Explain the meaning and significance of the Trinity.
Have you ever tried to wrap your mind around the concept of the trinity? It’s probably not a very comfortable idea to talk about. You might even have more questions than answers about this abstract theological issue. Well, as I was researching this topic, I likewise experienced a hard time trying to find a way to clearly explain the trinity. Through my continued research and prayers, I realized the error in my reasoning. Why did I think that I, the Creature, should be able to perfectly explain who and what my Creator is, other than what he has so graciously revealed through His holy Word. After that, I began searching the scriptures for what it had to say about these amazing attributes of God. So, in the next few minutes I will explain the meaning and significance of the Trinity using the Holy Word of God.
Although the word “Trinity” is never mentioned in the Bible, the principles are clear, as we will see. According to Wayne Grudem, The Holy Trinity is defined as God eternally existing as three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; each is fully God and there is one God. In the next few minutes, we will study the trinity by breaking down this definition into three main points:
1. God is three distinct persons
2. Each person is fully God
3. There is only one God
Lets take a look at my first point: God is three distinct persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To show how God is three distinct persons I will explain that the Father is distinct from the Son, the Son is distinct from the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is distinct from the Father.
First, the Father is distinct from the son.
• (John 1: 1-2) In the beginning was the Word (which is the Son), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Secondly, the Son is distinct from the Holy Spirit.
• (John 6:17) Jesus says, “But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor (which is the Holy Spirit) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”
Thirdly, the Holy Spirit is distinct from the Father.
• (John 14:26) But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Moving on to my second point: Each person is fully God
To show the accuracy of this statement, lets start by showing that the Father is fully God.
• (Phil. 1:2) Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Bible also give clear indications that the Son is fully God. Going back to:
• (John 1:1-2) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…
Continuing on, we see that the Holy Spirit is also fully God.
• (Act 5:3-4) Peter says to Ananias, “How is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit…Later in the passage Peter says You have not lied to men but to God."
Now that we have shown that there are three distinct persons and each is fully God, to keep anyone from the belief that our God is polytheistic, meaning there are many gods, we must show that there is only one God.
• (Deuteronomy 6:4) Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
Now we know from scripture that we have a triune God, but why is the this so important? The Trinity is necessary for God’s redemptive plan of salvation. The Father planned a way of salvation, the Son made it possible by being beaten, being hung on a cross and killed, and on the third day being raised from the dead. Spirit applies redemption in our hearts even today at this very moment.
In conclusion, even though we are only the moldings of our Creator’s hands, He has blessed us with eternal salvation through His Trinitarian Self. So, I implore you to join me in blessing and glorifying our wonderful, merciful triune God. That is my hope and my prayer. Praise be to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
