The Trinity/Triune-ness of God - Part 5
By Rev. Allan Moorhead
New Covenant Evidence Continued
Disciples recognized Yeshua as God
Thomas acknowledged Yeshua as God when the resurrected Lord appeared to him:
And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God (John 20:28).
Paul in his letter to the Philippians left little doubt that he considered Yeshua as God.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Messiah Yeshua: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; And [that] every tongue should confess that Messiah Yeshua [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:5-11).
Paul considered Yeshua equal with God. He also said that Yeshua took on the form of a servant, fashioned as a man. Yeshua emptied himself of his previous glory to a humble state. This obviously indicated that Yeshua existed before in a highly exalted state. Paul also attributes worship to Yeshua, which is reserved only for God.
Paul recognized there is a Godhead. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9).
In Paul's salutations he quite often mentions God and the Lord Yeshua together. It is interesting to note that the Greek context indicates only one person being spoken of here. So the correct use of the word 'and' would be 'even'. Thus, the phrase would be better as 'our God even the Lord Yeshua'. For example, That the name of our Lord Messiah Yeshua may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Messiah Yeshua (2 Thessalonians 1:12) would read "according to the grace of our God even the Lord Messiah Yeshua" (The Trinity by Morey page 343). The same can be said for Titus 2:13 and 2 Peter 1:1.
The Apostle John many times calls Yeshua God. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Messiah Yeshua. This is the true God, and eternal life (1 John 5:20).
For the life was manifested, and we have seen [it], and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us (1 John 1:2).
John is telling us that Yeshua together with the Father is the true God. Also he calls Yeshua the eternal life that was with the Father before he came to earth, which attributes divineness to Yeshua.
First and Last
Who hath wrought and done [it], calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I [am] he (Isaiah 41:4).
Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send [it] unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. I [am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death (Revelation 1:11 and 18).
In these two scriptures we have someone calling themselves the first and last. In Isaiah, it is Yahweh, but in Revelation it is one who lived and was dead and now alive which is none other that Yeshua. There can't be two firsts and lasts. Yeshua is Yahweh.
I Am
In Exodus 3:14 God said this to Moses, And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. God told Moses to tell the people that 'I AM' has sent you.
God said his name is 'I AM'. In John 8:58 Yeshua basically says the same thing. Yeshua said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Both God and Yeshua used the words 'I AM' to describe the concept that they have always been. They have always existed. Some non-Trinitarians have stated that this phrase only indicates that the thought of Yeshua as Messiah was always present in God's mind. However, the Jews would not have attempted to immediately stone Yeshua if this was all that was intended. The Jews knew exactly what Yeshua was saying, and that was he was saying he was God. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Yeshua hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by (John 8:59).
ATTRIBUTES
If Yeshua is God then he should also have the attributes that God has. No doubt, the attributes given to YAHWEH are also given to Yeshua. Let's look at them.
Eternal
Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Colossians 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Omnipotent (All powerful)
Revelation 19:13 and 16 And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God… And he hath on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
Colossians 2:9-10 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.
Hebrews 1:1-3 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by [his] Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Revelation 1:8 I (Yeshua) am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Omniscient (All knowing)
Matthew 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and [he] to whomsoever the Son will reveal [him]. All things are given to Yeshua. No man can know the father unless Yeshua reveals him (the Father) to whom he chooses.
John 2:24-25 But Yeshua did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all [men]. And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
John 16:30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
Omnipresent (Present at all times)
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. If Yeshua answers prayer, then he must be God, otherwise how can he answer million of prayers requests at once?
1 John 1:3 tells us that we can have fellowship with Yeshua at any time; That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father, and with his Son Yeshua the Messiah.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I (Yeshua) stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Creator
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.
John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
1 Corinthians 8:6 But to us [there is but] one God, the Father, of whom [are] all things, and we in him; and one Lord Messiah Yeshua, by whom [are] all things, and we by him.
Hebrews 2:10 For it became him (Yeshua), for whom [are] all things, and by whom [are] all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Hebrews 3:2-4 Who (Yeshua) was faithful to him (YHWH) that appointed him (Yeshua), as also Moses [was faithful] in all his house For this [man] was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some [man]; but he that built all things [is] God. Here the writer is saying that he that builds house is greater than the house. The one reference in building the house is Yeshua. The writer then says that he (Yeshua) that builds all things is God.
Sovereign
Romans 9:5 Whose [are] the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Messiah [came], who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
There are some scholars who say that this phrase is calling Yeshua God. The comma after 'all' should not be there or a comma should occur also after God. It would then say "…Messiah came who is over all, God, blessed for ever. Amen."
Revelation 19:16 And he hath on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Saviour
Isaiah 43:11 I, [even] I, [am] the LORD (YHWH); and beside me [there is] no saviour.
Hosea 13:4 Yet I [am] the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for [there is] no saviour beside me.
John 4:42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard [him] ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Messiah, the Saviour of the world.
Compare Joel and Romans: Joel 2:32 And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD (YHWH) shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord (Yeshua) shall be saved.
1 John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world.
Redeemer
Hosea 13:14 I (YHWH Elohim) will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
Galatians 3:13 Messiah hath redeemed us from the curse of the law (Law of Sin and Death), being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree:
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Worship
God
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Exodus 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD (YHWH), whose name [is] Jealous, [is] a jealous God (Elohim).
Psalms 22:27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
Yeshua
Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Hebrews 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. God would never let anything else take worship from him, not even angels. Yeshua would have to be God.
Revelation 5:11-12 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Immutable (Unchanging)
Hebrews 13:8 Messiah Yeshua the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Judge
Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me (Yeshua) in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Matthew 25:31-33 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Acts 10:42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God [to be] the Judge of quick and dead.
Romans 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Messiah Yeshua according to my gospel.
Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Messiah.
Receiving Prayer
1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father, and with his Son Messiah Yeshua.
To have fellowship with the son means that all believers can have this fellowship at the same time, which makes him omnipresent like God. Fellowship is to talk and discuss, and to dwell together. This is prayer also. No hymn, praise, or prayer should be directed to anyone but God.
Psalm 8:1-2 is a prayer/praise of David to YHWH which Yeshua quotes about himself in Matthew 21:16.
Psalms 8:1-2 [[To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David.]] O LORD our Lord, how excellent [is] thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
Matthew 21:16 Yeshua gave a response to the Pharisees about the children crying Hosanna to him during the entry into Jerusalem. And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Yeshua saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
Matthew 11:28 Yeshua calls all to come to him. This is also in prayer. Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Acts 9:59-60 Stephen prayed to Yeshua. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
In Acts chapter nine, Ananias had a conversation by a vision with Yeshua about Saul of Tarsus.
And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I [am here], Lord. … But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: …And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, [even] Yeshua, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
This conversation certainly had divine qualities to it. Yeshua tells Ananias that Saul is to bear his name before the entire world.
Trinity in the New Covenant
One of the clues in the New Covenant of the Trinity at work is how often the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is mentioned together. For example: 2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Messiah Yeshua, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, [be] with you all. Amen.
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
There are indications that the Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son.
Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Messiah, he is none of his. The Spirit of God is also the Spirit of Messiah.
Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Yet in Matthew 3:11 Yeshua gives the Spirit. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire:
All the Spirits of God are embodied in Yeshua. Revelation 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
It is also interesting to note that Yeshua says that the Spirit dwells with his disciples but will be in them soon. This Spirit is from Yeshua himself who is dwelling with the disciples.
[Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you (John 14:17). Yet Yeshua says the Spirit of truth comes from the father. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me (John 15:26).
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh (the son), justified (also shown and declared) in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles (also multitudes), believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Again all three of the Godhead is mentioned here. Also notice that Yeshua offered himself, yet it please God to bruise him. Isaiah 53:10 says Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him.
And it shows that the Spirit raised him. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit (1 Peter 3:18).
Another interesting concept of the Trinity is who raised Yeshua from the dead? Although most references indicate that God the Father raised him, there are indications that both the Spirit and Yeshua also were involved.
Acts 2:32 This Yeshua hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Yeshua from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Messiah from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
John 10:18 No man taketh it (Yeshua's life)from me (Yeshua), but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
John 2:19 Yeshua answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple (his body), and in three days I will raise it up.
All three of the Godhead rose Yeshua from the grave, and to God be all glory and praise! - Amen
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