It is pointless to answer the
disputes of unbelievers and heretics regarding the doctrine of the Trinity.
Those who refuse to bow to the authority of Holy Scripture and close their eyes
to the light of DIVINE Revelation, must be left to perish in their
chosen darkness. And I realize that no finite man can ever explain the mystery
of the infinite Trinity. But it is important for you and I who are believers to
have a clear knowledge of that which is plainly revealed in the Bible about the
Three Persons of our God: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The doctrine of the Trinity is taught by implication
throughout the Scriptures, both of the Old and the New Testaments, and it is
plainly stated for us in I John 5:7 - "There are three that bear record in
heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are
One." That plain statement of Holy Scripture is sufficient for our faith. WE
BELIEVE THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY, BECAUSE IT IS PLAINLY STATED IN THE WORD
OF GOD. Our puny, depraved brains may not be able to understand it; but
faith receives it. John plainly tells us that in the one, eternal,
self-existent God there are three distinct Persons. The doctrine of the Trinity
is not that there are three Gods in One. Neither is it that there is one God
manifest in three different forms. THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY IS THAT THERE
IS ONE GOD, AND IN THE ONE GOD THERE ARE THREE DISTINCT BUT EQUAL PERSONS: THE
FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. This is clearly the doctrine which
John is declaring to us. "There are THREE that bear record in
heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these THREE ARE ONE."
This text of Scripture is such an indisputable
statement of the doctrine of the Trinity that those who are the enemies of the
gospel have done every, thing possible to weaken its authority. They have
endeavored to have it removed from the Bible. And in measure, they have
succeeded. Every modern translation of Holy Scripture with which I am familiar
has either eliminated this text or with a footnote stated that it should be
eliminated! Their reasons for doing so are without foundation. They are merely
groundless speculations. The fact is, there was never any dispute over this
text until Erasmus (a very questionable character of the reformation age) left
it out of one of his translations.
Does the doctrine of the Trinity stand or fall upon
this one verse of Scripture? No, it certainly does not. But we dare give up
even one verse of Inspiration because of the rantings of unbelieving men (Rev.
22:18-19). The doctrine of the Trinity runs through the whole Volume of
Inspiration. The Trinity of Persons in the Godhead is seen in all the works of
creation; providence, and grace. We worship the one God of heaven and earth in
the Trinity of his sacred Persons, and ascribe all glory and honor to him.
Praise be to the Father, our covenant God. Praise be to the Son, our Divine
Redeemer, Praise be to the Holy Spirit, our Divine Comforter.