The Scripture teaches that it is rational to believe in the existence of God even though Scripture does not seek to prove that existence, but merely assumes it.[1] The being God presented in Scripture is ontologically triune; that is, the Godhead is composed of three, distinct persons (whom we designate Father, Son, and Spirit) who themselves share one, divine nature.[2] This divine being[3] is composed of spirit material.[4]

Because the three persons share one divine nature, they possess certain common abilities and attributes.[5] The persons are able to love, to exercise power, to know, to understand, and to act wisely.[6] Their nature allows these abilities to be done eternally, immutably, freely, and dependably.[7] Furthermore, because the persons share a single nature, they also have the same desires and consciousness.[8] These characteristics of the divine being establish the Godhead as holy, as in a class by itself.[9]

As distinct persons, the members of the Godhead possess common but unshared elements. These are separate, but equal, possessions associated with the persons aspect of the divine being. Included here are communication, determination, mind, self-consciousness, and personality.[10]

From eternity the three persons of the Godhead have been active. From the human perspective, the most important activity has been the making and executing of the decree.[11] This decree is a plan of action to which the members bound themselves for their own glory. It is in the decree that the economic trinity was formulated, establishing the positions of the persons as Father, Son, and Spirit.[12] The decree called for creation of a material universe that included other personal beings, particularly human beings. And the decree established God’s program as found in the various ages, dispensations, and covenants, a program which included a fall and rescue of human beings.[13]

[1]	Gen 1:1; Rom 1:19,20 (This passage indicates that God has, by means of his creation, already demonstrated or proved that he exists.); Psm 14:1
[2]	Matt 3:17; John 5:17; Acts 13:2; Jas 2:19
[3]	Being refers to that which has existence. Therefore, God is a being. In using this word I intent to include both the one divine nature and the three distinct persons in that being.
[4]	The word material refers to “that of which something consists.” If something exists, it consists of some material. God exists. Therefore God consists of some material John 4:24
[5]	Ability indicates what God can do or experience. Attribute indicates what God is. On the one hand, God can know, desire, and act. On the other hand, God is self-sufficient, self-existent, and happy.
[6]	John 17:24; Psm 147:5; 2Cor 12:2; Rom 2:2
[7]	Rom 16:26; Jas 1:17; Matt 5:48; Isa 55:11; 2Tim 2:13
[8]	Eph 1:1; Mark 5:30
[9]	1Sam 2:2
[10]	Matt 11:27; Rom 11:34; Matt 3:17
[11]	Psm 2:7
[12]	Heb 10:17; Isa 48:16
[13]	Eph 3:2-5; Heb 1:2; 11:3; Rom 5:6-9

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