Can anybody help make The Doctrine of The Trinity clear to those who are new to the Faith using scripture alone?
There are only 2 known verses in all of scripture that even hint at the concept of a '3-person God' who is actually 'One'.
Matthew 28:19 lists the 3 persons of the Trinity, but does not describe their relationship in any way or teach the "concept" of the Trinity at all.
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"
(Mt. 28:19)
It is very significant to note that after this verse, the only baptisms that are related in detail describe baptizing in the name of Jesus or Jesus Christ. These are found in Acts 2:38 & 8:12
The other verse that comes close to describing the Trinity is Ephesians 4:4-6.
"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
(Eph. 4:4-6)
This verse, as well, fails to teach the actual "concept" of the Trinity.
There are many pagan religions with 3-person gods which go into great detail about the 3-person relationship of their gods and the history of how they came about, but in Christianity, there is no teaching anywhere in scripture about the Trinity. The word Trinity is found nowhere from Genesis to Revelation.
There is not a single book in the 66 books of the Bible, much less even a paragraph, that teaches the actual concept of the Trinity.
So how do we teach this concept to a new inquisitive Christian who is interested in learning about it in their Bible?
If you can teach this concept using the Bible alone, please supply those books, chapters and verses for the edification of those who are eager to learn.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
(NOTE: Before the flash point of creation. The Word/Jesus (Rev 13:19) was with God (The Father) and was/is also God)
Creator verses; Jn 1:3 & 10, Col 1:16 & 17, 1 Cor 8:6, Eph 3:9. Jesus is the creator of our universe.
The Father sent the Son Jn 3:16.
Jn 16:28 Jesus said, I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father
(NOTE: The SON of God/Jesus say's, He came forth from the Father. He will return to the Father. Although, The Son is ONE WITH, he's NOT the Father)
Jn 17:5 O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
(NOTE: Before the world began, the Son, enjoyed glory "WITH" the Father. "NOT AS" the Father)
When Jesus prays to the Father:
(Question: Does Jesus pray to himself?)
John 14:28 Jesus say's, the Father is greater then him:
(Question: Is this scripture wrong or did Jesus lie here?)
John 16:28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
(Question: Did/does Jesus send himself?) Is Jesus returning to himself? Rereading I came from the Father (Jn 3:16 God sent his Son) I leave this world & return to the Father)
Heb 10:12 (B&C) after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
(Question: Does Jesus sit down next to himself?) BTW this isn't the earthly/flestlyJesus, its the risen/glorified Jesus)
Rev 5:7 And he (Vs 5, the Loin of the tribe of Juda, Vs 6 the Lamb) came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
(My Note: Here again, this isn't the fleshly/earthly Jesus. This is the risen/glorified Jesus. Question: Does the risen/glorified Jesus/Lamb/Christ take the book from himself?)
Scripture states 4 TIMES: "God the Father" said to "God the Son" Sit at my right hand.
Ps 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Matt 22:44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Luk 20:42 David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
God the Son Jehovah/Jesus is the agent by whom God the Father works within our universe.
God the Son = Jehovah/Jesus is PREEMINENT (Col 1:18) in ALL things within our realm:
Creation: Jn 1:3 & 10, Col 1:16, 1 Cor 8:6
Redemption: Gal 3:13, Rev 5:9, Col 1:14, Rom3:24
Resurrection: Jn 11:25, Acts 4:33, 1Pet 1:3 & 3:21
Mediation: 1 Tim 2:5, Heb 8:6, 9:15, 12:24
Judgent: Jn 5:22, Rom 2:16, 2 Tim 4:1
After creation; Gen 1: Jehovah, God the Son rested from his work.
After Jesus/Jehovah = God the Son finished the work of redemption. He go's to Heaven and sits down next at the right hand of Jehovah God the Father (Acts 7:55-56, Eph 1:20, Col 3:1, Heb 8:1)