SPIK V 1987: Allah Tritunggal (2) - Pdt. Dr. (H.C.) Stephen Tong

The video begins with a reverent discussion about God's word, referencing the Gospel of John, specifically chapter 1 verses 1-3, emphasizing the importance of the Word and its divine nature that existed with God and was God from the beginning. The speaker highlights the redundancy in the passage to stress that all things were created through this Word, affirming that without Him, nothing could exist, reflecting on the significance of creation through the Word.

The speaker further contemplates the reason for the seemingly repetitive phrases in the scripture, connecting it to the divine revelation of Jesus Christ and His inherent nature as God. They explore the concept of 'ousia,' indicating that only Jesus holds the divine essence which belongs to God alone, pointing to His existence before Abraham and asserting His eternal nature that transcends time.

An account is given of God's self-revelation to Moses in Egypt, emphasizing the name 'I AM' which defines God's self-existence and independence. This idea of the self-sufficient God is firmly associated with Christ, who is also seen as having the same attributes of essence, highlighting the depth of His identity as the eternal God.

As the narrative proceeds, the speaker illustrates how Jesus' assertions of His existence before Abraham challenge the understanding of His contemporaries, emphasizing that while Abraham has passed, Jesus exists beyond time as God, rejecting notions of temporal limitation to His identity.

The discussion turns to the significance of Jesus' declaration in relation to God's designation of Himself to the Israelites. The speaker manipulates the discourse around the sacredness of the name Yahweh, illustrating its reluctance to be used carelessly, akin to how the Israelites revered the Lord's name and how they approached translating and writing scripture.

In light of this, the speaker then examines a passage from Luke 20:42-44 where Jesus refers to His relationship with David, highlighting the paradox of a Messiah who is both David's descendant and yet referred to as his Lord. This establishes Jesus's authority and identity as the true Lord, not just a mere descendant.

The ongoing dialogue about Jesus sitting at the right hand of the Father encapsulates His divine authority and the significance of this position as fundamental to understanding His ultimate role as Messiah and God, qualified by His resurrection and exaltation.

The speaker portrays the progressive revelation of Jesus as the Messiah, explaining how this continued to unfold throughout the New Testament as He interacts with the Jewish leaders. Their misunderstandings highlight the spiritual blindness that obscured their comprehension of His divine nature and authority.

The emphasis shifts to the Apostles' understanding of the Trinity, albeit unconsciously, as seen in the blessings they impart to the early churches. The speaker cites examples from 2 Corinthians and 1 Peter, showcasing the foundational nature of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in their theology.

The discussion builds upon the profound implications of the duality of Jesus as both fully God and fully human, exploring the depth of His identity, reinforced by the nature of His birth and the relationship with the Father, further solidified through theological interpretations.