A LEADING QUESTION
6. DO WE HAVE A PARTICULAR ORDER OF PERSONS IN THE GODHEAD?

A KEY SCRIPTURE

John 5:26, 27 "For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man." (NKJV)

ARRIVING AT AN ANSWER

The Father is the fountain head of life and grace in His self-existent life. The Son of Man claimed as the Son of God, equality with the Father in self-existent life.

John 1:4 "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men." (NKJV)

To the Lord Jesus Christ therefore, as the Son of Man, the Father granted all authority to redeem and judge. The Father is the first in mode of operation. He is the original source of all things. God the Father is the source of the being of all men. God the Father is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:3; 3:14; John 3:16 ). God the Father is specially the loving Father of all those redeemed by the blood of His Son. (1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:19-20; Luke 12:30,32 ).

A KEY SCRIPTURE

John 5:22 "For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son," (NKJV)

ARRIVING AT AN ANSWER

The Son is the second Person in order of process of manifestation. He is the medium of all things, even judgment. He was manifest for our redemption and through Him manifested Himself outwardly to all men. (Acts 5:31; 13:38-39; John 14:7 ).

A KEY SCRIPTURE

John 15:26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me." (NKJV)

ARRIVING AT AN ANSWER

The Spirit is the third Person of the Godhead in order of revelation, because He proceeds from the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit came as the agent, transferring the blessings of the Father and the Son on the redeemed. (Ephesians 2:18 ). The Spirit is the special Helper and Sanctifier of the saved. (1 Corinthians 6:11; Galatians 5:16 ). The Spirit shares the attributes ascribed to God and Christ. (Psalm 139:7; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; Isaiah 40:13-14 ). The order of performance in the Godhead towards the redeemed would appear to be, from the Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit. Remember that the true equality and Godhead is insisted upon in Scripture. In the Scriptures we are given sufficient understanding of the work of the Trinity, in creation, redemption and sanctification to be saved and brought to eternal glory. (Colossians 1:11-14; 2 Timothy 3:15-17 ). There is one God subsisting in three Persons. May we be found giving equal reverence and love to all three. Let us obey God the Father as the Lord Jesus Christ did. (John 4:34 ). And obey the Son as commanded of the Father. Read Psalm 2:12 and Matthew 17:5, and obey the Holy Spirit as it becomes those so dependent on Him. (Acts 5:1-5; 26:19 ).