Of Three Persons in the Godhead
Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Of Three Persons in the Godhead Quest. 6. HOW many persons are there in the godhead?
A. There are three persons in the godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
Q. What mean you by the word, godhead?
A. It is the nature, essence, or being of God, as the apostle speaks, Acts 17:29. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art, and man's device.
Q. 2. what is a person in the godhead?
A. It is the godhead distinguished by personal properties; each person having his distinct personal properties; Heb. 1:3. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, upholding all things by the word of his power.
Q. 3. How doth it appear there are three persons, and no more?
A. First, From Christ's baptism; Mat. 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.
Q. 4. How else in the second place, doth it appear?
A. From the institution of our baptism; Mat. 28:19 Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Q. 5. What is the third proof from scripture?
A. From the apostolical benediction; 2 Cor. 13:14. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the holy
Ghost, be with you all, Amen: Where the three distinct blessings are wished from the three divine persons in the godhead, grace from Christ, love from the Father, and communion with the Spirit.
Q. 6. What farther evidence is there of it in scripture?
A. From plain positive assertions of the scripture, asserting, First, A trinity of persons Secondly, A unity of essence? 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.
Q. 8. What is the first instruction from the trinity?
A. That the doctrine of the gospel concerning Christ, is fully confirmed and ratified by three witnesses from heaven, who are above all exceptions; 1 John 5:7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost.
Q. 8. What is the second instruction from the trinity?
A. Hence we learn the true order and manner of worshipping God, in the Son; John 16:23. Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he shall give it you. And by the Spirit; Eph. 6:18 Praying always, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.
Q. 9. What is the third instruction from the trinity?
A. That the covenant of grace conveys a rich portion to believers in making over all three persons to them; Jer. 31:33. But this shall be