August 8 | What is the Trinity?
Matthew 28:19, “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.”
The word “trinity” is a term Christians made to describe the three divine persons of God’s nature. Tertullian was the first church theologian to use the word trinity around 200 A.D. (approximately 100 years after the death of the last Apostle; John). The trinity is not so much a what, as it is a “who,” and the who is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The term itself means, “tri-unity or three-in-one.” Some cults like Jehovah Witnesses and Oneness Pentecostals, along with false religions like Islam have tried to claim that the concept of the trinity was taken from the pagan religions that worshipped three gods in the form of a “triad.” However, as one can clearly see in the verse above Jesus Himself taught the doctrine of the trinity because He knew it to be true.
Likewise, the Greeks who worshipped three main gods; Zeus, Athena and Apollo and the Hindus who worship a triad; Brahma, Vishnua and Sheva; consider their three gods to be separate and not “one being.” Christianity, based in Judaism, affirms one God revealed in three persons. Therefore, referring to the worship of a “triad” or “three separate gods” has nothing in common with the trinity. It is like comparing a “house” with a “mouse” because they sound the same.
The concept of the trinity was concealed in the Old Testament through the Jewish prophecies and experiences but the New Testament revealed the triune nature of God through the person of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Neither Jesus, nor His followers, would have ever believed or taught “polytheism” (many gods) because the Jews were strictly instructed to only serve one God, “monotheism” (Deuteronomy 6:4). At the same time, when Jews studied their Scriptures they were left with great mysteries surrounding God’s nature. God said He wouldn’t meet with people face-to-face (Exodus 33:20), yet Abraham and Moses saw God face-to-face (Genesis 18:22-23 & Exodus 33:11). God said He wasn’t a man, yet Isaiah prophesied that a child would be called, “Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6). And it was strictly forbidden to bow down and worship anyone other than God, yet, Daniel saw in a vision “one like the Son of Man” come to the Ancient of Days and receive worship from all of creation (Daniel 7:13-14).
Though false teachers may wrongfully slander the term trinity, it is taught in the Bible from beginning to end. I would encourage you to read the Bible and see for yourself the following three foundations concerning God’s nature as taught by Dr. James White; Foundation One: There is only one God worthy of worship who is all-knowing, all-powerful and ever-present (Isaiah 43:10). Foundation Two: Three divine persons claim to be God and act as one God- the Father, the Son (also known as the “Word” and “Jesus”) and the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14) and Foundation Three: The three divine persons are equal in their nature as God because they share the same “name” (Matthew 28:19).
The prophet Isaiah said, “With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him?” (Isaiah 48:10) Don’t fall for the ole’ tricks of the devil and think that if you cannot fully comprehend the Trinity or see examples of it in nature then it must be mythological or pagan. God is God and we are not, period. Come to the Holy Scriptures with a humble heart and let the Word of God expand your mind!
Reflection
Action
- Repent of any false beliefs about God’s nature you may of had.
- Read the Bible and confirm the doctrine of one God revealed in three divine persons.
- Teach the three-fold explanation of the Trinity to others.