Forthright Magazine http://www.forthright.net Straight to the Cross Keep up with the news. Get an email notice whenever Brotherhoodnews.com is updated. Click here for this free service: http://tinyurl.com/4fpo5n COLUMN: FIDELITY The Godhead by Mike Benson The doctrine of the Godhead can be difficult to understand (cf. Job 11:7). According to the Scriptures, there are three, distinct divine persons in the "Godhead" (cf. Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19-20; John 14:26; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2). One God and Father, one Lord, and one Spirit (cf. Ephesians 4:4-6). The Father is God. "Blessed be the GOD AND FATHER of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3; cf. Genesis 1:3). The Son is God. "But to the SON He says: 'YOUR THRONE, O GOD, is forever and ever; a sceptre of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom'" (Hebrews 1:8; cf. John 1:1-3). The Spirit is God. "But Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to THE HOLY SPIRIT and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men BUT TO GOD'" (Acts 5:3-4; cf. Genesis 1:2). I personally have found it helps to recognize a difference between (a) the Godhead being one and in (b) being one person. The Godhead is composed of three persons and yet is One (cf. John 5:7) in nature and essence (cf. Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Isaiah 45:5), desire and purpose. Study the following Biblical illustrations and note that the word one is not a reference to a single unit in the strict mathematical sense, but one in the sense of unity: Ephesians 5:31 -- husband and wife one in flesh Ephesians 2:14 -- Jew and Gentile one in Christ 1 Corinthians 3:8 -- Paul and Apollos one in mission Acts 4:32 -- Jerusalem church one in heart and soul John 17:22 -- Father and Son one in purpose Now consider Jesus' prayer to His Father: "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one" (John 17:22). Believers are to be one in unity and purpose just as the Father and Son -- two members of the Godhead -- are one in unity and purpose. ---- Read this article online, write your reaction, and read others' comments as well. Click here: http://www.forthright.net/fidelity/the_doctrine_of_the_godhead.html You can help get the word out. Here's how: http://www.forthright.net/editorial/lend_a_hand.html