These Three are One

[Victoria]

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” – 1 John 5:7

This verse is the clearest description in the Bible of the triune God we serve. Since there are many heresies and confusions about the three in one nature of God, here is a simple Bible believing explanation.

One God

In the statement “these three are one”, we learn that the Biblical necessity of a singular Godhead is preserved when talking about the three. We do not serve three gods.

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:” – Deuteronomy 6:4

“There is one God,…” – 1 Timothy 2:5

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” – James 2:19

Whereas there is only one God, there are many men that make up mankind. There are not many gods that make up Godkind. We would never say, “there is only one man.” There are billions of us alive today, but about God, there is only one.

There is only one God; there has always been one God, and there will only ever be one God. There is nothing else that compares adequately to him.

Three Persons

In the clear statement of 1 John 5:7, we also learn that the one Lord and God exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost.

This is where the controversy and confusion can occur. How can one being, one God, exist in three distinct persons? How can the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all be one God?

God’s Being

It is important to understand that God cannot be compared to how we describe ourselves. God is unique, not created, and without beginning. Everything we know about being man was created by God, and so being a man is not like being God.

Though you can say to another man, I know what it is like being a human, we cannot say the same about God. God is the only one that knows what it is like to be God. Jesus Christ knows what it is like to be God.

“Who, being in the form of God…” – Phil 2:6

God’s Persons

God created every man with a single person. One man, one person. Even when we learn that a man is made up of different parts (spirit, soul, body), these are only parts that make up a single person with singular actions, mind, and will.

This is why only one person of the Godhead became a man. About Christ, Paul says:

“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” (Col 2:9).

God’s incarnation is Jesus Christ. (Joseph Smith is wrong when he describes the Father and Son in separate human bodies.)

This can make it hard to grasp how more than one person can exist in a single being, but that is the case with God. God, being different than man, exists in three persons (1 John 5:7). That is, there are three who can act, respond, and communicate.

God of All Scripture

This understanding of the one true triune God is the product of collecting all scripture in the Bible about God’s nature. It is not sufficient, to take one verse here, and leave another there. Every verse that describes God must be considered.

There is no need to rightly divide verses into different dispensations since we are describing who God is, and not what he is doing (dispensational study). Dispensational right division is useful to know God’s changing will, and what he is doing. God never changes what he is (Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8), and so we can use all scripture.

We can find all three persons described as God in scripture.

In most every epistle Paul writes he addresses “God our Father” (Phil 1:2). He calls Jesus God and Saviour in Titus 2:13. Paul also says that the Lord is the Spirit in 2 Cor 3:17.

All three distinct persons are called God, every attribute that describes God can be used to describe the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. All three distinct persons represent a separate record of testimony from heaven. Yet, the three are the one and only God.

Heresies are born about God when all scripture is not considered. Heresies about what God is doing are born when all scripture is not rightly divided. All scripture is profitable for doctrine, but not all doctrine is for our participation.

We serve one God of three persons. There is no clearer statement describing the triune God than what is found in 1 John 5:7.

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” – 1 John 5:7

By: Justin Johnson

These Three are One

 

[Jim]

This verse is the clearest description in the Bible of the triune God we serve. Since there are many heresies and confusions about the three in one nature of God, here is a simple Bible believing explanation.

One God

In the statement “these three are one”, we learn that the Biblical necessity of a singular Godhead is preserved when talking about the three. We do not serve three gods.







Whereas there is only one God, there are many men that make up mankind. There are not many gods that make up Godkind. We would never say, “there is only one man.” There are billions of us alive today, but about God, there is only one.

There is only one God; there has always been one God, and there will only ever be one God. There is nothing else that compares adequately to him.

Three Persons

In the clear statement of 1 John 5:7, we also learn that the one Lord and God exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost.

This is where the controversy and confusion can occur. How can one being, one God, exist in three distinct persons? How can the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all be one God?

God’s Being

It is important to understand that God cannot be compared to how we describe ourselves. God is unique, not created, and without beginning. Everything we know about being man was created by God, and so being a man is not like being God.

Though you can say to another man, I know what it is like being a human, we cannot say the same about God. God is the only one that knows what it is like to be God. Jesus Christ knows what it is like to be God.



God’s Persons

God created every man with a single person. One man, one person. Even when we learn that a man is made up of different parts (spirit, soul, body), these are only parts that make up a single person with singular actions, mind, and will.

This is why only one person of the Godhead became a man. About Christ, Paul says:



God’s incarnation is Jesus Christ. (Joseph Smith is wrong when he describes the Father and Son in separate human bodies.)

This can make it hard to grasp how more than one person can exist in a single being, but that is the case with God. God, being different than man, exists in three persons (1 John 5:7). That is, there are three who can act, respond, and communicate.

God of All Scripture

This understanding of the one true triune God is the product of collecting all scripture in the Bible about God’s nature. It is not sufficient, to take one verse here, and leave another there. Every verse that describes God must be considered.

There is no need to rightly divide verses into different dispensations since we are describing who God is, and not what he is doing (dispensational study). Dispensational right division is useful to know God’s changing will, and what he is doing. God never changes what he is (Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8), and so we can use all scripture.

We can find all three persons described as God in scripture.

In most every epistle Paul writes he addresses “God our Father” (Phil 1:2). He calls Jesus God and Saviour in Titus 2:13. Paul also says that the Lord is the Spirit in 2 Cor 3:17.

All three distinct persons are called God, every attribute that describes God can be used to describe the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. All three distinct persons represent a separate record of testimony from heaven. Yet, the three are the one and only God.

Heresies are born about God when all scripture is not considered. Heresies about what God is doing are born when all scripture is not rightly divided. All scripture is profitable for doctrine, but not all doctrine is for our participation.

We serve one God of three persons. There is no clearer statement describing the triune God than what is found in 1 John 5:7.




By: Justin Johnson

These Three are One

I basically agree on what you have posted there. I would caution against the use of "persons" in describing the three; who are God. The word "persons" tends to indicate men, people, humans. I prefer "beings". But perhaps that is just me.

 

[360watt]

I basically agree on what you have posted there. I would caution against the use of "persons" in describing the three; who are God. The word "persons" tends to indicate men, people, humans. I prefer "beings". But perhaps that is just me.

I have the same issue with 'persons'

It's one Triune God.

Not three separate beings that are some how 'god' in brackets. Not that is really what Victoria is saying.

 

[Jim]

I have the same issue with 'persons'

It's one Triune God.

Not three separate beings that are some how 'god' in brackets. Not that is really what Victoria is saying.

Yes, they are three separate divine beings. God is one, but he is also three. He is one and three at the same time. This is the doctrine of the Trinity. There is no biblical term that actually means “trinity”; e.g., this is not the connotation of the KJV word “Godhead” nor of the Greek terms which it represents. We do find the concept of the Trinity in Scripture, however. Exactly what is this concept? The classical Christian doctrine is usually summed up thus, that God is three divine beings who share one essence.

That God is three divine beings means that within the one divine nature are three individual centers of consciousness. Each of the beings is fully conscious of himself as distinct from the other two and as existing in eternal interpersonal relationship with the other two. We identify these three divine beings to be the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

There are books out there dealing with this concept and I won't go any further into it here.

 

[360watt]

Yes, they are three separate divine beings. God is one, but he is also three. He is one and three at the same time. This is the doctrine of the Trinity. There is no biblical term that actually means “trinity”; e.g., this is not the connotation of the KJV word “Godhead” nor of the Greek terms which it represents. We do find the concept of the Trinity in Scripture, however. Exactly what is this concept? The classical Christian doctrine is usually summed up thus, that God is three divine beings who share one essence.

That God is three divine beings means that within the one divine nature are three individual centers of consciousness. Each of the beings is fully conscious of himself as distinct from the other two and as existing in eternal interpersonal relationship with the other two. We identify these three divine beings to be the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

There are books out there dealing with this concept and I won't go any further into it here.

I agree with this. Its just terminology. Jesus is God..so is the Father and Holy Spirit. I see that as the one being God.. in three expressions.

Its the same..put in other terms.

 

[L.A.M.B.]

We try to limit God to our finite thinking, but he is NOT bound as we are to time, space nor the flesh!
The Word that became flesh and walked among us was God and He was at creation ( Gen.1) just as the Spirit was when He moved upon the face of the deep.
There are NOT 3 gods,only One God but his powerful essence can do above & beyond more than we are able to comprehend.

 

[DavidTree]

I have the same issue with 'persons'

It's one Triune God.

Not three separate beings that are some how 'god' in brackets. Not that is really what Victoria is saying.

@Victoria @Jim @civic @L.A.M.B.

The challenge is in the use of the word 'God'

When quoting 'God' from the Old Testament Scriptures the correct word is Elohim
Elohim is Plural

In the beginning
בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית (bə·rê·šîṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew 7225: 1) first, beginning, best, chief 1a) beginning 1b) first 1c) chief 1d) choice part

God
אֱלֹהִ֑ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew 430: 1) (plural) 1a) rulers, judges 1b) divine ones 1c) angels 1d) gods 2) (plural intensive-singular meaning) 2a) god, goddess 2b) godlike one 2c) works or special possessions of God 2d) the (true) God 2e) God

In fact, THEY are THREE Persons who are Echad Elohim = One God

Genesis 1:26 = Then Elohim said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;

 

[amazing grace]

@Victoria @Jim @civic @L.A.M.B.

The challenge is in the use of the word 'God'

When quoting 'God' from the Old Testament Scriptures the correct word is Elohim
Elohim is Plural

In the beginning
בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית (bə·rê·šîṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew 7225: 1) first, beginning, best, chief 1a) beginning 1b) first 1c) chief 1d) choice part

God
אֱלֹהִ֑ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew 430: 1) (plural) 1a) rulers, judges 1b) divine ones 1c) angels 1d) gods 2) (plural intensive-singular meaning) 2a) god, goddess 2b) godlike one 2c) works or special possessions of God 2d) the (true) God 2e) God

In fact, THEY are THREE Persons who are Echad Elohim = One God

Genesis 1:26 = Then Elohim said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;

elohim is a plural noun but when used with singular pronouns, verbs, adjectives, etc., it is considered a singular noun as in the singular 2d) 'the true God', or 2e) 'God'. elohim in Hebrew is grammatically plural in form but often used to refer to the singular God of Israel.

So yes, 1:26 does use plural pronouns but he isn't talking to himself - there are different understanding for ---- some scholars agree that there are different options for understanding the plural pronouns ("us," "our") in Genesis 1:26 such as a majestic plural (royal "we") or God consulting His divine council (e.g., angels). There are a total of only four verses in the entire Bible that also use the plural pronoun with elohim - Genesis 1:26, Genesis 3:22, Genesis 11:7 and Isaiah 6:8, which are often interpreted and understood as God addressing a heavenly court.

I sure wouldn't build a theology on a plural triune God around only 4 verses of scripture.

echad - 1. one (number); 2. each, every, 3. a certain, 4. an (indefinite article), 5. only, once, once for all; 6. one....another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one; 7. first; 8. eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)

Hear O Israel, Yahweh our God, Yahweh is one........ As in the number 1 -- not two, not three, ...... ONE

 

[DavidTree]

elohim is a plural noun but when used with singular pronouns, verbs, adjectives, etc., it is considered a singular noun as in the singular 2d) 'the true God', or 2e) 'God'. elohim in Hebrew is grammatically plural in form but often used to refer to the singular God of Israel.

So yes, 1:26 does use plural pronouns but he isn't talking to himself - there are different understanding for ---- some scholars agree that there are different options for understanding the plural pronouns ("us," "our") in Genesis 1:26 such as a majestic plural (royal "we") or God consulting His divine council (e.g., angels). There are a total of only four verses in the entire Bible that also use the plural pronoun with elohim - Genesis 1:26, Genesis 3:22, Genesis 11:7 and Isaiah 6:8, which are often interpreted and understood as God addressing a heavenly court.

I sure wouldn't build a theology on a plural triune God around only 4 verses of scripture.

echad - 1. one (number); 2. each, every, 3. a certain, 4. an (indefinite article), 5. only, once, once for all; 6. one....another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one; 7. first; 8. eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)

Hear O Israel, Yahweh our God, Yahweh is one........ As in the number 1 -- not two, not three, ...... ONE

i know why it is used in the singular, and so should everyone who is Saved

Hear,
שְׁמַ֖ע‪‬ (šə·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew 8085: v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound

O Israel:
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew 3478: Israel = 'God prevails' 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile

The LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew 3068: Jehovah = 'the existing One' 1) the proper name of the one true God 1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of H0136

our God,
אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew 430: 1) (plural) 1a) rulers, judges 1b) divine ones 1c) angels 1d) gods 2) (plural intensive-singular meaning) 2a) god, goddess 2b) godlike one 2c) works or special possessions of God 2d) the (true) God 2e) God

the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה ׀ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew 3068: Jehovah = 'the existing One' 1) the proper name of the one true God 1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of H0136

is One.
אֶחָֽד׃‪‬ (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew 259: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)

SHALOM in Echad Elohim

 

[Grace ambassador]

I sure wouldn't build a theology on a plural triune God around only 4 verses of scripture.

That's Exactly Why we have shared a Multitude (+ 700? ) Of Plain And Clear Scriptures:

@civic ( About + 200 ) here: The Father, Son, And Holy Spirit

@Grace ambassador ( About 500 ) here: Why The Triune Godhead Is Correct

And, precious friend, Please Be Very Richly Encouraged and Edified
In The Lord Jesus Christ and In His Precious Word Of Truth, Rightly
Divided:

The Bible: The BIG Picture

Amen.

 

[amazing grace]

That's Exactly Why we have shared a Multitude (+ 700? ) Of Plain And Clear Scriptures:

@civic ( About + 200 ) here: The Father, Son, And Holy Spirit

@Grace ambassador ( About 500 ) here: Why The Triune Godhead Is Correct

And, precious friend, Please Be Very Richly Encouraged and Edified
In The Lord Jesus Christ and In His Precious Word Of Truth, Rightly
Divided:

The Bible: The BIG Picture

Amen.

Thank you ---- I have read them all --- listed in the format in which they are listed --- it would take anyone too much time to go through and address each one but every verse although most have been debated and addressed throughout this forum and can be understood within the scope and concept of ONE true God who is the Father alone. There is NO scripture among the 200 -700 where God (Yahweh) describes himself in a plural manner except for the four @ Genesis 1:26, Genesis 3:22, Genesis 11:7 and Isaiah 6:8. And truthfully the supposedly 200-700 where it is being claimed Jesus is God there are many that contain textual variants which makes the verse ambiguous......there are many repeated and actually a drop in the bucket compared to the 31,102 scriptures in the whole of the Bible.

I, myself, do not believe that God lied when he said he gave his only begotten Son . . . . I do not have a problem with God sharing his prerogatives with his chosen servant, with his Son, with his Messiah --- Jesus Christ. Jesus fulfilled prophecy and through that prophecy NO Jewish person would have thought that the coming Messiah would be God Himself. They looked for a man, a human being, a prophet like Moses from among the Israelites from the tribe of Judah from the lineage of Davidic kings.......

Jesus never says he is God but addresses himself as the Christ, as the Son of God, as the King of Jews. The Samaritan woman @ John 4 evangelized a whole town through her declaration of who Jesus was:
The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.......The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”.....So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” They went out of the town and were coming to him.......Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” My question would be why did Jesus agree with her? Why not honestly say 'I am God'?

Peter didn't confess that he believed Jesus was God when Jesus asked him: And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. [Mark 8:27-30] Why not just tell the disciples 'No, I am 'God' but don't tell anyone."? If Jesus is God would this be considered being honest and truthful?
And @ Matthew 16 what was Jesus response to Peter:
And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.....Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.[Matthew 16:17,20] Again, why didn't he just admit to being 'God' in these instances?

Secondly, there is no verse which says one must believe in the Trinity to be saved. There is no verse which states one must believe Jesus is God to be saved. The bottom line of faith is who are you placing your trust in? I place my trust in the only begotten Son of God, the Messiah whom God sent to be the Savior of the world.
And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” [Acts 16:29-31] Why didn't Paul and Silas tell them they must believe in the Triune God --- God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit-- and you will be saved."?

As yet no one provided ONE single verse that clearly and succinctly teaches us that we must believe Jesus is God to be saved. I'm not talking about something taken as inference nor one which is ambiguous.

We are to believe in the Son of God, the anointed of God, the Lord's Messiah - Jesus of Nazareth, the man attested to us by God.

 

[Grace ambassador]

And truthfully the supposedly 200-700 where it is being claimed Jesus is God there are many that contain textual variants which makes the verse ambiguous

Precious friend, Exactly what is your 'textual variant' to change the following to being ambiguous:

"And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write;These things Saith The First And The Last,​

which was Dead, and is Alive;" (Revelation 2:8 AV)​

I showed this to a JW once and, if he told me the truth?: "Well then, there MUST be TWO

"FirstS and LastS." Is that your 'textual variant' also?​

--------------------

ps. Kind of a s t r e t c h isn't it to compare "interpreting the few (4 - ?) 'ambiguous' verses By the Plain
and Clear 200-700 Related Passages" ( Rule # 6 Bible Study Rules! ) for God's Sound Doctrine.
And then to Negate That With:

The tactic of saying:

31,102 verses

Of Mostly NON-Related Scriptures Outweigh / make the 200-700 ambiguous?

God Bless...

 

[amazing grace]

Precious friend, Exactly what is your 'textual variant' to change the following to being ambiguous:

"And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write;These things Saith The First And The Last,​

which was Dead, and is Alive;" (Revelation 2:8 AV)​

I showed this to a JW once and, if he told me the truth?: "Well then, there MUST be TWO

"FirstS and LastS." Is that your 'textual variant' also?​

I didn't address Revelation 2:8 as having a textual variant did I? Nor did I say EVERY verse referenced had a textual variant.
I wouldn't change anything to do with Revelation 2:8 ---- Jesus is the first and the last which was dead and is alive.
No, we do not need to add an 's' at the end of first and last because God is known as the first and the last and also Jesus is the first and the last..... I'm not a Jehovah witness.

ps. Kind of a s t r e t c h isn't it to compare "interpreting the few (4 - ?) 'ambiguous' verses By the Plain
and Clear 200-700 Related Passages" ( Rule # 6 Bible Study Rules! ) for God's Sound Doctrine.
And then to Negate That With:

The tactic of saying:

Of Mostly NON-Related Scriptures Outweigh / make the 200-700 ambiguous?

God Bless...

You may not realize it but you aren't exactly being honest with what has been said.

I went back to what I said about 'interpreting the few (4-?) ambiguous verses' ------- I didn't say anything about 'interpreting' and the only 4 verses I mentioned NOT AS BEING AMBIGUOUS but in relation to the singularity of God (Yahweh) this is what I said:
"There is NO scripture among the 200 -700 where God (Yahweh) describes himself in a plural manner except for the four @ Genesis 1:26, Genesis 3:22, Genesis 11:7 and Isaiah 6:8." .......which had to do with verses using plural pronouns with elohim.
And again, I did not say EVERY verse had a textual variant therefore ambiguous.

Bible Study Rules #6-----I totally agree.
The Best Interpretive Commentary On The Bible Is:

The BIBLE Itself!

Never ever interpret The Many Plain Scriptures by the 'few' difficult verses,
But, Always Interpret the few Obscure/Difficult/Dubious verses By All Of The
Many Plain and Clear Passages Of God’s Pure And Holy Word Of Truth!

And nothing I have said disagrees with that. Thanks.