Over the next 6-weeks, to support our mid-week 'Together' meetings on The Holy Spirit, we will be looking at the person of the Holy Spirit in our devotionals. I hope you find these helpful in deepening your relationship with God.
The Holy Spirit is a person who is also God. He is as fully God as the Father and the Son. Some say that teachings such as the Trinity are not important. In response, I would say that there is nothing more important than who God is! If God is not a Trinity then to call Jesus Lord, to be devoted to the Holy Spirit, to worship either the Son or the Spirit is idolatry – a gross sin against God (and the converse is also true). Can you imagine saying to your spouse, your children, your friend… that you don’t care that much about who they are and that you just want them to do good things for you! Seeking to know someone is loving, and the route to growing in love.
A FEW PHRASES FROM THE ATHANASIAN CREED
The Athanasian Creed is a confession of faith from the late fourth to early fifth century that was formulated under the influence of Athanasius. It was written to refute the teachings of the Arians who taught that Jesus and the Spirit were less than God (much as the cults continue to do). For this truth, Athanasius endured five exiles during seventeen years of persecution against this truth! May we also have such passion for the truth of who God is! The creed reads,
‘We worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity. For there is one person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is all one, the glory equal, the majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit. The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, the Holy Spirit uncreated. The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal. And yet they are not three eternals but one eternal. So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, and the Holy Spirit almighty. And yet they are not three almighties, but one almighty. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God; And yet they are not three Gods, but one God. As the Father and Son, the Spirit is worthy of our worship, trust and obedience.'
God is beyond compare and understanding. However, the Trinitarian teaching can be reduced to 3 statements:
1. God is three persons (Father, Son, Spirit)
2. Each person is fully God.
3. There is one God.
WHAT THE GREAT COMMISSION REVEALS
It’s very informative to read what Jesus says about baptism in His Great Commission.
‘Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name (singular) of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’ (Matthew 28:19)
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