The Trinity and Its Importance

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, its foundational components, defining boundaries, and overall significance.

How do Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the traditional doctrine of the Trinity?

They deny the full deity of Christ, but John 1:1 says the Word was God.

What does it mean that Jesus is “begotten, not made”?

John 1:14 and 18 teach that Jesus is eternally from the Father, not made or created, but fully one in essence with Him.

What does it mean that the Holy Spirit “proceeds from the Father and the Son”?

The Spirit comes from the Father and the Son, as John 15 says, showing He is distinct in Person yet fully God.

What is the biblical basis for the belief that God exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

At Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3, the Father speaks, the Son is baptized, and the Spirit descends. All three are present and acting distinctly, yet united as God.

What is the biblical basis for the confession, “There is one God”?

Deuteronomy 6:4

Where would you go in Scripture for support of the doctrine of the Trinity?

Matthew 28, where Jesus commands baptism in the one Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Define revelation

Revelation is God making himself and his saving will known, as Hebrews 1:1–2 shows, speaking through the prophets and now most clearly by his Son.

Define inspiration

Inspiration means God guided human writers so the Bible says what He wanted; 2 Peter 1:21 says they were “carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Define illumination.

Illumination means the Spirit helps us receive and understand God’s gifts in his Word; 1 Corinthians 2 says we have the Spirit “so that we may understand.”

Distinguish revelation vs. inspiration vs. illumination in one sentence.

God gave us truth, guided it to be written faithfully, and now helps us understand and live it out.

What does Scripture teach about extra-biblical revelation?

Jude 3 teaches the faith was delivered in full, so we examine extra messages and reject them when they don’t align with the gospel.

How does Scripture provide divine guidance?

Psalm 119:105 shows that God’s Word gives direction for our choices and keeps our lives on the right path.

How does the Spirit’s leading relate to Scripture’s authority?

John 16:13 says the Spirit guides into all truth, so His leading always agrees with Scripture, our final authority.

What does scriptural inerrancy mean?

The Bible is true in all it teaches because, as Jesus says in John 17, “your word is truth.”

What criteria were used to include books in the biblical canon?

Ephesians 2:20 shows the church recognized books with apostolic roots, gospel consistency, and broad use among believers.

What criteria led to excluding books from the biblical canon?

Galatians 1:8 warns against any different gospel, so the church set aside books that weren’t tied to the apostles, disagreed with sound teaching, or weren’t widely accepted.

What is the relationship between the Word of God and Scripture?

In John 5 Jesus says the Scriptures “testify about” Him, revealing that He is the living Word and the Bible faithfully reveals who He is.

How is Scripture relevant to the average person in my church?

2 Timothy 3:16–17 says Scripture teaches, corrects, and equips us for every good work, giving real help for everyday life with Christ.