Saturday, June 1, 2013
Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
THREE PERSONS
In the Smalcald Articles we confess this about our God: "The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons in one divine essence and nature [Matthew 28:19], are one God ... The Father is begotten of no one; the Son is begotten of the Father [John 1:14]; the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son [John 15:26]. Neither the Father nor the Holy Spirit, but the Son became man [John 1:14]."
The nature of our triune God is a revelation beyond our ability to reason out. There is but one God. Thus Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are a unity, coequal and coeternal. Yet Scripture clearly teaches that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are at the same time distinct "persons" from one another. The Athanasian Creed expresses this distinction using the terms found in Scripture: "The Father is not made nor created nor begotten by anyone. The Son is neither made nor created, but begotten of the Father alone. The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son, neither made nor created nor begotten but proceeding."
We admit we cannot understand how this can be, but that doesn't mean it makes no difference to us whether there are three persons or not -- or that we do not really need to care much about what God has chosen to reveal to us concerning His nature. Everything God tells us is useful for us, including the difficult teachings.
In thinking on the three persons, perhaps you can think of what it reveals to you about the way your God cares for you and the great love He has for you.
When you think of the Father, think of Psalm 103:13-14 and the compassionate way of our God. "As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust." As a loving Father would do anything for His children, as they are His greatest treasures and His dearest delights, so your God views you, being gentle and compassionate with you even in your weaknesses.
When you think of the Son, be reminded of the way a son who respects and loves his father will obediently and joyfully do what he asks. Think of how a son with all humility serves his father, and think of how Jesus, at His Father's bidding, went forth as a Lamb to take away the sin of the world. Think of Philippians 2:7-8, "[Jesus] made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!" A perfect Son. A perfect Savior.
When you think of the Spirit, think of the way the wind blows here and there. You cannot see it, but you can see it at work. The Spirit gets the word out about Christ. The Spirit delivers the message concerning the forgiveness of sins and eternal life and He has an effect on hearts everywhere, persuading them to trust that very message. Think of the Apostle Paul's words to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 1:5), "... our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction."
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- distinct so that you can observe God's mercy and love from three unique vantage points -- so that you may know it even better and have fullness of joy!
