RPG Adults
THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY REVEALED
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
1 John 5:6-8
Isaiah 11:1-3
“And the spirit of the LORD
shall rest upon him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding …”
THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY REVEALED
The doctrine of one God in three Persons is partially revealed in the Old Testament and is made clear in the New Testament. The text before us today is the clearest. Those who do not understand will criticise Christians of believing in more than one God. This is a doctrine that is not easy for a finite human mind to fully understand. The early church wrestled with this doctrine and finally came up with a clear statement.
A brief one by Berkhof: “…while He exists in three Persons called Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These are not three persons in the ordinary sense of the word; they are not three individuals, but rather three modes or forms in which the Divine Being exists. At the same time they are of such a nature that they can enter into personal relations. The Father can speak to the Son and vice versa, and both can send forth the Spirit. The real mystery of the Trinity consists in this that each one of the Persons possesses the whole of the divine essence, and that this has no existence outside of and apart from the Persons. The three are not subordinate in being the one to the other, though it may be said that in order of existence [i.e. functional hierarchy] the Father is first, the Son second and the Holy Spirit third, an order which is also reflected in their work.”
The definition may raise more questions than answers, but that is the mystery of the Trinity of God. The revelation of God in Scripture is progressive and in this regard the New Testament is clearer in revealing this doctrine. During the time of Christ’s pilgrimage on earth, a time came when the three Persons were together and the disciples bore witness to that revelation. When Jesus was baptized the heavens were opened and the Spirit descended upon Him like a dove and lighted upon Him. The voice of the Father was heard from heaven saying, “This is my beloveth Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt 3:16-17).
THOUGHT: “God in three Persons, Blessed Trinity.”
PRAYER: Lord, may I hold to the truth of Thy Trinity.