Questions on Chapter 5.

The Bible doctrine of the Trinity is one of those sublime and glorious mysteries which the mind of man, at least while shrouded in clay, cannot penetrate. We may study and meditate until lost in thought, yet never can we comprehend the mode and nature of the Divine Being. A trinity of persons, in the unity of Godhead, is something of which we can form no definite idea. The fact is revealed to us, beyond contradiction, in God’s holy word. But, as to the manner of that fact, God says to reason, noble and mighty as is that faculty of the soul, “Thus far shalt thou go,” “and here shall thy proud” flight “be stayed;” and while reason lies thus humbled in the dust, shorn of her vaunted strength, and perhaps sullenly murmuring she will never essay another heavenward flight, faith meekly whispers, “I am the resurrection and the life.” “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” And when we shall have thrown off this earthly vestment for the “robe of righteousness,” and when “we shall know even as also we are known,” who can say what things may not be revealed to us? What knowledge can be so desirable to an immortal spirit as the knowledge of its Maker? Yet, hidden as are the mysteries of the Christian faith, they are not gloomy nor dark; for they concern Him who is light, and love, and life. We are bound to believe all God has graciously revealed of himself; and it is no argument against belief in the Trinity, to say it is a mystery incomprehensible. Dost thou, proud mortal, doubt or disbelieve thine own existence? and yet, canst thou tell how the coursing of the red fluid through the veins preserves thee a probationer in time? “Lord, I do believe; help thou mine unbelief. Let me know thee in the pardon of all my sins through the Son of thy love, and in the enlightening and comforting influences of thy Holy Spirit! Here let me walk by faith, till “faith is turned to sight” in a brighter world, and I shall see without the dimming veil of mortality before my raptured vision!

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 5.

QUESTION 1. From what is the term Trinity derived, and what is its import?

2. Why has the use of the term been objected to?

3. Is the objection a reasonable and just one?

4. What are the three grand divisions of this chapter?

5. Can we thoroughly comprehend the mode of the divine existence?

6. Are we to understand by the Trinity, three persons in one person, or three Gods in one God?

7. Are we to understand that there are three distinct intelligent beings in the Godhead?

8. How have Socinians, etc., generally represented the doctrine of Trinitarians?

9. How may this statement be seen to be unfair?

10. What is the correct view of the doctrine of the Trinity?

11. Is each person in the Trinity an intelligent being?

12. Are there, then, in essence, three distinct intelligent beings?

13. What were the views of several eminent divines, on this subject, as given by Dr. Doddridge?

14. To what does the great mystery of the Trinity relate?

15. What are the grand positions established in preceding chapters, in which the doctrine of the Trinity is implied?

16. In what sense are we to understand that three are one?

17. How are the distinctions in the God-head shown to be properly expressed by the term person?

18. What allusion to the doctrine of the Trinity is seen in the first of Genesis?

19. How does it appear that the three persons of the Trinity all head an agency in creation?

20. How is the Trinity proved from the form of baptism?

21. From the form of the benediction?

22. What verse of Scripture embodies the whole doctrine of the Trinity?

23. What is the grand objection to this doctrine?

24. How is the objection answered?

25. Do the opposite sentiments involve difficulties?

26. What is the instance given?

27. What is the least perplexing and most scriptural view?