John says in the first verse of the book: "The Word was with God, and the Word was God.". PDF UNDERSTANDING THE TRINITY - Silica Bible Chapel Each person of God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) really IS God. The Holy Spirit was moving or hovering over the face of the waters (Gen. 1:2). And that he is manifest as three Persons.. Firstly, because finite humans cant comprehend an infinite God completely, Secondly, because many people confuse Gods one, Three distinct persons are God: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Firstly, unfamiliarity between essence or nature and personhood, Secondly, practical analogies that help conceptualize the Trinity, On the one hand, there is Gods singular nature, essence, or substance, And on the other, there is Gods three Persons (Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit), The sum of the three angles must be 180 degrees, The three-ness refers to the three Persons: Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, The one-ness applies to Gods unity or his single divine essence, The Trinity is a plurality of Persons and a unity of essence, God is three whos (Persons) and one what (divine essence), The triangle corresponds to Gods essence, The three corners of the triangle correspond to the three Persons of the Trinity, A triangle is finite, and God is infinite, The corners of a triangle are not persons, Understanding of the difference between Gods one divine essence and three Persons, Old Testament: Ex. John says in the first verse of the book: "The Word was with God, and the Word was God." Here is an indication of the divinity of the Word. Learn to develop your skills, desire and ability to join others on their spiritual journeys and take them closer to Jesus. 5:510; 1 Cor. The Nicene and Reformed Doctrine of the Trinity - CBE So, in this article, we will look at where the term originated. 3:17; 17:5; Luke 10:22; John 3:35; 10:15; 12:28; 17:1-26; 1 Tim. If it were the other way around and we understood God completely, how would he be the sovereign God? For instance: Additionally, all three members of the Trinity participate together in several critical events. The Holy Spirit is God. The Bible is clear that all three Persons are each one hundred percent God. The prologue of the Gospel of John has the strongest argument for the Trinity. Nonetheless, while recognizing the distinct roles that each Person has, we should never think of their roles as so separate that the other Persons are not involved. The New Testament lists all three Persons of the Trinity simultaneously, 6. Monotheism is foundational to Christianity. This doctrine is absolutely essential to New Testament Christianity. John introduces us to the Trinity in John 1:1- "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and Word was God.". However, within the nature of this one God are three persons, or three centers of consciousness - the Father, the Son, and the . Here is an object with three parts: a hard shell, the egg white, and the yolk. 20 Bible verses that mention all Trinity members - OverviewBible How Not to Be Scared of AI Find resources for personal or group Bible study. Below are several of the most popular ones. He exists as a Trinity. 5:7). Reaching students and faculty in middle and high school. The next time you (or I) are asked to explain the Trinity, you could start with a 1-sentence definition and then unpack that definition. That leaves us with the modern definition of the word mystery. 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. 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. Many non-Christians and new Christians often struggle with the idea of the Holy Trinity, where we break up God into the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Now lets dig into these imperfect yet better than nothing representations of the Trinity for kids. While some say . Thus, we are not speaking with a forked tongue we are not saying that God is one and then denying that He is one by saying that He is three. But it also raises many difficult questions. The Bible is clear that all three Persons are each one hundred percent God. However,barais the singular conjugation of the verb. If God is three Persons, does this mean that each Person is one-third of God? After all, theyre good questions. Only older children will grasp the in one concept of H20. All three Persons of the Trinity are God. The all powerful one who lives up in Heaven and either judges us mercilessly or loves us endlessly, depending on who you ask. We exist to worship God. 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. We can be adopted by the Father and united with Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit (John 1:1223; Rom. Conclusion: Scripture teaches the Trinity. the one who is not a Christian. The Bible is full of Scripture speaking of there being only one God (seeDeuteronomy 6:4for starters), as well as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all being God. After all, children deal best with concrete ideas. 1. Fun fact: The 325 Nicene Creed does not state Trinity. Can We Explain the Trinity? | Desiring God 10:57), The Holy Spirit indwells every Christian. Explore resources to help you live out your life and relationships in a way that honors God. 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.. Scriptural evidence supports every element proving the Trinity. 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. The Trinity Matters because the Gospel Matters. Steam, water, and ice are all H20. Why is the Trinity important to Christianity? The best way to teach the Trinity to ANYONE who is confused is with an object lesson. 5:21), making it possible for us to have a relationship with God. This law states that A cannot be both A (what it is) and non-A (what it is not) at the same time and in the same relationship. Awareness of the distinct role that each Person of the Trinity has in our salvation can especially serve to give us greater comfort and appreciation for God in our prayers, as well as helping us to be specific in directing our prayers. See if you can let kids arrive at the notion that God isnt really made up of parts. In other words, Christianity is unique among all other worldviews. Unfortunately, there are many illustrations which are not simply imperfect, but in error. Use your hobbies and interests to find the best place for you to serve. The Trinity Is Unique Among Monotheistic Religions Christianity is a "monotheistic" religion. The word "trinity" cannot be found in the Bible, but the truth is that the three of them have been there together all the way along. These three persons make up the one true God. 5:2), Miracles (Ex. 5 Scriptural Points to Help You Understand the Trinity Discipleship 101: How to Disciple a New Believer - Crossway Our kids are currently 2, 4, and 7, and its equally loved by all of them, so the Yoto age range is really wide! 2. Simply stated, God is one in essence and three in person. 2:11), and performs miracles (Matt. 139:711; Jer. According to the American Heritage Dictionary the word Check out my tips for teaching your kids about bedtime prayer. Believe it or not, the fact that God is too immense for our finite minds should be comforting, not discouraging! 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. Conclusion: Scripture supports the Trinity. Essence means the same thing as being. Thus, since God is only one essence, He is only one being, not three. And then you will read eight critical truths about the nature of the Trinity. So many things clamor to define you. He said, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one (Mark 12:29). Now, as Fred Sanders once quipped, this doesn't mean you should begin every witnessing encounter, "God loves you . How is God one? Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion about the Trinity. In fact, kids who have been in church for many years will probably have already heard one of these illustrations. 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. We hate SPAM. Did your kids give each form of God different personality traits? 9:5; Col. 2:9), The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:34; 2 Cor. But they are eternally subordinate in their roles to him (1 Cor. Christs resurrection is variously attributed to: Multiple verses distinguish each member of the Trinity. Yoto has lots of great stuff for, Read More 27 of the Best Yoto Cards for Kids (sorted by age group)Continue, If youre a Sunday School teacher or a mom hoping to instill a love of Bible learning in your children, Ive got some goodies for you! This triune God (or Trinity) began to allude to this aspect of His nature right in Genesis 1:26-27. Since our personal relationship is with Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit lies within us, what role does God play as Father? After Christ rose from the grave, he appeared to the disciples and gave them a job to do: preach the Word to everyone. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all fully God. Third, notice that although the three divine Persons are distinct, we are baptized into their name (singular), not names (plural). Then, ask them to write words on the poster that make up the character of God. Before anything was created he begat his Logos as a person distinct from himself. 15:16), inspires, intercedes (Rom. The Trinity is a mystery beyond our comprehension (Isa. Instead, they are all identical in attributes. That is where I go back to the starting point I mentioned above. 8:26), guides (John 16:13), creates (Ps. 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. For example, it says of Christ that "in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9). Elohimis the plural form of the word God. In describing the Trinity, the New Testament clearly distinguishes three Persons who are all simultaneously active. He realized Scripture alone is the only way we know about the Trinity (1 Cor. Are you still not a Christian? Is God the same as Jesus? The late theologian Herman Bavinck has stated something very helpful at this point: The persons are modes of existence within the being; accordingly, the Persons differ among themselves as the one mode of existence differs from the other, and using a common illustration as the open palm differs from a closed fist.[4], Because each of these forms of existence are relational (and thus are Persons), they are each a distinct center of consciousness, with each center of consciousness regarding Himself as I and the others as You. Nonetheless, these three Persons all consist of the same stuff (that is, the same what, or essence). 2:34; Heb. To understand more fully what God is like is a way of honoring God. A triangle must have three different corners in order to be one triangle. Second, we have the son of God, Jesus. Thats why they wrote words like we find inJob 11:7-8, "Can you fathom the depths of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? Reflecting Jesus together for the good of the city. How do I explain to a non-believer that belief in the Trinity is AboutPressCopyrightContact. What's the Origin and History of the Trinity in the Church? After all, as I have said many times (to myself as much as others! 3 in 1: A Picture of God This one is for anyone interested in using the apple object lesson. It's a great reminder of the three parts of the Holy Trinity! After all, each of these illustrate the idea that God is made up of parts, and thats not really true. God is one in a certain way (essence) and three in a different way (person). Every time the wordElohim(plural) is used throughout the Old Testament referring to the one, true God, it is used with a singular conjugation of the verb. Its a devotional book. 5:2122; John 13:34), End-time judgment (Matt. 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. The verb for created isbara. What a challenge! 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. It may seem like a daunting question at first, but when we think about it the truth of God's triune nature is meant to be a joy, a comfort, and a wonder to us! There are two other major monotheistic world religions namely Judaism and Islam. The Bible teaches that the Father is God, that Jesus is God, and that the Holy Spirit is God. How to Support Gifted Readers, 27 of the Best Yoto Cards for Kids (sorted by age group), 40 Surprising and Fun Bible Facts for Kids (with a FREE true/false printable game), Holy Week for Kids: How to Teach Beyond Easter Sunday, 15 Powerful Self Esteem Activities for Kids to Do at Home and in School. Obviously we cannot, for Scripture is clear that there is only one God: There is no other God besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me. Amen. how to explain the trinity to a new believer - NewJeru There would only be a contradiction if we said that God is three in the same way that He is one. The three members of the Trinity are Persons. For example the: Finite humankind cannot wholly comprehend these mysteries. For example, if I say that the moon is made entirely of cheese but then also say that the moon is not made entirely of cheese, I have contradicted myself. Just as ONE egg has THREE different parts - the shell, the white, the yoke - ONE God has THREE different . If youre wondering how to explain the Trinity to a child, keep it simple. How To Explain the Trinity to Muslims - crossexamined.org Find freedom from your sins today. What Is the Trinity in Christianity? - Learn Religions While no church is perfect, the Trinity is still the model for the churchs unity (John 1:2123). Fortunately, the most popular analogy of the Trinity is the triangle. 118:28, God referred to in the third person singular (he, his, him): Gen. 1:5, 10; Ex. Lets apply what weve learned to the Trinity based on the graphic. Among the worlds religions, the Christian faith is unique. 3:25; Dan. 6:45; 32:39; 1 Kings 8:60; 2 Kings 5:15; Isa. Volunteer abroad this year on a short term global missions trip offered by one of the best, most-reliable Christian missions organizations in the world. That is why any discussion of the Trinity is based on Scripture (Ps. We also see this evidenced in how the Son and Father sent the Spirit into the world (John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7). What is the essence of a triangle? Christ through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God.. 2:5), The Father is not the Spirit (John 14:26; John 15:26), The Son is not the Spirit (Matt. Yet most Christians have difficulty explaining the Trinity clearly and Biblically. How Do You Explain the Trinity? - A Thimble-full of Theology for Daily We can discern and apprehend what it is. How could we? Since God is one in a different way than He is three, the Trinity is not a contradiction. But each member had a different function. How to explain the trinity to a new believer pdf - Canada Examples Step It is very simple: All three Persons are one God because, as we saw above, they are all the same essence. Monotheism. Youngblood, R. F., et al. The answer hinges on the differences in their unique roles. In eternity past, before the beginning, God was alone. The Best Way to Explain the Trinity to Kids - The Purposeful Mom 8:6a). However, Matthew 28:19 is frequently used in attempts to prove that the Trinity is a biblical teaching. It's so simple, it fits on one page. After all, the Trinity is difficult to understand. I think the major problem involves not distinguishing two different features of God. The seeds are like the Holy Spirit, because He helps us grow. Use the links below to jump to a specific section: The doctrine of the Trinity means that there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 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. When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen. He is one in essence. Tertullian coined the term Trinity during the second century. 55:8-9). Learn the basics of what Christians believe. Our fellowship with God should be enhanced by consciously knowing that we are relating to a tri-personal God! This is very important: God is one and three at the same time, but not in the same way. Understanding the Trinity: How Can God Be Three Persons in One? - Cru.org If belief in the Trinity is so essential to Christianity, it would have been explicitly stated in the Bible and wouldn't have taken over 300 years to officially define it. Let's explore each of these members. But what does it mean that God is gracious? We just covered Gods one divine essence. The Trinity - God and authority in Christianity - BBC Bitesize For I am God, and there is no other (Isaiah 45:21-22; see also 44:6-8; Exodus 15:11; Deuteronomy 4:35; 6:4-5; 32:39; 1 Samuel 2:2; 1 Kings 8:60). The three members of the unholy trinity are Satan, the Antichrist, and the false prophet. You can cut into an apple in front of your group. The oldest member of the unholy trinity. 3:17), Omnipresence (Ps. When you cut an apple in half, you can see that each of these three parts are different (at this point, you can cut the apple open for your kids! How can three and one refer to the same God? Answers to questions on donations, financial policies, Crus annual report and more. How To Explain the Trinity to Muslims - Bellator Christi That's the one we think of as the Father. Weve made a comparison between this object and the Trinity. The technical term in case youre interested for this wrong way of thinking about God is calledmodalism. Object Lessons on the Trinity for a Child or New Believer, The Difference Between Teaching the Trinity to a Child vs. a Teenager, Books that Explain the Trinity to a Child, Navigating Girl Drama: 20 Ways Schools and Parents Can Help Calm the Storm, Is It Normal that My 4 Year Old Can Read? Show them that there are three parts: seeds, flesh, and skin. One illustration to beware of is the one which says, I am one person, but I am a student, son, and brother. EitherThe person were explaining it to will think that God simply changes from one to the other at different times and under different circumstances (water). 25:3146; 2 Cor. What does it take to begin a relationship with God? How to Explain the Trinity in 4 Steps - The Catechism Guy 13:14), the term Trinity does not appear. Therefore, we must always endeavor to deepen our worship of God in truth as well as in our hearts. The Trinity is a concept that is impossible for any human being to fully understand, let alone explain. And the triangle can help us distinguish one essence from the three Persons. When he has gone further in his "explanation" of the Trinity than many have gone, he admits, "I am far from asserting this as any . How to explain the Trinity to a new believer - Quora That means that, as Christians, we believe in only one God. But Christianity's God is unique. 3. See if they can think of anything better, and be ready to discuss where different ideas might not quite work. Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! The Trinity is more than just a vital doctrine. In sum, the essence or nature of anything is what it is. God is infinitely greater than we are; therefore, we should not expect to be able to fully understand Him. But the Holy Spirit is not an it, but a He (see John 14:26; 16:7-15; Acts 8:16). My passion is helping you not just read and study the Bible, but truly enjoy it! 1:18; Luke 1:2635). 2:2729). 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 . These are all qualities of personhood. You can describe the Trinity in different ways: The wordspersonsandessencerefer to entirely different features relating to God. 20:23; Deut. Well, we can know because God has given us his special revelation: the Bible. This is absolutely true. 9:14; Heb. Likewise, after the Son returned to the Father (John 16:10), the Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit into the world (John 14:26; Acts 2:33). This can only be if they share one essence.