Our History and Doctrine

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Let me begin by affirming that I did not WRITE this document. I had no part in God breathing out His scriptures to the ancient scribes nor any part in recording biblical history or in penning the words of the Lord's prophets. I certainly was not numbered amongst the disciples as they listened to Jesus preach or to travel with Paul on his journey in chains. I would like to have been a fly on the wall when John Wesley sent the Articles to the American Methodist, or to have been in the assemblies that organized the African Methodist Episcopal Church when they chose to adopt our most holy and biblically correct beliefs, but I was not. I did know Andrew White though and I considered him a great man. I assume that he was the one who took upon himself the great and wondrous task of summarizing our beliefs, and I thank him for it. Again, I did not write this document; I simply took our statements of faith and searched out God's Word with the intention of discovering whether or not what we stated we believed could be backed up by the total source of the Lord's truth, His Word, the Holy Bible.

Before we proceed further, let me make it clear that this document is not meant to put our doctrines, beliefs and perspectives ahead of any other Christian denominations. I do not wish to debate our doctrines and perspectives; I always try to be careful not to quarrel about tenants of the various Christian denominations [Romans 14:1; 2 Timothy 2:14, 23-24; James 4:1-2]. My personal desire is to show how the beliefs of the African Methodist Episcopal Church stand against the Word. Further, this document is not meant, in any way, to convince someone that the Holy, Canonical, Bible, which the Christian Church holds to, is wholly truthful and authoritative. If one does not hold to the Truth of the Holy Bible, then that one will not find what they are looking for here. This is a SCRIPTURAL Thesis, whose complete argument hinges on the Holy Bible. For the believer, that should be fine, but for the non-believer or the biblical skeptic, it will be insufficient. This document is presented, first, to African Methodist who wish for a deeper understanding of the foundation of our core beliefs, which is the Holy Bible, and lastly, to all Christian believers who would desire to know more about the doctrines of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

I do not know if this research has been done before, certainly it has, but I have been unable to find any publication of that work. I know that our Articles have a direct connection to the Anglican Church, but again, I couldn't find any document relating those beliefs to scriptural references (That doesn't mean it doesn't exist, it only means I didn't do as much research as I should have). This project began as a lesson from my father (earthly father, that is), Pastor Frederick E. Hale, during my matriculation through the Board of Examiners. He assigned the lesson of applying scripture to one of our Articles of Religion, student's choice. That assignment stuck with me. Sometime in 1995 or '96, I began working through each of the Articles while I also worked on Baptism research. Here you have the product of that research, with some additional notes and re-structuring along the way. I am open to criticism, as long as you understand the hope for this document's future. What you have here is a start... an unfinished journey.

My plan, if it can be called that, is divided into three Phases. Phase I is to utilize the summaries of our beliefs and apply biblical scriptures to them. Phase I is the document you presently possess, though I feel there may be more to do before moving on. We shall see where the Spirit leads. Phase II involves taking those scriptures and applying any needed commentary, to make it clear to the serious studier how the passage, or passages, apply to the Article. Some notes have already been added to this revised version of Phase I, simply because I couldn't help myself; things needed to be said to make the referring scriptural passages more clear to the meaning/interpretation/perspective/biblical-"definition" being presented to "fit" the Article. Phase II may also involve more serious notes concerning Baptism, a subject of great controversy since before Paul wrote to the church at Corinth [1 Corinthians 1:10-17], but one that I am passionate about writing on. {The baptism notes in this edition are not nearly exhaustive; I put just enough to satisfy me, though some will never agree with the offered perspectives no matter how much of an argument is presented. I, personally, can live with that}. I believe that our denominations' doctrines, traditions, and views on Baptism are just and correct, and I would like to express why, according to God's Word; and that may have to take place to make Phase II complete (at least for me). Phase III will transfer the scriptural thesis and notes to the Articles as stated in our Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which may require some additional research, notes and re-structuring. That is the sum of the matter; I request your prayers and support for it has been, and will continue to be, an arduous journey. One must be very careful when connecting God's Word with man's declaration of beliefs, even when said beliefs are based on God's Word; because His Word is vast and it's interpretations many. My foremost objective is to be true to God's Word, as much as it lies within me.

Let me further state that I realize that the indicated scriptures are in no way exhaustive. In a few cases I intentionally limited the scriptural passages for a certain Article because there was just an overwhelming amount of biblical "proof" to support the Article, therefore I chose to put a significant number of references that pertained, as opposed to the complete list. I was intentional in my efforts to try and make sure that any passage I used to "fit" a particular Article, also "fit" the context, and real meaning, of the passage ("real meaning" is of course relative to my own personal experience and understanding of contemporary Christian Biblical thought/perspective). As I stated before, some of the scriptures may require explanation, or at least an in-depth understanding of biblical scholarship and interpretation.

Let me pause to give an acknowledgement, because the Trinity was too large a subject for I to research, especially since my discovery of the NIV Topical Study Bibles' (© 1989 Zondervan Corporation) exhaustive efforts on the subject (it saved me from having to do it :). I simply took that research and formatted it to a straightforward, readable, persuasive, version. I hope by giving the Zondervan Corporation it's proper due, it will excuse my utilization of their most excellent material. I could not have shaped a better way to express the truth of One God... Three Persons... ONE GOD, who is Creator, Redeemer and Judge of All. Also, a special thanks to the Reverend Frederick E. Hale, Jr., for his appraisal and suggested modifications of this document, but more importantly, thanks for being my dad. Lastly, thanks to You, my Heavenly Father.

In closing: My hope is that my desire to understand the relation of our stated beliefs as found in the Articles of Religion and the Holy Bible, is also something you have found of interest. Further, I pray that the research that I have laid out here will help you to grow in your understanding of the beliefs we African Methodist hold to, according to God's Holy Word. But don't stop here; the Word has so much more to offer... for your life, and to the life of the church. Lastly, let me make it clear that I am not perfect: find my mistakes... discover what I missed. Is the puzzle pieced together correctly? Have the mysteries been solved? Are there any typos?!? To answer that... you must join the journey.

Always His,

1. THE HOLY TRINITY
There is but one living and true God. He is the maker and preserver of all things. We experience the one God through three aspects of His personality; namely, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This threefold aspect of God, we call the Holy Trinity¹.

• ¹ See Appendix A "The Trinity: A Scriptural Outline"

2. THE INCARNATION OF CHRIST
In Christ two natures --Divine and Human-- are joined together in one person. In other words, Jesus is truly God and truly man².

• ² See Appendix A "The Trinity: A Scriptural Outline", section B

3. THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
Christ truly arose from the dead⁴ and ascended into heaven⁵.³

• ³ Luke 24:1-53; Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:18-23; 1 Peter 1:21, 3:21-22
• ⁴ Matthew 16:21, 28:1-20; Mark 10:32-34, 14:28, 16:1-14; Luke 18:31-33; John 20:1-31; Acts 17:1-4; Romans 1:1-4, 8:11, 10:9
• ⁵ Mark 16:19; John 6:62, 16:10; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:14

4. THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is of one substance with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is one of the three aspects through which we experience God.⁶

• ⁶ See Appendix A "The Trinity: A Scriptural Outline", section C

5. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
The Holy Bible contains all we need to know to be saved.⁷

• ⁷ Deuteronomy 4:5-9, 29:29; Psalm 119:97-105; Proverbs 6:20-23; John 5:24, 39; Acts 18:28; Romans 1:16, 10:17; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21

6. THE OLD TESTAMENT
The Old Testament is not contrary to the New⁸; in both Old and New Testaments eternal life is offered to mankind⁹.

• ⁸ Matthew 5: 17-19, 21:42, 22:29, 26:54; Mark 12:10, 24, 14:49; Luke 16:16-17, 18:31, 20:17, 22:37, 24:25, 27, 32, 44-45; John 2:22, 5:39, 45-47, 7:38, 42, 10:35, 19:28, 36-37, 20:9; Acts 1:16-17, 20, 18:24, 28; Romans 1:2, 15:4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 3:14-17
• ⁹ Exodus 15:13, 17; Psalm 21:4; Isaiah 55:1-7, 56:1-8; Jeremiah 17:5-18; Daniel 12:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Luke 10:26-28, 16:29-31; John 5:39, Acts 17:2, 11; Romans 1:2, 10:13; Galatians 3:8

7. ORIGINAL SIN
All men have inherited evil impulses from their ancestors. This corruption of the nature of every man is called "original sin." It goes back to Adam, the first man.¹⁰

• ¹⁰ Genesis chapter 3, 6:5, 8:21; Psalm 14:1-3, 51:5, 58:3, 130:3, 143:2; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Hosea 6:7; Romans 3:10-12, 3:23

8. FREE WILL Every person is free to choose right or wrong¹¹; but even if he chooses to do right, he must have God's help to live a good and holy life¹².

• ¹¹ Genesis 2:16; Deuteronomy 30:19-20; Joshua 24:15; Psalm 118:5; Proverbs 8:10, 16:16; John 7:17; 1 Timothy 2:3-4
• ¹² Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 12:10; 2 Timothy 2:14-21; Titus 2:11-14

9. THE JUSTIFICATION OF MAN
We are saved by faith in Christ and by that faith alone. Good works cannot save us.¹³

• ¹³ Matthew 19:16-26, Romans 3:20, 28, 4:5, 25, 5:1-2, 9:30-32; Galatians 2:16, 3:24; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:9; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5

10. GOOD WORKS
Good works are the fruits of our faith in Christ.¹⁴

• ¹⁴ Matthew 5:16, 7:26; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Galatians 5:6; Ephesians 2:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; 2 Timothy 2:20-21; Titus 2:14; James 1:22-25, 2:14-26

11. WORKS OF SUPEREROGATION
The belief that one can do more good than God requires is called "works of supererogation." We do not believe in this doctrine. No one can do more than he ought to do or be better than he ought to be.¹⁵

• ¹⁵ Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Jeremiah 2:35; Matthew 19:17; Mark 10:17-18; Luke 17:10; Romans 3:9-20, 23; Galatians 2:21; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 John 1:8-10

12. SIN AFTER JUSTIFICATION
A Christian may depart from grace and fall into sin again¹⁷. But those who truly repent receive God's forgiveness and rise again to a good and holy life¹⁸.¹⁶

• ¹⁶ Psalm 78:37-38; Ezekiel 18:24-32; Micah 7:18; Luke 17:1-3; Romans 5:18, chapters 6, 7, 8; Galatians chapter 5, 6:1; 1 John 1:9, 2:1-2, 5:16-17
• ¹⁷ Luke 17:1; 1 Corinthians 15:2; 2 Corinthians 6:1; Hebrews 4:1; 2 Peter 3:17
• ¹⁸ Job 22:23; Proverbs 16:6; Jeremiah 15:19; Luke 17:3; John 10:28; Romans 11:22-23; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:25, 4:8; Revelation 3:3, 19

13. THE CHURCH
The Visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men and women in which the pure word of God is preached²⁰ and the sacraments duly administered^21-22.¹⁹

• ¹⁹ Acts 2:38-47; 1 Corinthians 11:17-33, 12:12-28
• ²⁰ Psalm 84:4, 149:1, 150:1; Matthew 10:5-10; Acts 6:1-7, 20:28; Galatians 3:28, 6:10; Ephesians 2:19-22, 3:8-12; 1 Timothy 3:15, 4:1-16, 5:17; Hebrews 3:6, 10:25
• ²¹ Lord's Supper/Holy Eucharist/Holy Communion: Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:17-20
• ²² Baptism: Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:41, 10:48; 1 Corinthians 11:17-33

14. PURGATORY
We do not believe in the idea of purgatory²³, which is the doctrine that there is a place other than heaven²⁴ or hell²⁵ where souls go after death to be cleansed of sin. Nor do we believe in the worship of images, relics and saints²⁶.

• ²³ Matthew 16:17-18; Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 20:11-21:8
• ²⁴ Psalm 73:25; John 6:50-58; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 11:13-16, 12:22-27; Revelation chapter 4
• ²⁵ Matthew 10:28, 23:33; Mark 9:43, 45; Luke 12:5; 2 Peter 2:4
• ²⁶ Exodus 20:3-5, 20:23, 34:14-17; Leviticus 26:1; Numbers 33:52; Deuteronomy 4:15-19, 4:23-28; Psalm 115:4-8; Isaiah 45:5-6; Jeremiah 10:1-16; Habakkuk 2:18-20; Colossians 2:18; Revelation 19:9-10, 22:8-9

15. FAMILIAR SPEECH
Public worship and the sacraments should be conducted in a language the people can understand.²⁷

• ²⁷ Numbers 12:8; Nehemiah 8:8; John 16:29-31; Acts 2:6; 1 Corinthians 14:2, 19, 23, 27-28, 39-40; 2 Corinthians 11:6

16. THE SACRAMENTS
There are only two sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospels: Baptism²⁸ and the Lord's Supper²⁹.

• ²⁸ Matthew 3:13-16, 28:19; Mark 1:9, 10:38-39, 16:16; Luke 3:21
• ²⁹ Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; John 6:53-56; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 11:23-26

17. BAPTISM
Baptism is the sign of regeneration of the new birth³⁰. It marks the beginning of the Christian life³¹. Infants and children, as well as adults, should be baptized³².

• ³⁰ Matthew 3:13-15; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12-15; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21 (Baptism takes on many biblical meanings: to "fulfill all righteousness" [Matthew 3:15], "for the forgiveness of your sins" [Acts 2:38], the "pledge of a good conscience toward God" [1 Peter 3:21], or the "washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" [Titus 3:5]. All this we sum up by saying that baptism is a sign, an outward expression, of regeneration, the new spiritual renewal, or new birth, that is received through faith in Christ.)
• ³¹ Acts 2:37-41, 8:12-13, 8:36, 38, 9:17-18, 10:47-48, 16:14-15, 16:31-33, 18:8, 19:1-5, 22:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11 (Baptism, not only for the individual, but for whole families and households as well [Acts 16:15; 16:33], marks the beginning of our new life of faith and Christian lifestyle.)
• ³² Joel 2:16; Matthew 18:5, 19:14, 15; Mark 9:37, 10:13-16; Acts 2:38-39, 16:15, 16:31, 33, 18:8; 1 Corinthians 1:16 (The old covenant was revised, not abolished [Matthew 5:17; Acts 3:25; Romans 9:8; Galatians 3:17-18], and the old covenant included infants and children [Genesis 17:12-13; Matthew 21:16; Acts 2:38-39]. Just as circumcision marked the Jewish child who would be raised according to that faith, so we also mark our Christian infants and children with the sign of spiritual circumcision, baptism [Colossians 2:11-12], as they will be raised according to the faith of Christ Jesus. Even in the early days of Christianity when adults were mostly being baptized, some family/household baptisms took place [Acts 16:15; 16:33; 1 Corinthians 1:16], which we may assume included infants and/or children. Whether those incidents included infants/children or not, the early Christian church would acknowledge infant/child baptism so that their Christian children could be marked just as the Jews were commanded to mark theirs, and therefore make them a part of the visible church on earth and raise them, according to, and as a part of, the faith [Matthew 18:5, 19:14; Mark 9:37, 10:13-16].)
• ³³ Exodus 24:8; Leviticus 8:11, 30, 14:7; Numbers 8:5-7, 19:13; Isaiah 52:15; Ezekiel 36:25; 1 Corinthians 10:1-2; Hebrews 9:19-21, 10:22; 1 Peter 1:2 (Biblically, sprinkling was the mode for purifying, consecrating, anointing, and ceremonial washing/cleansing.)
• ³⁴ (Concerning pouring, let us begin this way: Much of the epistle of Hebrews contends for Jesus' priesthood [Hebrews chapters 5 thru 8], arguing both the necessity and reality of it. "For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people." [Hebrews 2:17]. It has been suggested that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist for the purpose of obtaining this priestly authority {John the Baptist was the son of a priest [Luke chapter 1], therefore, according to the law, John himself was a priest [Exodus 40:15], and therefore in a position to anoint Jesus into the priesthood}. This is first supported by Jesus, who when questioned by John the Baptist as to why he {John} should baptize Him, Jesus replied: "to fulfill all righteousness" [Matthew 3:15], suggesting that he was being baptized for a different reason other than why others came to John to be baptized {which was for the repentance of sins [Matthew 3, specifically Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3], which Jesus did not need because he was sinless [2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5]}, therefore the "righteousness" that Jesus needed to "fulfill" was that of the law {because Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it [Matthew 5:17]}, or more specifically, the priestly authority of the law to act and atone for the sins of the people, which only a priest could do [Leviticus chapters 4, 5, 14, 15, and 19; Numbers 6:11, 15:25, 15:28; 2 Chronicles 29:24; Hebrews 2:17, 5:1]. This is further supported in Matthew 21, where Jesus clears the temple [Matthew 21:12-17], and later his authority to do the things he has been doing is questioned by the priests [Matthew 21:23-32]. Jesus responds by asking, "John's baptism--where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?" [Matthew 21:25]. Some have supposed that Jesus was defending his right to act with the authority of a priest, which was given to him by the baptism from John the Baptist. Hence the reason Jesus never started his ministry until after his baptism, because he needed his priestly authority before he could fulfill his purpose - to be sacrificed for the sins of all humankind [Hebrews chapter 7, specifically Hebrews 7:27]. It has, therefore, been suggested that Jesus was baptized by pouring, because pouring was the mode by which priests and leaders were anointed/consecrated:) Leviticus 8:12, 21:10; 1 Samuel 10:1; 2 Kings 9:3, 6; (It has been said that water-baptism is a symbol of the baptism of the Holy Spirit; if so, we must take note that the mode of the Holy Spirit was often pouring.) Isaiah 32:15, 44:3; Ezekiel 39:29; Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:17, 33, 10:45; Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 10:1-2; Colossians 2:12; Titus 3:5-6
• ³⁵ Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12 (These references are interpreted by some to mean immersion, but it could be said that "buried" with Christ does not mean immersion because Jesus was not buried underground, as is western world thinking; but he was laid in a tomb {above ground, within the sepulcher or tomb [possibly a cave structure], over-top him [possibly signifying pouring?!?]}. An actual incident of the immersion of a person can only be found in the 5th chapter of 2nd Kings, specifically 2 Kings 5:14; but Naaman, who "dipped" himself, was not a Jew. Elisha sent word to Naaman that he should "wash" himself [2 Kings 5:10], which meant the act of ceremonial washing, whose mode was usually sprinkling or pouring [see scriptures for reference notes 33 and 34, above], but Naaman misunderstood, not being a Jew, and "dipped" himself.) - (Also, concerning immersion, some like to quote the King James Version of John 3:23, where it says, "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized" and Matthew 3:16 where it says, "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water." First, "much water" in John 3:23 does not justify immersion as John's Mode of Baptism. "Much water" meant there was plenty of water. John baptized a lot of people; plenty of water, or "much water," was necessary. Secondly, "straightway" in Matthew 3:16 does not refer to the mode in which Jesus was baptized; the greek word actually means "immediately" or "at once," referring to the fact that as soon as the baptism was over, Jesus came out of the water. He was standing in the water, then after his baptism, he immediately came out of it. It speaks more to the fact that Water Baptism is but a part of the Christian life... the beginning; like an initiation, but after it's done you have to get to work. Don't linger in the water... you have a ministry and a purpose that must be carried out.) - (We say all of this not to invalidate immersion, if that is the mode the candidate for baptism truly wishes; but to make it clear that immersion is not necessary for salvation, as some would have us to believe, and not necessarily biblical.)
• ³⁶ Re-baptism is not indicated, or inferred, anywhere in Scripture. (It could be asked: what is the necessity of re-water-baptism? Because if one does not have faith, water-baptism is insufficient to grant access into eternal life [see Article 9]. It could also be asked: is water-baptism necessary for salvation? The answer may be, ask the thief on the cross [Luke 23:40-42], where was his water-baptism? But, baptism is a sacrament of the church, given to us by Christ, and a necessary expression of our faith in Christ. Some would say baptism is to the Christian, as circumcision was to the Jew [Colossians 2:11-14]; AND, scripture never recorded an incident of re-circumcision!)
• ³⁷ Matthew 28:19 (Though the book of Acts gives many examples of baptism in the name of Jesus alone, the church cannot set aside the words of Christ himself where he stated in what name we ought to baptize. Further, when one comes to an agreement with the Holy Trinity [see Article 1/Appendix A], it is clear why Jesus commanded us to baptize in that name which is the full expression of the One God we know as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.)

18. THE LORD'S SUPPER
The Supper of the Lord is a symbol of Christ's suffering and death for us³⁸. The bread and wine are not changed into the actual body and blood of Christ³⁹; they represent His broken body and shed blood³⁸.

• ³⁸ Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 11:23-29
• ³⁹ Luke 22:19-20; John 6:53-63; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

19. COMMUNION IN BOTH KINDS
Both the bread and the wine are to be given to the people in the Lord's Supper.⁴⁰

• ⁴⁰ Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; John 6:53-56; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 11:23-26 (When Jesus instituted the sacrament of what we call the Lord's Supper or the Holy Eucharist, at no time, as far as we have it recorded, did he give us only one of the elements. Both the bread and the wine were always together, so, therefore, we hold that we must partake of both of the elements for the sacrament to be complete.)

20. THE SACRIFICE OF CHRIST
The sacrifice of Christ is for the sins of the whole world, both original sin and actual sin⁴¹. There is no other satisfaction for sin but that alone ^{42 (& 41)}.

• ⁴¹ Romans 3:23-26, 6:10; Ephesians 5:2; Colossians 2:11-14; Hebrews 7:27, 9:26-28, 10:10; 1 Peter 1:18-19, 3:18; 1 John 2:2
• ⁴² John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 10:4; Revelation 7:10

21. THE MARRIAGE OF MINISTERS
The ministers of Christ are not commanded by God's law to abstain from marriage. Therefore, it is lawful for them, as for all other Christians, to marry.⁴³

• ⁴³ Genesis 2:23-24; Leviticus 21:7, 13-15; Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9; 1 Corinthians 7:2-3, 36 (1 Corinthians 7 also deals with reasons why a Christian may not desire or choose to marry, such as being more devoted to God, etc., but no where is the marriage of a Christian, minister, lay or otherwise, prohibited), 1 Corinthians 9:5, 11:11; 1 Timothy 3:2-5, 11-12; Titus 1:6; Hebrews 13:4

22. RITES AND CEREMONIES OF THE CHURCH
It is not necessary that the rites and ceremonies should in all places be the same or exactly alike⁴⁴. Every denomination has a right to adopt and use a ritual of its own⁴⁴, but the rites that have been established by the church should be faithfully observed by its members⁴⁵.

• ⁴⁴ (The objective of these passages is to illustrate that true worship is spiritual, not ritualistic; therefore, whichever way a Christian individual, or congregation, chooses to worship the LORD, whether in a traditional or non-traditional manner, as long as that worship is offered, in unity, from the heart, and in a manner worthy of God, it is acceptable worship.) Hosea 6:6; Malachi 2:4-7; Matthew 15:8-9, 18:20; John 4:23-24; Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 7:35 (This passage is indicated to show that worship must be devoted, focused, on God; This passage is not meant to indicate that one must be unmarried to be devoted to God; please balance 1 Corinthians 7:35 by reading 1 Corinthians 7:5.), 1 Corinthians 14:26-33a, 39-40; 1 Timothy 2:8
• ⁴⁵ (These passages are indicating that as much as worship must be spiritual and come from the heart, corporate worship must have a since of order. The order established by the Church should be respected and "faithfully observed" by our local societies because that is the way, or "order," of how we worship.) 1 Corinthians 14:33a, 40; Colossians 2:5; Hebrews 12:28-29

23. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES
The United States is and ought to be a free and independent nation. All righteous government should be supported and defended by Christians⁴⁶.

• ⁴⁶ Psalms 9:7-8; Proverbs 8:15-16; Zechariah 3:7; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-3; Titus 3:1; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 2:13-17 (These passages reveal that God is the supreme authority over all things, and no authority, or ruling government, can be in power without His permission. Therefore, righteous government should be respected, and therefore supported and defended, by God's people.)

24. CHRISTIAN MEN'S GOODS
Christians have a right to own private property⁴⁸. However, every man should give liberally of his possessions to help others⁴⁹.⁴⁷

• ⁴⁷ Proverbs 3:27-28, 11:24-25; Acts 4:32-35, 5:1-4; Romans 15:26-27; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
• ⁴⁸ Ecclesiastes 5:19-20; Acts 5:4
• ⁴⁹ 1 Chronicles 29:17; Proverbs 22:9; Acts 2:45; 2 Corinthians 8:13-15, 9:11; Galatians 6:10

25. A CHRISTIAN MAN'S OATH
Christians should not swear⁵⁰. They may take oath, however, as may be required by the courts of the land⁵¹.

• ⁵⁰ Matthew 5:34-37; James 5:12
• ⁵¹ Romans 13:1-7; Hebrews 7:20-22 (The Romans' passage reflects that the ruling government should be respected, and courts are a part of the government structure, and courts require an oath. The Hebrews' passage shows us that oaths are allowable in God's structure of things.)

THE INTRODUCTION
There is only ONE God. He is expressed throughout the Holy Bible in three persons. To describe God fully, is to call him: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Not three gods, only One; but three expressions of God that all other descriptions are headed by.

I. There is only ONE God.
a. Expressed in the Old Testament:

• Deuteronomy 4:35,39 You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other... Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.
• Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
• Isaiah 45:21 "Declare what is to be, present it let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me."

• 1 Corinthians 8:5,6 For even if there are so called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
• Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
• 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus
• James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder.

II. Hints of a Plurality in God.
a. God speaks of himself as "US":

• Genesis 1:26,27 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
• Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever."
• Genesis 11:7 "Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other."
• Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

• Matthew 3:16,17 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
• Matthew 28:19 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
• John 15:26 "When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me."
• Romans 5:5,6 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
• Romans 8:11,16,17 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you... The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs heirs of God and co heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
• 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
• 2 Corinthians 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
• Galatians 4:4-6 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."
• Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit just as you were called to one hope when you were called one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
• 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
• Titus 3:4-6 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior
• 1 Peter 1:2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
• 1 John 4:2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God
• Jude 20,21 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

III. Similarities in Persons of God.
a. Similar Characteristics of all three:
1. Holiness

• Of the Father, John 17:11 "I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name the name you gave me so that they may be one as we are one."
• Of the Son, 1 Corinthians 1:30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
• Of the Spirit, Romans 1:4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

• Of the Father, 1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
• Of the Son, Hebrews 1:2,3,8 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven... But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.
• Of the Spirit, Hebrews 9:14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

• Of the Father, Matthew 6:8,32 "Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.... For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them."
• Of the Son, John 2:24,25 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.
• Of the Spirit, 1 Corinthians 2:10,11 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
  The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

• Of the Father, Psalm 135:5-7
  I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods.
  The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths.
  He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.
• Of the Son, 1 Corinthians 15:24-27 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.
• Of the Spirit, Romans 15:13,19 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.... by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

• Of the Father, Jeremiah 23:24 Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the LORD.
• Of the Son, Matthew 28:20 "and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
• Of the Spirit, Psalm 139:7-10
  Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

• Of the Father, Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
• Of the Son, John 1:3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
• Of the Spirit, Psalm 104:30 When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.

• Of the Father, Ephesians 2:4,5 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions it is by grace you have been saved.
• Of the Son, John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
• Of the Spirit, Ezekiel 37:14 "I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD."

• Of the Father, 1 Kings 18:38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.
• Of the Son, Matthew 4:23,24 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them.
• Of the Spirit, Romans 15:19 by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

• Of the Father, Psalm 71:17 Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
  Isaiah 48:17 This is what the LORD says-- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."
• Of the Son, John 13:13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am."
• Of the Spirit, John 14:26 "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."

• Of the Father, Genesis 6:6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.
• Of the Son, Luke 19:41-44 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace-- but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."
• Of the Spirit, Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

I. Christ's Pre existence with God.
a. Asserted in the Old Testament:

• Isaiah 9:6,7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
• Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."

• John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
• Philippians 2:6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped
• Colossians 1:15-17 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

II. His relationship with the Father.
a. Equal with the Father:

• John 5:18 For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
• John 10:33 "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."
• John 14:9 Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?"

• John 10:30 "I and the Father are one."
• John 17:22 "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one"

III. Divine Nature
a. Divine qualities ascribed to him:

• Has Fullness of God, Colossians 2:9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form
• Was involved in creation, John 1:3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
  Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
  Hebrews 1:2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
• Has the glory of God, John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
  Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
• Preserves creation, Colossians 1:17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
  Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
• Is present everywhere, Matthew 28:20 "and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
• Is all powerful, Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
  Philippians 3:21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
• Knows everything, John 2:24,25 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.
  John 6:61,64 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you?... Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.
• Is unchanging, Hebrews 1:12 "You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end."
  Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
• Has the power to forgive sins, Mark 2:5 11 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."
  Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
  Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home."
  Luke 7:48 Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
• Receives worship from people, Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
  Revelation 5:11 14 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang:
  "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
  Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
  "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!"
  The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.
• Receives worship from angels, Hebrews 1:6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."
• We must believe in him as we do in God, John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me."
  Acts 16:31-34 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God he and his whole family.

• God, John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
  Hebrews 1:8 But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom."
  1 John 5:20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
• God the One and Only, John 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.
• God over all, Romans 9:5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
• God with us, Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."
  Matthew 1:23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" which means, "God with us."
• Our God and Savior, Titus 2:13 while we wait for the blessed hope the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ
  2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
• Lord, Acts 2:36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
  Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
  Philippians 2:11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
  Colossians 2:6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him
• Lord of all, Acts 10:36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
• Lord and God, John 20:28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
• Lord and Savior, 2 Peter 1:11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
  2 Peter 2:20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.
  2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
• Lord of glory, 1 Corinthians 2:8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
• Lord of lords, Revelation 17:14 "They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."
  Revelation 19:16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
• Alpha and Omega, Revelation 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
  Revelation 21:5,6 He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life."
• The Living One, Revelation 1:18 "I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades."
• The Holy One of God, Mark 1:24 "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are the Holy One of God!"
• The Holy and Righteous One, Acts 3:14 "You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you."
• The "I am", John 8:58 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"

I. Called God:

• Luke 1:32,35 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,... The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God."
• Acts 5:3,4 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."

II. United with the Father and Son:

• Matthew 28:19 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
• 2 Corinthians 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

III. Has characteristics of God:

• Eternal, Hebrews 9:14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
• Everywhere present, Psalm 139:7-10
  Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
• All Knowing, 1 Corinthians 2:10,11 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
• Has great power, Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
  Romans 15:19 by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.
• Raised Christ from dead, 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit
• Performs Miracles, Matthew 12:28 "But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."
  Romans 15:19 by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.
• Involved in creation, Genesis 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
• Gives spiritual life to us, John 3:3-8 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
  "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"
  Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

IV. The Spirit as a person:

• He teaches, John 14:26 "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
• He hears and speaks, John 16:13 "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."
• He testifies about Christ, John 15:26 "When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me."
• He encourages, Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.
• He counsels, John 14:16 "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever"
• He convicts people of sin, John 16:8 "When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment"
• He prays for us, Romans 8:27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
• He sends people out, Acts 13:4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.
• He experiences grief, Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
• He can be resisted, Acts 7:51 "You stiff necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!"
• He can be tested, Acts 5:9 Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."

THE CONCLUSION
The WORD is clear. One God. Three Persons. Three expressions. We call it the HOLY TRINITY.

There is a rhythm to the reference numbers indicated. If the reference number comes before a pause in the Article (a period, a semi-colon, a comma, etc.) then the applicable scriptures apply to that specific thought. For example, in Article 12, Sin After Justification:

"A Christian may depart from grace and fall into sin again¹⁷. But those who truly repent receive God’s forgiveness and rise again to a good and holy life¹⁸.¹⁶"

Reference number ¹⁷ applies to the statement "A Christian may depart from grace and fall into sin again". The same for reference number ¹⁸, which applies to the statement, "But those who truly repent receive God’s forgiveness and rise again to a good and holy life."