Do Baptists believe in the Trinity?

John 8:58 - Jesus said "I am" which is the Greek ego eimi. It is used constantly in the New Testament as a typical expression of "I am this" or "I am that."

The Father's title he gives to Moses is YHWH or Yahweh, which mean "I who shall be" in the future tense (not present tense). The septuagint translated the Lord's name (which is translated LORD in the English version of the Hebrew) to theos in the New Testament. Yah or Yahweh or El or Eloa are the titles of God (also of the angels).

If Christ was saying he was the Diety, he would say the same words YHWH, which the septuagint would translate to theos (like they do with everything else).

The true meaning in context: Christ was saying that he was spoken of even before Abraham. He spiritually existed, but did not physically exist in reality. He is there in shadow and spoken word (logos). Several times in John we can see Christ pointing out that he is talked about in Scripture. This is emphasized in the writings of Paul concerning the mystery revealed to the world.

Now seeing how angels are of one spirit with the Deity, they can bear His titles. Most people think that God spoke to Moses personally. He did not.

"And the angel (malak) of the LORD (Yahweh) appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush [was] not consumed." Exo 3:2

"And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush." Acts 7:30

It was an angel speaking in the place of God or, in other words, an angelic manifestation saying the word YHWH.

If an angel can bear the title of God, how much more the son who in "the fulness of the Deity dwelleth" within, the perfect manifestation of the Father in the flesh? Thus, we have John 20:28. Incidentally, we do not know which title Thomas said. He could have said El, Eloha, Yah, Yahweh, Adonai, etc. The septuagint robbed us of the word and translated all titles to theos. El or Elohim are titles often used of the angels and means mighty one(s). The Father is the El of the Elohim (translated God of gods) which means the Mightiest of the Mighty Ones (angels).

The full title of God most used is Yahweh Elohim (translated LORD God), which literally means He who shall be the Mighty Ones. God's purpose is revealed in His title. God will be of one spirit with the saints redeemed through Christ Jesus.

 

The Father is the supreme being who sustains all things through His power or spirit (Heb 11:3). Because He cannot look upon man, angels manifest His will throughout scripture; hence why they are called messengers. The reason the Father cannot look upon man is because all flesh shall die before Him (Ex 33:20).

"Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom [be] honour and power everlasting. Amen." 1 Tim 6:16

No man has ever seen God except the Son of Man who sits at the right hand of power (John 1:18; 1 John 4:12).

The Son is the perfect manifestation of God in the flesh (1 Tim 3:16), much like the angels in their celestial bodies, fulfilling the Law without sin, sacrificed himself as both a cleansing for his flesh and the payment for his bride (bride price as custom of the Israelites). And so, Christ who had not sinned was not contained by death and rose on the third day being saved and thus, providing the way to salvation.

He is the promised one to Eve, to Abraham, and to David. It is through marriage on the last day, that those who are found worthy by the Judgement of Christ (those who are presented as a chaste virgin) shall marry and become spiritually one flesh with Christ, being saved through his salvation and being justified through his justification. Christ has the authority to judge whom he shall marry and whom he shall not.

Christ and his bride (the saints) shall conquer the world (the inheritance of Abraham) and establish a Kingdom (the throne of David) based in Jerusalem and shall reign for a thousand years. After which, Christ shall present the perfect Kingdom to the Father and reunite man with God.

Today, he acts as a mediator giving intercession for the saints. Paul's letter to the Hebrews explicates manifestation, intercession, etc.

The Holy Spirit is the "separate" power of God used for specific purposes which is usually unnatural. He gives this power at will to his servants. There is "one spirit" or power of God, but this is a section of His power which he uses for whatever purpose. Christ was given full use of this power at his baptism and then went into the wilderness to be tested. God speaks to the apostles and prophets through the Holy Spirit. The apostles also see visions while in the spirit. Elijah, Elisha, Samson, Christ, etc. all were given incredible power through this spirit.