The doctrine of the trinity
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The document discusses the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, which holds that God exists as three persons - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - but is singular in essence. It provides biblical support for the Trinity from both the Old and New Testaments. Examples are given to help illustrate the concept of three persons in one God, such as the tri-parts of man (body, soul, spirit). The key aspects of the Trinity, like co-equality and distinct roles of the persons, are explained.
The doctrine of the trinity
- 1. THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY THREE PERSONALITIES IN ONE 1
- 2. MYSTERY OF GOD • As two natures exist in Christ yet but one person is a wonder, so three persons in one Godhead cannot be defined. Daniel J. Webster stated, “do you expect to understand the arithmetic of heaven. • The Father God, the Son God, the Holy Spirit God, yet not three God’s but only one yet three persons in essence. 2
- 3. TRINITY • The word trinity itself was first formally used at the Synod held at Alexandria, in A.D 317. was seen for the first time in a Christian work Theophilus, Bishop of Antioch in Syria from A.D 168-183. • The Trinity itself is derived from the Latin Trinitas from the adjective Trinus meaning threefold or three in one. It is not the word tri-unity, which is a term belonging to the mystics. 3
- 4. EXAMPLES OF TRINITY • Man is tri-une consisting of spirit, soul, and body. 1Thessalonians 5:23. • The universe presents itself in view as earth, sky and sea. • Atmosphere is made up solids, liquids, and gases. • Water is found as snow, ice, and liquid. • The sun we have light, heat, and chemical effects. 4
- 5. TRINITARIANISM • In the Nicene Creed of A.D 325 we have trinitarianism in which the three Persons are divine and are of one substance. The Athanasian Creed which came centuries later spells out both the oneness and the threeness of God • The Father, The Great Upholder and Purpose of all things. The Son, the One and Only redeemer of mankind. The Holy Spirit, the Indispensable Sanctifier and Enlightener. Each having their own distinct spheres of operation yet found acting together in unison. 5
- 6. THE OLD TESTAMENT “ELOHIM” • The divine term used of God found at the beginning of the Bible. This is a plural noun used 500 times by Moses, and 5000 times in the New Testament. This term speaks of the oneness in Deity and the plurality of persons. Genesis 1:1, Hebrews 1:2 • Used at the fall of Adam. Also at the Tower of Babel, the threefold benediction of the High Priest. Genesis 3:22, 11:7, Number 6:24-26 6
- 7. THE NEW TESTAMENT • The names of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, are used both separately and conjointly. John 8:34; 1:1, Acts 5:3-4 • We cannot study the passages of scripture written in the Bible without coming to the conclusion that the Bible is Trinitarian. John 17:3, 1Corinthians 8:4, 1Timothy 2:5 • The Three are coeternal, coequal, in power and glory. All three are to be worshipped. 7
- 8. TEACHING OF JESUS • All the teachings of Jesus are Trinitarian in nature. The Father sent the Son, and both the Father and the Son send The Holy Spirit. John 14:16-26, Luke 10:12, 12:12, 22:70. • Jesus gives the disciples the baptism formula and announces to the world the existence of the trinity. Matthew 28:19 • Jesus tells the disciples that it is in the name, not names and that was the sign that the Elohim of the Old Testament had returned. Isaiah 30:27,59:19 8
- 9. GOD’S THOUGHT • In order for us to have an clearer understanding of the trinity we must understand this doctrine in this way. God the Father and His idea of Himself is the manifestation of the Son Jesus Christ, and the breath they use to speak to each other the manifestation of The Holy Spirit. John 16:15 • As one great operation of spirit, knowing produces the second person, so the other, loving produces the third. 9
- 10. ONE NATURE • God has revealed Himself to us in a way of understanding that is incredible. God The Father, The Word He speaks The Son Jesus Christ, and The breadth He uses The Holy Spirit. John 1:1, Genesis 1:1-5 • The nature of a thing gives the thing it power and ability. Since God is infinite in nature everything that carries that same nature is also infinite. 10