The GodheadThe Godheadbaptizing them into the name of

the Father and of the Son and of the Holy SpiritMatthew 28:19

Why Study the Godhead?Why Study the Godhead?

Because we must instruct others about the proper nature of deity (Mt. 22:41-46)

Because we must answer error concerning the proper nature of deity (1 Jn. 4:1-3)

Because we must study what the Bible says about the Godhead (Mt. 28:19; Lk. 1:35; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; Tit. 3:4-6; 1 Pet. 1:2; Jude 20-21; Rev. 1:4-5)

Defining the GodheadDefining the Godhead

English term: the word “Trinity” (three-in-one) is not in the Bible, but the doctrine is (“Bible” is not in the Bible)

Hebrew term: “God” (El and Elohim) = strength; mighty

Greek terms:

“God” (theos) = the person of God (Mt. 1:23; etc.)

“Godhead” or “Divine” (theios) = the quality of deity, divine (Ac. 17:29; 2 Pet. 1:3,4)

“Godhead” (theotees) = the essence of deity (Col. 2:9)

“Divinity” (theiotees) = the attribute of deity (Rom. 1:20)

Defining the GodheadDefining the Godhead

1. Unity: one Godhead (Deut. 6:4; Isa. 45:5; Jas. 2:19)

2. Individuality: one Godhead in three persons ; one deity made up of three persons just like one humanity made up of many persons (Lk. 3:21-22; Jn. 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:14; Acts 7:55-56)

3. Divinity: three persons who are fully divine, same in nature and essence; like H20 as a solid, liquid and vapor, or the sun as light, heat, and energy: the Father is “God” divine (1 Cor. 1:3); the Son is “God” divine (Jn. 1:1; Heb. 1:8); the H.S. is “God” divine (Ac. 5:3-4)

Three Truths About the Three Truths About the GodheadGodhead

The GodheadThe Godhead

Denials of the unity of the Godhead (Polytheism, Tritheism, Mormonism)

Denials of the individuality of the Godhead (Gnosticism, Monarchianism, Sabellianism, Marcellianism, United Pentecostals, “Jesus Only” or “Oneness” Pentecostals)

Denials of the divinity of the Godhead (Subordinationism, Arianism, J.W.s, Unitarians)

The GodheadThe GodheadDenials of These Three Truths

Works of the GodheadWorks of the Godhead

• Creation (Gen.1:1-2)• Confounding (Gen. 11:7)• Incarnation (Lk. 1:35)• Identification (Mt. 3:16-17)• Redemption (Tit. 3:4-6)• Propitiation (Heb. 9:14)

• Resurrection (Rom. 8:11)• Inspiration (Jn. 15:26)• Delegation (Jn. 20:21-22)• Confirmation (Acts 10:38)• Sanctification (Jude 20-21)• Benediction (2 Cor. 13:14)

“The Bible says God is ‘one’ (Deut. 6:4)”

Answer: “One” is often used in passages to refer to unity, not the numeral one (see Mt. 19:5-6; Acts 4:32; 1 Cor. 3:8; 6:16; Eph. 2:14). Deuteronomy 6:4 teaches that members of the Godhead are united, not that God is one (singular) person

The GodheadThe GodheadAnswering An Argument

“The Bible says God and Jesus are ‘one’ (Jn. 10:30)”

Answer: If the Father and Jesus are the same person, then the following words of Jesus make no sense: Mt. 24:36; 26:42; 27:46; Lk. 23:46; Jn. 4:34; 6:38-39; 8:17-18,42; 14:26,28; 20:21-22; Acts 1:4-5

The GodheadThe GodheadAnswering An Argument

All three created us, (Gen. 1:1-2,26-27; Jn. 1:1-3), so we should be honored (Psa. 8:4-5)

All three sustain us , so we should be thankful (Ac. 17:25; Col. 1:17; Psa. 104:30)

All three desire our salvation, so we should be obedient (Tit. 3:3-4; Mt. 28:19)

All three work together in unity, so we should be unified (Jn. 17:11,21; Eph. 4:3-6)

Practical Lessons from the Practical Lessons from the GodheadGodhead