Rounding off chapter 2 of part 1 of Communion with God, Owen refers to the unique contributions of each person of the triune Godhead. He takes up John 6:45 as a clear example of this: "It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. . . ."
Now the accomplishment of that promise--"they will all be taught by God"--is, says Owen, particularly referred to the Father. Continuing, "This teaching, whereby we are translated from death unto life, brought unto Christ, unto a participation of life and love in him--it is of and from the Father: him we hear, of him we learn, by him are we brought unto union and communion with the Lord Jesus. This is his drawing us, his begetting us anew of his own will, by his Spirit. . . ."
And then we are called upon by the Father to hear the Son uniquely: "This is my loved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him" (Mt. 17:5). So "the Father proclaims him from heaven to be the great teacher." And the entirety of Christ's prophetic office, and no small part of his kingly office, consists in the teaching of the Son. In this teaching he is said to draw all to himself (Jn. 12:32). And he does this "with such efficacy that the 'dead hear his voice and live'" (Jn. 5:25). Owen goes on, "The teaching of the Son is a life-giving, a spirit-breathing, teaching--an effectual influence of light, whereby he shines into darkness; a communication of life, quickening the dead; an opening of blind eyes, and changing of hard hearts; a pouring out of the Spirit, with all the fruits thereof."
Later in John's Gospel we read of the Spirit's ministry: "The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you" (Jn. 14:26). And then John says in his first epistle, "But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything--and is true and is no lie, just as it has taught you--abide in him" (1 Jn. 2:27; cf. 1 Cor. 2:12). Owen sets forth this text to show the unique contribution of the Spirit, he tells us, because "it is comprehensive, and comprises in itself most of the particulars that might be enumerated--quickening, preserving, and so forth."
Owen's conclusion: "This, then, further drives on the truth that lies under demonstration; there being such a distinct communication of grace from the several persons of the Diety, the saints must needs have distinct communion with them."
Lastly, in what do these distinctions lie and what is the ground of them?
"The Father communicates all grace by the way of original authority."
"The Son, by the way of making out a purchased treasury."
"The Spirit does it by the way of immediate efficacy."
Oh do rush and purchase this sweetest of all works on the Trinity! I feel really at home and healthy as I've been sitting at Owen's feet to learn of our tripersonal God. And the great thing about sitting at Owen's feet is that you forget Owen and are led to Jesus' feet through the Father's call in the power and life of the Spirit.
All praise to the three-in-one God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! All glory and honor and praise and blessing be to him who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb, and to the the Seven Spirits before the throne, for they created all things and are redeeming all things according to their infinite wisdom and good pleasure!
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