The Trinity is considered to be the most complex doctrine in our faith by most theologians. So to unpack it in a short communication is probably not a good idea. So we’re going to make some quick observations from the text and then draw out some principles to lay a foundation.
Looking at the passage in John,
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
We notice that Jesus identifies three distinct persons in the Godhead; the Father, himself and the Spirit. Within this Godhead, it is clear that each person plays a distinct role, each person freely gives and receives from the other and there is no hierarchy. One might say that since the Spirit doesn’t speak on his own authority, that he’s under the authority of the Father thus creating order. However the Bible also says that we can’t know the Father without the Spirit moving in our hearts. So if the Spirit is under the Father’s authority, then why would the Father need the Spirit to work in our hearts to get to know the Father? I believe the way to understand it is that each person needs to plays their role for the community of the Godhead to function effectively.
Paul further explains how these characteristics should manifest in the community. In Romans 12:3-8, Paul uses the analogy of the body has many parts but each part serves a particular function for the body to be optimally operational. No one part is more important that the other. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Paul addresses the use of spiritual gifts to serve the church. He also says that we’re “given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (7). This means that our God-given gifts and abilities were given to serve the church. What this implies that each Christ-following individual has a responsibility to use the way God formed us (Psalm 139:13-16) for the community. We know that when the community is functional then we will be “praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47).
To make a comprehensive list of application would take pages. In order to make it simple and easy to apply here are a couple questions to ask yourself:
-What are my gifts and abilities? How can I use that to serve the community?
-Do I feel that I deserved to be served? Do I consider myself better than others?
-Am I being a faithful steward with my possessions, time, and energy?
Next, Pastor Yun will be addressing the role of the Church as an institution.
Looking at the passage in John,
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
We notice that Jesus identifies three distinct persons in the Godhead; the Father, himself and the Spirit. Within this Godhead, it is clear that each person plays a distinct role, each person freely gives and receives from the other and there is no hierarchy. One might say that since the Spirit doesn’t speak on his own authority, that he’s under the authority of the Father thus creating order. However the Bible also says that we can’t know the Father without the Spirit moving in our hearts. So if the Spirit is under the Father’s authority, then why would the Father need the Spirit to work in our hearts to get to know the Father? I believe the way to understand it is that each person needs to plays their role for the community of the Godhead to function effectively.
Paul further explains how these characteristics should manifest in the community. In Romans 12:3-8, Paul uses the analogy of the body has many parts but each part serves a particular function for the body to be optimally operational. No one part is more important that the other. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Paul addresses the use of spiritual gifts to serve the church. He also says that we’re “given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (7). This means that our God-given gifts and abilities were given to serve the church. What this implies that each Christ-following individual has a responsibility to use the way God formed us (Psalm 139:13-16) for the community. We know that when the community is functional then we will be “praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47).
To make a comprehensive list of application would take pages. In order to make it simple and easy to apply here are a couple questions to ask yourself:
-What are my gifts and abilities? How can I use that to serve the community?
-Do I feel that I deserved to be served? Do I consider myself better than others?
-Am I being a faithful steward with my possessions, time, and energy?
Next, Pastor Yun will be addressing the role of the Church as an institution.
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