MATTHEW 3:13-17 – THE TRINITY AND ME
There are people today who would like to remove the doctrine of the Trinity from Christianity. When they do, the whole building called our faith comes tumbling down. The doctrine of the Trinity is part of the structure of our faith. Without it, we do not have Biblical Christianity.
When we think of the word Trinity, we think of the Biblical teaching that God is “three in one and one in three”. Although the word “Trinity” is not found in the Bible, the doctrine of the Trinity is. Don’t panic if you do not fully understand how there can be one God, and yet three persons in the Godhead. No human being can fully comprehend the doctrine of the Trinity. That’s because we are created beings trying to understand our self-existent creator God who says in Exodus 3:14, And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”
In this passage we are examining the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is an important passage because it is here that we find the Trinity presented together. Jesus the Son of God is baptized. The Holy Spirit descends upon him in the form of a dove. God the Father gives his approval from Heaven.
This scene reminds me of some of the ways God the Trinity is involved in the lives of true Christians. Hence the title, “The Trinity and Me”
JESUS IS GOD WITH ME – IDENTIFICATION
Jesus is Emmanuel, “ God with us” – God identifying with man. Instead of remaining aloof from his creation, Jesus Christ who for all eternity has been and ever will be the Son of God, came to earth, identifying with man.
- Jesus identified with us in his Matthew 1:20-23
- Jesus identified with us in his BAPTISM. Matthew 3:13-15
- Jesus identified with us through his BLOOD. 1 Peter 1:18-19, 2 Corinthians 5:21
- Jesus identifies with us in the 1 John 2:1-2, Hebrews 4:14-15 (He is always interceding for us before the Father.)
- Jesus identifies with us in the BASICS. Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5, Romans 8:35-39
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD IN ME – INDWELLING – Vs. 16
The Holy Spirit is God in us – God indwelling man
Because Jesus was the perfect man, the God-Man, He did things the way we should do them. He was our example. All that Jesus did as a man on earth was done in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1. John promised that Jesus would baptize with the Spirit. Matthew 3:11, 1 Corinthians 12:13
- Romans 8:9 (The Holy Spirit Indwells)
- Acts 1:8, Ephesians 1:17-23
- Ephesians 5:18-21, Galatians 5:22-23
- Romans 8:26, Ephesians 5:18, Jude 20-21
GOD OVER ME – INVOLVEMENT – Vs. 17
The Father is God over us – God involving Himself with man.
God the Father is present as He always is. He is involved in the life of the perfect man, the Lord Jesus. He is also involved in the life of His children through the New Birth.
- God’s AUTHORITY – “This is” Isaiah 42:5-8
One of the greatest reasons for Godly Christian behavior is God’s authority in my life.
- God’s AFFECTION – “My Beloved Son”
We too are God’s beloved children if we know Christ. John 1:12, 1 John 4:10, John 3:16
- God’s APPROVAL – “In Whom I am well pleased.” 3 John 3:4
The perfect man had approval from God. We, as His children, can also have his approval. As Jesus pleased God, God approved. As we please God, God approves.
