GOD IN THREE PERSONS

GOD IN THREE PERSONS - FATHER, SON, SPIRIT

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee:
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty,
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.
[original first verse of song #238]

"It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Mark 1:9-11

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.' I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water." And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God." John 1:29-34

John had been preaching and baptizing for some six months, when we see Jesus come to be baptized also. Mark shows us Jesus apparently waiting in line like everybody else, and with everybody else. A strange way for the Messiah to enter the stage of history! The "Sinless One" shows he is willing to be a part of sinful humanity (compare Heb. 2:14-18). The visible form of the Spirit was probably for the benefit of the people there (compare John 12:30). The key to what took place at the baptism of Jesus is found in these words by Robert Brinsmead. “A thing cannot be a new covenant sign or seal if Christ as God did not give it. Neither can it be God’s sign or seal if Christ as man did not also accept it from God and give God thanks for it.” The baptism of Jesus set the pattern for him to be the first among many brothers and sisters (Rom. 8:29). We learn that this event was to be the mark of identification to show the one who was the Messiah (see John 1:29-34). In the same way, Christian baptism can be viewed as a mark of identification in which the Holy Spirit "seals" us to God (Eph. 1:13-14). God voiced his approval of Christ Jesus in a way which all those present could hear (Mark 1:11; 9:7; John 12:28). So it was Jesus the Christ, the Logos [WORD] as a human being, who came both with the water of his baptism and the blood of his death (1 John 5:6).


THE MINISTRY OF THE KINGDOM, The Holy Spirit. Jesus’ ministry did not begin until He received His “anointing” as Messiah—the empowering that came through the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Him (Mark 1:10). Though conceived and born by the Spirit’s power (Luke 1:35) and sinless His whole lifetime (John 8:46), He did not attempt ministry without the Spirit’s power. He insisted John baptize Him, not for repentance, but because He knew the Holy Spirit would come upon Him at that time (Matt. 3:13–17). From that time, He is led of the Spirit (Mark 1:12) and moves into ministry— declaring the presence of God’s kingdom and manifesting its miracles, signs, and wonders (Luke 4:14, 15; Matt. 4:23–25). This pathway points each believer to the need for power, if kingdom ministry is to be advanced through us—His church. Like Him, we, too, are “born of the Spirit” (John 3:5-6). Though obviously, our spiritual birth is not as His biological virgin birth, the point remains. Spiritual rebirth saves, but spiritual endowment is needed for ministering in kingdom power. Similarly, our justification in Christ—(being declared sinless, 2 Cor. 5:21)—does not qualify for kingdom power in ministry. In His incarnation Jesus’ Person and perfection exceeded ours in every way, yet Jesus still acknowledged the need for His own receiving of the power of the Holy Spirit to pursue His ministry. What more needs to be said? Let each of us personally hear His command: “Receive the Holy Spirit!” (John 20:22). [compare Matt. 18:18–35; Luke 4:1; 9:1-2; 11:13]

"The Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob," Says the Lord. "As for Me," says the Lord, "this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants," says the Lord, "from this time and forevermore."
Isaiah 59:20-21; Romans 11:26

Without The Holy Spirit God is far away.

WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

Creation is resurrected and groans with the Kingdom - Romans 8:19-23

The Risen Christ is there Romans 8:11; 2 Cor 4:14

The Gospel is the power of life Romans 1:16-17

The Church shows forth the life of the Trinity 2 Cor 13:14

Authority is a liberating service Gal 5:1

Mission is a Pentecost Acts 2:38-39

Worship is both memorial and anticipation 1 Cor 11:26

Human action is harmonized with God Romans 14:17

Jesus said: Behold I come quickly. Rev 22:12