Cornerstone Curriculum, Official Certification Edition

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conform to their plumb line of reason and logic. For instance, since they cannot understand completely God as a tri-unity, they reject the scriptural teaching on the Trinity even though the Bible clearly asserts the divinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In their theology, Jesus becomes the archangel Michael and the Holy Spirit becomes an “active force,” like electricity. If you want to look full face at a religion stripped of all mystery and wonder you’ll find it in the teachings of the Witnesses. Regardless of what our intellects might scream at us, the simple word of the Apostles and prophets should be our ground and foundation. We are to baptize in the name (singular) of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and at the baptism of Jesus, the Holy Spirit rests upon him as a dove, and the Father’s voice declares that he is well pleased with our Lord (Matt. 3.17). This text in 2 Corinthians speaks of the grace of Jesus, the love of God and the communion of the Spirit (2 Cor. 13.14). All of the members are referred to as God, and all of them share the same attributes of greatness. Yet, the Bible states that there is only one God , not three . The Trinity is the result of biblical affirmation, not our own logic. Should it surprise us that our God is beyond our thought, that God as he is in himself cannot be known or comprehended? Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker, asserting with joyful heart the very word of our Lord in Matthew 11: Matt. 11.27 – All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Let’s affirm the truth of Scripture and give praise and honor to the God of heaven, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. After reciting and/or singing the Nicene Creed (located in the Appendix), pray the following prayers: O God, you are infinite, eternal and unchangeable, glorious in holiness, full of love and compassion, abundant in grace and truth. Your works everywhere praise you, and your glory is revealed in Jesus Christ our Savior. Therefore we praise you, blessed and holy Trinity, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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T heology and E th i c s

Nicene Creed and Prayer

~ Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Cumberland Presbyterian Church, The Theology and Worship Ministry Unit. Book of Common Worship . Louisville, KY.: Westminister/John Knox Press, 1993. p. 51.