Knowing the Triune God in 3 Dimensions
Before You Start Reading...
This article is quite long, and this time I'm trying a new format by publishing it all at once. While reading, please let me know in the comments section: do you prefer a single-publish article like this or one divided into chapters?
— Enjoy! —
While always respecting and valuing the treasury of interpretation bequeathed to us by the Church Fathers and the various councils, our commitment to understanding God's message through Scripture must continue unceasingly. Within this framework, and with full respect, I intend to propose several new suggestions and perspectives regarding the existing terminology of dogma and doctrine.
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Article Part 1
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Knowing the Triune God in 3 Dimensions: Source, Agent, and Authority
Have you ever sat in contemplation, trying to understand how God can be one, yet present in three Persons? You may have heard analogies like water (liquid, ice, vapor) or a person with multiple roles (father, husband, employee), but they all feel inadequate and risk deviating into heresy. If you feel this way, you are not alone. The concept of the Trinity is indeed the highest mystery in Christianity that can never be fully grasped by our limited human reason.
However, God has not left us in confusion. He has revealed Himself through a consistent and beautiful pattern of relationship, which we can see in every work of His to save humanity. This pattern is not a rigid mathematical formula, but rather a lens that helps us admire His majesty without having to "solve" His unsolvable nature.
Let's explore this pattern through three biblical, easy-to-remember, and perspective-shifting dimensions: Source, Agent, and Authority.
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1. SOURCE:
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The Eternal Planner, The Origin of Everything
Imagine a masterpiece of art that changes the world. Before the paint touches the canvas, before the statue is carved from marble, it all existed first in the mind of the genius artist. He is the source of the idea, the vision, and the plan.
In a far more glorious and majestic sense, the Bible introduces God the Father as the Source of all things. He is the absolute starting point, who originates from no one, and from whom everything comes.
> "For from him..." (Romans 11:36a)
This verse is the main foundation. Everything—the plan of salvation, the creation of the universe, our life and breath—originates from Him. His love is the source of motivation behind all He does.
> "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son..." (John 3:16)
The plan for our salvation did not begin in the Bethlehem manger. That plan existed in the heart of the Source from eternity. He is the one who initiates, plans, and sets in motion the history of salvation based on His sovereign love.
Key Attributes of the SOURCE (Father):
Master Planner: Possesses a perfect eternal plan.
Source of Love: His love is the primary motivation for all His actions.
The Father: The source of all fatherhood and family in heaven and on earth (Ephesians 3:14-15).
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2. AGENT:
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The Faithful Executor, The Perfect Revelation of the Source
A vision, no matter how great, will remain a dream if not realized. A visionary needs a perfect agent or executor—someone who understands his vision down to the smallest detail, who is faithful, competent, and has full authority to represent the visionary.
In the Bible, this Person is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He is the primary Agent sent by the Source (the Father) to realize His plan of salvation.
> "...and through him..." (Romans 11:36b)
Jesus is not merely a courier or messenger. He is the Divine Agent who is God's very Word become flesh (John 1:1, 14). His life was the perfect execution of the Father's will.
> "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." (John 4:34)
Jesus' entire mission—His birth, teachings, miracles, death on the cross, and resurrection—was the perfect embodiment of the Source's plan. He is the "Way" through whom we come to the Father (John 14:6), because He is the one who walked and completed that journey for us.
Key Attributes of the AGENT (Son):
The Faithful Executor: Obedient even to death on the cross (Philippians 2:8).
The Messenger & Savior: Sent to save and perfectly represent the Father.
The Living Word: The real and definitive revelation of the Source to humanity.
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3. AUTHORITY:
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The Power that Fulfills & Legitimizes
A product requires authority to be accepted. A warranty certificate, an official stamp, or a signature from an authorized party provides a guarantee of the product's authenticity, quality, and validity until it reaches the consumer.
In the Bible, this Person is the Holy Spirit. He is the Authority and active Power of God that legitimizes and applies everything planned by the Source and accomplished by the Agent.
> "...and to him [are all things]." (Romans 11:36c)
The Holy Spirit is the Person who makes the work of salvation real and effective in our lives. He is the one who:
Anointed Jesus (the Agent) to begin His ministry, giving Him power and authority (Luke 4:18).
Raised Jesus from the dead, giving the divine seal of approval that the work of redemption was finished (Romans 8:11).
Applies the work of redemption to the heart of every believer. He is the one who convicts us of sin, guides us into truth, sanctifies us, and seals us as God's possession (Ephesians 1:13-14). He is the guarantee of our salvation.
Key Attributes of the AUTHORITY (Holy Spirit):
The Empowerer: Gives power to be witnesses and to live a holy life (Acts 1:8).
The Comforter & Guarantor: Comforts our hearts and is the guarantee of our eternal inheritance.
The Sanctifier: Works within us to transform us into the image of Christ.
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Perfect Unity: Why This is Not Three Gods
These three dimensions are not three separate parts or three different gods. They are one complete and inseparable unity in a harmonious divine operational pattern.
The Source (Father) never works without His Agent (Son). The Father's plan is only known through the Son.
The Agent (Son) never works without His Authority (Spirit). Jesus' work was empowered and legitimized by the Spirit.
The Authority (Spirit) never works for His own glory, but always to glorify the Agent (Son) who fulfills the will of the Source (Father) (John 16:14).
They are so one in essence, nature, purpose, and love, that the Bible emphatically declares: "The LORD is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4). The word 'one' ( echad in Hebrew) often implies a compound unity, like "one army" (composed of many soldiers) or "one cluster of grapes" (composed of many grapes). This is not a unity of solitude, but a unity of perfect community.
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Conclusion Part 1: A Pattern of Love We Can Trust and Experience
So, the next time you contemplate the Trinity, pause from trying to force limited human mathematical logic onto the infinite God. Instead, imagine a beautiful and dynamic pattern of love:
Everything originates from the loving SOURCE (Father),
is accomplished by the faithful AGENT (Jesus),
and is present and effective in your life by His AUTHORITY (Holy Spirit) who transforms lives.
This Source-Agent-Authority pattern is not a human creation or fabrication. It is how God Himself introduces Himself through His Word. And the most joyous news is: you are included in this pattern! Your salvation is the result of the harmonious, perfect, and cooperative work of the Source, Agent, and Authority—the Triune God—working for you.
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Related Verses
Here is one verse from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament that mention the word "source" and connect it to God/the Father.
Old Testament (OT)
Jeremiah 2:13
> "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water."
Explanation: In this verse, the Lord (God) directly calls Himself the "spring of living water." This metaphor depicts God as the sole provider of true life, satisfaction, and blessing. The people of Israel were guilty of abandoning this eternal source and instead relying on their own "cisterns" (idols or foreign nations) which ultimately failed to satisfy.
New Testament (NT)
James 1:17
> "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
Explanation: Although the word "source" is not used literally, the concept that the Father is the source of all good things is stated very clearly. All good and perfect things originate from Him and are given by Him. The title "Father of the heavenly lights" affirms that He is the origin or source of all light (truth, holiness, love, wisdom).
Summary
These two verses, though from different testaments, convey the same profound truth: God the Father is the ultimate Source of everything that gives and sustains life, both spiritually and physically.
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Related Verses
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Bible verses connected to the words Source, Agent, and Authority.
1. Father = Source.
(See verses and explanations above for Jeremiah 2:13 and James 1:17)
2. Son/Word = Agent
The concept of Jesus as the divine "Agent" or "Messenger" in creation and redemption is very strong, although the word "agent" is not a common theological term or a word found literally in Indonesian Bible translations for this role.
Here are the most fitting verses representing this concept, from both the Old Testament (OT) and New Testament (NT).
Old Testament (OT) - The Concept of the Word as Creative Agent
Psalm 33:6
> "By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth."
Explanation: This verse does not use the word "Agent" but describes the Word and the Spirit ("breath of his mouth") as the means or agents through which God created everything. The concept of "Word" here (Hebrew: davar) is understood in Christian theology as the pre-incarnation of the Son (Jesus), the divine Agent in creation. This is the foundation for the understanding in the New Testament.
New Testament (NT) - Jesus as the Revealed Divine Agent
John 1:3
> "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."
Hebrews 1:2 (A very clear supporting verse)
> "...but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe."
Explanation:
John 1:3 refers directly to the "Word" (λόγος, Logos) mentioned in verse 1, who is Jesus Himself. The phrase "through him" (Greek: di' autou) is most accurately translated as "through Him." The preposition "through" implies the role of an Agent or mediator. The Son was not a spectator, but the active Agent through whom all things were created.
Hebrews 1:2 is even more explicit. The phrases "by his Son" (Greek: en huiō) and "through whom" ( di' hou) again emphasize Jesus' function as God's primary Agent or mediator in both of His great works: Creation ("made the universe") and Revelation ("spoken to us").
Conclusion
Although the word "agent" does not appear literally, the concept is represented by phrases such as:
"By his word" (OT)
"Through him" / "Through Him" (NT)
"By his Son" / "Through whom" (NT)
These verses firmly teach that Jesus Christ (the Son/Word) is the Agent or Mediator used by God the Father to create the universe and reveal Himself to humanity.
3. Holy Spirit/Spirit of God = Authority
Here is one key verse from each testament that explicitly connects power/authority with the Spirit of God/Holy Spirit, touching the core of understanding God's Power in believers.
Old Testament (OT)
Micah 3:8
> "But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin."
Explanation: The prophet Micah clearly states that the power (כֹּחַ, koach) he possesses to deliver bold prophecies and rebukes does not come from himself, but is sourced directly from the Spirit of the LORD. This verse is a plain confession that true power for effective ministry, especially in declaring truth, comes from the Spirit of God.
New Testament (NT)
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."
Explanation: This is the paradigm verse for understanding the relationship between power and the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. The Greek word for power here is δύναμις ( dunamis), meaning strength, ability, or potential (origin of the word "dynamite"). Jesus Himself promises that the source of power for carrying out the global mission of being His witnesses is the Holy Spirit. This power is not for personal aggrandizement but for effective witness that changes the world.
Summary
These two verses, from the Old and New Testaments, present perfect continuity:
The Source of Power is the Same: In both the OT and NT, the Spirit of God is the source of all divine power working through humans.
The Purpose of Power is Missional: This power is given not for personal benefit but to deliver God's word (like Micah) and to be witnesses about Christ (as in Acts).
Thus, the Bible consistently teaches that true power to live and serve according to God's will can only be experienced through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
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In the next section, we will dive into the amazing evidence: how this same divine operational pattern has been clearly depicted since the early stories of the Old Testament, long before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. This will solidify our conviction that we are studying God's consistent truth, not just a theory.
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Article Part 2
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The Unmistakable Pattern: The Trace of the Trinity in Every Story of Salvation
(Introduction: Bridging from Part 1)
In the first part, we were introduced to the Source-Agent-Authority pattern as an elegant hermeneutical key for understanding God's work. It might feel like a neat theoretical model. However, its true strength lies in its ability to explain the biblical narrative consistently, from Genesis to Revelation. This pattern is not a lens we force onto the text; rather, it is a lens allowed by the text itself to reveal its true depth.
Let's trace this pattern through three major episodes of salvation history. We will see that this divine operational pattern is a saving reality, the framework of God's interaction with His creation.
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1. The Pattern in the Old Testament: The Call of Abraham
The story of Abraham's (Abram's) call is not merely the beginning of Israel's history; it is the prototype of God's entire plan of salvation. Here, the Source-Agent-Authority pattern begins to form clearly.
SOURCE (Father) who Initiates and is Sovereign:
> _The LORD had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing."_ (Genesis 12:1-2)
Absolute initiative comes from the Source. The LORD (YHWH) Himself plans, calls, and establishes the covenant. The vision, promise, and authority to begin all come from Him. This is an act of sovereignty and grace not initiated by humans.
AGENT (Messianic Role) that is Carried Out and Promised:
The covenant with Abraham has an incredibly Christocentric purpose (centered on Christ). Abraham and his descendants were appointed as "agents" or mediators through whom blessing would flow to the world.
> _"and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."_ (Genesis 22:18)
The word "offspring" (Hebrew: zera') here can be read as singular (referring to one offspring, Christ) or plural (the nation of Israel). The Apostle Paul explicitly identifies this "offspring" as Christ (Galatians 3:16). Thus, Abraham and his family were chosen intermediary agents to preserve the lineage that would produce the definitive Redeeming Agent, Jesus the Messiah.
AUTHORITY (Spirit) that Enables and Applies:
How could Abraham, an idol worshipper from Ur of the Chaldeans (Joshua 24:2), respond to this radical call with faith? How could he be "credited as righteous" (Genesis 15:6)?
The answer lies in the work of the Authority (Holy Spirit) working within his heart. It is the Holy Spirit who applies the word of the Source to Abraham's life, enabling him to believe, obey, and walk in faith even though he did not know the destination (Hebrews 11:8). The power to obey the call came from the divine Authority.
Lesson: From the beginning, salvation has always been Trinitarian. It always originates from the initiative of the Source (Father), is carried out through the Agent (the promise of Christ and His covenant people), and is empowered and applied by the Authority (Holy Spirit) who enables the response of faith.
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2. The Pattern in Exodus: Deliverance from Slavery in Egypt
The story of Exodus is a powerful and detailed picture of salvation, making it the primary paradigm in the Old Testament. Our pattern is once again clearly visible.
SOURCE (Father) who Hears, Has Compassion, and Plans:
> _The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey."_ (Exodus 3:7-8)
Again, the Source takes the initiative. He sees, hears, knows, and then acts based on His sovereign plan to deliver.
AGENT (Moses & The Passover Lamb) who Become Redeeming Mediators:
Moses was called to be an agent sent by the Source. He was the mediator who brought God's word (law) and power to Pharaoh and the people of Israel. However, Moses was only a shadow of the greater Agent.
The pinnacle of the Agent's role in Exodus is the Passover lamb. The lamb died as a substitute; its blood was applied to the doorposts to save the inhabitants from death. This is a perfect picture of Christ, our perfect Redeeming Agent.
> _"For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."_ (1 Corinthians 5:7)
Moses was the agent of physical deliverance, but the Passover lamb (pointing to Christ) was the Agent who provided redemption.
AUTHORITY (Spirit) that Gives Strength and Delivers with Power:
The spectacular acts in Exodus—miracles, plagues, and the parting of the Red Sea—were not done by magic or Moses' own strength. It was the work of the Authority (Holy Spirit), the active power of God.
> _"Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them. Then his people recalled the days of old, the days of Moses and his people— where is he who brought them through the sea, with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he who set his Holy Spirit among them?"_ (Isaiah 63:10-11)
This verse retrospectively identifies the "he" who led Israel out of Egypt and through the sea as the Holy Spirit. He is the Authority who deployed power to deliver.
Lesson: Israel's physical deliverance is a rich typos (type, picture) for our spiritual deliverance from the slavery of sin. It was accomplished by the planning Source, the redeeming Agent (both the temporary Moses and the definitive Christ), and the Authority (Holy Spirit) who defeated the enemy with His power.
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3. The Climax of the Pattern: Jesus the Messiah
All the patterns, promises, and pictures in the Old Testament find their perfect fulfillment and climax in the person and work of Jesus Christ. In Him, the Source-Agent-Authority pattern becomes real and personal.
SOURCE (Father) Sends with Love:
> _"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."_ (John 3:16)
The Source (Father) remains the primary initiator. His love is the motivation, and the sending of His Son is the highest expression of that love.
AGENT (Son) Accomplishes the Work of Redemption Perfectly:
Jesus is the Agent par excellence. His entire life was the perfect, voluntary, and obedient execution of the Source's will.
> _"My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."_ (John 4:34)
His death on the cross was the climax of His role as Redeeming Agent—once for all. His resurrection was the confirmation that His work was accepted and finished.
AUTHORITY (Spirit) Anoints, Raises, and Applies:
The Agent's work is inseparable from the accompaniment of the Authority.
Anointing: Jesus began His public ministry after the Spirit descended on Him at His baptism (Luke 3:21-22). All His miracles and teachings were done in the power of the Spirit (Acts 10:38).
Raising: The dead Jesus was raised to life by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11). The resurrection is the divine seal of approval on His work.
Applying: The Holy Spirit now applies all the benefits of the Agent's (Jesus') redemption to the life of the believer.
> _"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses..."_ (Acts 1:8)
The Spirit is the one who convicts us of sin, brings us to faith, sanctifies us, and seals us until the day of redemption.
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Conclusion Part 2: The Self-Proving Pattern
The Source-Agent-Authority pattern is not a template we force onto the Bible. The Bible itself consistently tells its story through this pattern. This consistency, stretching from Abraham's call to fulfillment in Christ, proves two very important things:
1. The Wonderful Unity of the Bible: There is one divine author behind the 66 books written by dozens of humans over thousands of years. The same God, with the same character and modus operandi, revealing Himself from Genesis to Revelation. This pattern is the scarlet thread that unites the entire biblical narrative.
2. The Unassailable Truth of the Trinity: This pattern is so deep, consistent, and widespread that it is impossible to be merely coincidence or forced interpretation. This pattern logically and biblically leads to one conclusion: the one God exists as a Trinity. He is one God in three eternal, distinct, yet inseparable Persons, working in perfect unity for the salvation of His people.
A fair question that might arise is: "If this pattern is so real, why doesn't the Old Testament explicitly mention 'Father, Son, and Holy Spirit'? Why does it seem hidden?" In the next part, we will answer this question by looking at the beauty of God's progressive revelation and how the Old Testament, with genius, both hid and revealed this great mystery.
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Article Part 3 :
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The Hidden Secret: Reading the Old Testament with Trinitarian Eyes
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(Introduction: Addressing the Wonder)
After delving into the Source-Agent-Authority pattern in the major narratives of the Old Testament (OT), a critical and fair question must arise: "If God is truly Triune, why isn't this stated plainly and explicitly in the OT? Why does it seem like a hidden secret?"
This question touches the heart of the doctrine of Progressive Revelation. God did not reveal everything about Himself to humanity all at once and completely. Like a wise teacher instructing a child, He revealed truth step by step, according to the capacity and historical context of His people. The Old Testament with genius shows different functions or roles of God. The New Testament (NT), in the light of the coming of Jesus Christ, then reveals the full Persons behind those functions.
Let's open our "Trinitarian eyes" and learn to read the Old Testament not as an "incomplete" book, but as a rich foundation full of amazing clues.
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1. Basic Principle: The OT Shows Function, The NT Reveals Person
This is a very important hermeneutical key. The OT often focuses on what God does (His functions in creation, salvation, sanctification), while the NT clearly reveals who performs those functions (the Person of the Father, the Person of the Son, the Person of the Holy Spirit).
The function of the "Creative & Redemptive Word" in the OT (which creates, speaks to the prophets, is present as wisdom) → Is announced as the Person "Jesus, the Logos" in the NT (John 1:1-3, 14).
The function of the "Spirit or Power of God" in the OT (which anoints, guides, gives strength) → Is announced as the Person "Holy Spirit" in the NT (Acts 2:1-4). The Spirit in the OT is often understood as the "power" or "influence" of God, impersonal. The NT declares that this "power" is a Person.
This understanding prevents us from two errors: (1) Forcing NT terminology onto the OT text dishonestly, and (2) Ignoring the OT clues that point to the complexity of God's internal life.
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2. Evidence 1: The Special "Angel of the LORD" (Christophany)
One of the most fascinating and mysterious phenomena in the OT is the appearance of the "Angel of the LORD" (Mal'akh YHWH). This figure is very different from other angels.
What Happens? Its characteristics are very unique:
Addressed as the LORD Himself: In Genesis 16:7-13, Hagar addresses the "Angel of the LORD" and says, "You are the God who sees me." And the biblical narrative does not correct her statement.
Possesses Divine Authority: In Exodus 23:20-21, God warns Israel to obey this "Angel" because "my Name is in him," and He has the power to not forgive the sin of rebellion.
Receives Worship: In Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua worships the "commander of the army of the LORD" (believed to be the same appearance), and the Commander accepts it, an act only appropriate for God.
Analysis with the Function→Person Lens:
This figure is performing the function of the definitive "Agent" or "Messenger" of God. He is the revelation of God who can interact directly with humans. The OT shows His function: representing the LORD, delivering His word, leading, and redeeming. The NT then reveals His Person. Jesus Himself said, "No one has ever seen the Father" (John 1:18), meaning the appearances of God in the OT must have been appearances of another Person within the Godhead. The church fathers and many theologians see this as Christophany—the pre-incarnate appearance of the Logos, Jesus Christ, the eternal Agent.
Conclusion: This is not a "different God" or a contradiction. This is the Person of the Son (Agent) performing His representative function in a form visible to humans in the OT era, before His final incarnation in Bethlehem.
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3. Evidence 2: Isaiah 48:16 — A Hidden Trinitarian Verse
> _"Come near me and listen to this: From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret; at the time it happens, I am there. And now the Sovereign LORD has sent me, endowed with his Spirit."_
What Happens? A mysterious "I" is speaking. His claims are extraordinary:
1. He has existed "from the beginning".
2. He was present when things "happen" (likely referring to creation).
3. He is sent by the "Sovereign LORD".
4. This sending is done "with his Spirit".
Analysis with the Function→Person Lens:
This verse amazingly and explicitly separates three divine functions in one sentence:
1. "Sovereign LORD" = Function as the sovereign Source, who sends.
2. "I" = Function as the Agent or Messenger who is sent, who has pre-existence (has existed since the beginning).
3. "his Spirit" = Function as the Authority or Power that accompanies and enables that sending.
The OT (Isaiah) only goes as far as showing these functions without explaining in detail the nature of this "I" and "his Spirit". It is the NT that later reveals with full glory that the "I" is the Messiah (Jesus), and "his Spirit" is the Person of the Holy Spirit. This is the Source->Agent->Authority pattern stated hundreds of years before Jesus' birth.
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4. Evidence 3: Psalm 33:6 & Genesis 1:2 — The Pattern in Creation
The Trinitarian pattern is not only in salvation but was present from the very beginning, in the work of creation itself.
Psalm 33:6: _"By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth."_
Genesis 1:2: _"...and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."_
What Happens? Genesis and Psalms describe God creating not with physical hands, but through divine agents or instruments: the Word (Hebrew: davar) and the Spirit/Breath (Hebrew: ruach).
Analysis with the Function→Person Lens:
Function of the "Word of the LORD": This is the pattern, command, creative blueprint of God. The OT shows its function in creating. The NT reveals the Person behind it: Jesus, the Logos (Word). "Through him all things were made" (John 1:3).
Function of the "Breath/Spirit": This is the power, energy, or life that animates creation. The OT shows its active function in creation (Gen. 1:2). The NT reveals the Person behind it: the Holy Spirit. "The Spirit gives life" (2 Corinthians 3:6).
God (the Father) is the Source who initiates creation ("In the beginning God created..." - Gen. 1:1).
Thus, even in the earliest creation account, we already see the "footprints" of the Trinity: Source (Father) creating through Agent (Word) with the power of His Authority (Spirit).
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Conclusion Part 3: From Shadow to Perfect Light
The Old Testament is not an "incomplete" or "secretive" book. It is part of God's genius and loving pedagogical plan.
The OT is like watching a great drama from behind a cloth screen. We see the shadows and silhouettes of three Figures moving. We can hear Their voices, see what They do (Their functions), and witness the awesome results of Their work. However, Their exact identities are still veiled.
The NT is when that screen is opened. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, comes. In the light of the glory of His Incarnation, we can finally see the three Persons clearly: the Father who sends, the Son who is sent and redeems, and the Holy Spirit who anoints and sanctifies.
This is why Jesus said to the Jews who were experts in the OT, _"You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me"_ (John 5:39). The entire Old Testament is a long and rich preparation for the fulfillment and full revelation of the Source-Agent-Authority pattern in Jesus and His saving mission.
In the final part, we will bring all these threads together. We will move from understanding as observers to becoming participants: how this profound truth changes the way we pray, live, and witness every day. How we enter into a living relationship with the Triune God.
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Article Part 4
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Not Just Doctrine: Enjoying Relationship with the Triune God
(Introduction: From Understanding to Experience)
We have traversed a deep intellectual and spiritual journey. We began by getting to know the Source-Agent-Authority pattern, a lens that helps us understand the dynamics of the Godhead. We then traced the consistency of this pattern throughout the biblical narrative, from Abraham's call to deliverance from Egypt. Then, we opened our eyes to see how this pattern is geniusly implied in Old Testament texts, awaiting its fulfillment in Christ.
However, all this knowledge is meaningless if it only remains an abstract theological concept. It would be like studying music theory in great detail but never listening to the symphony itself. All that we have learned culminates in one glorious purpose: an invitation.
The God who is a perfect and eternal community of love—the loving Source, the redeeming Agent, and the life-giving Authority—is inviting you into intimate fellowship with Himself. Let's see how this glorious truth transforms every aspect of our daily life from a religious obligation into an experience of a living relationship.
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1. Prayer: Living Conversation with the Entire Trinity
Understanding the Trinity radically changes prayer. Prayer is no longer just a monologue we raise towards a distant and abstract "God." It becomes a dynamic and personal conversation with each Person in the Godhead.
To the SOURCE (Father): We come with full confidence as beloved children. We worship Him as the source of every good thing. We give thanks for His perfect plan, even when we don't understand it. We bring our struggles to Him, trusting that He is the Source of all wisdom and provision.
> _"Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.'"_ (Galatians 4:6)
Through the AGENT (Son): We present every request, worship, and thanksgiving "in Jesus' name." This phrase is not a magic spell but a profound acknowledgment. It is the acknowledgment that our access to the throne of the Source's grace is only made possible by the work of peace accomplished by the Agent, Jesus Christ. He is our Mediator.
> _"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."_ (Hebrews 4:16)
In the POWER of the AUTHORITY (Holy Spirit): We learn to rely completely on the Holy Spirit in our prayer. We acknowledge our weakness, that we often do not know how we ought to pray. We invite Him to align our prayers with the will of the Source.
> _"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans."_ (Romans 8:26)
Thus, prayer becomes a living experience within the Trinitarian pattern itself. We come to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
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2. The Christian Life: A Life Transformed by Each Person
Your salvation is a cooperative work of the Trinity from start to finish. Each Person has a specific and vital role in your spiritual journey.
CHOSEN by the SOURCE (Father): Your Christian identity begins not with your decision, but with the eternal plan of the Source.
> _"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight."_ (Ephesians 1:4)
Your identity is secure and unshakable, because it is rooted in the sovereign choice of the Source, not in your shaky performance.
REDEEMED by the AGENT (Son): Your past has been handled definitively by the Agent.
> _"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace."_ (Ephesians 1:7)
Guilt and the bondage of sin have been forgiven and broken by the once-for-all sacrifice of the Agent on the cross.
SEALED and SANCTIFIED by the AUTHORITY (Holy Spirit): Your present and future are guaranteed by the indwelling presence of the Authority within you.
> _"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit."_ (Ephesians 1:13)
The Holy Spirit is the guarantee ( arrabon ) of our inheritance. He is the one who works daily to sanctify us, produce fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23), and lead us into all truth (John 16:13).
Every aspect of your life—past, present, and future—is touched and transformed by each Person of the Trinity. You are a divine collaborative project.
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3. Mission: Joining God's "Pattern" of Work
You are not only saved by the Source-Agent-Authority pattern, but you are also called to join that pattern. You are invited to participate in God's mission for the world.
SOURCE (Father) who Owns the Mission: This mission originates from the heart of the Source.
> _"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son..."_ (John 3:16)
Our mission is a response to the love and sending of the Source. We go because He first loved and sent.
AGENT (Son) who is the Model of Mission: The Agent, Jesus, is the perfect model for us.
> _"As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."_ (John 20:21)
We are called to be His "agents" or ambassadors in the world.
> _"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."_ (2 Corinthians 5:20)
Our role is to proclaim the reconciliation accomplished by the Agent.
AUTHORITY (Spirit) who Empowers Mission: We are not sent in our own strength and ability.
> _"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."_ (Acts 1:8)
The authority and power to be effective witnesses come from the Holy Spirit. Mission is the work of the Trinity, and we are merely His co-workers (1 Corinthians 3:9).
You are invited into the flow of the divine mission that has been flowing from eternity.
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Final Conclusion: A Community of Love Open to You
This is the core of all we have learned. The doctrine of the Trinity is the most joyous good news ( euangelion ). It declares that God is not a lonely, distant, monolithic being. He is a perfect, eternal, and dynamic community of love.
And through the redemptive work of the Agent (Jesus Christ), that open community of love is now open to you.
The Source (Father) invites you into His fatherly relationship, to become His child.
The Agent (Son) has opened the way for you through His blood, making you His siblings.
The Authority (Spirit) now dwells within you, ensuring that you will safely arrive at the Father's house forever.
This is not just a concept to be debated in theology classrooms. It is a reality to be experienced, a relationship to be enjoyed, a love feast to be tasted, and a song of praise to be sung forever.
You are invited into the eternal dance of love between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is eternal life itself.
Amen.
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Link for Reflection: [Reflection: Take a few moments in silence. Imagine the perfect community of love between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Which of these Three Persons do you most want to know more deeply right now? The Father as the sovereign Source of love? Jesus as the understanding Agent and Friend? Or the Holy Spirit as the faithful Comforter and Guarantor? Express the longing of your heart to Him.]
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God Bless,
6 September 2025
Mantiri AAM
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