From: jloucks@uts.amdahl.com (Jim Loucks)
Newsgroups: talk.religion.misc
Subject: Re: Trinity (was Polytheism)
Date: 12 Aug 92 15:15:03 GMT
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA

burke@tss.com (Jim Burke) writes:
>The concept of the Trinity is a dogmatic invention of man since there is 
>no teaching of a "trinity" in the Bible.  If it isn't in the Bible, then
>it is an invention of man.  Or, if there is some contention that the trinity
>is in fact taught in the Bible, where is it?  I mean, where is it without a
>lot of twists and turns and stretched interpretations?

As a new reader of this newsgroup I don't know how often this subject
appears, or if the following information has been previously posted.
But after reading Jim Burke's article I decided to post this from a 
friend on the net, I hope he doesn't mind.    

The following helps clarify the concept of the trinity:

THE NAMES OF GOD.
 A. Primary OT names.
  1. Jehovah (YHWH).
   a. Meaning. Self-existent One (from Exodus 3:14)
   b. Characteristics. It is a name of relationship between the true God and
      His people and, when used, emphasizes God's holiness, hatred of sin, and
      love of sinners.
  2. Elohim.
   a. Meaning. Strong One.
   b. Characteristics. Used of the true God and heathen gods. It is a plural
      word and is the plural of majesty. The plural does allow for the
      subsequent revelation of the Trinity in the NT but does not teach the
      Trinity per se.
  3. Adonai
   a. Meaning. Lord.
   b. Characteristics. Used of men and of God and indicates the master-servant
      relationship.
 B. Compund OT names.
  1. With EL.
   a. El Elyon, translated the Most High.
   b. El Roi, the strong one who sees.
   c. El Shaddai, Almighty God.
   d. El Olam, Everlasting God.
  2. With Jehovah.
   a. Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide.
   b. Jehovah Nissi, the Lord my banner.
   c. Jehovah Shalom, the Lord is peace.
   d. Jehovah Sabbaoth, the Lord of hosts.
   e. Jehovah Maccaddeshcem, the Lord thy sanctifier.
   f. Jehovah Raah, the Lord is my shepherd.
   g. Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord our righteousness.
   h. Jehovah El Gmolah, the Lord God of recompense.
   i. Jehovah Nakeh, the Lord that smiteth.
   j. Jehovah Shammah, the Lord who is present.

THE DEITY OF CHRIST.
 A. Proved by His names.
  1. God (Hebrews 1:8).
  2. Son of God (Matthew 16:16; 26:61-64a).
  3. Lord (Matthew 23:43-45).
  4. King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).
 B. Proved by His characteristics.
  1. Omnipotence (Matthew 28:18).
  2. Omniscience (John 1:48).
  3. Omnipresence (Matthew 18:20).
  4. Life (John 1:4).
  5. Truth (John 14:6).
  6. Immutability (Hebrews 13:8).
 C. Proved by His works.
  1. Creates (John 1:3).
  2. Sustains (Colossians 1:17).
  3. Forgives (Luke 7:48).
  4. Raises the dead (John 5:25).
  5. Judges (John 5:27).
  6. Sends the Holy Spirit (John 15:26).
 D. Proved by worship that is given Him.
  1. By angels (Hebrews 1:6).
  2. By men (Matthew 14:33).
  3. By all (Phillipians 2:10).
 E. Proved by Equality in the Trinity.
  1. With the Father (John 14:23; 10:30).
  2. With the Father and the Spirit (Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14).

THE PERSONALITY OF THE SPIRIT.
 A. Proved by His characteristics.
  1. He is intelligent (I Corinthians 2:10-11).
  2. He has feelings (Ephesians 4:30).
  3. He has will (I Corinthians 12:11).
 B. Proved by His works.
  1. He teaches (John 14:26).
  2. He guides (Romans 8:14).
  3. He commissions (Acts 13:4).
  4. He commands men (Acts 8:29).
  5. He restrains (Genesis 6:3).
  6. He intercedes (Romans 8:26).
  7. He speaks (John 15:26; II Peter 1:21).
 C. Proven by what is ascribed to Him.
  1. He can be obeyed (Acts 10:19-21).
  2. He can be lied to (Acts 5:3).
  3. He can be resisted (Acts 7:51).
  4. He can be reverenced (Psalm 51:11).
  5. He can be blasphemed (Matthew 12:31).
  6. He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30).
  7. He can be outraged (Hebrews 10:29).
 D. Proven by unusual grammar.
  In spite of the fact that the Greek word for Spirit is neuter in gender,
  several times masculine pronouns are used to replace the neuter noun,
  contradicting all normal rules of grammar, but indicating the personality
  of the Spirit (John 16:13-14; 15:26; 16:7-8).

THE DEITY OF THE SPIRIT.
 A. Proven by His names.
  1. Names which relate the Spirit equally to other Persons of the Trinity
     (I Corinthians 6:11).
  2. Names which show Him doing works which only God can do (Romans 8:15;
     John 14:16).
 B. Proven by His characteristics.
  1. Omniscience (I Corinthians 2:10-11).
  2. Omnipresence (Psalm 139:7).
  3. Omnipotence (Genesis 1:2).
  4. Truth (I John 5:6).
  5. Holiness (Luke 11:13).
  6. Life (Romans 8:2).
  7. Wisdom (Isaiah 40:13).
 C. Proven by His works.
  1. Creating (Genesis 1:2).
  2. Inspiring (II Peter 1:21).
  3. Begetting Christ (Luke 1:35).
  4. Convincing men (John 16:8).
  5. Regenerating (John 3:5-6).
  6. Comforting (John 14:16).
  7. Interceding (Romans 8:26-27).
  8. Sanctifying (II Thessalonians 2:13).
 D. Proven by His being equally associated with other Persons of the Trinity
   (Acts 5:3-4; Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14).

-- 
Jim Loucks           jloucks@uts.amdahl.com 
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