10. Who is the Holy Trinity?
Key Verses / Passage
Or the Lord our God is one Lord; or The Lord is our God, the Lord is one; or The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. Deuteronomy 6:4
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19
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Discussion
Have you ever heard the term “the Holy Trinity”? When it comes to the Christian faith, this term describes the teaching that combines the major beliefs in scripture of;
• monotheism - there is only one God, one “Being”.
• God exists in three distinct persons.
• Each person is co-equal, co-divine, co-existent and yet has specific “roles”.
The “Trinity” or “Triune God”, is the Christian doctrine that God is one being that exists as three distinct co-equal, co-eternal and co-divine persons referred to as: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit. It is a hard concept to grasp, but let’s have a go.
The term was first used by Theophilus, the patriarch of Antioch, in 181A.D who wrote a defense of Christianity, to a pagan friend. Theophilus uses the Greek word trias (τριάς), three; as God, his Word (Logos) and his Wisdom (Sophia).
Another early church father, Ireneaus (125-202 AD) defended orthodoxy by writing:
"By the word of the Lord were the heavens established, and by his spirit all their power". Since then the Word establishes, that is to say, gives body and grants the reality of being, and the Spirit gives order and form to the diversity of the powers; rightly and fittingly is the Word called the Son, and the Spirit the Wisdom of God
In the early 3rd century, the Christian theologian Tertullian uses the Latin “Trinitas” to explain the foundational idea of God being one substance consisting of 3 persons. The concept is derived from scripture to highlight their unity, distinctness and shared divine nature.
Matthew records the great commission (Matt 28:18-20) mentions the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as the 3-fold embodiment of God’s nature and character. Each of these expressions of our God is deliberately ordered to reveal a powerfully unique insight into our loving God.
In terms of functions, generally the Father plans and initiates, the Son accomplishes the plan and the Spirit applies this work, acting in complete harmony and cooperation. The Father planned our salvation, the Son accomplished our salvation and redeems our relationship and the Spirit indwells believers guiding them to the truth.
The Father set it in motion, the Son created the world and saved us and the Holy Spirit points us to Yeshua as our Lord and Saviour.
Key Roles of the Trinity:
• The Father (The Planner/Initiator): Planned the Universe and set the plan of salvation, then sent the Son. He is regarded as the source or patriarch within the God-head, governing and making decisions.
• The Son (The Accomplisher/Mediator): Executes the Father's plan, serving as the agent of creation and redemption. He is obedient to the Father, became human to pay the penalty for sin, conquered death and acts as a mediator.
• The Holy Spirit (The Applier/Empowering Source): Carries out the will of the Father and Son in the world, empowering believers, giving life, and sanctifying them. The Spirit indwells believers, guides the Church, and brings order, acting as the "willing one" and bond of love.
Additional Scriptures
• Genesis 1:1
• John 16:13
• Colossians 1:15-16
• Hebrews 1:1-3
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Reflection / Questions
• Who are the 3 persons of the Trinity?
• What does each expression of the Trinity tell us about God?
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Prayer
Dear God, thank you that you are Almighty and powerful. I thank you for always being with me and expressing yourself in so many wonderful ways. Please help me to continue to understand and experience your loving nature and help others to experience it too.