In Article II we have the enormous, precious, and mysterious doctrine of the trinity of the Godhead. How long and how fruitless has been mans attempt to explain the infinite with the finite. While an amazing and essential teaching of the word of God, the doctrine of the trinity is nonetheless inexplicable with any fine detailed definition. It is amazing and yet understandable that the Baptists of this 1644 London confession were able to boil this gargantuan idea into such a short paragraph.
I think it is understandable at the same time. We ought to receive by faith the clear teaching of the scripture of the eternal unity of the Godhead while at the same time embrace the scriptural revelation of the three holy persons that are part, parcel and co-equal in that Godhead. This goes to the task of the biblical interpreter; where scripture speaks we ought to endeavor to explain the textual meaning and then stop at exactly where scripture stops. Where scripture is silent we must also remain so. The secret things belong unto God…but those things that are revealed belong to us and our children. The intricacies and details of the Godhead are respectfully secret in many aspects, we, in reverence and holy worship should probably leave them there.
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ARTICLE II
That God is(1) of Himself, that is, neither from another, nor of another, nor by another, nor for another: (2) But is a Spirit, who as his being is of Himself, so He gives(3) being, moving, and preservation to all other things, being in Himself eternal, most holy, every way infinite in(4) greatness, wisdom, power, justice, goodness, truth, etc. In this Godhead, there is the Father, the Son, and the Spirit; being every on of them one and the same God; and therefore not divided, but distinguished one from another by their several properties; the(5) Father being from Himself, the(6) Son of the Father from everlasting, the(7) Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son.
1) Isa. 43:11; 46:9
2) John 4:24
3) Exod. 3:14
4) Rom. 11:36; Acts 17:28
5) 1 Cor. 8:6
6) Prov. 8:22-23
7) John 15:16; Gal. 4:6
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