I think most Christians have a hard time explaining the Trinity to both unbelievers and believers. Of course we can articulate that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one, but precisely how that is possible is not so easy. Even Jesus himself had a hard time getting this point across to the Jewish leaders who constantly challenged his every assertion. As an example, when Jesus healed people on the Sabbath, it enraged the Jewish leaders. When they confronted him about this practice, he pointed to his relationship with his Father.
But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” John 5:17 (NASB)
Jesus referring to God as his Father only made the Jewish leaders more enraged. In their eyes, this was blasphemy – punishable by death. Nevertheless, there’s no question that Jesus claimed to be equal to God.
“For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.” John 5:21 (NASB)
In his teaching, Jesus claimed to have been given authority by God to judge all men. He also pointed out that the rejection of Him was equal to a rejection of God.
“For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” John 5:22-23 (NASB)
The teachings of Jesus regarding his deity were clearly established by five witnesses: John the Baptist, the miracles Jesus performed, the Father himself was a witness at the baptism of Jesus, the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah were a witness, and finally, Jesus said that Moses was a witness when he said, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.” (Deuteronomy 18:15).
This was the evidence that Jesus provided to, without question, establish his deity to the Jewish leaders. Today, we have the entire New Testament providing us with an overwhelming body of evidence that clearly demonstrates this truth – Jesus is Lord.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (NASB)
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