1:2), and empowers us for service (Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. During this period, it was attempted solely by using algorithmswhich are basically rules or sets of rules you tell a computer to follow. They are all eternal. 12:28; Rom. Jesus is God, but He is not the Father or the Holy Spirit. Why not plan on studying verses in each section to prove to yourself that the Bible does claim that God is a Trinity? See, each member participated in the creation, the incarnation, and redemption. 55 years on I've yet to hear or read an explanation of the Trinity that makes sense. 40:18; Rom. I wont go into all of the verses here (simply type bible verses about the Trinity into Google and youll find plenty). The three members of the unholy trinity are Satan, the Antichrist, and the false prophet. Since our personal relationship is with Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit lies within us, what role does God play as Father? 13:14), the term Trinity does not appear. They had to wait another 50 year for the 381 update. 3. know that I recognise only one God. These definitions express three crucial truths: (1) The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons, (2) each Person is fully God, (3) there is only one God. Its NOT God. I hate getting spam. We hate SPAM. 3 in 1: A Picture of God This one is for anyone interested in using the apple object lesson. God is one in a certain way (essence) and three in a different way (person). There will always be some level of mystery to this, but when you talk about the being/nature/essence as God and the persons/expressions as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit I think we get at least a little bit closer to beginning to comprehend something we can never fully comprehend. You can't explain the Trinity to anyone who reasons because: 1) The Bible does not support it. It's easy to turn doctrinal discussions into strictly intellectual affairs, but as Dr. Fred Sanders teaches in The Triune God course, we need to do so "in a way that enlists the reader's strict and holy attention for what is essentially a spiritual exercise." That's the one we think of as the Father. Thus, they relate to each other personally the Father regards Himself as I, while He regards the Son and Holy Spirit as You. Likewise the Son regards Himself as I, but the Father and the Holy Spirit as You.. Most people, including many Christians, struggle trying to apprehend the Trinity. If you are a Christian, why not memorize some of this blogs verses? In other words, you have contradicted yourself if you affirm and deny the same statement. Omnipotence (Jer. To start, let me define what I mean when I say persons. Personhood is having intellect, emotions, and a will. Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion about the Trinity. While some say . The Father and the Son are God almighty, omnipotent God. And this illustration helps us understand the Trinity: This illustration shows how the doctrine of the Trinity does not divide God into three parts. Instead, it reveals that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit possess the same divine essence. Christianity is a monotheistic religion. He differs from the Father, but was and . Awareness of the distinct role that each Person of the Trinity has in our salvation can especially serve to give us greater comfort and appreciation for God in our prayers, as well as helping us to be specific in directing our prayers. But its not a mystery that can or should! Unsubscribe at any time. After all, children deal best with concrete ideas. Scriptural evidence supports every element proving the Trinity. 1:3), Demonstrated divine sovereignty over nature (Matt. 7:28; Ps. Lets move on to Scriptural evidence for the Trinity. And God seeks people to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). I'm an author, speaker, husband, father and ice cream lover. 8:3539; Eph. Learn about Cru's global leadership team. They include: Now you have a basic understanding of the Trinity. As long as a shape has those three angles that add up to 180 degrees, it doesnt matter what the angles degrees are. Within a week,, Read More Is It Normal that My 4 Year Old Can Read? Genesis 1:1 reads: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." If we look more closely at the word we translate "God," Elohim, we see it is plural. The answer must be no, because the Bible also indicates that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons. Instead, they are all identical in attributes. Lets apply what weve learned to the Trinity based on the graphic. Question: How do you explain the Trinity? That is ok when it comes to rocks and triangles. As I said earlier, it means the same thing as being. After all, the Trinity is difficult to understand. Hes the one who walked the Earth blamelessly, performing miracles, and extending mercy and love. This is a limitation on God that doesnt acknowledge that God isalwaysthe Father,alwaysthe Son, andalwaysthe Holy Spirit. As theologian and apologist Norman Geisler has explained it, while essence is what you are, person is who you are. To help us do that, here are two reasons why the Trinity matters. The Trinity isn't some complicated distraction from the simple gospelit's actually part of the gospel. Perhaps for the first time, you have read that the Trinity is a mystery and not acontradiction. OksoWhat about this idea of one being who exists in three persons?. Did your kids give each form of God different personality traits? Looking for a great childrens Bible? Whats a Mama to say when the questions start flowing? The Holy Trinity is 'the Center of Everything.'. If someone already has an understanding based on the definition and explanation above, then these analogiesmighthelp them grasp aspects of the Trinity. The concept of the Trinity is often referred to during worship, which helps Christians to understand it. This triune God (or Trinity) began to allude to this aspect of His nature right in Genesis 1:26-27. The word "trinity" is a term used to denote the Christian doctrine that God exists as a unity of three distinct, simultaneous persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For instance, the Trinity does not mean that: Instead, we need to clearly distinguish two categories (Persons and essence). Trinity not mentioned in the Bible anywhere! Third, notice that although the three divine Persons are distinct, we are baptized into their name (singular), not names (plural). The Trinity does not divide God into three parts. . But he avoids contradiction with this statement because he means that in one sense it was the best of times, but in another sense it was the worst of times. Dont despair. And that knowledge can feel liberating. 1:12). The verb for created isbara. It was God who took the initiative to save humankind. What we have seen so far provides a good basic understanding of the Trinity. He is three in Person. 13:14; 1 Pet.1:2), In the story of the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1025), When Jesus promises the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 1:48), Peters sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2:33; Acts 3839), Peter and apostles answer the high priest (Acts 5:3032), During Stephens heavenly vision at his stoning (Acts 7:5556), In Peters sermon to the gentiles in Caesarea (Acts 10:3638; Acts 4448), When Peter reports to the Jerusalem church (Acts 11:1518), When Peter speaks at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:811), During Pauls interaction with Jewish leaders in Rome (Acts 28:2531), Pauls epistles (Rom. Tertullian coined the term Trinity during the second century. 3:25; Dan. That is where I go back to the starting point I mentioned above. The Holy Spirit is God, but He is not the Son or the Father. John says in the first verse of the book: "The Word was with God, and the Word was God." Here is an indication of the divinity of the Word. Why not consider these truths and place your faith in Jesus (1 John 5:1)? Its obvious that the Trinity is important to Christianity because its the framework for one of our oldest texts that crosses multiple denominations: the Apostles Creed, written in the 5th century. More simply stated, the essence of any entity is what it is. Then, ask them to write words on the poster that make up the character of God. Not the answer an enquiring young mind was looking for. How can God be both one and three? The doctrine or concept of the Trinity is central to most Christian denominations and faith groups, although not all. The fact that the Holy Spirit is a Person, not an impersonal force (like gravity), is also shown by the fact that He speaks (Hebrews 3:7), reasons (Acts 15:28), thinks and understands (1 Corinthians 2:10-11), wills (1 Corinthians 12:11), feels (Ephesians 4:30), and gives personal fellowship (2 Corinthians 13:14). This is one of the books of the Torah. The answer is simple. Amongst other books, I have read 'The Forgotten Trinity" by James White, but remain unconvinced that acceptance of or belief in the confusing doctrine of the trinity is essential for Salvation. Lets apply these concepts to the Trinity. 4:6; James 2:19; Jude 25. I think it is because they lack at least two pieces of information: The main confusion is that many people dont get this distinction. View our top Cru resources in more than 20 languages. I am also Keith Ferrin. Let's explore each of these members. Secondly I'd like you to read this verse with me from the Bible. 15:16), inspires, intercedes (Rom. In fact, it is precisely the continuing dialogue between the Father and the Son (Matthew 3:17; 17:5; John 5:19; 11:41-42; 17:1ff ) which furnishes the best evidence that they are distinct Persons with distinct centers of consciousness. It is crucial for properly understanding what God is like, how He relates to us, and how we should relate to Him. This verse accurately states the doctrine of the Trinity that God is One God in three Persons. Each corner is distinct (i.e., different) from the others. AboutPressCopyrightContact. Matt Perman is the director of career navigation at The Kings College NYC, a blogger, and an author. All will play a role in the events mentioned in Revelation. Have a great discussion about it! After all, theyre good questions. In this blog post, we will discuss how schools and parents can help girls to, Read More Navigating Girl Drama: 20 Ways Schools and Parents Can Help Calm the StormContinue, Ill never forget the moment I watched in amazement as my newly-turned 4 year old sounded out her first few CVC words. 3:17), Omnipresence (Ps. We exist to worship God. Ask the teenager this question: Where does this fall short? While admitting the lack of conformity among believers, we must never consider it a minor issue of doctrine. And confusing ones. At the risk of sounding too physical, essence can be understood as the stuff that you consist of.. Is referred to in the second person (you; Ps. He exists as a Trinity. The word "scripture " graphe Essenceis the objective set of attributes necessary to the thing being described. As youll see explained more deeply in one of the videos below, you can think of it this way: I am a human being. Your Identity in Christ: How God Sees You. For instance, the Father is the first person of the Trinity. His function is superior to that of the Son and the Holy Spirit. This is something far removed from our human experience, where every different human "person" is a different being as well. The doctrine of the Trinity is considered to be one of the central Christian affirmations about God. In explaining the Trinity to your friend, begin, perhaps, with the work of salvation. In this case, "immanent" means "the action remaining within an agent.". The doctrine of the Trinity, simply stated, is as follows: The Bible teaches that there is one eternal God who is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He is beyond us. Some attributes include eternal, infinite, omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. Thats what faith is being content with our own confusion while still knowing that God is bigger than we can comprehend. Learn how you can know God personally. On the other hand, we must say that the Persons are real, that they are not just different ways of looking at the one being of GodThe only way it seems possible to do this is to say that the distinction between the persons is not a difference of "being" but a difference of "relationships." 2. Christs resurrection is variously attributed to: Multiple verses distinguish each member of the Trinity. 118:28, God referred to in the third person singular (he, his, him): Gen. 1:5, 10; Ex. 1:318; 1 Pet. And certainly not if it were a contradiction. How do they relate? Ive got you covered with all the basics, no matter your denomination. The doctrine of the Trinity means that there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Of course we are speaking by analogy here, for we cannot understand this in a physical way about God. Thus, as Wayne Grudem writes, When we speak of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together we are not speaking of any greater being than when we speak of the Father alone, the Son alone, or the Holy Spirit alone.[2]. In this blog post, we are going to discuss the Holy Trinity in simple terms. Now youre gonna tell me theyre all the same but also different? Geisler, N. L., and R. E MacKenzie, R. E. Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: agreements and differences. 2. Elohimis the plural form of the word God. Divide your group into three teams and give each group a sheet of butcher paper or poster. How to Support Gifted ReadersContinue, OurYotoplayer,Yoto Mini, and set of Yoto cards is the number one favorite toy in our household, and it has been for two years now. After Christ rose from the grave, he appeared to the disciples and gave them a job to do: preach the Word to everyone. Anytime you see a geometric figure with these features, it is a triangle. And the triangle can help us distinguish one essence from the three Persons. But all three must be present simultaneously for the geometric figure to be a triangle. Ignore the urge to tie everything up with a nice little bow. using the shamrock or the three states of H 2 O to explain the . Three separate beings, all rolled into one entity. The Trinity is like an egg or apple. In fact, kids who have been in church for many years will probably have already heard one of these illustrations. A mystery that should cause us to marvel, and wonder, and worship! Our fellowship with God should be enhanced by consciously knowing that we are relating to a tri-personal God! May 23, 2012 by: Justin Buzzard. So a closer look at the fact that God is one in essence but three in person has helped to show why the Trinity is not a contradiction. The first commandment says, You shall have no other gods before me (Ex. So, rather than starting there, heres where were headed: To think we will everfullyunderstand the Trinity is to make the mistake of thinking God is fully understandable. First, we have God. Does the Trinity mean that God is divided into three parts? " Here God is a plural noun, said is in the . But Jesus did not become less than the Father during his incarnation. 1. All three Persons of the Trinity are God. This is just an egg, or an apple, or H2O. They are not merely modes or manifestations of the same person (as Oneness theology incorrectly asserts) who sometimes acts as Father, sometimes as Son, and sometimes as Spirit. Unfortunately, it is also a doctrine that is surrounded by disagreement and controversy among believers. "But if I [Jesus] cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.". Hmmm. The Bible is clear that all three Persons are each one hundred percent God. In brief, how we view God will profoundly impact our everyday lives. For example, since the Father sent the Son into the world (John 3:16), He cannot be the same person as the Son. Ibid, p. 255. But what exactly are essence or nature and personhood? 3:19; Eph. The three most common go-to analogies for explaining the Trinity are water, an egg, and the sun. This is very important: God is one and three at the same time, but not in the same way. What a challenge! In Hinduism, the trinity (Trimrti, or The Three Forms) is of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. We also see this evidenced in how the Son and Father sent the Spirit into the world (John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7). 3:16; 2 Pet. The Son and Holy Spirit are equal in deity to the Father. Girls become divided, friendships are ruined, and reputations are tarnished. The second point of clarification has to do with personhood. Reflecting Jesus together for the good of the city. The Trinity has a very significant application to prayer. It is fundamental to our worldview. What does it take to begin a relationship with God? Egg A single egg is made up of the yolk, the whites, and the shell. The personhood of each member of the Trinity means that each Person has a distinct center of consciousness. All three members of the Trinity have these characteristics. Matthew 12:28. Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! understand the doctrine of the Trinity. Yet he also proclaimed, there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live (1 Cor. Carrying this concept over to the Trinity, it is not a contradiction for God to be both three and one because He is not three and one in the same way. For if we deny this, we have denied Gods unity and affirmed that there is more than one being of God (i.e., that there is more than one God). Admittedly, the idea of three distinct persons/expressions that are each fully God is part of the mystery. You arent alone! However, within the nature of this one God are three persons, or three centers of consciousness - the Father, the Son, and the . In all transparency, I feel like I did a pretty mediocre job of explaining the Trinity to them in a way they could grasp. The Fathers plan for our redemption shows his great love for humankind. While there are some illustrations which are helpful, we should recognize that no illustration is perfect. He is one Being in three Persons (centers of consciousness), not merely three roles. From our understanding of the Trinity (a social being), we recognize that a person is a relational being, not just someone with a mind, a will, and . For example: God the Father is a person. And that he is manifest as three Persons.. The three members of the Trinity are Persons. Be cool with leaving the gathering with more questions than answers. As a result, Jesus death covered or atoned for our sins (2 Cor.
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