Thread: God's substance
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Old 02-05-2008, 08:00 PM
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Here's where you've heard it....


WSC
Q. 6. How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A. There are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost;[20] and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
Wow do I feel dumb. But it seems that modern Christianity favors the terms 'nature' or 'essence'. Perhaps that is because the word 'substance' seems to cause confusion these days. (For the reasons stated above)
Don't feel dumb, I am the one who could not remember where I saw substance used within that context. DOH!

The terms "essence" and "nature" are not new. Belgic Confession (1561)Article 8 uses the term "essense." Heidleberg Catechism Q. 25 uses "essence."

I like the wording of the Second Helvetic Confession (1566) III. 3 "...So that there are not three Gods, but three persons, consubstantial, coeternal; distinct...as touching their nature or essence, they are so joined that they are but one God; and the divine esence is common to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."
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"Whatever is laudable in our works proceeds from the grace of God."
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