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| The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit |
For so many decades perhaps centuries, the Holy Trinity has always been a dilemma for so many believers in God. There are some denominations that outright deny this doctrine of the Holy Trinity specifying that this was the invention of the Catholic Church. However, most Christians, both Catholics and Protestants are in unison on the belief that the Blessed Trinity is one and the same God in three divine Persons.
The doctrine did not take its definitive shape until late in the fourth century. During the intervening period, various tentative solutions, some more and some less satisfactory were proposed.
Trinitarianism contrasts with nontrinitarian positions which include Binitarianism (one deity in two persons, or two deities), Unitarianism (one deity in one person, analogous to Jewish interpretation of the Shema and Muslim belief in Tawhid), Oneness Pentecostalism or Modalism (one deity manifested in three separate aspects).
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| The "Shield of the Trinity" or Scutum Fidei diagram of traditional Western Christian symbolism. |
"Father, Son, Holy Ghost", "Holy Trinity", and "Trinitarian" redirect here. For the album, see Father, Son, Holy Ghost (album). For other uses, see Holy Trinity (disambiguation), Trinitarian (disambiguation), and Trinity (disambiguation).
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity (Lat., trinitas from the Lat. triad, "three") defines God as three consubstantial persons, expressions, or hypostases: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit; "one God in three persons". The three persons are distinct, yet are one "substance, essence or nature". In this context, a "nature" is what one is, while a "person" is who one is.
According to this central mystery of most Christian faiths, there is only one God in three persons: while distinct from one another in their relations of origin (as the Fourth Lateran Council declared, "it is the Father who generates, the Son who is begotten, and the Holy Spirit who proceeds") and in their relations with one another, they are stated to be one in all else, co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial, and "each is God, whole and entire". Accordingly, the whole work of creation and grace is seen as a single operation common to all three divine persons, in which each shows forth what is proper to him in the Trinity, so that all things are "from the Father", "through the Son" and "in the Holy Spirit".
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity (Lat., trinitas from the Lat. triad, "three") defines God as three consubstantial persons, expressions, or hypostases: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit; "one God in three persons". The three persons are distinct, yet are one "substance, essence or nature". In this context, a "nature" is what one is, while a "person" is who one is.
According to this central mystery of most Christian faiths, there is only one God in three persons: while distinct from one another in their relations of origin (as the Fourth Lateran Council declared, "it is the Father who generates, the Son who is begotten, and the Holy Spirit who proceeds") and in their relations with one another, they are stated to be one in all else, co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial, and "each is God, whole and entire". Accordingly, the whole work of creation and grace is seen as a single operation common to all three divine persons, in which each shows forth what is proper to him in the Trinity, so that all things are "from the Father", "through the Son" and "in the Holy Spirit".
Many concepts seen as essential elements of the Christian faith, such as "monotheism", "incarnation", "omnipotence", are denoted by terms not found in the Bible, although Christians consider the concepts to be contained in the Bible. The term "Bible" itself, which is not found in the Bible, is an example. The term "Trinity" is another such term.
While the Fathers of the Church saw adumbrations of the Trinity even in the Old Testament, as in the appearance of three men to Abraham in Book of Genesis, chapter 18, it was the New Testament that they saw as a basis for developing the concept of the Trinity. The most influential of the New Testament texts seen as implying the teaching of the Trinity was Matthew 28:19, which mandated baptizing "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit".
Mathew 28:18-20 [18] And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. [19] Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.
[18] All power: See here the warrant and commission of the apostles and their successors, the bishops and pastors of Christ's church. He received from his Father all power in heaven and in earth: and in virtue of this power, he sends them (even as his Father sent him, John 20:21 He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. ) to teach and disciple, not one, but all nations; and instruct them in all truths: and that he may assist them effectually in the execution of this commission, he promises to be with them, not for three or four hundred years only, but all days, even to the consummation of the world. How then could the Catholic Church ever go astray; having always with her pastors, as is here promised, Christ himself, who is the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:6
Reflection, proclamation and dialogue led to the formulation of the doctrine that was felt to correspond to the data in the Bible. The simplest outline of the doctrine was formulated in the 4th century, largely in terms of rejection of what was considered not to be consonant with general Christian belief. Further elaboration continued in the succeeding centuries.
Acts 20:28 "Take heed to yourselves, and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops, to rule the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." Here St Paul emphasized that it was the Holy Ghost that had given the authority to the bishops to rule the church of God which the Holy Ghost had purchased with His own blood. We all know it was Jesus who died on the cross. It was Jesus who founded the universal church. Therefore, there is no doubt that Jesus and the Holy Ghost is one and the same with God the Father as one God in three divine persons.
How many Persons are there in God?
In God there are three divine Persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Unaided by divine revelation, the human mind could not know the existence of the Blessed Trinity because it is a supernatural mystery. Even after God has revealed the existence of the Blessed Trinity, we cannot understand it fully. When we believe, on the word of God, that there are three Persons in one God, we do not believe that three Persons are one Person, or that three gods are one God; this would be a contradiction.
Are the three divine Persons really distinct from one another?
The three divine Persons are really distinct from one another. Although the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are distinct Persons, they are not distinct in nature. The nature of the Father is entirely the nature of the Son; and the nature of the Father and the Son is entirely the nature of the Holy Ghost.
Are the three divine Persons perfectly equal to one another?
The three divine Persons are perfectly equal to one another, because all are one and the same God.
No one of the three Persons precedes the others in time or in power, but all are equally eternal and all-powerful because they have the same divine nature.
How are the three divine Persons, though really distinct from one another, one and the same God?
The three divine Persons, though really distinct from one another, are one and the same God because all have one and the same divine nature.
Because the three divine Persons have one and the same divine nature, they have the same perfections and the same external works are produced by them. But in order that we may better know the three divine Persons, certain perfections and works are attributed to each Person; for example:
- omnipotence and the works of omnipotence, such as creation, to the Father;
- wisdom and the works of wisdom, such as enlightenment, to the Son,
- love and the works of love, such as sanctification, to the Holy Ghost.
Can we fully understand how the three divine Persons, though really distinct from one another, are one and the same God?
We cannot fully understand how the three divine Persons, though really distinct from one another, are one and the same God because this is a supernatural mystery.
What is a supernatural mystery?
A supernatural mystery is a truth which we cannot fully understand, but which we firmly believe because we have God's word for it.
In addition to those truths which can be attained by man's natural reason, there are certain mysteries hidden in God which we cannot know without divine revelation, but which we must believe because God has revealed them. Divine mysteries by their very nature are far above the power of human understanding and even when revealed and accepted on faith they remain obscure during our life on earth. To understand these things fully, a finite mind would have to comprehend the infinite.
In heaven there will be a fuller understanding of these mysteries, but never an infinite comprehension of them.
It is reasonable to believe supernatural mysteries revealed by God because He can neither deceive nor be deceived. In our everyday life we believe many things on the word of human beings even though at times they deceive or are deceived.
The Trinity is Biblical
1) 1 John 5:7 And there are three who give testimony in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these three are one.****
a) Moffatt's Translation Attacks the Virgin Birth Isaiah 7:14 is horribly perverted by Mr. Moffatt...
KJ (King James) - "Behold, a virgin shall conceive..."
M (Moffatt) - "There is a young woman with child..."
b) Moffatt's Translation Attacks the Deity of Jesus 1st Timothy 3:16 is woefully corrupted in the Moffatt's Translation too...
****The 1 John 5:7 was completely removed by James Moffatt from his new version - which most staunched anti-Catholic churches use. One of the most wicked proof of corruptions of the Holy Bible. Why was the reason behind this action?
James Moffatt's 1922 new bible translation, is a corrupt version of the Bible. Moffatt calls his translation the "Holy Bible," but it is Satanic. As you will clearly see, Mr. Moffatt was an unbeliever who attacked the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14), the deity of Christ (1st Timothy 3:16), and the Godhead (Colossians 2:9).
James Moffatt's 1922 new bible translation, is a corrupt version of the Bible. Moffatt calls his translation the "Holy Bible," but it is Satanic. As you will clearly see, Mr. Moffatt was an unbeliever who attacked the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14), the deity of Christ (1st Timothy 3:16), and the Godhead (Colossians 2:9).
a) Moffatt's Translation Attacks the Virgin Birth Isaiah 7:14 is horribly perverted by Mr. Moffatt...
KJ (King James) - "Behold, a virgin shall conceive..."
M (Moffatt) - "There is a young woman with child..."
b) Moffatt's Translation Attacks the Deity of Jesus 1st Timothy 3:16 is woefully corrupted in the Moffatt's Translation too...
KJ (King James) - "...God was manifest in the flesh..."
M (Moffatt) - "...He who was manifest in the flesh..."
c) Moffatt's Translation Attacks the Godhead. As with the NIV perversion of the Bible, Moffatt's translation completely removes the word "Godhead" from the Word of God (see Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; and Colossians 2:9 in the King James Bible).
KJ (King James) - "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
M (Moffatt) - Completely Removed!
1 John 5:9-10 [9] If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony of God, which is greater, because he hath testified of his Son. [10] He that believeth in the Son of God, hath the testimony of God in himself. He that believeth not the Son, maketh him a liar: because he believeth not in the testimony which God hath testified of his Son.
He that believeth not the Son: By refusing to believe the testimonies given by the three divine persons, that Jesus was the Messias, and the true Son of God, by whom eternal life is obtained and promised to all that comply with his doctrine. In him we have also this lively confidence, that we shall obtain whatever we ask, according to his will, when we ask what is for our good, with perseverance, and in the manner we ought. And this we know, and have experience of, by having obtained the petitions that we have made.
The term antichrist ("instead of Christ," or "against Christ") is officially Biblical, coined by the apostle John two thousand years ago, and used only five (5) times by him with limited discussion in two of his letters found in the Bible at 1st John and 2nd John. (Note however, that although the Biblical use of the term "antichrist" itself is very limited, the notion of (and pervasive spirit of) the "antichrist" is dealt with frequently and at length in the Bible. Consider, for example, the one-page letter of Jude, in which the term "antichrist" is not used but the allusion to such is very clear.)
2) Genesis 1:26 And he said: Let us make man to our image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth.
Let us make man to our image: This image of God in man, is not in the body, but in the soul; which is a spiritual substance, endued with understanding and free will. God speaketh here in the plural number, to insinuate the plurality of persons in the Deity. This is the very first biblical proof of the Holy Trinity and is not an invention of Tertullian as claimed by anti-Trinity.
God said “Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness. This verse alone says that God is more than one person, while still remaining one God. In the New Testament, at the Baptism of Jesus, where Jesus allowed Himself to be baptized, not to wash his sins away, but rather to sanctify the waters of Baptism for us all, the Holy Trinity was manifested all at once on earth, in Matthew 3:13-17.
Become as one of us: God again speaks of plurality of Himself not His singleness.
KJ (King James) - "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
M (Moffatt) - Completely Removed!
1 John 5:9-10 [9] If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony of God, which is greater, because he hath testified of his Son. [10] He that believeth in the Son of God, hath the testimony of God in himself. He that believeth not the Son, maketh him a liar: because he believeth not in the testimony which God hath testified of his Son.
He that believeth not the Son: By refusing to believe the testimonies given by the three divine persons, that Jesus was the Messias, and the true Son of God, by whom eternal life is obtained and promised to all that comply with his doctrine. In him we have also this lively confidence, that we shall obtain whatever we ask, according to his will, when we ask what is for our good, with perseverance, and in the manner we ought. And this we know, and have experience of, by having obtained the petitions that we have made.
The term antichrist ("instead of Christ," or "against Christ") is officially Biblical, coined by the apostle John two thousand years ago, and used only five (5) times by him with limited discussion in two of his letters found in the Bible at 1st John and 2nd John. (Note however, that although the Biblical use of the term "antichrist" itself is very limited, the notion of (and pervasive spirit of) the "antichrist" is dealt with frequently and at length in the Bible. Consider, for example, the one-page letter of Jude, in which the term "antichrist" is not used but the allusion to such is very clear.)
1st John 2:18 Children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come; therefore we know that it is the last hour.
1st John 2:22 Who is the liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.
1st John 4:3 and every spirit which does not confess Jesus is not of God. This is the spirit of antichrist, of which you heard that it was coming and now it is in the world already.
2nd John 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh; such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.
1st John 2:22 Who is the liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.
1st John 4:3 and every spirit which does not confess Jesus is not of God. This is the spirit of antichrist, of which you heard that it was coming and now it is in the world already.
2nd John 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh; such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.
2) Genesis 1:26 And he said: Let us make man to our image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth.
Let us make man to our image: This image of God in man, is not in the body, but in the soul; which is a spiritual substance, endued with understanding and free will. God speaketh here in the plural number, to insinuate the plurality of persons in the Deity. This is the very first biblical proof of the Holy Trinity and is not an invention of Tertullian as claimed by anti-Trinity.
God said “Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness. This verse alone says that God is more than one person, while still remaining one God. In the New Testament, at the Baptism of Jesus, where Jesus allowed Himself to be baptized, not to wash his sins away, but rather to sanctify the waters of Baptism for us all, the Holy Trinity was manifested all at once on earth, in Matthew 3:13-17.
In the above verses, the person of Jesus Christ was present, the person of the Holy Spirit was present as a dove, and the person of the Father was present as a voice from Heaven.
3) Genesis 3:22 And he said: Behold Adam is become as one of us, knowing good and evil: now, therefore, lest perhaps he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever. Become as one of us: God again speaks of plurality of Himself not His singleness.
4) Genesis 11:7 Come ye, therefore, let us go down, and there confound their tongue, that they may not understand one another' s speech.
Let us go down: God again speaks in the same plurality.
Let us go down: God again speaks in the same plurality.
5) Isaiah 6:8 And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send? and who shall go for us? And I said: Lo, here am I, send me.
And who shall go for us? (...for us)
Isaiah 44:6
"Thus saith the Lord the king of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last, and besides me there is no God"
Jesus the Lord, the king of Israel, the redeemer says: I am the first and the last and there shall be no other God besides him.
Lo, here am I, send me. Jesus asked to be sent.
John 1:14
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
And so the only begotten Son became flesh in Jesus Christ.
And who shall go for us? (...for us)
Isaiah 44:6
"Thus saith the Lord the king of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last, and besides me there is no God"
Jesus the Lord, the king of Israel, the redeemer says: I am the first and the last and there shall be no other God besides him.
Lo, here am I, send me. Jesus asked to be sent.
John 1:14
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
And so the only begotten Son became flesh in Jesus Christ.
"Let US make man in OUR image": Three plural pronouns, (We, Us, Our) used 6 different times in four different passages: Gen 1:26; 3:22; 11:7; Isaiah 6:8. The unanimous opinion of the apostolic Fathers was that the Father was talking to Jesus
In the "Life of Mary, the Mother of Jesus" (series) we will discuss more about the Holy Trinity.
God the Father is the first Person of the Trinity, which also includes his Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Christians believe there is one God who exists in three Persons. This mystery of the faith cannot be understood by the human mind but is a key doctrine of Christianity. While the word Trinity does not appear in the Bible, several episodes include the simultaneous appearance of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, such as the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist
In the "Life of Mary, the Mother of Jesus" (series) we will discuss more about the Holy Trinity.
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God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit appeared simultaneously
God the Father is the first Person of the Trinity, which also includes his Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
(Matthew 3:16-17). And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. And behold a voice from heaven, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
In the above verses, the person of Jesus Christ was present (being baptized), the person of the Holy Spirit was present as a dove, and the person of the Father was present as a voice from Heaven.
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons or hypostases: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit; "one God in three persons". The three persons are distinct, yet are one "substance, essence or nature". A nature is what one is, while a person is who one is.
According to this central mystery of most Christian faiths, there is only one God in three persons: while distinct from one another in their relations of origin (as the Fourth Lateran Council declared, "it is the Father who generates, the Son who is begotten, and the Holy Spirit who proceeds") and in their relations with one another, they are stated to be one in all else, co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial, and "each is God, whole and entire". Accordingly, the whole work of creation and grace is seen as a single operation common to all three divine persons, in which each shows forth what is proper to him in the Trinity, so that all things are "from the Father", "through the Son" and "in the Holy Spirit".
Scripture does not contain expressly a formulated doctrine of the Trinity. Rather, according to the Christian theology, it "bears witness to" the activity of a God who can only be understood in trinitarian terms.The doctrine did not take its definitive shape until late in the fourth century. During the intervening period, various tentative solutions, some more and some less satisfactory were proposed. Trinitarianism contrasts with nontrinitarian positions which include Binitarianism (one deity in two persons, or two deities), Unitarianism (one deity in one person, analogous to Jewish interpretation of the Shema and Muslim belief in Tawhid), Oneness Pentecostalism or Modalism (one deity manifested in three separate aspects).
"JESUS THE LIVING GOD OF THE HOLY TRINITY" (link)
John 14:5-7 Thomas saith to him: Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you would without doubt have known my Father also: and from henceforth you shall know him, and you have seen him. Jesus clearly was telling Thomas that if he know Jesus then he already know God the Father and specifically told him that from henceforth, he should already know and see God the Father as he know and see Jesus.
John 14:8-11 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves." When Philip asked Jesus to show His Father, He replied with another question: "Don't you believe that I am the Father, and that the Father is in me?" Shall we say the Father is in Jesus bodily and spiritually since they are one and the same?
In the above verses, the person of Jesus Christ was present (being baptized), the person of the Holy Spirit was present as a dove, and the person of the Father was present as a voice from Heaven.
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons or hypostases: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit; "one God in three persons". The three persons are distinct, yet are one "substance, essence or nature". A nature is what one is, while a person is who one is.
According to this central mystery of most Christian faiths, there is only one God in three persons: while distinct from one another in their relations of origin (as the Fourth Lateran Council declared, "it is the Father who generates, the Son who is begotten, and the Holy Spirit who proceeds") and in their relations with one another, they are stated to be one in all else, co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial, and "each is God, whole and entire". Accordingly, the whole work of creation and grace is seen as a single operation common to all three divine persons, in which each shows forth what is proper to him in the Trinity, so that all things are "from the Father", "through the Son" and "in the Holy Spirit".
Scripture does not contain expressly a formulated doctrine of the Trinity. Rather, according to the Christian theology, it "bears witness to" the activity of a God who can only be understood in trinitarian terms.The doctrine did not take its definitive shape until late in the fourth century. During the intervening period, various tentative solutions, some more and some less satisfactory were proposed. Trinitarianism contrasts with nontrinitarian positions which include Binitarianism (one deity in two persons, or two deities), Unitarianism (one deity in one person, analogous to Jewish interpretation of the Shema and Muslim belief in Tawhid), Oneness Pentecostalism or Modalism (one deity manifested in three separate aspects).
To believe that Jesus Christ is God, one has to believe in the Holy Trinity as well. If there is no Trinity then there is no Jesus Christ the Messiah. If there was no Messiah, there will be no Incarnate Jesus the Redeemer of Mankind. If there is no Redeemer then there is no salvation for anyone. Since the first sin of Adam and Eve, God closed heaven to mankind and to undo this only God can do this. As a loving Father to all his creatures, he sent himself (his only Begotten Son) to redeem mankind from the original sin and in order for him to open the gates of heaven once more. And so God fulfilled his promise when came into the world as the Incarnate Jesus.
John 14:5-7 Thomas saith to him: Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you would without doubt have known my Father also: and from henceforth you shall know him, and you have seen him. Jesus clearly was telling Thomas that if he know Jesus then he already know God the Father and specifically told him that from henceforth, he should already know and see God the Father as he know and see Jesus.
John 14:8-11 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves." When Philip asked Jesus to show His Father, He replied with another question: "Don't you believe that I am the Father, and that the Father is in me?" Shall we say the Father is in Jesus bodily and spiritually since they are one and the same?
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