The Triune God
What does "triune" mean?
“Three-yet-one”. Three distinct persons in one divine essence or being.
Why do you call God the “Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”? (Exo. 20:11)
- I call God the Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth because in six normal days He created all things, visible, and invisible, by His almighty Word
- “In six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them.”
What are the two natures of Jesus Christ? (#134 & #137). How long has each nature existed, and how long will each exist?
- In Jesus Christ there are these two natures: the divine and the human.
- Divine from eternity, Human since conception; both will exist forever.
In what words of the Second Article do you confess the humiliation of Jesus? (#142)
- “Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.”
In what words of the Second Article do you confess the exaltation of Christ? (#162)
“He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.”
Give two passages that show that God is triune. (Deu. 6:4 & Num. 6:24-26)
What did God promise to sinners right after the fall into sin? (#125)
- Although fallen man deserved to be forsaken, God promised and sent a Savior from sin; and in His gracious providence He continues to preserve and govern all things, which otherwise would perish
Why was it necessary for our Savior to be true man? (#138 & Gal. 4:4-5)
- In order to fulfill the law for us (active obedience), and suffer and die in our place (passive obedience).
- “When the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights as sons.”
Give a passage which teaches the passive obedience of Jesus. (Gal. 3:13)
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
Why is the resurrection of Christ of such importance and comfort to you? (#165 & 1Co. 15:17)
- The resurrection of Christ definitely proves that: 1) Christ is the Son of God, 2) He has made full satisfaction for all my sins, 3) I too shall rise again on the last day, and 4) It gives me strength to forsake sin and life a new life.
- “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”
Can someone who does not believe in the Triune God be saved?(Yes/No; Joh. 14:6)
No. Jesus says, "No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Gen. 3:15
- “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Why was it necessary for our Savior to be true God? (#139)
In order that his fulfilling the law for us, and his suffering and dying in our place might be sufficient (vicarious atonement).
Why are the suffering and death of Jesus called “innocent”? (2Co. 5:21)
- Because He Himself did not have any guilt for which He had to suffer and die.
- “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us.”
Why do we not need to fear Jesus’ return “to judge the living and the dead”? (Rom. 8:1)
“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Write a hymn which describes the work of each Person of the Trinity. (Hymn #37)
1. We all believe in one true God,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Ever present Help in need,
Praised by all the heav’nly host,
By whose mighty pow’r alone
All is made and wrought and done.
2. We all believe in Jesus Christ,
Son of God and Mary’s Son,
Who descended from His throne
And for us salvation won,
By whose cross and death are we
Rescued from all misery.
3. We all confess the Holy Ghost,
Who from both fore’er proceeds,
Who upholds and comforts us
In all trials, fears, and needs.
Blest and Holy Trinity,
Praise forever be to Thee!
Did God fulfill this promise? (Joh. 3:16)
- Yes! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
What is Jesus’ State of Humiliation? (Class Notes & Phi. 2:7-8)
- The State of Humiliation = that according to His human nature, Christ did not always fully use the divine attributes (powers) given Him so that He could be our Savior.
- “Christ emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
Whom has Jesus redeemed? (Joh. 1:29)
- All people—including me.
- “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
What is Jesus’ threefold office? (#173)
- Prophet, priest, and king
What is the First Article of the Creed?
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
What is the meaning of the 1st Article?
I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still preserves them; that He richly and daily provides me with food and clothing, home and family, property and goods, and all that I need to support this body and life; that He protects me from all danger, guards and keeps me from all evil; and all this purely out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me; for all which I am in duty bound to thank and praise, to serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true.
What is the meaning of the second article of the Creed?
I believe that Jesus Christ is true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary; and that He is my Lord, Who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood, and with His innocent suffering and death; in order that I might be His own, live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness; even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.
What is Jesus’ State of Exaltation? (Phi. 2:9-11)
The State of Exaltation = that according to His human nature, Christ always and fully uses the divine attributes given to Him.
"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
What is the Second Article of the Creed?
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.