Understanding the Trinity
Trinity as defined by Webster's
Dictionary is "the union of the three divine persons (Father, Son
and Holy Spirit ) in one Godhead." God is a triune being (three in
one). That means He is manifest in an absolute "Threeness" - Father,
Son and Holy Spirit. Yet, at the same time, He is also an absolute
"Oneness." Each one is God. However, that does not mean each
one is a part of God. Each one is the whole God. Personality is
not divisible. God cannot be divided. He is one
in essence, in personality and in will.
The concept of the Trinity is often
difficult for us to grasp because when we think of a person, we think of will,
feelings and behavior peculiar to that person alone. This cannot be thought of
in connection with the Trinity. Each person of the Godhead has individual
characteristics, responsibilities and operation, yet never acts
independently or in opposition. There is always total unity and harmony.
What a wonderful example and goal for us as believers to work toward.
Within the Trinity there is also a
certain order. Not an order of importance, but an order of operation and
revelation. All plans or revelations come from
the Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit. The Father initiates, the Son
proclaims (He is the Word in John 1), and the Holy Spirit executes. Each has a
vital part and works together.
Although the word "Trinity"
itself is not found in the Bible, the concept and revelation of the threefold
activity of the Godhead began at creation when God said, "Let us
make man in our image, after our likeness..." (Genesis 1:26).
One of the ways we are made in the image of God is our own triune makeup of
spirit, soul and body. Each is different in characteristic and function, yet
together they make up one man.
Another example of the Trinity in
operation is found at the baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan River. God
the Father spoke from heaven, and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove upon
Jesus the Son (Luke 3:21-22). This was a threefold revelation of God given
to man on the level of his physical senses. Throughout His entire ministry Jesus
consistently spoke of His Father and Himself as being two distinct persons, and
yet being declared equal. It was one of the things He taught that infuriated the
"religious" people He encountered and caused them to want to kill Him
because they refused to accept its truth (Mark 2:7; John 5:18).
First John 5:7 states, "For there
are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word [Jesus], and the Holy
Ghost: and these three are one." The activity of the Trinity is evident
throughout the Bible, but in some passages you must look closely.
Perhaps a good example from nature to
help us understand the concept of the Trinity is water. The chemical makeup of
water is H2O - two parts hydrogen to one part oxygen. It is also the same
chemical makeup of ice and steam. They are identically the same, yet
distinctly different. You can swim in water, but not in ice or steam. Each
has different characteristics and functions, yet they are the same - H2O.
As with many revelations from the Word
of God, understanding the Trinity is not something we can do totally with our
minds - it must be received by faith also. As you study the Bible,
look for evidence of the Trinity revealed individually as the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit, yet operating in total love and harmony.
|