The Trinity as Framework vs Structural Elements in the New Testament
Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and
make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 3:16 May He grant
you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power
through His Spirit in your inner man,
Ephesians 3:17 so that Christ
may make His home in your hearts through faith, that you, having been rooted
and grounded in love,
Analysis
Items |
The
Trinity as Framework of the New Testament |
The
Trinity as Structural Elements of the New Testament |
Interrelationship
and Application |
Basic Meaning |
The Trinity is
the fundamental framework and organizing principle upon which the entire New
Testament is constructed, serving as the foundational structure that carries
the whole New Testament |
The Trinity
consists of component elements and parts within the New Testament content,
serving as specific constituent parts of New Testament content |
Complementary
Relationship: Relationship between whole and parts;
framework provides structure, elements provide content |
Functional
Characteristics |
• Comprehensive,
governing function • Macro-architectural
blueprint perspective •
Determines the organizational method of the entire New Testament • Unchangeable
foundational framework |
• Localized,
specific function • Micro-building
component perspective • Exists
alongside other truths •
Can be specifically analyzed and studied |
Unity: Both aim to
dispense the Triune God into people, making them God's corporate expression |
Position in
Biblical Revelation |
• The
Trinity is the fundamental design principle of the New Testament • The
entire redemption history unfolds according to the Trinity's work • From
creation to eternity, all follows the Trinitarian pattern |
•
The Trinity is seen in specific redemptive events • The
Trinity is experienced in concrete spiritual experiences • The
Trinity is practically applied in church life |
Principle and
Practice: Framework is fundamental principle; structural elements
are concrete practice |
Core
Scriptural Support |
Matt 28:19 - "Into the name of the Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit" becomes the fundamental basis of the entire Great
Commission Rev 1:4-5 - "Seven Spirits...Jesus Christ...God the
Father" constitutes the basic framework
of Revelation Rev 22:1-2 - "The throne of God and the Lamb"
as the center of eternity |
Eph 3:16 - "Through His Spirit...Christ...God the
Father" in believers' concrete
experience Eph 4:4-6 - "One Spirit...one Lord...one God"
corresponding to different levels of church life Eph 1:3-23 - Father's selection, Son's redemption,
Spirit's sealing each constituting components of salvation |
Scriptural
Integration: Matt 28:19 provides framework, Eph 4:4-6 provides
elements, together completing God's economy |
Function in
Divine Economy |
• Every
stage of the divine economy manifests Trinitarian operation • All
spiritual life growth is based on the Trinity's framework •
From regeneration to sanctification follows the Trinitarian pattern |
•
Experience Trinity's presence in prayer • Enjoy
Trinity's riches in meetings • Apply
Trinity's truth in daily life |
Common Goal: Both point to Eph 3:19 "that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God" |
Examples |
Luke 15:3-32 (Prodigal Son Parable) • Entire
parable unfolds according to Trinity's work •
Father's love, Son's seeking, Spirit's conviction form complete framework Eph 2:18 - Redemptive framework of "through Him we have access by one Spirit unto the Father" |
Specific Division in
Eph 1:3-14 • Father's
selection (vv. 3-6) • Son's
redemption (vv. 7-12) •
Spirit's sealing (vv. 13-14) Eph 4:16 - Specific process of body building itself up
in love |
Process
Coordination: Framework guides, elements cooperate,
as in Eph 1:10 "to head up all things in Christ" |
Supply in
Believers' Life |
Psa 36:8-9 - "Fountain of life...light" provides fundamental basis for entire spiritual life Rev 21:2,10-11 - New Jerusalem embodies framework of
Trinity's eternal expression |
Daily Experience Level • Pray
to the Father through the Spirit • Enjoy
God's riches in Christ • Live
holy life by the Holy Spirit |
Eternal and
Temporal: Framework embodies eternal design; elements manifest in
temporal experience |
Governing
Principle |
The Bible is
written according to one governing principle: the Triune God works Himself
into His chosen and redeemed people as their enjoyment, drink, fountain of
life, and light |
The revelation
concerning the Triune God in God's word is for dispensing God in His Divine
Trinity into His chosen people as their experience and enjoyment |
Ultimate
Purpose: Making believers God's corporate expression forever
(Eph 4:13) |
Application
in Bible Study |
• Grasp
New Testament structure and context as a whole • Understand
Trinitarian foundation of each New Testament book • Master
Trinitarian pattern of redemption history |
• Deeply
understand Trinity's work in specific verses • Analyze
Trinitarian aspects of individual truths • Study
Trinity's reality in concrete experiences |
Study Method: First grasp
framework, then analyze elements, finally integrate application |
Application
in Spiritual Life |
• Provide fundamental direction and pattern for spiritual growth • Establish Trinity-centered life framework • Experience transformation within Trinity's framework |
• Provide specific paths and methods for daily experiencing God • Apply the Trinity in concrete circumstances • Know the Trinity through individual experiences |
Life
Integration: Framework guides direction, elements provide
methods, reaching Eph 4:13's goal |
Application
in Church Building |
• Establish
fundamental principles and order of church life • Build
church framework based on the Trinity • Build
the Body within Trinity's framework |
• Guide
concrete practice of various church works •
Actually experience the Trinity in meetings •
Express the Trinity through gift coordination |
Building
Process: Unity framework
of
Eph 4:4-6 + Gift elements of Eph 4:11-16 = Fullness goal of Eph 4:13 |
Main
Distinctions |
• Emphasizes wholeness and governance • Focuses on eternal design • Values unchanging principles |
• Emphasizes concreteness and practicality • Focuses on temporal experience • Values operable methods |
Same Essence: Both for
accomplishing God's eternal purpose of dispensing Himself into people |
Ultimate Goal |
The entire New
Testament points to the Trinity's eternal expression, building His corporate
manifestation |
Every concrete
spiritual experience is for experiencing and enjoying the Triune God |
Common
Direction: Eph 1:23 "the church, which is His Body, the fullness of the One who
fills all in all" |
This analysis shows that
the two concepts are not contradictory. Rather, they
understand the centrality of the Triune God in the New Testament from both the
macroscopic (structure) and microscopic (structural
elements) levels, ultimately pointing to the same
goal: the Triune God wants to dispense
Himself into believers, making them His corporate expression.
*Please refer to the June
2025 Summer Training, General Theme: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting
Christ (Part 3), Chapter 6: The Church in the Triune God
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