Lord’s Day 8
Q25. Since there is only one God, why do you speak of three: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
Because God has so revealed himself in his Word that these three distinct persons are the one, true, eternal God.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Deuteronomy 6:4
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.”
Isaiah 44:6
“Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”
Isaiah 45:5
“I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me.”
Matthew 3:16–17
“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 28:18–19
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
1 John 5:7
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
Commentary — Zacharias Ursinus (1616)
In this question we have contained the doctrine of the church in reference to the one true God, and the three persons of the Godhead. The principal questions which claim our attention, in connection with this subject, are the following:
I. "From what does it appear that there is a God?"
II. "What is the character of that God whom the church acknowledges and worships, and in what does he differ from heathen idols?"