Theological Term of the Week: Essence
Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at 3:30AM 
essence
The being of God; what he is; also called substance, or nature. God is one essence.
- From scripture:
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4 ESV)
- From the Athanasian Creed:
What quality the Father has, the Son has, and the Holy Spirit has.
The Father is uncreated,
the Son is uncreated,
the Holy Spirit is uncreated.The Father is immeasurable,
the Son is immeasurable,
the Holy Spirit is immeasurable.The Father is eternal,
the Son is eternal,
the Holy Spirit is eternal.And yet there are not three eternal beings;
there is but one eternal being.
So too there are not three uncreated or immeasurable beings;
there is but one uncreated and immeasurable being.Similarly, the Father is almighty,
the Son is almighty,
the Holy Spirit is almighty.
Yet there are not three almighty beings;
there is but one almighty being.Thus the Father is God,
the Son is God,
the Holy Spirit is God.
Yet there are not three gods;
there is but one God.Thus the Father is Lord,
the Son is Lord,
the Holy Spirit is Lord.
Yet there are not three lords;
there is but one Lord. - From the Second Helvetic Confession, Chapter 3:
God Is One. We believe and teach that God is one in essence or nature, subsisting in himself, all sufficient in himself, invisible, incorporeal, immense, eternal, Creator of all things both visible and invisible, the greatest good, living, quickening and preserving all things, omnipotent and supremely wise, kind and merciful, just and true….
Learn more:
- Sinclair Ferguson: What does it mean that the Trinity is three in person but one in essence?
- R. C. Sproul: One in Essence, Three in Person (video)
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