"It wasn't a potential atonement actuated by the sinner, it was an actual atonement initiated by the savior."
John MacArthur
"It wasn't a potential atonement actuated by the sinner, it was an actual atonement initiated by the savior."
John MacArthur
There are many things, attributed to the Bible, but not actually in the Bible.”
On the other hand, there are great truths, not specifically identified as such in the Bible, but that are actually Biblical. The “rapture” and the “trinity” are two such truths that fall into this category.
This post addresses the Trinity. You can read about the Rapture here.
It should be understood, initially, that the writers of the Old Testament, even though they were inspired in their writing through the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21) were not fully aware of all that they wrote. As 1 Peter 1:10-11 states “the prophets…made careful searches and inquiries, inquiring to know what time or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He was predicting the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.” In fact, 1 Peter 1:12 says, pertaining to the gospel, even the “angels long to look.”
As such, many verses in the Old Testament are somewhat obtuse with respect to the revelation of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. This is simply because the full truth of the Gospel and the involvement of the Trinity had yet to be revealed.
There are, however, several hints of this Trinity, the triune Godhead, even from the book of Genesis.
On the other hand, the New Testament is more revealing and the Trinity shows up a number of times as follows:
Just a cursory reading of the above New Testament verses that discuss the Trinity reveals a mini-theology lesson of their character, relationship, and functions.
Although the above verses may be viewed as the primary trinity verses, the trinity is all over the Bible. For example, in Ephesians alone, the following verses relate to the Trinity:
Ephesians 1:3 Father: Blessed be the God and Father; Son: of our Lord Jesus Christ; Spirit: every spiritual blessing.
1:11-13 Him who works all things according to …His will; to hope in Christ; sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.
1:17 God…the Father of glory; our Lord Jesus Christ; a spirit of wisdom and of revelation.
2:18 access…to the Father; through Him; by the Spirit.
2:22 a dwelling place for God; in Him; by the Spirit.
3:2-5 the stewardship of God’s grace; the mystery of Christ; revealed…by the Spirit.
3:14-17 the Father…the riches of His glory; so that Christ may dwell in your hearts; through His Spirit.
4:4-6 one God and Father; one Lord; one Spirit.
5:18-20 giving thanks…to God the Father; in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; be filled with the Spirit.
Although the word Trinity is never used in the Bible, the existence of the Trinity, the Triune Godhead is ubiquitous in both the Old and New Testaments.
For a summary of Christian Fundamentals please see my post here.