As we study what the Bible says about God, and specifically, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we find that we have more questions than the Bible answers as specifically as we would like. We must be content to accept what the Bible says and avoid teaching conclusions that are really just speculations. We can begin with this:

One God

Read Dt. 4:39 and 6:4

What is wrong with the following concept:

"God the Father is God, and Jesus is another God."

Different Manifestations

Read John 17:1-6, Jn. 14:26, 15:26, 16:13, Mark 1:1-11

For of the following concepts, quote a phrase or a sentence from the references that shows whether each statement is true or false.

  1. "Father," "Jesus," "Son of God," and Holy Spirit" are just different names for the same being with no distinction.
  2. The Father and the Son are distinct, but the Holy Spirit is just a way of referring to the spiritual nature of God, and is not distinct from the Son or from the Father.
  3. The Holy Spirit is distinct from Jesus.

Jesus: God with us

Read Mt. 1:18-23, Isaiah 44:6, Rev. 1:12-18, Jn. 8:52-59, Ex. 3:13-15, Heb. 1:1-10, Psalm 102:22-25

Answer the following questions, citing a passage of scripture to support each answer.

  1. Who is called Immanuel? (What does Immanuel mean?)
  2. Is there any God besides the one who says he is the first and the last?
  3. Did Yahweh ("LORD") claim to be the first and the last?
  4. Did Jesus claim to be the first and the last?
  5. Of whom did the scripture speak when it said, "Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth..."?
  6. To whom were the words of Psalm 102:22ff addressed?
  7. Why did the Jews take up stones to stone Jesus in John 8:59?

 

The Holy Spirit

  1. What three are mentioned together in Mt. 28:19?
  2. What three are mentioned together in 2 Cor. 13:13?
  3. Are these three mentioned in Ephesians 3:14-19?

Jesus' role as a Son

Read Philippians 2:5-11

  1. Had Jesus' subservient role been his role from all eternity?