Posted by The word Trinity is shrouded in much controversy but is sound doctrine.
The word Trinity is used widely but can’t be found in the scriptures. It was derived from the Latin word Trinitas by an early Christian writer called Tertullian in the year 230AD. He said that there was God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
For many sceptics and believers at large, the word Trinity triggers heated discussions and debates. However, if we put aside the word Trinity, we should be able use the scriptures to prove that the Father, the Son and the Holy spirit are ONE.
The Old Testament speaks of the Spirit of God
Both the old and the New Testament have numerous scriptures and proof about the unity of the three. Genesis 1:1,2 actually says that God has a Spirit and so do the following; Isaiah 63:10-16, Job 26:13, 33:4. Others from the New Testament are: 1st Timothy 3:16, 1st John 5:7, Matthew 28:19,20. 2nd Corinthians 3:17.
Genesis 1:2. “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”
Isaiah 63:10. “But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.”
Job 26:13. “By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.”
Proving Christ as the third person of the Trinity from the Old Testament
Now that we have proven the 2nd person is the Holy Spirit then what about the 3rd person who is Christ? We shall prove this from the Old Testament. Let’s start with John 5:58 Christ says “before Abraham I was”. He meant this in literal sense and not metaphorically. Genesis 14:18,19 says that Abraham after defeating the four Kings, gave tithes and worshipped a divine being who was in the form of man. He was a priest called Melchizedek, the Prince of Salem, meaning Prince of Peace. Note that Salem isn’t a physical place, it means Peace. Isaiah 9:6 confirms that indeed Christ is the Prince of peace who stood before Abraham. Do we have proof that Melchizedek was Jesus Christ? YES. Psalms 110:4,5 says that Melchizedek the Priest for ever sits on the right hand of God. Mark 16:19 says that Christ ascended to the Father and sits on the right hand. See also Hebrews 7:1-22.
Christ as the Lord before Abraham and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
Another instance that Christ appeared as the Lord before Abraham is in Genesis 18:1 when He appeared before him together with two angels. Interestingly, the scriptures say that three men appeared before Abraham but later on we get more details. Of the three, one was the Lord and the other two were angels. The Lord spoke to Abraham as the two angels went over to Sodom and Gomorrah. The Lord broke the news about the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham then pleaded with the Lord to spare the place if there some righteous people, starting with fifty. Unfortunately, there were no fifty, forty-five, forty. Thirty, twenty or even ten as Abraham continued pleading. Therefore, the verdict remained that Sodom and Gomorrah was to be destroyed. However, this was not before Lot, his wife and two daughters were taken away by the two angels. After the angels had taken them away, the Lord rained fire and brimstone from the Lord out of Heaven. Did you notice that two Lord’s are mentioned? YES. One Lord was on the earth while the other was in Heaven. It was Christ on earth and He was the one who spoke with Abraham. We find this in genesis 19:24-27.
Christ before Jacob
Christ also before as the Lord before Jacob in Genesis 32:22-30. It was at night and Jacob and his family had just crossed a shallow river, the ford Jabbok. As he remained alone a man appeared and wrestled him till daybreak. Jacob seemed to prevail against this man and so he dislocated Jabob’s thigh. Jacob still wouldn’t let the man go and instead asked that he bless him. The man then told Jacob that his name will no longer be Jacob but Israel. Jacob then called the place Penuel. The name meant that ‘’I have seen God face to face and my life is preserved’’.
Christ before Joshua
Another unique instance in which Christ appeared as the Lord was when He was before Joshua. Joshua 5:13-15. Joshua was preparing the Israelites to fight against the Jebusites of Jericho. As he looked over Jericho behold, a man stood over him with a sword in His hands. Joshua approached and asked Him if He was for or against the Israelites. He answered ‘’No’’ but said that He a commander of the army of the Lord. Joshua then fell before Him and worshipped Him. The Lord then commanded Joshua to remove his shoes for he was at a Holy place. This was the same command that was given to Moses as he stood before the burning bush in Exodus 3:6. It was God speaking to him through the burning bush which wasn’t consumed.