This personal manifestation of God in Christ is in perfect harmony
with the nature and character of God as we know Him through the
Scriptures. This manifestation of God is not only subject to a
historical test, but may also be made the subject of a personal
experience test, "If any man will do His will he shall know of the
doctrine" (John 7:17). Soon after the resurrection and ascension of
Jesus the disciples, who had been with Jesus when He was upon earth,
began to urge others to make a test of personal experience in regard
to the manifestation of God in Christ (Acts 2:14,31-47; 3:19-21;
7:56). Paul, who had a special experience (Acts 9:1-8), preached this
test of personal experience throughout the Roman Empire. Ever since
those early times there has been the same urgent appeal for men to
come to a knowledge of God through Jesus Christ and to make the test
not only historical, but one of personal experience.

The "Threefold Self-manifestation of God."--Christ in instructing His
disciples after His resurrection, said, "Go ye therefore and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19).

In the Old Testament we have the manifestation of God as the one
living God of all. He was specially known as the God of Israel in
preparing that nation for the great part it had in the divine economy.

In the New Testament Christ is recognized by His followers--and so
taught Himself--as the personal manifestation of God, to whom divine
honour was and is to be given. Christ told His followers that He would
"pray the Father and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may
abide with you forever" (John 14:16). This Comforter (16:7-15), the