12 - Chapter 12

CHAPTER XII. The Number of Persons in the Godhead are Three. IN proof of this position, we shall show that the same attributes and works are applied to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that these attributes and works are those which belong to God alone.

1. Eternity. Father. “The eternal God is thy refuge.” Deuteronomy 33:27. Isaiah 40:28.

Son. “ Before all things.” “ The beginning and the end.” Colossians 1:17. Revelation 1:8..

Spirit. “ Through the eternal Spirit.” Hebrews 9:14.

2. Omnipresence. Father. “Do not I fill heaven and earth, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:24.

Son. “ The Son of Man which is in heaven.” John 3:13.

Spirit. “ Whither shall I fly from thy Spirit.” Psalms 139:7.

3. Infinite knowledge. Father. “ Thou only knowest the hearts of all the children of men.” 1 Kings 8:8-9.

Son. “ He knew all men... what was in man.” “Thou Lord which knowest the hearts.” John 2:24. Acts 1:24.

Spirit. The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10.

4. Almighty power. Father. “ Power belongeth unto God.” “ Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory.” Psalms 62:11. Matthew 6:13.

Son. Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” “ All power in heaven and earth is given into my hands.” 1 Cor.l:24. Matthew 28:18.

Spirit. “ Abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:13. “By the poweif of the Spirit of God.” Verse 19.

5. Creation. Father. “Hast thou not heard, hast thou hot known that the everlasting God, the Lord[1], the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary.” Isaiah 40:28.

Son. “ By him were all things created which are in heaven and in earth, visible and invisible.” Colossians 1:16.

Spirit. “ The Spirit of God hath made me.” Job 33:4.

6. Each of these persons inhabits the same temple. Father. “Ye are the temple of the living God. God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them.” 2 Corinthians 6:16.

Son. “ That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith: Christ is in you except you be reprobates.” Ephesians 3:17. 2 Corinthians 13:5.

Spirit. “Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost.” 1 Corinthians 6:19, and 1 Corinthians 13:13.

7. Each person possesses, and gives life. [2] Father.

[1] Here the Creator seems to be spoken of in the person of the Father.

[2] No being possesses life Inherently, and of himself, but God.

“ The Lord thy God, he is thy life.” Deuteronomy 30:20.

Son. “He that hath the Song of Solomon 5:1-16 hath life. In him was life;” “This is the true God and eternal life.”

John 5:12, John 1:8; 1 John 5:20.’

Spirit. “The Spirit is life.” Romans 8:10.

8. Each is said to raise the dead.Father. “God quickeneth the dead.” Romans 4:17...-

Son. “The Son quickeneth whom HE will.’,’ John 5:21. “I have power to lay down my life and to take it again.” John 10:18. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John 2:19. “ He raised Lazarus,’ a daughter, and a widow’s son.”

Spirit. “It is the Spirit that quickeneth.” John 6:68. “ Jesus Christ quickened by the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18.

We may add, that from the Old Testament we have abundant proof of a plurality of person* in the Godhead, and in the New Testament, we find the number limited to three. This is evident from the doxologies to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and as we have already seen from the baptismal formula.

We would ask, in view of the attributes and works, which are ascribed by the word of inspiration to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, if there is not a distinction in the Godhead?, We are aware that this distinction is clearly sustained, and that it is not a distinction of the attributes of one person, but that each of these distinctions has attributes which constitute them persons, agents, or designers. This being settled, we find the distinction is limited to three persons denominated in Scripture,. FATHER, SON and HOLY GHOST. The attributes ascribed to these persons, are the attributes of God and none else. The attribute y eternity of existence, none save God can possess. Omnipresence cannot be the attribute of any creature, or thing. The power to impart life and resuscitate the dead,’ belongs inherently, as we have proved to each of the persons, and consequently they are all agents and, designers. We do not enter into proof of these last statements, for it is self-evident that such attributes as Eternity and Omnipresence belong to God alone, and that these powers and attributes must constitute the possessor an intelligent agent, and consequently a person. How devoutly, then y should we regard the name of the “ Sacred Three,?’ who co-operate in the scheme of man’s salvation, in such perfect oneness.

“To God the Father’s throne, Perpetual honors raise, Glory to God the Son, To God the Spirit praise. With all bur powers,

Eternal King, Thy name we sing,.

While faith adores.”