Rather than let that frustrate you, let it encourage you. The only way humans can know about these mysteries is because the Bible teaches them. To help us do that, here are two reasons why the Trinity matters. But he avoids contradiction with this statement because he means that in one sense it was the best of times, but in another sense it was the worst of times. 23:2324). Matthew 12:28. 8:1417). But Jesus did not become less than the Father during his incarnation. Conclusion: Scripture teaches the Trinity. Ive been thinking about it a lot, doing some research to see how people smarter than I have explained the Trinity, and come to a better understanding of the Trinity andhow to explain the Trinity in simpler terms. 92:8) and third person (he, his, him) singular pronouns (1 Kings 18:39). They are higher than the heavenswhat can you do?, "For as heaven is higher than earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.. 4:4). In addition to these texts, the others we mentioned above make clear that the Personhood of the Holy Spirit is distinct from the Personhood of the Son and the Father. For example the: Finite humankind cannot wholly comprehend these mysteries. understand the doctrine of the Trinity. The best way to teach the Trinity to ANYONE who is confused is with an object lesson. Yet he also proclaimed, there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live (1 Cor. Because ethnicity is part of the good of creation, we seek to honor and celebrate the ethnic identity of those with whom we serve as well as those we seek to reach. More posts you may like r/TrueChristian The important difference between complexity and incomprehension: If Christianity was something we were making up, of course, we could make it easier. As you might expect, some people consider these mysteries as contradictions. But in response we can point out both agreement and clarification. Essenceis the objective set of attributes necessary to the thing being described. This verse accurately states the doctrine of the Trinity that God is One God in three Persons. So, the Trinity is incomprehensible. He exists as a Trinity. Reflecting Jesus together for the good of the city. 2:10), knows (1 Cor. God the Son is the rays of sunshine. A mystery that should cause us to marvel, and wonder, and worship! Modern theologians have created a distinction between the "economic Trinity" and the "immanent Trinity.". Learn about Cru's global leadership team. They include: Now you have a basic understanding of the Trinity. There we read that " God said, 'Let us make man in our image' . The Bible is clear that all three Persons are each one hundred percent God. Thats what faith is being content with our own confusion while still knowing that God is bigger than we can comprehend. How to Teach Kids the Trinity with an Apple Object Lesson Grab an apple and share these five truths with your kids: An apple has three parts: the seeds, the flesh, and the skin. Whats a Mama to say when the questions start flowing? Unsubscribe at any time. PDF A Brief Explanation of the Trinity - TheologicalStudies.org.uk Theologians have pointed out that if it were not true, the Bible would be unreliable, Christ would not be divine, and His death on the cross would not atone for our sins, being merely the death of a martyr. Unfortunately, it is also a doctrine that is surrounded by disagreement and controversy among believers. How to Explain the Trinity to an Unbeliever - YouTube The word "scripture " graphe The early church absolutely believed and taught the belief in a God who was three-in-one. View our top Cru resources in more than 20 languages. 45:5-6, New Testament: Mark 12:29; John 5:44; Eph. This can only be if they share one essence. Before anything was created he begat his Logos as a person distinct from himself. 3:17; 17:5; Luke 10:22; John 3:35; 10:15; 12:28; 17:1-26; 1 Tim. We believe God is one in essence. What Is the Doctrine of the Trinity? - Blue Letter Bible The concept of the Trinity. This should make it clear why it is so important to understand that all three Persons are the same essence. "It has been said that there have been four centuries when the church's understanding of the person of Christ has been most under attack. If you're looking for the best Christian jobs and careers, check out Cru's ministry job openings for full- and part-time missionaries and professionals. 10:2831), In Johns writings (1 John 4:1314; Rev. Hmmm. Genesis tells us that God created the heavens and the earth by his word. Rather, everything that one Person is involved in, the other two are also involved in, one way or another. 3. But that doesn't mean the concept isn't clearly taught. The Trinity is Christianity's most unique, defining, incomprehensible, and awesome mystery. 12:28; Rom. In this blog post, we will discuss how schools and parents can help girls to, Read More Navigating Girl Drama: 20 Ways Schools and Parents Can Help Calm the StormContinue, Ill never forget the moment I watched in amazement as my newly-turned 4 year old sounded out her first few CVC words. The fact that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons means, in other words, that the Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father. Understanding the Doctrine of the Trinity (+ Free Printable) Ask the teenager this question: Where does this fall short? 3:3; Heb. In eternity past, before the beginning, God was alone. It is crucial for properly understanding what God is like, how He relates to us, and how we should relate to Him. 4:6; James 2:19; Jude 25. Have some fun taking various quizzes and assessments to learn about yourself and others. Among the worlds religions, the Christian faith is unique. Look at what the Bible clearly shows: that there is one God ( Deuteronomy 6:4) that the Father is called God ( Ephesians 4:6 ), that Jesus (the Son) is called God ( Titus 2:13) and existed with God before creation ( John 1:1; 17:4) and the Holy Spirit is attributed . 2. . Subjection and subordination do not mean inequality. But how can finite humans know anything about Gods infinite essence? I recently had some of my kids friends ask meWhat is the Trinity? But all three must be present simultaneously for the geometric figure to be a triangle. Most of them are less-than-helpful. Then study the pronouns used in Scripture point to the Trinity: This one-ness is Gods one divine essence (Heb 1:3). Within a week,, Read More Is It Normal that My 4 Year Old Can Read? John 1 tells us that the Word is Yeshua - that he was with God and was God from the get go, right there at creation. how to explain the trinity to a new believer - NewJeru The Holy Spirit isnt like an egg yolk, because the egg yolk is only part of an egg, whereas the Holy Spirit isnt part of God it IS God. For example: The Nicene Creed is recited during every service of Holy Communion . That is ok when it comes to rocks and triangles. And all three members of the Trinity were involved. Allegedly, Saint Patrick used a shamrock as a metaphor to explain the Trinity: three leaves, one shamrock. The Trinity is God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit. Even then, he was not alone, because he had his Logos within him. They had to wait another 50 year for the 381 update. 5:21), making it possible for us to have a relationship with God. This one is kinda fun for older kids who understand a bit of science. Essence means the same thing as being. Thus, since God is only one essence, He is only one being, not three. Does the Trinity mean that God is divided into three parts? In fact, it is precisely the continuing dialogue between the Father and the Son (Matthew 3:17; 17:5; John 5:19; 11:41-42; 17:1ff ) which furnishes the best evidence that they are distinct Persons with distinct centers of consciousness. 6:11; Gal. Fortunately, the most popular analogy of the Trinity is the triangle. So, in this article, we will look at where the term originated. God the Father. 1:318; 1 Pet. There are two men in their 20s who came to faith in Christ in recent weeks through the ministry of our church. The origin of the doctrine of the Trinity is the Bible . You can describe the Trinity in different ways: The wordspersonsandessencerefer to entirely different features relating to God. How to explain the trinity to a new believer pdf - Canada Examples Step I'm an author, speaker, husband, father and ice cream lover. Not the answer an enquiring young mind was looking for. The answer hinges on the differences in their unique roles. This doctrine is absolutely essential to New Testament Christianity. Or what are the objective characteristics that all triangles share? From the 1950s to the 2000s, people wanted to see if they could make computers exhibit intelligence indistinguishable from humans. The New Testament lists all three Persons of the Trinity simultaneously, 6. One of the problems is that most of us myself included are tempted to move too quickly to analogies that only help explainaspectsof the Trinity. The doctrine is critical, even if not easily comprehended. The most popular is probably the one found in the Great Commission: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit . The Holy Spirit was moving or hovering over the face of the waters (Gen. 1:2). Answers to questions on donations, financial policies, Crus annual report and more. Others seem to come by it naturally, and its just not fair! 2:6), The image of God (John 12:45; 2 Cor. Believe it or not, the fact that God is too immense for our finite minds should be comforting, not discouraging! Here are three I found to be really helpful. Are you still not a Christian? Disclaimer: I believe Trinity. As a former youth minister and childrens minister, Ive already done your research! Explore resources to help you live out your life and relationships in a way that honors God. God the Holy Spirit. 4:47), In Hebrews (Heb. And during his earthly ministry, Christ subjected himself to the Fathers will. Therefore, we must always endeavor to deepen our worship of God in truth as well as in our hearts. 2. The Holy Spirit is God. Scriptural evidence supports every element proving the Trinity. "The Trinity is the foundational Christian belief that God is one Being who exists in three Persons.. How to EXPLAIN The Trinity to a New Believer - Introduction to the Godhead In this video I will introduce the godhead or the trinity in one of the easiest te. Lets go back to the Trinity triangle graphic, and you will see: By now you understand that the three Persons of the Trinity equally share Gods essence. Its a mystery the Bible teaches. Yet Jesus would not have referenced the Trinity unless it was important. He was "begotten, not made," and he was of the same substance or essence ( homoousios) as the Father. We will never sell your information, for any reason. Just hang on a little longer. As I said earlier, it means the same thing as being. As Christians, we derive our concept of person from the relations in the Trinity. The Trinity expresses the belief that God is one being made up of three distinct persons who exist in co-equal essence and co-eternal communion as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit . What we do mean by Person is something that regards himself as I and others as You. So the Father, for example, is a different Person from the Son because He regards the Son as a You, even though He regards Himself as I. Thus, in regards to the Trinity, we can say that Person means a distinct subject which regards Himself as an I and the other two as a You. These distinct subjects are not a division within the being of God, but a form of personal existence other than a difference in being.[3]. It is understandable that our finite minds cannot grasp an infinite God. 15:3). These are all qualities of personhood. As a mom to three kids under 8, an instructional coach, and a former classroom teacher, I know a thing or two about how public schools REALLY work and the challenges we face in the United States. Those centuries were t The Apostle Paul also affirms the doctrine of the Trinity. "Economic" has to do with the history of salvation, and discusses the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the sending and mission of salvation. They are personal forms of existence other than a difference in being. If you go to YouTube and search on explain the Trinity youll findlotsof videos. To further our understanding of the distinction of persons within the one God it is best to move on to the next trinitarian principle. Then I'll share an activity using the Celtic Trinity Knot to explain the Trinity to children along with the love that exists between each of its Persons and us. Rather, the being of each Person is equal to the whole being of God.[1] The divine essence is not something that is divided between the three persons, but is fully in all three persons without being divided into parts., Thus, the Son is not one-third of the being of God, He is all of the being of God. 4:30), and a will (1 Cor. Nothing is more astonishing, more challenging, and more potentially life-transforming than knowing God.". It has been said, Try to explain the trinity and lose your mind, try to explain away the trinity and lose your soul. Our Triune God - Grace To You How is God three? The Trinity | Answers in Genesis He is beyond us. The divine essence is thus not something that exists above or separate from the three Persons, but the divine essence is the being of the three Persons. .. Second, notice that each Person must be deity because they are all placed on the same level. 15:16), inspires, intercedes (Rom. Egg A single egg is made up of the yolk, the whites, and the shell. How to explain the trinity to a new believer pdf How to Explain the Trinity to an Unbeliever The Village Church - Flower Mound 118K subscribers 36K views 5 years ago The Trinity is confusing even to most Christians, so we want to pull the. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all fully God. In other words, you have contradicted yourself if you affirm and deny the same statement. "After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him.". While it is good for us to seek understanding of the Trinity, we cannot fully comprehend God. They are not merely modes or manifestations of the same person (as Oneness theology incorrectly asserts) who sometimes acts as Father, sometimes as Son, and sometimes as Spirit. Nicene Creed: An Outline of the Trinity Doctrine 119; Prov. This would make each Person less than fully God and thus not God at all. Before moving on tounderstandingthe idea of one Being existing in three Persons, I will point out that theBiblical idea of the Trinity goes all the way back to the first verse in the first chapter in the first book of the Bible. So a closer look at the fact that God is one in essence but three in person has helped to show why the Trinity is not a contradiction. But secondly, Christians need to clarify that God is incomprehensible. But each member had a different function. 15:28). Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion about the Trinity. Fill this out to make sure you don't miss a thing! Here are the best childrens Bibles, sorted by age. Its three things, but all are complete on their own. This is absolutely true. This leads us to investigate more closely a very helpful definition of the Trinity which I mentioned earlier: God is one in essence, but three in Person. Further, we clearly should not think of God as consisting of anything other than divinity. Explore answers to life's biggest questions. When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen. After all, if the trinitarian nature of God is not in the Bible, why bother talking about it at all? Trinity: Loving relationship defines God's very being 118:28, God referred to in the third person singular (he, his, him): Gen. 1:5, 10; Ex. And God seeks people to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Essence and personhood are NOT the same thing. The Easiest Way to Explain the Trinity | SsouthernLifestyle . How Do You Explain the Trinity? - A Thimble-full of Theology for Daily And when he speaks, he refers to himself in first personas I (Deut. They are different Persons, not three different ways of looking at God. God the Father spoke the creative words to bring the universe into being (Gen. 1:1). 8:6a). How do I explain to a non-believer that belief in the Trinity is The three Persons are distinct, yet only constitute one name. While theconceptof the Trinity is evident in the New Testament (Matt. He was sustaining and manifesting Gods immediate presence in his creation. He sanctifies us (1 Pet. Sproul cites as an example Dickens famous line, It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Obviously this is a contradiction if Dickens means that it was the best of times in the same way that it was the worst of times. While this is in my mind the simplest, clearest explanation, I understand that even this breaks down when we go further and say I am a human and I am Keith Ferrin. 23-26; Luke 7:11-17; Luke 11:1-45), Sends the Holy Spirit and his gifts (John 16:714), Put his words on a par with Gods (Matt. Other references to the Trinity in the New Testament include Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 12:4-5, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 Peter 1:2, and more. And that knowledge can feel liberating. Most people, including many Christians, struggle trying to apprehend the Trinity. Here is an indication of the divinity of the Word. More simply stated, the essence of any entity is what it is. We then turn to the most important strategies that have been developed by Christians to resolve this problem. Think about it: Finite Christians serve an eternal and infinite God. Another serious error people have made is to think that the Father became the Son, who then became the Holy Spirit. Three parts in one, yet all very much an egg. And in John 16:13-15 we see that although there is a close unity between them all, the Holy Spirit is also distinct from the Father and the Son. Some attributes include eternal, infinite, omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. 2:11), speaks (Mark 13:11), testifies (Acts 20:23), reveals (1 Cor. After all, as I have said many times (to myself as much as others! Why not plan on studying verses in each section to prove to yourself that the Bible does claim that God is a Trinity? Would you like to give your time to work with Cru? Does the Holy Spirit look like Casper? The Trinity - God and authority in Christianity - BBC Bitesize There would only be a contradiction if we said that God is three in the same way that He is one. If you are a Christian, why not memorize some of this blogs verses? This explains how God can be both one and three. The problem with this is that it reflects a heresy called modalism. Why? But Scripture provides ample evidence of the existence of the Trinity. In the early 2000s, people began using a new approach called "deep . (Ohand I'll send you my free guideThe Simplest Way to Study ANY Bible Passageas a "Thank you" for jumping on board!). He said, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one (Mark 12:29). The technical term in case youre interested for this wrong way of thinking about God is calledmodalism. What does the Bible teach about the Trinity? | GotQuestions.org And we can delight in praying to the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit (John 14:1314; Eph. Then, ask them to write words on the poster that make up the character of God. While I believe that this is a helpful definition, it should be recognized that Grudem himself is offering this as more of an explanation than definition of Person. Jesus is like the flesh, because He became flesh so we could know Him better. What we have seen so far provides a good basic understanding of the Trinity. Divide your group into three teams and give each group a sheet of butcher paper or poster. God is one in a certain way (essence) and three in a different way (person). Many of us say it every single Sunday morning. The Trinity confuses many people. PDF UNDERSTANDING THE TRINITY - Andrew M. Bailey You may be wondering how to wrap your mind around all this brand-new information! Showing God in action in and through His people. There are two other major monotheistic world religions namely Judaism and Islam. This is one possibility of explaining it. And he should be referred to by personal pronouns and never as it. The Holy Spirits is a person because he: Scripture also proves that the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are God. The doctrine of the Trinity means that there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The answer is they are gray and hard. 8:6), Jesus is called God (John 1:1-5; John 20:28; Rom. We cannot compete, in simplicity, with people who are inventing religions. The Holy Trinity is depicted in the Church of Debre Berhan Selassie in Gondar, Ethiopia. The answer is simple. You arent alone! So God is one what but three whos.. Jesus himself spoke of the one-ness of the Godhead when he quoted the Shema of Deuteronomy 6:4. God the Son. 5:7). 3:1617). Within Gods one, undivided being is an unfolding into three personal distinctions. The Trinity does not divide God into three parts. Have a great discussion about it! Principle #3: Order. 1:18; Luke 1:2635). But it is not. That means that, as Christians, we believe in only one God. OrThe person were explaining it to will think that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are only parts of God (egg and sun). " Here God is a plural noun, said is in the . The idea that God is somehow three and one starts onPage 1and never changes. This command lists all three persons of the Trinity. Omnipotence (Jer. A triangle must have three different corners in order to be one triangle. 9:5; Col. 2:9), The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:34; 2 Cor. This post is full of Bible facts for kids that will spark the imagination, encourage lots of good questions, and even inspire some Bible reading. The doctrine of the Trinity is considered to be one of the central Christian affirmations about God.