There is a lot of debate over the trinity amongst different circles. So many people believe so many different things, while a large number accept the trinity doctrine without having an understanding of what it is. The fact that the word trinity isn't mentioned in the Bible makes it a stumbling block for many.
I sought answers for myself and the following is a result of what the Lord showed me, although it is incomplete. After all, who can really know and understand God completely?
Trinity, Dictionary Definition.
| trin·i·ty (trĭn'ĭ-tē) Pronunciation Key n. pl. trin·i·ties
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Trin·i·ty [trin-i-tee] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun, plural -ties for 2, 4.
| 1. | Also called Blessed Trinity, Holy Trinity. the union of three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) in one Godhead, or the threefold personality of the one Divine Being. |
| 2. | a representation of this in art. |
| 3. | Trinity Sunday. |
| 4. | (lowercase) a group of three; triad. |
| 5. | (lowercase) the state of being threefold or triple. |
These two dictionaries seem to be consistent with others that I have seen. I am aware that some will insist that "trinity" means that God is made up of three co-equal parts, but the trinity doctrine does not always infer this, the dictionaries I have seen do not support this and neither does the Bible declare it, although the Bible does say that God is One. Mark 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord;
My personal belief is that our one God is three, as I will explain.
Understanding Three in One (Trinity)
When I asked God to show me what was meant by trinity, He told me to look at myself. The Bible declares that we are made in the image (likeness) of God, so this is quite reasonable. Gen 1:26 And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness....
We are made up of soul, spirit and body. All three parts make up the one person. Sound familiar? We are, by design, a triune being. Let's have a look at these three parts that make up who we are.
Soul The soul is our identity. It is who we are. It is our nature, our reasoning, our decision making, our personality. I believe our soul pre-existed (before our birth) and comes from God. An example of this can be found in what the Lord said to Jeremiah. Jer 1:5 Before I formed you in the belly I knew you; and before you came forth out of the womb I consecrated you, and I ordained you a prophet to the nations.
Spirit
The spirit of the unsaved person is mostly recognised as the conscience and intuition. The spirit of man will always convict of wrong doing until such time as it is seared or shut out. By design, the spirit of man will lead him to the Lord if followed. It is our "God connection", even before we know God. 2Co 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity; not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God; we have had our conduct in the world, and more abundantly toward you.
The spirit of the unsaved person is mostly recognised as the conscience and intuition. The spirit of man will always convict of wrong doing until such time as it is seared or shut out. By design, the spirit of man will lead him to the Lord if followed. It is our "God connection", even before we know God. 2Co 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity; not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God; we have had our conduct in the world, and more abundantly toward you.
Body
Our body needs little explanation. It is the part we understand most. Our body is that which connects us to the physical world. It allows us to create, interact and "do stuff".
Our body needs little explanation. It is the part we understand most. Our body is that which connects us to the physical world. It allows us to create, interact and "do stuff".
These three parts of a person co-habitate, but will sometimes conflict. For example, when we are about to do something wrong, our spirit (conscience) will convict us. Or if we want to do something that we are physically incapable of, our body will let us know. But for the most part, I think most of us get along pretty well with ourselves. =)
The Triune Nature of God
As we are three, so also is God. There are obviously some differences, the main ones being that God does not have conflict with Himself in the way that we do, and that nothing is impossible for Him. So let's have a look at the three aspects of God.
Father
The Father is like our soul in that He is the main character, the instigator, the greater authority.
Son
The Word of God was in the beginning and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). He was born of Mary and became the Son of God.
Joh 1:2 He was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things came into being through Him, and without Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being.
Joh 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
The Father is like our soul in that He is the main character, the instigator, the greater authority.
Son
The Word of God was in the beginning and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). He was born of Mary and became the Son of God.
Joh 1:2 He was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things came into being through Him, and without Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being.
Joh 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
There are a couple of interesting things that happen here. The Word (Jesus) was made a little lower than the angels Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that He by the grace of God should taste death for all. So when He was born as a man, was He still God? Jesus separated Himself from being called God Mar 10:18 And Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me good? No one is good except one, God. But at the same time reinforced the oneness with His Father Joh 14:9 Jesus said to him, Have I been with you such a long time and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father. And how do you say, Show us the Father?
So we know that in the beginning the Word (Jesus) was God, but then He became the Son of God rather than God when He was born of Mary. But it doesn't stop there. Jesus prayed Joh 17:5 And now Father, glorify Me with Yourself with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
What was Jesus' former glory? He was with God and He was God. And we know that this prayer was answered because we once again see Him with the title He had in the beginning, the Word of God! Rev 19:13 And He had been clothed in a garment dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
So yes, we can say that Jesus is God, along with the Father. It is interesting to note that Jesus created all things. The Father spoke and the Word went forth and created. In a way that is similar to the nature of man. The soul decides and the body does.
Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus from the Father to do His bidding. Jesus describes this Joh 15:26 And when the Comforter has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He shall testify of Me.
Note the Holy Spirit is "whom" which identifies Him as a character rather than just a power. It is also interesting to note that the Holy Spirit does other things as mentioned here.. Joh 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. For He shall not speak of Himself, but whatever He hears, He shall speak. And He will announce to you things to come.
Joh 16:14 He will glorify Me, for He will receive of Mine and will announce it to you.
Joh 16:14 He will glorify Me, for He will receive of Mine and will announce it to you.
So Jesus calls the Holy Spirit "Him" and the Holy Spirit guides, speaks, hears, announces, comforts, and a whole host of other things, all aspects of an identity rather than a power.
Conclusion
So we can see that, in some ways, we are more like God than we may have thought. We are a triune being just as our God is.
The Son is in submission to the Father,
Joh 5:19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, The Son can do nothing of Himself but what He sees the Father do. For whatever things He does, these also the Son does likewise.
and the Holy Spirit to the Son.
Joh 15:26 And when the Comforter has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He shall testify of Me.
Joh 5:19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, The Son can do nothing of Himself but what He sees the Father do. For whatever things He does, these also the Son does likewise.
and the Holy Spirit to the Son.
Joh 15:26 And when the Comforter has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He shall testify of Me.
In like manner our soul has dominion over our body, and though our spirit can speak to us, it is our soul who decides what we will do.
I think it is also interesting to note that the three main feasts of Israel, which were commanded to be kept for all times also recognise the triune aspect of God.
The Feast of Passover depicts the Salvation that is found in Jesus. He is the Door to the Father. Joh 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters in by Me, he shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture.
The Feast of Pentecost introduces the Holy Spirit. He is the guide. Joh 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. For He shall not speak of Himself, but whatever He hears, He shall speak. And He will announce to you things to come.
The Feast of Tabernacles connects us to the Father. Joh 14:2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
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