At baptisms, we repeat the words of Christ in the Great Commission “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” without realizing that we are referring to the stragglingly in-depth doctrine of the Trinity. Jesus in the taught both the oneness of God’s essence and the threeness of the Persons in the Trinity in the baptismal formula: “Baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19). The one deity of the Trinity is seen in the singular “name” because God is one in substance or essence. But then Jesus followed up saying baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” or the three persons of the Trinity.
Read moreThe Trinity, Part Four
Not only does the Trinity have a ministry to each other in the ontological Trinity, but to us. The relationship of the Trinity with God’s creation is called opera as extra or the outer works or the economic Trinity. Once again there is a difference in roles. God the Father’s official ministries are creation (Genesis 1:1), preservation (Matthew 5:45), and government (Psalm 103:19). God the Son’s official ministries are revealing the Father (John 14:9), and redeeming sinners (1st Peter 1:2). God the Spirit’s official ministries are inspiring Scripture (2nd Peter 1:21), regenerating sinners (John 3:5), and sanctifying believers (Galatians 5:16).
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