Church in God VS Church in the Triune God

 

Church in God VS Church in the Triune God

Ephesians 2:18 "For through Him we both have access in one Spirit unto the Father"

1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, Silas, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

 

Analysis Item	Church in God	Church in the Triune God
Basic Meaning	The church belongs to God, owned by God, emphasizing ownership relationship	The church exists within the processed Triune God, having an organic life relationship with God, emphasizing life union
Nature of God	Unprocessed God, as revealed in Genesis 1:1, the Creator concept	Processed God, fully manifesting the riches of Father, Son, and Spirit through incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension
Nature of Relationship	Ownership relationship (belonging to God), Creator and creature relationship	Organic life relationship (in God), Father and children life relationship
Theological Depth	Relatively simple concept, basic level of belonging	Profound mystery involving life union and the riches of the Triune God
Conditions for Realization	God's identity as Creator is sufficient	Requires God becoming Father (life relationship), Christ becoming Lord and Jesus (redemption and life), Spirit becoming indwelling reality
Main Distinction	Emphasizes belonging, church as God's possession	Emphasizes life nature, church's organic union with the Triune God
Biblical Examples	Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (unprocessed God concept)	1 Thess. 1:1 "To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" 1 Cor. 1:2 "To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus"
Manifestation of Trinity	Does not clearly show the Trinity, rather general	Clearly shows the work of Father, Son, Spirit: • God the Father (first of Trinity) • Lord Jesus Christ (second, implying the Spirit) • Holy Spirit (though not explicitly stated, implied in Father and Son)
Application in Believer's Life	Recognizing God as Creator and Owner, basic godly living	Experiencing organic union with the Triune God, deep experience of the Triune God
Church Practical Expression	Emphasizes sense of belonging and worship	Emphasizes life reality and riches, living out the nature of the Triune God
Direction of Spiritual Growth	Living for God, obeying the Creator	Living in and by the Triune God, manifesting God's life
Service Characteristics	Working for God, serving God	Working in and by the Triune God, co-working with God
Mutual Relationship	"Church in God" is the foundational concept	"Church in the Triune God" is the deepened and consummated revelation
Developmental Context	Old Testament basic understanding of God	New Testament complete revelation and experience of the Triune God
Detailed Scripture Analysis	Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" - Shows God's creative power - Does not reveal the riches of the Triune God	1 Thessalonians 1:1 "Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" - God the Father: first of the Trinity - Lord Jesus Christ: implies redemption, life, lordship - Implies the Spirit: Father and Son's work necessarily implies the Spirit 1 Corinthians 1:2 "To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints" - Christ Jesus: Redeemer and life Lord - Sanctified: work of the Holy Spirit - Shows coordinated work of the Triune God
Supporting Scriptures	Psalm 24:1 "The earth is Jehovah's, and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell in it"	Matthew 28:19 "Baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" John 14:23 "We will come to him and make an abode with him"
Key Insights	God's sovereignty and creative authority	Why doesn't 1 Thess. 1:1 explicitly mention the Spirit? 1. What the Bible doesn't say is as important as what it says 2. Mentioning "Father" implies "Son" and "Spirit" 3. "Lord Jesus Christ" itself implies the Spirit's work 4. The Triune God is an indivisible life reality
Practical Exercise	Worship God, obey God, live for God	Living in the Triune God: • Enjoying the Father's love • Experiencing Christ's redemption and life • Walking by the Spirit • Manifesting the nature of the Triune God
Ultimate Goal	Glorify God, accomplish God's will	Become the full expression of the Triune God, achieve complete life union with God

 

 Important Notes 

The Mystery of Organic Union:

•        The only way for the church to be "in the Triune God" is through the organic, life path

•        This is not positional "being inside" but life union

•        Like branches in the vine, it is life connection, not physical containment

 

The Significance of the Triune God's Process:

•        The Father's love becomes the source of our life

•        The Son's redemption enables us to enter God's life

•        The Spirit's indwelling makes the Triune God our practical experience

 

The Importance of New Testament Revelation:

•        The New Testament never speaks of "church merely in God"

•        Always points to the rich reality of "church in the Triune God"

•        Reveals God's eternal economy and ultimate goal

 

 *Please refer to the June 2025 Summer Training, General Topic: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Expressing Christ (Part 3), Chapter 6: The Church in the Triune God