Anaginosko Discipleship Topic: THE HOLY TRINUNE GOD ECHAD AND YACHID Shalom, everyone. Today, we are going to discuss one of the FUNDAMENTALS of the Christian faith. One of the most important things we must understand is: WHO IS THE GOD WHOM WE WORSHIP? In the Old Testament, the LORD God clearly declared to His chosen people, the nation of Israel: Deuteronomy 6:4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!" In Hebrew: "Shema Yisrael, YHWH Eloheinu, YHWH Echad." The word SHEMA means "hear" or "listen," but it is not merely about hearing something with your ears. It means: PAY CLOSE ATTENTION AND TAKE CAREFUL NOTE OF THIS IMPORTANT TRUTH! Because this is a FUNDAMENTAL TRUTH OF THE FAITH of Israel. YAHWEH IS OUR GOD, AND YAHWEH IS ECHAD. ECHAD is pronounced EHAD. The word ECHAD can mean: 1. ONE — but "one" in the sense of Echad does not necessarily mean solitary or only one person. 2. ONE can refer to a plurality, more than one, or a unity. 3. ONE can also mean UNIQUE — meaning there is no one like Him. 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼 Exodus 15:11 "Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders?" 👆🏼👆🏼👆🏼 YAHWEH IS ECHAD IN THE SENSE THAT HE IS UNIQUE. He is truly HOLY, ALMIGHTY, AND PERFECT. There is absolutely no one like YAHWEH, even among the angels in heaven. And nowhere else is there anyone like YAHWEH. This means that YAHWEH IS THE SUPREME SPIRIT — ALMIGHTY, PERFECTLY HOLY, AND PERFECT. --- YAHWEH: THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB The God of Israel also clearly revealed Himself as: THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB. Exodus 4:5 "That they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you." This also helps us understand the THREE PERSONS of YAHWEH. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are clearly THREE DISTINCT PERSONS. 1. Abraham — a symbol of the FATHER in Heaven Abraham was the father of the nation of Israel and is also regarded as the father of those who believe in YAHWEH. The FATHER IN HEAVEN is the FIRST PERSON OF THE HOLY TRINITY, as the One who initiates all things: ENERGEOS TOU THEOU. 2. Isaac — the only son of Abraham Isaac is a symbol of JESUS CHRIST. JESUS CHRIST IS THE SECOND PERSON OF THE HOLY TRINITY, who became human, died, rose again, and ascended into heaven. He is THE ONLY WAY OF SALVATION. STAUROS TOU IESOU — the cross of Jesus. 3. Jacob — a symbol of the HOLY SPIRIT From Jacob came twelve sons, who became the twelve tribes of Israel, and from them came the nation of Israel. The HOLY SPIRIT IS THE THIRD PERSON OF THE HOLY TRINITY. After Pentecost, through the work of the Holy Spirit, the community of believers was born, which over the past 2,000 years has become the Church and the people of God. --- SO, IT IS CLEAR, RIGHT? Where are the verses in the New Testament that reveal the THREE PERSONS OF THE HOLY TRINITY? There are many passages. But one event clearly shows all three Persons at the same time: WHEN JESUS CHRIST WAS BAPTIZED IN THE JORDAN RIVER. Matthew 3:16–17 "When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him; and suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'" It is very clear: Who was the One speaking from heaven? THAT WAS THE VOICE OF THE FATHER IN HEAVEN. Who was being baptized in the river? JESUS CHRIST. And then the SPIRIT OF GOD appeared in the form of a dove. THAT IS GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. So, it is clear: THE GOD WHOM WE WORSHIP IS THE HOLY TRINUNE GOD. And in the New Testament, we know and must remain IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, because He is THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN AND SALVATION. Can I hear an Amen? You must say Amen, my friends. --- NOW, FOLLOW ME IN THIS PRAYER WITH ALL YOUR HEART. Pray out loud. Do not merely pray silently in your heart. FATHER IN HEAVEN, Your servant comes humbly before Your THRONE OF GRACE, O LORD. Open my heart and my mind so that I may KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT correctly and accurately. Your servant desperately needs YOUR GRACE, O LORD. Enable me not only to understand, but also to experience YOUR TRUTH in JESUS CHRIST. Thank You, FATHER IN HEAVEN. In the name of THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, OUR SAVIOR. HALLELUJAH. AMEN.