God's sacrifice to himself

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The Father and the Son are two distinct persons who are con-substantial -- of same nature ( John 10:28-30;Hebrews 1:2-8).

John 10:30 (NIV) I and my Father are one.

The Father gave his only begotten Son to the world whom he so loved ( John 3:16) while the Son gave himself for us because he loved us ( 1 John 3:16). This is both an atonement and sacrifice.

John 3:16 ( KJV) For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son so that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

The Father is not the Son. The Son is not the Father. The Father sent the Son. The Son is sent by the Father ( 1 John 4:9). Both are the same God because both have the same nature.

John 1:1 is helpful on this. It says that the Word was God with God in the beginning.

John 1:1 (KJV) In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

The Father himself did not die on the cross but His Son did ( Philippians 2:6-11).

What this shows is the Triune nature of God, that there are three persons in one Godhead: Father, Son and Spirit( Matthew 28:19).

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Christian theology has long distinguished 'being' and 'person' God is 'one being' but there are three three persons who are that one God. Take for example the Nicene Creed:

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Notice how it express a belief in one God, but also that there are three persons (Father, Son and Spirit) who are that one God.

When it comes to the incarnation, the father sent the son.

When it comes to the cross the son died to satisfy the wrath of the father.

So, whilst in one sense it is true to say God sacrificed himself to appease his wrath - that action was possible because God is trinity.

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