Chapter 7

"THAT THEY MAY ALL BE ONE" ⁽¹⁾

The concept of three entities in one Father, Son and believers which we have just defined and expounded, may be further illustrated by a different approach, viz. from the interchangeability of the three terms that form the heading of this section. It is striking to note how the following three-way equivalents are established by more than one supporting text. Consider this diagram:-

In their Biblical context these terms are sometimes used virtually interchangeably, perhaps because it is by God's Spirit that the Truth becomes known through the spoken and written Word. The fact that at least two distinct passages affirm each equivalent adds some additional support to their interrelationship. Further evidence that these are valid equivalents springs from the close connection between the three terms and the Deity Himself. This is depicted in the next diagram, in which we retain the same outline triangle, but insert into it additional scriptural statements about the Father:-

Thus the Father is characterised here as Spirit and the Word. He is also "the God of Truth", who never lies (Titus 1.2) As Christ was a perfect manifestation of God, the following diagram shows a similar relationship between Spirit, Word and Truth in his case also. This illustrates the Word's testimony that he "reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature" (Hebrews 1.3):-

DIAGRAM 3

It is clear from these parallel testimonies that Jesus too, although subordinate to his Father, has been granted the rank and status appropriate to his divine Sonship: like his Father he is the embodiment of Truth, being the Word once made flesh, but now become spirit.

Finally, a similar relationship applies to the believers.

DIAGRAM 4

If we claim to be true Christians and therefore "in Christ" (Galatians 3.2729), then the Spirit/Word/Truth increasingly absorbed from the "Word of Truth" must be active in our own hearts and minds, ruling our whole lives to render them consistent with the 'godliness' (i.e. God-likeness) we profess. Thus the final diagram illustrates how believers, if truly "born again", will reflect even in this life the same godly principles which characterise their Master, in anticipation of that day of redemption when mind and body will be fully perfected in and through the Father and the Son.

Then the true 'three in one' will be revealed the Father, the Son and the Redeemed. This is the promise of the Gospel held out to believers who 'endure to the end'. May it be the true hope of all who read these pages.

THE TRUE DIVINE FAMILY