The Foundation of the Life of the Church
The self-giving love within the triune God is the very foundation of the life of the Church.
The self-giving love within the triune God is the very foundation of the life of the Church. The unity and diversity within the being of God is a beautiful picture of the unity and diversity of the Church, which has “many members” all with different gifts, callings and roles – but “one Body” with one spiritual life and purpose.
As we love one another, the Father loves the Son and the Holy Spirit in us. As we serve one another, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit give themselves to each other. As we prefer one another, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit honor each other.
What a beautiful picture of Church life!
1. God Is Triune: Introduction
Welcome to the first video from our new Transformational Theology video series, God Is Triune!
2. There Is One God
The Shema, found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, and later echoed by Jesus in Mark 12:29-30, is an affirmation that God is the only deity. There are no other gods.
3. God Eternally Exists as Three
We can clearly see a plurality within the being of God in the Old Testament. However, God did not reveal Himself in openly “triune” terms until the New Testament, where we find many passages in which all three are present and involved.
4. All of God Is in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
The New Testament demonstrates that all of God is in the Father, all of God is in the Son, all of God is in the Holy Spirit.
5. Distinct but Not Separate
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not separate, yet they are distinct. Because of this, they have existed in self-giving love and fellowship for all eternity.
6. Different Roles
As we have seen, there are no differences in deity, equality, or attributes between the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
7. The Foundation of the Life of the Church
The self-giving love within the triune God is the very foundation of the life of the Church.
8. Coequal and Coeternal
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are both coequal and coeternal, and thus they are equally and eternally worthy of our worship, dependence and obedience.
9. Eternal Fellowship with the Triune God
This is the eternal nature of God. God is fellowship. God is love; He is self-giving love. And love must have an object. Thus, in order for God to be love before the creation of the world, He had to be triune!
10. Look at God!
We must turn from our own agendas and ways. We must turn away from trusting our own strength and wisdom. We must look at Him in surrender, dependence and love.
11. Errors about the Triunity of God
In this video, Malcolm addresses inadequate analogies, tritheism, and modalism (or “Oneness” doctrine).
12. Difficult Passages
The doctrine of the triunity of God is difficult on its own, as are several important passages that deal with it, including John 15:26 and Luke 1:35. Malcolm addresses both of them.
