is this grammatical fact that has led the majority of translators to render the other personal pronouns called for in these passages as 'He' rather than 'it' or 'that one'..." The Greek word for "Spirit" is a neuter word and therefore should rightly be referred to as "it" but a perusal of Bible translations will confirm that because of what Whidden has stated Bible translators feel compelled to translate various pronouns as "He" etc. We must either accept that Jesus did this in order to make it clear to us that the Holy Spirit is a Person, or, we have to accept that our perfect Jesus made a number of uncharacteristic blunders.

He exhibits qualities which evidence personal existence: Mind - Romans 8:27

NIV ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

KJV ²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

; 1 Corinthians 2:10

NIV ¹⁰ these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

KJV ¹⁰ But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

, Will – 1 Corinthians 12:11

NIV ¹¹ All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

KJV ¹¹ But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

, Foreknowledge – John 16:13

NIV ¹³ But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

KJV ¹³ Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

, He speaks - Acts 1:16

NIV ¹⁶ and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus.

KJV ¹⁶ Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

, Commands and Forbids – Acts 8:29

NIV ²⁹ The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

KJV ²⁹ Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

; Acts 11:12

NIV ¹² The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house.

KJV ¹² And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:

; Acts 13:2

NIV ² While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

KJV ² As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

, Acts 13:4

NIV ⁴ The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.

KJV ⁴ So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

; (In these verses just mentions Herefers to Himself as "me" and "I.") Acts 16:6-7

NIV ⁶ Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. ⁷ When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.

KJV ⁶ Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, ⁷ After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

; Acts 10:19-20

NIV ¹⁹ While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. ²⁰ So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”

KJV ¹⁹ While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. ²⁰ Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

, Appoints – Acts 20:28

NIV ²⁸ Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

KJV ²⁸ Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

, Vexed and Grieved – Isaiah 63:10

NIV ¹⁰ Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.

KJV ¹⁰ But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.

; Ephesians 4:30

NIV ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

KJV ³⁰ And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

, Works Miracles – Acts 2:4

NIV ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

KJV ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

; Acts 8:39

NIV ³⁹ When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

KJV ³⁹ And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

, Can be insulted – Hebrews 10:29

NIV ²⁹ How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?

KJV ²⁹ Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

, Blasphemed – Mark 3:29

NIV ²⁹ but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

KJV ²⁹ But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.

, Loves us – Romans 15:30

NIV ³⁰ I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

KJV ³⁰ Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

The Holy Spirit is God

Most, even those who deny the personality of the Holy Spirit, will admit that He is God in some way.

He is clearly referred to as God: Acts 5:3-4

NIV ³ Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? ⁴ Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

KJV ³ But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? ⁴ Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

. Compare 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

NIV ¹⁶ Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? ¹⁷ If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

KJV ¹⁶ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? ¹⁷ If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

with 1 Corinthians 6:19

NIV ¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

KJV ¹⁹ What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

and also 2 Corinthians 6:16

NIV ¹⁶ What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

KJV ¹⁶ And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

. Compare 1 Corinthians 12:11

NIV ¹¹ All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

KJV ¹¹ But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

with 1 Corinthians 12:28

NIV ²⁸ And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.

KJV ²⁸ And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

The Holy Spirit is Yahweh: Compare:
Jeremiah 31:33-34

NIV ³³ “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. ³⁴ No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

KJV ³³ But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. ³⁴ And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

with Hebrews 10:15-17

NIV ¹⁵ The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: ¹⁶ “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” ¹⁷ Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”

KJV ¹⁵ Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, ¹⁶ This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; ¹⁷ And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

.
Psalm 95:7-11

NIV ⁷ for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice, ⁸ “Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness, ⁹ where your ancestors tested me; they tried me, though they had seen what I did. ¹⁰ For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways.’ ¹¹ So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”

KJV ⁷ For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, ⁸ Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: ⁹ When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. ¹⁰ Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: ¹¹ Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

with Hebrews 3:7-11

NIV ⁷ So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, ⁸ do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, ⁹ where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did. ¹⁰ That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’ ¹¹ So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”

KJV ⁷ Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, ⁸ Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: ⁹ When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. ¹⁰ Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. ¹¹ So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)

.
Isaiah 6:9-10

NIV ⁹ He said, “Go and tell this people: “‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ ¹⁰ Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

KJV ⁹ And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. ¹⁰ Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

with Acts 28:25-28

NIV ²⁵ They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet: ²⁶ “‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” ²⁷ For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ ²⁸ “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”

KJV ²⁵ And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, ²⁶ Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: ²⁷ For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. ²⁸ Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

.
2 Samuel 23:2

NIV ² “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.

KJV ² The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.

with 2 Samuel 23:3

NIV ³ The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God,

KJV ³ The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

The Holy Spirit is Eternal: Hebrews 9:14

NIV ¹⁴ How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

KJV ¹⁴ How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Because the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all the One God in Triunity (Trinity), what one does has the value of them all doing it. When the Holy Spirit comes to us it is the same as the Father coming to us, or of Jesus coming to us, or of the whole Three coming to us. The Holy Spirit is sometimes referred to as the Spirit of Christ – Romans 8:9-10

NIV ⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. KJV ⁹ But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ¹⁰ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
; Galatians 4:6

NIV ⁶ Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba , Father.” KJV ⁶ And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
; Philippians 1:19

NIV ¹⁹ for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. KJV ¹⁹ For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
, etc. Luke 21:15

NIV ¹⁵ For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. KJV ¹⁵ For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
says Jesus will tell His followers what to say in time of trouble while Mark 13:11

NIV ¹¹ Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. KJV ¹¹ But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
says it is the Holy Spirit Who will do this. This is where some dissidents have become confused. They think that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the same Person or that the Holy Spirit is some force that comes from Jesus and the Father. The truth is that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the same God – not the same Person. Remember the baptismal formula of Matthew 28:19-20

NIV ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” KJV ¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
where they are spoken of as separate Persons.

John 14:18

NIV ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. KJV ¹⁸ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
tells that Jesus will come to His followers – John 14:23

NIV ²³ Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. KJV ²³ Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
says that both the Father and the Son will make their abode with believers. John 14:26

NIV ²⁶ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. KJV ²⁶ But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
indicates that this will be through the Holy Spirit – see also John 14:28

NIV ²⁸ “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. KJV ²⁸ Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
first part. There is no need for confusion – there are Three Persons all working in perfect harmony as One God.

What might we expect God to be?

Illustration: An Amoeba is a microscopic single cell creature. There is a great gap between an Amoeba and a human madeup of millions of cells. We would expect the gap between a human and the Infinite God to be enormously greater. We would expect God to be vastly more complex than we are. See Isaiah 40:18

NIV ¹⁸ With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him? KJV ¹⁸ To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?
, Isaiah 40:25

NIV ²⁵ “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. KJV ²⁵ To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.
.

We believe a lot of things we don´t really understand

For example, light. Some say it is made up of particles, others say it is composed of waves. Yet others say it is a combination of both. We might not understand it but we believe it. We don't know how could God always have existed? - How can He know the end from the beginning? Christians don't understand these things but we believe them.

Do we expect God to explain Himself fully?

Illustrations: God is like a very tall man who stoops down and lisps in a little child's ear. John Calvin (16th century Reformer) referred to the Bible as God's "baby talk." God meets us where we are and reveals Himself to the degree that suits His purpose and to the degree that we can understand. Remember Deuteronomy 29:29

NIV ²⁹ The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. KJV ²⁹ The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
. He expects us to seek to understand what He has revealed of Himself.

God has revealed Himself to us

God has revealed Himself to us in what is termed "the economy of the plan of redemption."

In other words, the terms "Father," "Son," and "Holy Spirit," are suitable to help us understand the Heavenly Three and their relationship to One Another in the plan of Redemption (This is what the Bible is all about).

We do not know how each of the 3 Persons would be described apart from the plan of redemption.

Some other Biblical models are:

Shepherd (Psalm 23:1

NIV ¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

KJV ¹ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

; Hebrews 13:20

NIV ²⁰ Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,

KJV ²⁰ Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

);

Parent (Jeremiah 3:19

NIV ¹⁹ “I myself said, “‘How gladly would I treat you like my children and give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.’ I thought you would call me ‘Father’ and not turn away from following me.

KJV ¹⁹ But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.

; Matthew 6:9

NIV ⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

KJV ⁹ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

);

Light (Isaiah 9:2

NIV ² The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

KJV ² The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

; 1 John 1:5

NIV ⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

KJV ⁵ This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

);

Rock (Psalm 18:2

NIV ² The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

KJV ² The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

; 1 Corinthians 10:4

NIV ⁴ and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.

KJV ⁴ And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

These models help us to understand what God is like.

God´s revelation to us of the plan of redemption

God's revelation to us of the plan of redemption, including an understanding of Him, is progressive.

The Holy Spirit was only fully revealed when Jesus was about to return to heaven. Jesus ministers for us in the Heavenly Sanctuary and the Holy Spirit ministers for us on the earth. God has revealed Himself gradually – it would be too much for us if a full presentation were given all at once

God has not revealed all about Himself

Let us not forget that a complete understanding of God is beyond us. As St. Augustine rightly said: "If you can understand it, it is not God." Remember Isaiah 40:18

NIV ¹⁸ With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him? KJV ¹⁸ To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?
.

Illustration: We can see only one tenth of an Iceberg. Likewise there is much more to God than our finite minds can possibly understand or absorb.

Illustration: A bucket of salt water, sand, and seaweed cannot help us understand all about an Ocean. Likewise, what we know of God is no more than a small part of what could be known of Him.

The doctrine of the Trinity is an adequate definition of what has been revealed in Scripture.

How then shall we describe the Three?

1. Subordinationism

This system claims that Jesus and the Spirit are lesser deities. Some say that God the Father created them.

2. Modalism

This claims that God just manifests Himself in one of three ways on various occasions.

3. Tritheism

The Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are three separate deities (a form of polytheism).

4. Arianism

The Father created Jesus who created the Holy Spirit.

5. Semi-Arianism

Jesus was born from the Father in the mystical past. The Holy Spirit is not a person but is the Spirit of the Father and the Son. All shades of Arianism have been condemned as heretical when they have popped up down through the Christian centuries. Today some confused Seventh-day Adventists have been fooled into accepting the system. If you want to be an Arian you have to accept that there is a Big God (the Father) and a little god (Jesus). This is quite unacceptable and is a miniature form of Polytheism. Sin is an infinite problem. It has affected the whole of creation. How could any sacrifice which was of less than of Infinite value pay for the sin of the whole world? If Jesus could die in His Divinity He would have to have been of something less in substance than the Father – yet semi-Arians say He was born from the Father. Would they say that God brought forth from Himself something less perfect than He was? Their greatest problem is that they have not understood the Greek word monogenes which the King James Version wrongly translated as "Only Begotten" when referring to Jesus, but as "only" when referring to others. The word has been translated something like "unique" in modern translations. My paper Jesus as Monogenes needs to be studied on this matter.

6. The Trinity

There are three Persons in One Substance or Essence. God is Three as to Persons but One as to Substance. This must be true if there is only One True God for the Father is God, Jesus is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. Only the Trinity doctrine is faithful to Scripture. Imagine the great howl of protest that would have arisen in the 1st century if Christians preached three gods to the strictly monotheistic Jews. Matthew 28:19-20

NIV ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” KJV ¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
presents Three Persons all in the One Name. See also Mark 3:16-17

NIV ¹⁶ These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), ¹⁷ James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), KJV ¹⁶ And Simon he surnamed Peter; ¹⁷ And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:
; 2 Corinthians 13:14

NIV ¹⁴ May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. KJV ¹⁴ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
, etc. A very good statement on the Trinity is found on page 367 of Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe, WHENCRITICS ASK, Baker Books, Grand Rapids, Mich. 1992

"God is one in essence, but three in Persons. God has one nature, but three centers of consciousness. That is, there is only one What in God, but there are three Whos. There is one It, but three I's. This is a mystery, but not a contradiction. It would be contradictory to say God was only one person, but also was three persons. Or that God is only one nature, but that He also had three natures. But to declare, as orthodox Christians do, that God is one essence, eternally revealed in three distinct persons is not a contradiction."

The Trinity doctrine helps us to see the full dimension of God's love. He didn't send an innocent Third Party to die for us – He came Himself in the Person of Jesus and died for us. What greater exhibition of love could we have than this? See 1 Corinthians 2:8

NIV ⁸ None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. KJV ⁸ Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
; 2 Corinthians 5:19

NIV ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. KJV ¹⁹ To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
; Acts 20:28

NIV ²⁸ Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. KJV ²⁸ Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
; Hebrews 2:14-15

NIV ¹⁴ Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death — that is, the devil — ¹⁵ and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. KJV ¹⁴ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; ¹⁵ And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
.

God is complete in Himself. The Trinity teaching makes this clear to us. Before He created anything else, He was able to express and experience love within the confines of the Godhead. He didn't need to create in order to be able to express love as some have erroneously claimed.

It hardly needs to be pointed out that the above is but a very brief indication of the Scriptural evidence, which requires Bible believers to accept that God is a Trinity. Godis far above us and beyond our comprehension. To understand all about God we would have to be God. God has revealed certain things about Himself in His Word and we should be prepared to accept this information with gratitude and leave it at that. I would suggest to those wanting to gain a much clearer understanding of the doctrine that they should read my book Understanding the Trinity. It is available at Seventh-day Adventist bookstores.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. He made us, He has maintained responsibility for us, He loves us, He died for us, and He is coming again soon to restore for us that which was lost through sin. How can we do other than love, adore, worship, and serve Him? If we lift Him up we can be sure that He will never let us down. I, for one, can testify that this is true.

To God the Father, God the Son, And God the Spirit, Three in one, Laud, honor, might, and glory be From age to age eternally.
Amen.