What’s in the name?

I’ve been listening to a seminary course on Systematic Theology by Bruce Ware of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  In the 3rd lecture, on the doctrine of the Trinity, Dr. Ware mentions a very simple verse that proclaims triadically the unique oneness of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit:

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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

Notice that the famous Great Commission does not say the “names” with an “s“ to describe God’s identity as pluralistic in nature with 3 names of “Father”, “Son” and “Holy Spirit”.  Rather, God specifically reveals Himself as ONE entity, with ONE identity, and ONE name, in 3 simultaneously omni-present persons of the Father, Son and Spirit.

I cannot believe how ignorant I’ve been in the past to miss this simple and (should have been) obvious description of our Trinitarian LORD.

Take a look also at how Paul describes God in his benediction to the Corinthians!

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

2 Corinthians 13:14 (ESV)

Wow!  God’s inspired, all-sufficient, inerrant word is just sooo krazily koool sometimes!