THE TRINITY
One of the mysteries of God’s Being is the doctrine of the Trinity, and is very difficult to understand since there is no human concept that fully describes it. The word “Trinity” is not found in the Bible but the truth is taught in the Scriptures.
“The coexistence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in the unity of the Godhead (divine nature or essence). The doctrine of the trinity means that within the being and activity of the one God there are three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Although the word trinity does not appear in the Bible, the “trinitarian formula” is mentioned in the Great Commission (Matt 28:19) and in the benediction of the apostle Paul’s Second Epistle to the Corinthians (2 Cor 13:14).”(from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
One of the difficulties that arises is the use of the word “persons” which does not mean persons in the general use as in individual people. There are NOT three Gods! The Godhead is One in substance or essence, each “Person” has the same propose. The Bible distinctly teaches that God is One, and in unison that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God . There have been may attempts to describe the Godhead in human terms, but none can give an accurate portrayal.
“The triune family is God’s revelation of Himself as the ultimate truth about reality. This family is the original pattern from which God creates all the families of earth with their unity and diversity. The family of mankind, after losing its intimate relationship with the divine family at the Fall, is restored to fellowship by God’s action. This happens when its members acknowledge the generosity originating in the Father, expressed by the Son, and energized by the Holy Spirit.” (from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
1. God The Father
The first Person of the Trinity is called “Father” and Scripture presents Him in four distinct manifestations.
The Father of all creation; He is the Originator of all things and the supplier of life and physical needs of mankind
The Father of Israel as a nation, or a national Fatherhood
The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and this relationship should not be considered on the same level as that of mankind; or that God created Christ as He created other beings. God acknowledged Christ as His Son , and there are two words used in the New Testament to describe this relationship: “One and Only”(“only begotten” KJV) , meaning one of a kind or unique; and “firstborn” a reference to Christ taking the highest position of honour in God’s family and not a reference to His origin.
The Father of Believers, all those who are called Christians in the true sense of the word, “the children (sons) of God” , and it must be understood that not all people are accurately God’s children. Children are those that are born, adopted, or as a result of marriage, form members of family and this carries over to the family of God .
2. God the Son
Christ who is distinct from the Father is also God . He also possesses the attributes (characteristics) of God: immutability(unchanging) ; “omnipresence” – He is with us individually and collectively ; “omniscience”– He knows everything . The fact that He is God is also evident in His divine acts and He is the creator and upholds the universe
3. God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is undoubtedly called God ; and also has the characteristics of the Father and The Son: “eternal” ; “omniscience”; “omnipresence” . His divine acts are seen in “regeneration” ; “conviction of sin” ; “inspiration” in regards to the written Word of God .
In conclusion, we see in various passages of the New Testament the relationship of the Persons of the Trinity; under one name (singular): “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” ; and are linked together in other passages: “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”” <Matt.3:16-17 (NIV)>; “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” .
Most of the foregoing references have been taken from the New Testament, but we should also be aware that in Old Testament times the people had to be reminded that there is only One God; “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” , and although the Trinity is included in the Old Testament it may not be easily observed. The Psalmist speaks specifically of the Father and The Son , and Isaiah speaks of the Father and the Spirit .
There are many unexplained mysteries in the world today so it is not surprising that there is the mystery of the Godhead, and since we cannot understand everything about our world and its creation likewise there are unexplained characteristics of God; therefore we should accept what God has revealed to us in that there is only One God existing as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.