Tuesday, October 18, 2005

ChelleBelle has raised many questions about the Trinity on her blog. I will answer them to the best of my ability, both in comments to her blog, and here. Here is the first one:

Does the Trinity exist?

The Trinity exists. "Trinity" is a term that refers to the Christian doctrine that God exists as a unity of three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each is a distinct person, yet identical in essence. (Person may be an inadequate word to describe them, but it is the best we can do.)

There are really two questions involved. The first question is: Does each person of the Trinity exist? The second question is: Is each person God?

The Bible discusses all three persons. The most famous verse is Matthew 28:19, that says “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”. This verse names all three persons of the Trinity and implies unity and equality.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 says “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different knds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.” This verse also names all three persons and shows them all working in the life of a believer.

2 Corinthians 12:14 says “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

Ephesians 4:4-7 says “There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called-one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is overall and through all and in all.”

1 Peter 1:2 says “who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood”.

Jude 20-21 says “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”

All three persons of the Godhead are named, all shown to work together for salvation and sanctification.

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