Matt Willmington
Theology = Theo [God] logos [word, study]. Choose lumber, build house.
Three Levels of Doctrine [Al Mohler]:
1. Core Beliefs – absolutes to be Christian, denial is apostacy [in house]
2. Convictions – beliefs divide believers, churches, denominations [rooms]
3. Opinions – Christians disagree but remain in fellowship [seats]
You ARE a theologian – only question is what type?
GOD THE TRINITY
“We affirm our belief in one God, infinite Spirit, creator, and sustainer of all things, who exists eternally in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These three are one in essence but distinct in person and function.”
Genesis 1:1-3, 26, 28, 31 [CSB] In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light…. 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female… 28 God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it… 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good indeed.
- GOD – He is one person. He is ELOHIM [2600], ADONAI, JEHOVAH [6500]. He is not Buddha, Allah, Ra, Brahma, Pan Gu, Jumong, Zeus
- Created / Good – He is the source of all. His work is good
- Said / Image / Blessed – He is personal
- Spirit / Us – He is 3 people [not explicit in Scripture – implicit]
Isaiah 48:12, 13, 16 …I am he; I am the first, I am also the last. My own hand founded the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; … From the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time anything existed, I was there.” And now the Lord God has sent me and his Spirit.
John 1:1-3, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created… 14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Matthew 3:16-17 When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”
Matthew 28:19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Revelation 22:1, 16-17 Then he showed me the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb… 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to attest these things to you for the churches. I am the Root and descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 17 Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let anyone who hears, say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who desires take the water of life freely.
GOD THE FATHER
“We affirm that the Father is the first person of the Trinity and the source of all that God is and does. From Him the Son is eternally generated and from Them the Spirit eternally proceeds. He is the designer of creation, the speaker of revelation, the author of redemption, and the sovereign of history.”
John 20:17 “… go to my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”
GOD IS…
Spirit (John 1:18)
Self-Existent (Isa. 41:4)
Self Sufficient (Job 41:11)
Eternal (Deut. 33:27)
Omnipresent (Psa.139:7-12)
Omnipotent (Gen.18:14)
Omniscient (2 Kings 19:27)
Wise (Job 36:5)
Immutable (Num.23:19)
Sovereign (Psa.135:6)
Incomprehensible (Deut. 4:35)
Holy (Lev.19:2)
True (Deut. 32:4)
Faithful (Deut. 7:9)
Merciful (Exod. 34:7)
Gracious (Psa. 103:8)
Love (Deut. 4:37)