1689 2.3

2.3. Of God and of the Holy Trinity

In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, the Father the Word (or Son) and Holy Spirit, of one substance, power, and Eternity, each having the whole Divine Essence, yet the Essence undivided, the Father is of none neither begotten nor proceeding, the Son is Eternally begotten of the Father, the holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son, all infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and Being; but distinguished by several peculiar, relative properties, and personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our Communion with God, and comfortable dependance on him.

Proof texts

• 1 John 5:7 — [7] For there are three that testify:
• Matthew 28:19 — [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
• 2 Corinthians 13:14 — [14] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
• Exodus 3:14 — [14] God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
• John 14:11 — [11] Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
• 1 Corinthians 8:6 — [6] yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
• John 1:14, 18 — [14] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. [18] No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.
• John 15:26 — [26] “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.
• Galatians 4:6 — [6] And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited 1 John 5:7 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 9 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q4 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WSC Q5 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q4 · WSC Q5 · WSC Q6 · WLC Q6 · WCF 2.1 · WCF 2.2 · WCF 2.3 · HC Q8 · BC 2.1 · BC 2.2 · BC 2.3 · BC 2.4 · SD 2.1 · SD 2.2 · SD 2.3