Peg writes:
If the trinity is 3 in one, why is only Jesus mentioned along with God? Where is the holy spirit, the 3rd person of the trinity?
The Great Commission
16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
If Jesus and the Holy Spirit were not equivalent in substance to God the Father, then that would be as ridiculous as saying "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Dr. Sing, and Peg. And Lo, Dr.Sing is with you till the end of this world."
Um, yeah, that's pretty lame and....disturbing. I mean, why equate two humans--me and you--with God! In the same way, why equate a human (Christ) and spirit with God Himself!.....
Well, analyze for yourself whether the Holy Spirit is God or not from the things He does...
Incarnation
Luke 1:35
Inauguration of His ministry
Matt 3:16
Teaching and miracle working
Luke 4
Passion Discourse
The Holy Spirit is going to empower you to do the work
Death and Resurrection
Heb 9:14
Peg writes:
perhaps you can explain then why the holy spirit is not also mentioned in John 1:1.
I'll just give you my thoughts on that, if thats okay.
The Holy Spirit is not introduced until right before Christ's death on the cross. Sure, there are very few references to Him in the OT. But they leave us only with questions--as to who He is and what He does. Its not until this passage,
John 16: 12 "I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. "
..that we know, "ohh...so thats who the Holy Spirit is and what He does!"
There is a right time for everything. Personally, I think that this was the perfect time to introduce the Holy Spirit, since He would "take the torch" from Christ so to speak.