The Trinitarian Family of God
Man quests for the knowledge of both unity and diversity. There is one, then, there are many, and sometimes the many operate as one. Universities are the storehouse of man’s discoveries, accumulated knowledge, and a place for researching these phenomena that bind the many together.
The origin of this idea is in the revealed Word of God, where God tells us He is one, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God; the Lord is one! (Dt 6:4).” It is written, however, “For there are three that testify (1 Jn 5:7).” These three are identified in the Scriptures: Father; Son; and Holy Spirit (Mt 28:19). Thus, we see the Trinitarian Godhead as three distinct Persons.
Men think nothing of team sports, where individual persons comprise one team, but religion balks at the idea of God in covenant community. Hinduism has a multitude of gods. Judaism and Islam insist on one god. Christianity is the only one that holds diversity in unity, and Christianity is the inspiration behind the university. The earliest universities were configured when monasteries housed multiple, scholar monks, who convened together as teachers. One monk’s interest in the natural world was complemented by another monk’s prowess in mathematics and so on.
In the Trinity, the Persons are equals in essence, but there are clear distinctions in their respective functions. God the Father is noted for His role in election of God’s chosen people (Eph 1:4–5). God the Son is the One who enfleshed, lived and died as a man (Jn 1:14). God the Spirit is the One sent from the Father and the Son (Jn 14:26; 15:26), in order to baptize (Acts 2:38), regenerate (Jn 3:1–8), indwell (Rom 8:9, 11), and sanctify the saint (Rom 15:16; 1 Thess 4:3; 5:23; 2 Thess 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2). These are unique roles and functions performed by One, but not all Persons.
On the other hand, all three Persons of the Trinity were active together in creating the physical universe, including the earth. This is also true for the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In these cases, and others, each Person receives honor and glory for their participation in the good works.
When the Bible speaks of the salvation of God’s elect, all three Persons work in unity, but with each performing a diverse set of tasks. In prayer, the Christian prays to the Father, in the name of the Son, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. At the same time, each Person in the Godhead can be addressed directly in prayer, especially when giving thanks for their particular works. This is also true in preaching. Sometimes God is presented in unity, and sometimes the individual Person is presented, specifically.
The character attributes of God are all represented in their perfect form, in each Person. If God is love (1 Jn 4:8), then that is true for all three Persons. God is true (Rom 3:4), and Jesus is truth (Jn 14:6), so the Spirit is identified as the Spirit of truth, who guides the saint into all truth (Jn 16:13). If the believer has the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16), and Christ is God (Jn 1:1; 10:30), whose Spirit searches the deep things of God because He, too, is God, then diversity finds its unity (1 Cor 2:10 2 Cor 3:17).
We learn the essence of covenant from the community of the Godhead with perfect attributes. Their interactions with one another are perfectly harmonious. All things are done in love, in truth, and in order to give glory where it is due. Each Person is faithful to the community, which assures perfect, immutable unity. These three cords cannot be broken.
The elect of God is sprinkled with the blood of the eternal covenant (Heb 13:20), which is the precious blood of Jesus (1 Pet 1:19), poured out for many (Mt 26:28; Mk 14:24). In this work of mediation, the shedding of blood was necessary for redemption and the forgiveness of sins (Heb 12:24), and it is Jesus, the God/man, who is the one Mediator between God and man (1 Tim 2:5). This is called, “the better covenant with better promises (Heb 8:6).”
Christians are brought into union with Christ, by way of covenant, whereby God does what He says He will do to secure eternal life for His beloved. God the Father grafts us into Christ, the true Vine, and the life of God the Spirit quickens us (Eph 2:5; Col 2:13), to produce spiritual fruit that remains (Jn 15; Gal 5:22–23). No one can come to the Father unless the Father does this (Jn 6:44); yet, those who come to the Son, by faith, will never be separated from Him (Jn 6:37; Rom 8:35–39).
Salvation, therefore, is much more than simply restoring one to the state and status of Adam in the garden. It is the believer being incorporated into the community of God, by the eternal decree and the works of the Trinity. This is the meaning of eternal life. The perfections of heaven (ie. abundant holiness, prosperity, security, fidelity, longevity, etc.) are elements of the place Jesus has gone to prepare for us, His bride, His church (Jn 14:2–3).
The perfect eternal home, with the perfect loving family, is our eternal inheritance, reserved in heaven for us (1 Pet 1:4), who belong to Christ, who belongs to God (1 Cor 3:23). Christian, rejoice! You have your place in God’s home (Eph 2:21), the dwelling of God the Father; God the Son; and God the Spirit, when His work on earth is done. This is family, the family of God, and you are a member. Welcome home!
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
October 3, 2022
