Eph. 1:3-14, What do ya’ know: God is Triune (5)

d)    A few of the many references to the Trinity in the NT.

i)      Let me mention a few passages that refer by “title” to the three Persons of the Trinity.  In Mt. 28:19 Jesus referred to the Trinity in the command to make disciples, baptizing them “in the name (singular) of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  Paul’s benedictory prayer in 2 Cor. 13:14 spoke of the “grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit.” 

ii)   There is a wealth of Scripture in the NT that show the Trinity at work.  Remember that God is always at work doing His will in His people (e.g. Rom. 8:28; Phil. 2:13).

(1)                        Eph. 1:3-14: The Trinity is at work in our salvation.  The Father planned it (v3-6); the Son provided what was necessary for the plan to be fulfilled (v7-12), the and Holy Spirit applied the work of Christ to the believers (v13-14).

(2)                        1 Cor. 12:4-6: In ministry, we have gifts by the Spirit; ministry as appointed by the Lord, the head of the Church; and we bear fruit by the work of God who works all in all.

(3)                        In prayer we have access through the Lord Jesus Christ to the Father by the Spirit’s work in us (Eph. 2:18).

(4)                        We noted in yesterday’s post that all three were involved in Creation (Gen. 1:1-3; John 1:2).

(5)                        The Trinity was at work in the Crucifixion.  God sent the Son, His Son (John 3:16).  Jesus laid down His own life for the sheep (Jn. 10:18).  Christ offered Himself through the “eternal Spirit” to God (Hb. 9:14).

(6)                        And the Trinity was at work in the Resurrection.  God raised up Christ (Ac. 2:24).  Jesus not only had power to lay down His life; He had power to raise it up again (Jn. 10:18).  Christ was made alive by the Spirit (1 Pt. 3:18).

Let me close with a quote concerning the Trinity from J. Gresham Machen. 

"That doctrine is a mystery.  No human mind can fathom it.  Yet what a blessed mystery it is!  The Christian’s heart melts within him in gratitude and joy when he things of the divine love and condescension that has thus lifted the veil and allowed us sinful creatures a look into the very depths of the being of God."

Amen!