The Trinity
The Problem of the Trinity
Ephesians 4:4-6
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you
too were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith,
one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through
all and in all.
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The doctrine of the Trinity poses a problem of logic and understanding not only for the unsaved, but for many believers as well.
The problem may be stated by using the following statements and question:
- Scripture teaches God is
One.
Deuteronomy 6:4 Listen, Israel: As for the Lord your God, the Lord is one. NET - God is God.
1 Corinthians 8:6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we live, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we live. NET - Jesus is God.
Hebrews 1:8-10 8 but of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and a righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness. So God, your God, has anointed you over your companions with the oil of rejoicing." 10 And, "You founded the earth in the beginning, Lord, and the heavens are the works of your hands. NET - The Holy Spirit is God.
Acts 5:3-4 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back for yourself part of the proceeds from the sale of the land? 4 Before it was sold, did it not belong to you? And when it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How have you thought up this deed in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God!" NET - Does this mean there are three Gods?
The solution to this question is the doctrine known as the Trinity.
First, let us immediately clear the air. The word “trinity” does not appear in the Bible. Don’t go looking for it! The word Trinity is used to described the “Threeness” on our one God. The title of this doctrine was either coined by Theophilus around 181 A.D or by Tertullian in 215 A.D. The Anathasian Creed (c. 5th Century) states the doctrine of the Trinity:
“We worship one God in trinity, and trinity in unity, neither confounding the persons, nor separating the substance.”
To understand the biblical Trinity, a couple of terms must be defined and understood. These are “person” and “essence.” The doctrine of the Trinity states that the Godhead is one in essence, but He manifests Himself as three distinct persons.
It is clear that one&s belief about the Trinity will influence and effect his entire concept of the interpretation of Scripture, and in particular, his views on salvation.
Let us look at the ideas of "persons" and "essence."
