God And His Word - A Question And Answer Approach To Understanding The Bible

LESSON 2: THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD 1. WHAT MYSTERY CONCERNING GOD DOES THE BIBLE REVEAL? The Bible reveals to us the mystery that in the makeup of the ONE true God there is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and that these THREE are ONE. Matthew 3:16, 17; 1 Timothy 3:16; Colossians 1:26. 2. IS IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO UNDERSTAND THE "MYSTERY" OF THE GODHEAD? "Mystery" is defined by Webster as: "Something that has not been, or cannot be, explained, hence, something beyond human comprehension." Although God is a mystery, we can gain a satisfactory understanding of Him through the statements of the Bible and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:6-14. Our finite intelligence is inadequate to explain human life, let alone the makeup of the infinite God; however, our minds are capable of accepting, believing and experiencing the God that is revealed in the Bible. 3. ARE THERE THREE GODS OR ONE GOD? There is but ONE God, and He is three-fold in personality. 2 Corinthians 13:14; Matthew 28:19; I Corinthians 12:4, 5, 6; 1 Timothy 2:5. 4. "THE GREAT CONFESSION OF ISRAEL" EMPHASIZES THE ONENESS OF GOD: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD" - Deuteronomy 6:4. 5. WHAT IS MEANT BY GOD'S ONENESS? The oneness of God is not numerical in meaning, but rather refers to God's UNITY. l John 5:7; John 1:1; Colossians 2:8; Ephesians 1:2, 3. 6. ARE THERE BIBLE REFERENCES THAT PROVE THAT GOD IS A UNITY, RATHER THAN JUST A "NUMBER ONE" GOD? Yes, here are a few illustrations: [1] "Elohim," the most common Hebrew word for God (as in Genesis 1:1), is a PLURAL noun. [2] Genesis 1:26 - "God said let us..." [3] Genesis 3: 22 - "Behold the man is become as one of us." [4] Genesis 11: 7 - "Let us go down, and ... confound their language." [5] Ecclesiastes 12: 1 - "Remember now thy creators" (Literal translation) [6] Psalms 149:2 - "Let Israel rejoice in his makers" (Hebrews in plural).

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