Foundations of our Faith God—Guide Three Phil Benedict

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

United Indian Mission

Greeley, Colorado

These guides are designed to help you to study, to learn, to understand, and to live what God teaches us in his Word, the Bible. God gave us the Bible to teach us how to know and to walk with Him. We can enjoy God’s blessings forever, rather than experiencing his judgement. His Word is eternally true. Take time to carefully read and think about the Scriptures used in this guide. Meditate on them and the truths they teach. Learn to love God and his Word. Regularly ask God for a right understanding of Scriptural truths and then make them part of you. Absorb them. If you go over the material too quickly without much thought, it will have little or no lasting impact on your life. Commit yourself to making Biblical truths the foundation of your life and to putting them into practice every day of your life.

I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. Isaiah 45:5-6

One of the most important teachings in Scripture is that there is only one God. The God of the Bible, our creator and sustainer, is the only true God. There is no other.

Read Isaiah 45:5-6. What teaching is being emphasized in these verses?

In Psalm 86:8-10, why is God greater than other "gods"?

In verse 9, who will eventually worship Him?

This is a sobering verse. It seems as though everybody will at some point worship God. Those who refuse Him in life will acknowledge Him after death, but it will be too late for salvation.

(Also see Philippians 2:9-11 and Isaiah 45:23)

What does 1 Timothy 2:5 clearly state?

Carefully read and think about Deuteronomy 4:32-40. Verse 35 is a key verse in this passage. How did God defend the truth that He alone is God?

From this passage (Deuteronomy 4:32-40), what are some things God did to demonstrate that He is God?

In Mark 12:29, what did Jesus say about God?

As we have seen, the Scriptures clearly teach that there is only one God. The Bible also clearly teaches that God exists as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit form one God. Each has the same nature, the same will and purpose, the same attributes, the same power, the same authority, the same feelings and emotions, the same intelligence and the same wisdom. Each has always existed as God and each will always be God. Yet each is distinct with distinct responsibilities.

This three-in-one God is often called the "trinity". The word "trinity" is not used in the Bible, but it is a good word that fits this Biblical truth.

As you study the trinity, you will not completely understand it. That’s okay. Nobody does. We, as man, will never fully understand God. Even though we will never fully understand the trinity, we believe it because we have faith in the truthfulness of the Bible. Since the Bible teaches it, we believe it.

Within the trinity there is deep divine love, unity, and harmony. (John 14:31, John 17) There is perfect fellowship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. There is also the giving and receiving of glory and honor. Jesus glorifies the Father and the Father glorifies the Son.

(John 17:1, 22, 24) The Son glorifies the Father. (John 14:13) The Spirit brings honor to the Son (John 14:26) and Jesus submits to the will of the Father. (Mark 14:36) All of this reflects the deep love and harmony within the trinity. From this we learn that God, who is One, is a God of love, harmony, and unity which He demonstrates within the trinity Himself.

Carefully read and think about Ephesians 4:1-6. Here all three parts of the trinity are mentioned. It clearly states that there is one Spirit (the Holy Spirit), one Lord (the Lord Jesus Christ), and one God and Father.

What is the over-all teaching of Ephesians 4:1-6? (Verse 3 is a key.)

From verse 1, what are we urged to do?

From verse 2, how do we live a worthy life?

Ephesians 4:1-6 emphasizes unity and peace. Why do you think the writer of this section emphasizes the trinity when he talks about unity and peace?

Does your conduct as a member of the body of Christ lead to unity and peace or does it lead to discord and friction?

One of the first indications of the trinity comes in the very first chapter of the Bible.

Genesis 1:26 states, "Then ‘God’ said, "Let ‘us’ (plural) make man in ‘our’ (plural) image". Notice that God uses two plural pronouns, "us" and "our", to refer to Himself. This verse does not give any detail about the trinity, but it is a very early revelation of God letting us know that there is in some way a plural nature to God.

It is extremely important that we recognize that Jesus Christ is God. Our salvation depends on it.

If Jesus were not the sinless perfect God, He could not pay the price for our sin.

Carefully study the following Scriptures.

A major theme of the book of John in the Bible is that Jesus Christ is God. In John 1:1-18, Jesus is introduced as the "Word". If you carefully read these verses, it becomes very clear that this whole passage is talking about Jesus, and the "Word" is, without question, referring to the Lord Jesus Christ.

The following questions are based on John 1:1-18.

In John 1:1, how long has Jesus (the Word) existed?

In the last part of verse 1, there are two seemingly contradictory statements. It states that Jesus was "with" God, and it also states that Jesus "was" or is God. The only way to explain how Jesus "was" God, yet at the same time was "with" God, is the trinity. Jesus is God, and He is God the Son. He is the same God; yet as God the Son, He is distinct from God the Father.

What truth is restated in verse 2?

In verse 3, who is identified as the creator?

In Genesis 1:1, who is identified as the creator?

In John 1:4, Jesus is the source of what?

In John 1:14, what did Jesus do?

To "become flesh" simply means He became human.

From verse 14, the glory of Jesus is also the glory of__________________________.

In 2 John 7, what is a person who denies that Jesus became flesh called?

Carefully read Exodus 3:12-15. In this passage, by what unusual name does God identify himself to Moses?

Most of John 8 is a record of a debate between Jesus and unbelieving Jews over who Jesus was. Over and over Jesus claims to be from God, his Father. The chapter climaxes in verse 58 when Jesus stated, "Before Abraham was, ‘I Am’". At this point the Jews tried to kill him for claiming to be God.

When Jesus identified Himself as the "I Am", who was He claiming to be? (Remember

Exodus 3:12-15.)

When Jesus identified Himself as the "I Am", He is claiming to be God. This reference to the

"I Am" may not sound significant to us, but the Jews immediately recognized this as being a claim to be God, and they picked up stones to stone him to death for claiming to be God.

Read John 10:22-33. In this passage, why do the Jews try to kill Jesus?

Read John 14:5-14. In this passage, what does Philip ask Jesus to do?

What does Jesus answer in verse 9?

If you read and digest this passage, it is clear that Jesus is claiming to be the Father.

Carefully read Colossians 1:15-20. Here Jesus is the "image of the invisible God". In other words, God the Father is invisible and cannot be seen. However, we can see the invisible God when we see the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus has a body and will be visible when we get to heaven.

When we see Jesus, we will see God.

Read Colossians 1:16-17. In verse 16, what does it say that Jesus did which very clearly identifies Jesus as God?

In verse 17, it states that Jesus holds all things together. Within the context it is saying that Jesus holds all of creation together. He is what keeps the universe functioning without disintegrating into chaos. Only God can do that.

Carefully read Hebrews 1, paying special attention to verses 8-10.

In Hebrews 1:2, what is the connection between Jesus and the universe?

In verse 3, what is the relationship between God the Father and Jesus?

In verse 3, in relation to creation, Jesus is again identified as what?

Verse 8 is a dynamic verse. God the Father is speaking to his Son, Jesus. God the Father says to Jesus, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever". Here God the Father calls Jesus "God". God the Father is clearly identifying Jesus as God.

In verse 9, again how does God identify Jesus?

In verse 10, God is still "talking". How is Jesus addressed in this verse?

Normally you would only address someone above you or in authority over you as "Lord". The only one God could address as "Lord" would be his own self or another member of the trinity. God addressing Jesus as "Lord" identifies Jesus as God Himself.

Now carefully read Philippians 2:5-11.

In verse 6, Jesus is identified as being in the form of God. The word "form" in the Greek language is stronger than in English. It is saying that Jesus is exactly the same as God. However, Jesus was willing to give up some of the characteristics of God and take on the appearance of a human. While here on earth Jesus was still God, but He was also human. Philippians 2:5-11 is an important passage in understanding that for a time Jesus was both divine and human.

How many people will at some time bow before Jesus Christ?

Why did Jesus come to earth?

Did He accomplish what He came to earth to do?

Isaiah 9:6 and 7:14 are both Old Testament prophecies about the coming of Jesus to earth.

In Isaiah 9:6, Jesus is identified as the "Mighty __________" and the "Everlasting __________".

In Isaiah 7:14, it states that a virgin will have a son (Jesus). The son will be called "Immanuel". Immanuel means " God with us".

Why was the new born baby to be named Immanuel or "God with us"?

We have looked at some key Scriptures that identify Jesus as God. There are many others. There can be no reasonable doubt that God exists as a three-in-one God and that Jesus is God. It should be abundantly clear to anyone who honestly wants to know the truth.

Many religions and individuals do not believe that Jesus is God. Many will identify Jesus as a prophet or a good man, but not God. Mormons teach that Jesus is a man who became a god, thus leading the way for all of us to become gods. Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus is the highest created angel, but vehemently deny He is God. All of these teachings are false and will lead people to an eternity in hell, separated from God.

This is an extremely important issue. The Bible teaches that if you deny the deity of Christ you cannot be saved. You cannot know God and deny that the Lord Jesus Christ is God.

Carefully Read 1 John 2:18-27.

What is the overall theme of these verses?

According to verse 22, who is a liar and an antichrist?

According to verse 23, who does not have the Father?

According to verse 23, who does have the Father?

In 1 John 4:15, who does God live in?

Carefully read John 8:23-26. What will happen to those who do not believe Jesus’ claim to be God?

In John 15:23, who does one hate if he hates the Son?

From John 4:24, what kind of form does God have?

How does Colossians 1:15 describe God?

From John 1:18, how many have seen God?

God has always existed and what He is like has never changed. Read Psalm 90:2. From "everlasting to everlasting" is a way of saying that God has existed in eternity past and that He will always exist in eternity future.

Did God have a beginning?

Will God ever cease to exist?

List several things that Psalm 102:24-27 teaches about God?

What does Malachi 3:6 say about God?

What does James 1:17 say God does not do?

It should be noted here that the character and personality of God never changes, and that God is faithful and will always keep his promises. However, God in his divine wisdom and sovereignty, does change his methods and ways of dealing with mankind.

What does Psalm 145:13 say about God and his promises?

What does Titus 1:2 say God cannot do?

If God cannot lie, will He ever break a promise?

In Hebrews 10:23, how is God identified?

What do each of these last three verses say about the promises of God?

How does knowing that God does not change and that He will keep all His promises affect your confidence in Him?

Before the earth or anything else existed, God planned the future. Things have happened as He planned. He is still controlling everything that is now taking place as well as everything that will take place in the future.

Isaiah 46:9-10 has some profound truths in it. What are these verses teaching?

What does "his purpose will stand" mean?

From Proverbs 19:21, what is said about God’s purpose?

Read Psalm 33:10-11. What happens to the plans of people and of nations?

From verse 11, what stands forever?

Read Isaiah 14:24 and 27. Again, what are these verses teaching?

Daniel 2 is a long chapter. However, after reading through this chapter, there can be little doubt that God knows the future of human governments, and that He is in total control.

What does Daniel 2:21 say about kings?

How does knowing that it is God who sets up and removes human government and its leaders affect our attitude towards government?

The Lord Jesus Christ has also always existed as God. About 2000 years ago He took on the form of man and was born into the human race as a baby. He did this so that He could die on the cross and pay the penalty for our sin. This was the plan of God long before there even was an earth.

Most of the New Testament focuses on the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the One who died, paying the price for our sin. Because of the Him we can escape the terrible penalty of sin. He is the focus of our worship and praise. We should continually learn more about Him and study his Word. As his children, we need to love Him, obey Him, serve Him, and praise and worship Him. We tell others about the salvation He provides. We should honor Him and lift Him up by the way we live. The Lord Jesus Christ is the focus of our lives.

Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ?

Are you serving Him?

Do you let others know about Him?

What took place in Acts 1:9-11?

What future event is foretold in verse 11?

3. God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is God and has always existed as God.

In Hebrews 9:14, the Spirit is called the _________________ Spirit.

The Spirit is identified with each member of the trinity. Many times He is simply identified as the Spirit. He is also identified with the Father and with Jesus. He is without question an integral part of the trinity.

In 2 Corinthians 3:3, how is the Spirit identified?

In Acts 16:7 and in Philippians 1:19, how is the Spirit identified?

In 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, the "Lord", which refers to Jesus, is identified as the Spirit. Jesus is not only identified as God, He is also identified as the Spirit of God who is the Holy Spirit.

From verse 17, what does the Spirit of the Lord give?

In what way is a Christian who walks with the Lord, free?

In Hebrews 10:15-16, the Holy Spirit is speaking and is the speaker in the Old Testament passage being quoted. The speaker is identified as the Spirit, but in the passage He is also identified as the Lord, indicating that the Lord and the Spirit are the same.

In Acts 5:1-10 the story of Ananias and Sapphira is told. In verse 3, Peter tells Ananias that he has lied to the Holy Spirit. In verse 4, Peter states they lied to God. This is an indication that the Holy Spirit and God are the same being.

It should be noted that the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost are the same. The term "Holy Ghost" is an old term used primarily by the King James Version. Newer versions use the term "Holy Spirit" instead. Some have said that the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit are two different individuals. This is simply not the case. They are two different terms used in different translations, but they both apply to the same member of the trinity.

The Holy Spirit has a very important role to play in the life of a believer. Because of His importance, lesson eight of this series is given entirely to the Holy Spirit. It is a rich study.

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October, 2001