In Matthew 28:19,20 Jesus commissioned His disciples to go into all
the world and make disciples (followers of Christ) of all nations, teaching
them to observe all things that He commanded them. Now that you have believed
the gospel and have personally become a follower of Christ, we will turn
our attention to the doctrines of the Bible. The next thirteen lessons will
therefore cover the main doctrines of Scripture, beginning with the Godhead.
God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever-present.
He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation.
He is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole of
creation.
The doctrine of the Godhead is based on the Biblical truth that there
is one God constituting a unity of three co-eternal divine persons —
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This profound truth is beyond
our finite human understanding but is a truth clearly revealed in the Word
of God and we accept it by faith.
All three members of the Godhead are infinitely concerned and involved
in the redemption of mankind. The Father chairs the plan of salvation, the
Son is the Saviour of the world, and the Holy Spirit communicates this salvation
to the human race and in the life of the believers.
In this lesson we will study what the Bible reveals about the triune
God and the part each member of the Godhead plays in their united effort
to save fallen humanity from the sin problem.
1. What two pronouns are used to indicate that there is more than
one person in the Godhead involved in the creation of man?
Genesis 1:26: (i) _________________ (ii) _________________
Note: The pronoun “us” and “our” clearly indicate
that the Godhead consists of more than one person (see also Genesis 3:22;
11:7). In the Old Testament the name for God is “Elohim.” In the
Hebrew language, the singular for God is “El,” the dual for God
is “Elohaim,” and the plural for God is “Elohim.” Thus
the very name for God points to the fact that the Godhead consists of at
least three persons. It is in the New Testament we fully realize that the
Godhead constitutes three divine persons — the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit.
2. In what three names did Jesus say believers are to be baptized?
Matthew 28:19: (i) _______________ (ii) _______________ (iii) _______________
Note: The reason why a believer is baptized in the name of the
Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, is because all three members of the Godhead
are actively involved in our salvation. It is important that from the very
start of our Christian experience we realize that all three members of the
Godhead are infinitely concerned about our salvation.
3. How does Paul describe the Godhead’s involvement in our salvation?
| 2 Corinthians 13:14: |
Jesus Christ ______________________________________ |
|
God the Father ____________________________________ |
|
The Holy Spirit ____________________________________ |
Note: In this benediction, the apostle Paul clearly indicates
that all three members of the Godhead are actively involved in the redemption
of mankind. Let us now proceed to see what part each plays in the plan of
salvation.
4. What part does the Father play in the plan of redemption?
John 3:16 __________________________________________________
Note: As the chairperson of the plan of salvation, God the Father
so loved the world that He gave His Son to be the redeemer of fallen humanity.
According to verse 17, the Father did not send His Son to condemn us sinners
but to save fallen humanity. This is the divine purpose of the Godhead.
5. When the fullness of time came, why did the Father send His Son
to be under the law?
Galatians 4:4,5 __________________________________________________
Note: God the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem mankind
from under the law that condemns all sinners to death. By His perfect life
and His sacrificial death, Christ satisfied the holy demands of the law
on behalf of all humanity. All who believe in Him will not perish but have
eternal life. This is the good news of the gospel.
6. What was Christ, the Word, made in order to be the Saviour of the
world?
John 1:14 __________________________________________________
Note: In order to be our substitute and representative, Christ
had to be united to the human race that needed redeeming. In the incarnation,
God the Father, through the operation of the Holy Spirit, united the divine
life of His Son to the corporate life of the human race He came to redeem.
By this act, Christ, the Son of God, was made flesh and became the Son of
man. This qualified Him to be the Saviour of the world.
7. At the end of His saving mission, what two things did Jesus say
to His Father?
| John 17:4 |
(i) __________________________________________________ |
|
(ii) __________________________________________________ |
8. What is Christ the end of, to all who believe in Him?
Romans 10:4 __________________________________________________
Note: The Greek word “end” can either mean “terminated”
or “completed.” Both meanings are true of what Christ accomplished
in His earthly mission. By His perfect life and sacrificial death, Christ
fully satisfied the demands of the law on man’s behalf. Thus He terminated
legalism (the need to keep the law in order to be saved), as well as becoming
man’s complete righteousness.
9. What happens to a sinner who believes in the Father who sent His
Son to save the world?
John 5:24 __________________________________________________
10. Whom did Jesus promise His Father would send after He returned
to heaven?
John 14:16 __________________________________________________
Note: The Greek word translated “comforter” or “counselor”
is
paracletos. It means someone who is by your side to guide, comfort,
encourage, and meet all your needs.
11. Who is this Comforter or Counselor and what is His mission?
John 14:26 __________________________________________________
12. What did Jesus promise the disciples when He gave them the commission
to preach the gospel into all the world?
Acts:1:8 __________________________________________________
Note: Jesus promised His weak disciples the power of the Holy
Spirit to carry out His great commission of witnessing the gospel to the
world. That same power is available to us who are called to witness Christ
to our modern world.
13. Of what three things does the Holy Spirit convince or reprove
the world?
| John 16:8: |
(i) __________________________________________________ |
|
(ii) __________________________________________________ |
|
(iii) __________________________________________________ |
14. How did Jesus define sin in the above text?
John 16:9 __________________________________________________
Note: We often limit sin to transgression of the law. But here
Christ defines sin as unbelief because it is only this sin that will deprive
us of heaven. Every sin against the law can be forgiven because of the cross,
but the sin of unbelief, (deliberately rejecting the convictions of the
Holy Spirit), is the unpardonable sin (see Matthew 12:31).
15. How did Jesus explain righteousness?
John 16:10 __________________________________________________
Note: Since it was the Father who sent His Son to save the world,
Jesus could not return to the Father until His earthly mission was complete.
Going to the Father means that Christ obtained a righteousness that qualifies
sinners for heaven. This is the good news of the gospel!
16. Why must the world be convicted of judgment?
John 16:11 __________________________________________________
Note: When Adam sinned, the whole human race was taken captive
by Satan. On the cross, Jesus bought us back and Satan was judged for destruction
(see John 12:31). Those who refuse God’s gift of redemption in Christ
must be warned that they are deliberately choosing their destruction with
Satan (see Matthew 25:41).
17. What great comfort does Paul give to those who put their trust
in God for salvation?
Romans 8:31 __________________________________________________
Note: The wonderful truth about the Godhead is that God is on
the side of the believer. While it is true that Satan is against us and
accuses us day and night (see Revelation 12:10), the good news is that he
is a defeated foe and all who put their faith in Christ will be vindicated
in the judgment (read Romans 8:35-39).
18. What is cast out by the knowledge of the Godhead’s love for
us?
1 John 4:16-18 __________________________________________________
Note: As Christians we no longer have to fear the judgment of
God. The Godhead is on our side and will never let us down. With such peace,
dear believer, you can live above the problems and heartaches of this life.