The Father, Son, & Holy Spirit

Lesson 1.04

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit make up the Christian Trinity. They, together, are the one true God.

Please read Acts 2:1-21 before starting GraspingGod.com's free Bible Study Lessons, #1.04

Previous Lesson: Christian Trinity #1.03

Preliminary Bible Study Questions:

1) Is there anything that God the Father doesn't know?

2) Does ignoring God compel him to leave the person alone?

3) Who is the Holy Spirit?

We're talking about some deep stuff today. Does your brain still hurt from the last lesson? I hope not, because we're ready to talk some more about the Christian Trinity. Grab your frappuccino and let's get started!

Deuteronomy 6:4 declares, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."

Can the Lord be both one, and three, at the same time? Judaism ignores the doctrine of the Bible Trinity because they haven't yet agreed that the Messiah has come, nor that the Holy Spirit is distinct from the Father.

That was a warm-up to get your brain working. Are you ready to chat now?

The Father, Son, & Holy Spirit are such deep subjects, and we only have so much time to talk. We'll take this Bible study time to focus on the Father and the Holy Spirit. The entire GraspingGod.com site is devoted to Jesus Christ, so we'll learn lots about him in every lesson. So, let's get to know his fellow Godhead members a bit better.

Who is God the Father?

God the Father is the first member of the Godhead and the One whom Jesus Christ glorifies. Jesus' main goal is to please his Father by carrying out his will. Why? Because Jesus says his Father is greater than he is, "If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am." (John 14:28).

Jesus could mean a lot of different things when talking about the Father being greater than him. He could mean the Father's overall immensity, or he could mean his power or authority is greater. No one is sure.

Regardless, the Father is above Jesus Christ in some way. However, Jesus perfectly pleased his Father so the Father will exalt and glorify Jesus over all creation (John 17:1), of which you and I are a special part.

The Father, Son, and Spirit have different offices to fill within the Trinity. They work in sync with one another at all times, while carrying out the tasks of governing the created universe.

God the Father has all power (aka omnipotence), knows all things (aka omniscience), and directs all happenings (aka sovereignty). He is the source and supplier of all good and all love.

He knows what has been, what is happening now, and what will happen in the future. He has a supreme plan in place and it's unfolding as each day passes. He is sovereign over all things, and therefore is under no one's authority.

God is also omnipresent, meaning that he is, in his entirety, everywhere all the time. No one can escape his presence. A person can't run from him by ignoring him, hiding from him, or even suicide. Wherever and however you try to flee, God the Father will already be there waiting for you. That's a comfortable and wonderful fact for those who love God, but a dreadful situation for those who fail to love him. This fact alone ought to lead you to love him, if you have yet to make that critical decision.

God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead. Like the Father, he has a spiritual body and can only be observed when he makes himself visible to us, like at Jesus' baptism. Some Bible versions actually call him the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Spirit is sent by the Father and/or the Son to carry out certain tasks. In regards to us and our salvation, the Spirit woos us towards God. He places circumstances and people in our path to direct our attention God-ward. He can lead us to question things about life, and about God, and eventually lead us to seek answers from the Scriptures.

Take special notice of the intimate working relationship the Father, Son, and Spirit employ.

The Holy Spirit is called our Teacher and our Counselor. He enlightens our minds and softens our heart so that we can understand God and respond to his powerful call on our lives.

John 16:13-15 gives us a good idea of how the Spirit works, "When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is what I said,'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.'"

Notice how Jesus works through the Holy Spirit in order to speak to us.

The Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all active in the world, but during this period of history the Holy Spirit is the One working in direct contact with our lives. He maintains an extra special presence in the hearts of those who love God.

The Holy Spirit has many roles in a person's life and listed here are but a few:

• He regenerates us, so we become born again (John 3:5-7; Titus 3:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13).
• He convicts us of our sins (John 16:7-10).
• He sanctifies us by making us holy, in Christ's image (2 Corinthians 3:16-18)
• He gives believers spiritual gifts, for the Church's mission (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
• He intercedes in prayer between us and the Father and Son (Romans 8:26-27).
• He keeps us in the Father's hands, guaranteeing our salvation (Ephesians 1:13).

The Unity of the Trinity's Members

Did you follow one common thread throughout this teaching? The members of the Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all glorify one another. It's an amazing love relationship they have together. But, do you realize what is even more amazing? They have invited you and me to join them!!

Jesus says in John 14:21, "Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them."

Wow! That blows my mind. Jesus lets us enter this incredible family of love as adopted sons and daughters.

So, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit add to their fabulous family every time a sinner repents! What could be more perfect than the Good News and promises from God?

Grasp This!

God is inviting you to repent and believe in him (Acts 17:30). Repent means to turn from your own way and trust Jesus totally. It means to turn and allow God to care for your precious soul (John 3:16-17).

God loves you, and desires the BEST for you. The Father, Son & Spirit, the Creators of the world, are in love with YOU.

Watch how hard they're working to save your priceless soul: God the Father chose you (Acts 13:48); Jesus died for you (Romans 8:34); and the Holy Spirit resides in your heart (John 14:17).

That is the Christian Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit at work in your life - loving you, forgiving you, caring for you, and guaranteeing your place in heaven.

What more could you ever want?

Join our next lesson: Jesus In Heaven #1.05

Bible Study Questions:

1) What does God's sovereignty mean?

2) What are some ways the Holy Spirit directs our hearts towards God?

3) How does the Holy Spirit guarantee our salvation?

Inspirational Bible Verses:

Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. Hebrews 9:14

Faith Quotes!

Faith is a continuation of reason. - William Adams

Quotes about God:

In the divine economy of man's salvation election is the special work of God the Father; atonement, mediation, and intercession the special work of God the Son; and, sanctification is the special work of God the Holy Ghost. -  J.C.Ryle

There are three things that only God knows: the beginning of things, the cause of things, and the end of things. Welsh proverb

Prayers of Thanksgiving:

Dear Father, I feel so safe in your arms. You are everywhere, including in my heart. How could I ever doubt you? How could I ever forget you? Thank you for loving me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click here for the FREE printable Bible study lessons: Father, Son, & Holy Spirit Lesson 1.04.

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Special Note: I'm grateful to Big Book Media & Free Bible Images, Stock Exchange, Morgue Files, and Stock Photos For Free for the use of their photos; and NHEB for their Bible Verses for Father, Son, & Holy Spirit.