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The Holy Trinity

“There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” (1 John 5:7)

All true Christians are Trinitarians. That means, we worship the one true and living God in the trinity, or tri-unity of his holy Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The Lord our God is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). Yet, this one great and glorious God subsists in three distinct, but equal divine Persons, as 1 John 5:7 clearly asserts.

Essential Doctrine

The doctrine of the trinity is an essential element of Gospel truth. The doctrine of the Trinity is often represented as a speculative point of theology, which must not be pressed too tenaciously. But we cannot place too much importance upon it. It is, I repeat, an essential element of Gospel truth. It is interwoven in every aspect of our salvation, all the doctrines of the Gospel, and the experience of God’s people. We cannot do without it. As soon as a man is convinced of his sinful and miserable condition by nature, he perceives that there is a Divine Person whom he has offended, and that there is need for another Divine Person to make satisfaction for his offences, and that there is need for a third Divine Person to give him life eternal, to regenerate, sanctify, and preserve him.

As you read the Bible, it becomes obvious to your mind, if you are a believer, that all three of the Divine Persons of the Holy Trinity are actively engaged in the salvation of your soul. This fact is nowhere more clearly revealed than in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (1:3-14)-

Purposed by the Father

Our salvation was planned by God the Father in his eternal purpose of grace. — “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him: in love having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

Purchased by the Son

Our salvation was purchased by God the Son in his substitutionary sacrifice at Calvary. — “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”

Performed by the Holy Spirit

And our salvation was performed in our hearts by the gracious, effectual work of God the Holy Spirit who gave us faith in Christ. — “Ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

Don Fortner

Pastor Fortner’s