— Last week, I conducted a Bible study with a men’s group from the alternative sentencing program, FBTCC (Faith Based Therapeutic Community Corporation).

The first question came from Jerry: “Is Jesus really God, and if so, how can that be?” The answer comes from the Bible. John 1:1-3 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” Colossians 1:15-20 also supports the fact that Jesus is our Creator and that God’s fullness “dwells in him”.

The writer of Hebrews quotes one of the Psalms in which Jesus’ position is reinforced. “But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom (Hebrews 1:8 & Psalm 45:6).” In this verse, Father God refers to his own son as God! 2 Samuel 7:11-16 confirms that the kingdom (everywhere His will is being carried out including the church) belongs to Christ.

So is it wrong to say that God created everything? No. We’re told so in Genesis 1:1. But if we are under the impression that God the Father did everything by Himself, while Jesus and the Holy Spirit just watched, we really should broaden the definition of God. Imagine a circle labeled God. Within that circle are three smaller circles labeled God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. You could also think of the three parts of an apple: The skin, the meat, and the core. They are all part of the apple just like each part of the Godhead is God.

The Bible confirms the unity that exists among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Even during creation, the Godhead worked as a team, one God. “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness… (Genesis 1:26)” Notice the use of the words “us” and “our”.

Matthew 1:23 quotes a verse that first appeared 700 years earlier in Isaiah 7:14. “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” – which means “God with us.” Isaiah 9:6 says that the (Christ) child will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace”.

But we also know that when Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest and crucifixion he prayed to God his Father (Matt. 26:39).

In John 14-15 Jesus explains the role of God’s Holy Spirit who would be our Counselor and Guide after Christ would ascend back to his Father. We are never alone in our spiritual battles. Paul said, Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and God’s Spirit lives in you (1 Corinthians 3:16)?”

Peter said we receive the Holy Spirit when we’re baptized (Acts 2:38). In John 14:23, Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” Notice again “we” and “our”, only this time God the Father and God the Son appear have at least a similar role as God the Holy Spirit.

We can be confident that this three in one God has our salvation figured out from all angles. And because of the time Jesus Christ spent here in the flesh, He understands our struggles, our spiritual battles, and offers eternal life in heaven to all those who believe in Him and obey His word. Will you follow him today?

Reach Barrett Vanlandingham at the Fort Gibson Church of Christ at (918) 478-2222 or barrett@ftgcc.org.