The Trinity - Progressive Revelation

1. The progressive character of divine revelation is recognized in
   relation to all the great doctrines of the Bible. One of the strongest
   arguments for the divine origin of the Scriptures is the organic
   relation of its several parts. They comprise more than sixty books
   written by different men in different ages, and yet they form one
   whole; not by mere external historical relations, nor in virtue of the
   general identity of the subjects of which they treat. but by their
   internal organic development. All that is in a full-grown tree was
   potentially in the seed. All that we find unfolded in the fulness of
   the gospel lies in a rudimental form in the earliest books of the
   Bible. What at first is only obscurely intimated is gradually unfolded
   in subsequent parts of the sacred volume, until the truth is revealed
   in its fulness. This is true of the doctrines of redemption; of the
   person and work of the Messiah, the promised seed of the woman; of the
   nature and office of the Holy Spirit; and of a future state beyond the
   grave. And this is specially true of the doctrine of the Trinity. Even
   in the book of Genesis there are intimations of the doctrine which
   receive their true interpretation in later revelations. That the names
   of God are in the plural form; that the personal pronouns are often in
   the first person plural ("Let us make man in our image"); that the
   form of benediction is threefold, and other facts of like nature, may
   be explained in different ways. But when it becomes plain, from the
   progress of the revelation, that there are three persons in the
   Godhead, then such forms of expression can hardly fail to be
   recognized as having their foundation in that great truth.
   
2. Much more important, however, is the fact, that not only in
   Genesis, but also in all the early books of Scripture, we find a
   distinction made between Jehovah and the angel of Jehovah, who himself
   is God, to whom all divine titles are given, and divine worship is
   rendered. As the revelation is unfolded, such distinction becomes more
   and more manifest. This messenger of God it called the word, the
   wisdom, the Son of God. His personality and divinity are clearly
   revealed. He is of old, even from everlasting, the Mighty God, the
   Adonai, the Lord of David, Jehovah our Righteousness, who was to be
   born of a virgin, and bear the sins of many.
   
3. In like manner, even in the first chapter of Genesis, the Spirit of
   God is represented as the source of all intelligence, order, and life
   in the created universe; and in the following books of the Old
   Testament He is represented as inspiring the prophets, giving wisdom,
   strength, and goodness to statesmen and warriors, and to the people of
   God. This Spirit is not an agency, but an agent, who teaches and
   selects; who can be sinned against and grieved; and who, in the New
   Testament, is unmistakably revealed as a distinct person. When John
   the Baptist appeared, we find him speaking of the Holy Spirit as of a
   person with whom his countrymen were familiar, as an object of divine
   worship and the giver of saving blessings. Our divine Lord also takes
   this truth for granted, and promised to send the Spirit, as a
   Paraclete, to take his place; to instruct, comfort, and strengthen
   them, whom they were to receive and obey. Thus, without any violent
   transition, the earliest revelations of this mystery were gradually
   unfolded, until the Triune God, Father, Son, and Spirit, appears in
   the New Testament as the universally recognized God of all believers.
   

Hodge v 1 p 446-ff.

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Sunday morning at 4th

1. Light fluffy snow ... roads a little slippery
   
2. Pastor back from India & Singapore
   
3. Message from Romans 12:11, "not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord"
   
4. Interesting comment on "fervent in spirit": Pastor: "enflamed by the Holy Spirit"
   
5. Doug DoLittle has taken a turn for the worse
   

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1. Kathee and Roger made hamburgers
   
2. Kathee writing final employee review
   
3. I intend to watch football this afternoon
   
4. Roger is studying
   

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Limited vs. Unlimited Atonement