"Christ in the Trinity" - 10-25-20
Introduction
This month we have been studying the Trinity. The one, true God exists as three distinct persons. In today’s lesson, we will discuss Jesus’ place in the Trinity. Though some erroneously teach Jesus was not God and others teach he was “a” god distinct from the creator, we will show Jesus is “the” God existing as the “Son of God” in the holy Trinity.
Key Verse
“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God” (Ph. 2:6).
Lesson Summary
A search of the Scriptures clearly shows that Jesus is God. Matthew said that Jesus’ birth was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy which states, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Mt. 1:23). Jesus is “God with us.” He is not “a” god with us. He is the one and only GOD. John 8:58 states, “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” Notice, Jesus did not say, “I was,” but rather, “I am.” This was clearly a reference to Exodus 3:14 – “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.” Jesus was stating he was the “I AM” of the Old Testament. He was not a different God, but he was indeed the same God who spoke to Moses and sent him to Egypt. This is clearly how the Jews understood Jesus’ statement for they took up stones to stone him for they believed he had blasphemed by claiming to be God. While Jesus is clearly God, he is also called the “Son of God.” Throughout Scripture he is called the only begotten of the Father (Jn. 1:14; 3:16; 1 Jn. 4:9). On more than one occasion, the Father himself identified Jesus as his only begotten Son (Mt. 3:17; Mk. 9:7). On numerous occasions Jesus spoke to the Father, and on one of these occasions the Father responded back to him (Jn. 12:28). Clearly, Jesus is God, and yet he is clearly not the Father. We also see from the Scripture that Jesus is not the Holy Spirit. In fact, on the day Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove and sat on Jesus. Jesus showed this distinction again when he promised to go away and send the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:33, Peter confirmed the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise, saying, “Therefore [Jesus] being by the right hand of God [the Father] exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.” Jesus was on the right hand of the Father, and he sent the Holy Spirit to fill the disciples. Once again, we see Jesus as part of a holy Trinity which makes up ONE God. Let us sum up what we know from Scripture. Jesus is God (Jn. 1:1; Jn. 8:58). At the same time, the Father is identified as God (1 Co. 8:6; Ro. 15:6), and the Holy Spirit is identified as God (Ac. 5:3-4). Though all three are identified as God, we are clearly taught there is one God (De. 6:4). The fact that three distinct persons are identified as God and that there is only one God can only be reconciled by accepting that Jesus is part of a triune God consisting of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Scripture Study
Jesus is “The God” – Mt. 1:23, Jn. 1:1-3, 10; 8:38; 1 Ti. 3:16
Jesus is the “Son of God” – Jn. 1:14; Mk. 1:1; Jn. 3:16
The Father and the Holy Spirit are God – 1 Co. 8:6; Ro. 15:6; Ac. 5:3-4
There is one God – De. 6:4; Mk. 12:29
Conclusion
As has been stated many times in the lessons this month, the Trinity is a great mystery. God exists as three persons. While it would be foolish to think we could completely comprehend an incomprehensible God, we can understand certain facts because God has revealed them in Scripture. One of these inescapable facts is that Jesus is both God and the Son of God. Jesus is God, but he is part of a holy Trinity.
Introduction
This month we have been studying the Trinity. The one, true God exists as three distinct persons. In today’s lesson, we will discuss Jesus’ place in the Trinity. Though some erroneously teach Jesus was not God and others teach he was “a” god distinct from the creator, we will show Jesus is “the” God existing as the “Son of God” in the holy Trinity.
Key Verse
“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God” (Ph. 2:6).
Lesson Summary
A search of the Scriptures clearly shows that Jesus is God. Matthew said that Jesus’ birth was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy which states, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Mt. 1:23). Jesus is “God with us.” He is not “a” god with us. He is the one and only GOD. John 8:58 states, “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” Notice, Jesus did not say, “I was,” but rather, “I am.” This was clearly a reference to Exodus 3:14 – “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.” Jesus was stating he was the “I AM” of the Old Testament. He was not a different God, but he was indeed the same God who spoke to Moses and sent him to Egypt. This is clearly how the Jews understood Jesus’ statement for they took up stones to stone him for they believed he had blasphemed by claiming to be God. While Jesus is clearly God, he is also called the “Son of God.” Throughout Scripture he is called the only begotten of the Father (Jn. 1:14; 3:16; 1 Jn. 4:9). On more than one occasion, the Father himself identified Jesus as his only begotten Son (Mt. 3:17; Mk. 9:7). On numerous occasions Jesus spoke to the Father, and on one of these occasions the Father responded back to him (Jn. 12:28). Clearly, Jesus is God, and yet he is clearly not the Father. We also see from the Scripture that Jesus is not the Holy Spirit. In fact, on the day Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove and sat on Jesus. Jesus showed this distinction again when he promised to go away and send the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:33, Peter confirmed the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise, saying, “Therefore [Jesus] being by the right hand of God [the Father] exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.” Jesus was on the right hand of the Father, and he sent the Holy Spirit to fill the disciples. Once again, we see Jesus as part of a holy Trinity which makes up ONE God. Let us sum up what we know from Scripture. Jesus is God (Jn. 1:1; Jn. 8:58). At the same time, the Father is identified as God (1 Co. 8:6; Ro. 15:6), and the Holy Spirit is identified as God (Ac. 5:3-4). Though all three are identified as God, we are clearly taught there is one God (De. 6:4). The fact that three distinct persons are identified as God and that there is only one God can only be reconciled by accepting that Jesus is part of a triune God consisting of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Scripture Study
Jesus is “The God” – Mt. 1:23, Jn. 1:1-3, 10; 8:38; 1 Ti. 3:16
Jesus is the “Son of God” – Jn. 1:14; Mk. 1:1; Jn. 3:16
The Father and the Holy Spirit are God – 1 Co. 8:6; Ro. 15:6; Ac. 5:3-4
There is one God – De. 6:4; Mk. 12:29
Conclusion
As has been stated many times in the lessons this month, the Trinity is a great mystery. God exists as three persons. While it would be foolish to think we could completely comprehend an incomprehensible God, we can understand certain facts because God has revealed them in Scripture. One of these inescapable facts is that Jesus is both God and the Son of God. Jesus is God, but he is part of a holy Trinity.
Sunday School Lessons
October 2020
ADULT - English
ADULT - English
| adult_english_ss_-_october_2020.doc |
ADULT - Spanish
| adult_spanish_-_october_2020.doc |
Children - English
| english_children_ss_-_october_2020.docx |
Teen - English
| teen_english_ss_-_october_2020.doc |