Three in Deity, that is…not in a 3-D movie. This series of posts will address the question of deity among the three persons of the Trinity. Each part of the trinity will be examined on its own and also as a body of one. It is necessary to see the Triune God as one being yet consisting of three persons. It is important for Christians to study this theological mystery to know who to worship, who to pray to and who to believe in. Some think the Trinity is simply a spiritual power that God uses to complete His will. These posts will serve to repudiate that theory.
We all know that not everyone will believe everything and some need more facts than others while still there are others that no amount of facts will be enough. With that said; going forward these posts will assume the reader believes the Holy Bible to be the inerrant and inspired word of God and was authored by God Himself. The existence of God and the doctrine of the trinity are asserted and declared throughout the testimony of the Bible. It is for this reason the belief in the Bible must be first and foremost.
William Evans wrote, “The doctrine of the Trinity is, in its last analysis, a deep mystery that cannot be fathomed by the finite mind. That it is taught in the Scripture, however, there can be no reasonable doubt. It is a doctrine to be believed even though it cannot be thoroughly understood.”[1]
It is also necessary to understand there is a subordination aspect to the Trinity in that the Son is subordinate to the Father and the Holy Spirit is subordinate to the Son and the Father. This is not a topic to be covered in this thread and I bring it up to separate the subject of equality from deity. Each part of the Trinity is divine but not in every sense equal.
We as mere mortals can never completely understand the origins of God or the mystery of the Trinity. With tongue in cheek I enjoy the words of a writer from many years ago that mentioned the doctrine of the trinity justly excites our wonder, and confounds the imbecility of our minds.”[2] That was well said!
When we think of the doctrine of God we must also think of the Trinity. The word Trinity is not a Biblical word but it is used by mankind and has been used for ages to describe the magnificent three part manifestation of our one true God as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The word trinity is indicating that God is one being but has three co-existing persons in the Godhead of the Father, the crucified Son and the Holy Spirit. The word ‘person’ as used to describe the parts of the Trinity, is not used in the same context as a human person. It is however, used to describe the personal relationship between the triune Godhead and signifies the loving relationship between them.[3]
There is a passage in scripture that documents the Trinity pretty well and it is 1 John 5:7, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” This is surely a clear indication to the three-in-one aspect of the Trinity. It is in the Gospel of John that the most evidence of the Trinity is found. We find it in the passages of John 1:33-34; 14:16, 26; 16:13-15; 20: 21-22. Erickson noted an observation by George Henry that illuminated the inter-dynamics of three. “The son is sent by the Father (14:24) and comes forth from Him. (16:28) The Spirit is given by the Father (14:16), sent from the Father (14:26) and proceeds from the Father. (15:26) Yet the Son is closely involved in the coming of the Spirit: he prays for his coming (14:16); the Father sends the Spirit in the Son’s name (14:26); the Son will send the Spirit from the Father (15:26); the Son must go away so that he can send the Spirit (16:7). The Spirits ministry is understood as a continuation and elaboration of that of the Son. He will bring to remembrance what the Son has said (14:26): he will bear witness to the Son (15:26); he will declare what he hears from the Son, this glorifying the Son (16:13-14).”[4]
The doctrine of the Trinity is not specifically mentioned in scripture, however, there are enough suggestions of the deity and the unity of the three that it is understandable why the church came up with the doctrine and we can also deduct they were correct in developing it.
We are not holding onto this doctrine because it presents itself to us or we understand it. We hold onto the Trinity because God through His revelation is showing us what He is like. We want to be like Him. Try to explain it, and you’ll lose your mind; But try to deny it, and you’ll lose your soul.
In the next post will be an examination of the deity of the three beginning with the Father. Click here to go to PART 2.
Have a Godly day,
“The Tubthumper”
[1] William Evans, The Great Doctrines of the Bible (Chicago: Charles Aldarondo, Charles Franks, [1950?]).
[2] Samuel Stanhope Smith, Of the Principles of Revealed Religion; 1st of the Holy Trinity: A Comprehensive View of the Leading and Most Important Principles of Natural and Revealed Religion: Digested in Such Order as to Present to the Pious and Reflecting Mind, a Basis for the Superstructure of the Entire System of the Doctrines of the Gospel. (New Brunswick, NJ, US: Deare & Myer, viii, 1815).
[3] David Horton and Ryan Horton, eds., The Portable Seminary (Bloomington, MN: Bethany House, 2006), 93.
[4] Millard J. Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine: Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Acedemic of Baker Book House, 2004).
It seems my education of theology never stops and with that I am so grateful! From salvation to trinity, dear Brother, you certainly are not afraid to do great exploits and leap over walls like David! (2 Samuel 22: 30) This blog is certainly executed in a very organized way to understand the trinity and I have copied it, if you don’t mind, to send to my sister, as she is an older Christian than I, but younger in understanding. Thank you dear Brother for your effort and encouragement for the brethren. Don’t look now, but your treasures have already been stored in heaven. Love in Christ, pam