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NASB | John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 1:1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. [Gen 1:1; Is 9:6] |
Subject: who can explain to me? |
Bible Note: Hi, Mary01! I've just finished posting to eveready2004. I decided to tag a copy to you in an effort to help you understand about the Holy Trinity: Part 1 of 2 Hi, eveready2004! I will attempt to explain to you every single passage that I cite in order to help you better understand them. (I am fluent in Spanish--if that is your first language and you would prefer it, you can obtain a free email address from Yahoo, MSN or any other server and I can email the information in Spanish.) It is necessary to note that the word “Trinity” is not found in the Bible. It is also necessary to understand that we cannot limit God to our finite understanding. With these two facts in mind we can search the Scriptures allowing God to define Himself and express Himself as He wishes, without our limited inputs and interpretations: Matthew 28:18-19: Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And look, I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’ In Matthew 28:18 Jesus states that He has full authority in Heaven and on earth. Then in 28:19 He reveals that God exists in three Divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And He promises that He will be with us always! Now, some people will have you believe that Matthew 28:19 is, some how, a Biblical passage that stands alone in the Bible and has no bearings with the true entity of God… They are not reading all of the Bible: John 14:16-17: I shall ask the Father, and he will give you another Paraclete to be with you for ever, the Sprit of truth whom the world can never accept since it neither sees nor knows him; but you know him, because he is with you, he is in you. John 14:23: Jesus replied: Anyone who loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make a home in him. In John 14:16 Jesus introduces the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete (Greek word meaning: advocate, counselor, protector) who will be with Christians forever. In 14:17 Jesus makes it clear that Holy Spirit cannot be accepted (believed in) by the world (those who reject Christ); only those who believe will be able to know (believe in) Him, since He will be with us and in us! This is nothing less than the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in those who become Children of God (see John 1:12-13). In John 14:23 Jesus establishes our relationship with Him and, through Him, with the Father. He also promises that if we love Him and keep his word (commandments) He and the Father will come to us and live in us. That is another indwelling! There are three Persons of God who cohabit the true believer! No wonder 1 John 4:4 boldly states that He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world! God dwells (lives) in His children! And Jesus put it in terms of the Holy Spirit (John 14:17) and Himself and the Father (John 14:23): three Persons of God! I think that part of the problem some people have with the Scriptures is that they expect the Bible to have a very specific language and a very specific format that would answer their questions regardless of how they word them… Yet, I suspect that when they search the Scriptures they are like the Pharisees and Sadducees: not truly seeking Divine guidance; rather, they want to demonstrate their ability and wisdom. They lack the humility to allow the Holy Spirit to guide them and they end up rejecting the Truth (see 1 Corinthians 1:19-25). One such issue is that of the Trinity. When citing Matthew 28:18-19 some people reject the Trinity by claiming that the Apostles did not baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit--their interpretation of the Scriptures affords them the “proof” that there is no Trinity (three Divine Persons of God). Yet, when we open our heart and minds to the Holy Spirit He will guide us to the Truth: Acts 2:38-39: ‘You must repent,’ Peter answered, ‘and every one of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise that was made is for you and your children, and for all those who are far away for all those whom the Lord our God is calling to himself.’ In Acts 2:38-39 Peter baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit! True, he splurged a little--he embellished the greatness of God! Peter not only followed Christ’s command but in a concise and clear language he baptized, proclaimed forgiveness of sins, made people aware of the gift of the Holy Spirit, included all of us (the immediate people of Israel, its surroundings and the future children of God, of which we are part of), and professed that God Himself is calling us! |