THE TRINITY

                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.