Genesis 1:1 reads: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." If we look more closely at the word we translate "God," Elohim, we see it is plural. 3 in 1: A Picture of God This one is for anyone interested in using the apple object lesson. If you are teaching young children, these object lessons are both the perfect starting and stopping point. It is the unity of the Father, Son, and Spirit as three persons in one Godhead. At this stage, your head may be swimming with all this new information about God! 1. A simpler way to talk about the Trinity is through "God grammar.". 5:10), Requested prayer in his name (John 14:1314) and to be honored as God (John 5:23), Begetting the human nature of Christ at the incarnation (Luke 1:35), Inspiring Scripture (2 Tim. Explore resources to help you live out your life and relationships in a way that honors God. We all have a story. Genesis tells us that God created the heavens and the earth by his word. For example they: 5. 4:6; James 2:19; Jude 25. He said, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one (Mark 12:29). 1:20-21), In salutations and benedictions (2 Cor. Thats the one we think of as the Father. These three persons make up the one true 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 define personhood by three key characteristics: Now that you understand the critical distinction, you know that essence is what. And you know personhood is who.. The Trinity expresses the belief that God is one being made up of three distinct persons who exist in co-equal essence and co-eternal communion as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit . The word "trinity" is a term used to denote the Christian doctrine that God exists as a unity of three distinct, simultaneous persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Lets go back to the Trinity triangle graphic, and you will see: By now you understand that the three Persons of the Trinity equally share Gods essence. 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. 8:3539; Eph. Grace is the promise that you stand forgiven before God if you know Jesus. 13:14; 1 Pet.1:2), In the story of the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1025), When Jesus promises the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 1:48), Peters sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2:33; Acts 3839), Peter and apostles answer the high priest (Acts 5:3032), During Stephens heavenly vision at his stoning (Acts 7:5556), In Peters sermon to the gentiles in Caesarea (Acts 10:3638; Acts 4448), When Peter reports to the Jerusalem church (Acts 11:1518), When Peter speaks at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:811), During Pauls interaction with Jewish leaders in Rome (Acts 28:2531), Pauls epistles (Rom. Sigh. 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. Jesus, the Word, was present in Genesis 1. It is fundamental to our worldview. The doctrine of the Trinity means that there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is often difficult to have a concrete definition of Person as we use it in regards to the Trinity. Famous pastor and authorA.W. The all powerful one who lives up in Heaven and either judges us mercilessly or loves us endlessly, depending on who you ask. Within Gods one, undivided being is an unfolding into three personal distinctions. Rather, each person of the Trinity has all of the attributes of God, and no one Person has any attributes that are not possessed by the others. And confusing ones. How to Support Gifted ReadersContinue, OurYotoplayer,Yoto Mini, and set of Yoto cards is the number one favorite toy in our household, and it has been for two years now. Then share them with another Christian or genuine seeker. With teenagers, you want to take a different approach, and celebrate the mystery of it all. How could we? God the Fathers plan of redeeming humankind involved sending his Son into the world (John 3:16), The Son accomplished redemption for us on the cross (Heb. 1. 3:19; Eph. 2:1011; Heb. Gods attributes are not parts of his singular divine essence. Below is the easiest way that I have ever heard it explained: God the Father is the sun. The Trinity doctrine developed over hundreds of years and was influenced by the teachings of pagan Greek philosophers. View our top Cru resources in more than 20 languages. The trouble with this one is that its a bit less visual. Is the Trinity a contradiction? Question: How do you explain the Trinity? The Trinity confuses even adults, so when youre tasked (or inspired) to teach the Trinity to a child, teenager, or new believer, it can be overwhelming. First, we have God. At Jesus baptism, when Christ came up out of the water, the Spirit descended in the appearance of a dove. While no church is perfect, the Trinity is still the model for the churchs unity (John 1:2123). A triangle must have three sides three corners (angles), and the sum of the three angles must be 180 degrees. We will never sell your information, for any reason. Lets do a quick review of the topics we have covered. Dont despair. Second, notice that each Person must be deity because they are all placed on the same level. There would only be a contradiction if we said that God is three in the same way that He is one. Here we will summarize some of the fruits of their labor. Disclaimer: I believe Trinity. . Reaching students and faculty in middle and high school. The Trinity is more than just a vital doctrine. See if they can think of anything better, and be ready to discuss where different ideas might not quite work. He is three in Person. Would you like to give your time to work with Cru? 4:15), dying for our sins (1 Cor. But each member had a different function. However, within the nature of this one God are three persons, or three centers of consciousness - the Father, the Son, and the . What does it take to begin a relationship with God? Omnipotence (Jer. Get the answers to frequently asked questions on Christian beliefs and practices. Tertullian coined the term Trinity during the second century. Further, we clearly should not think of God as consisting of anything other than divinity. God addressed in the second person singular (you): 2 Sam. These definitions express three crucial truths: (1) The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons, (2) each Person is fully God, (3) there is only one God. Answer. know that I recognise only one God. What's the Origin and History of the Trinity in the Church? Another serious error people have made is to think that the Father became the Son, who then became the Holy Spirit. Many of us say it every single Sunday morning. Before moving on tounderstandingthe idea of one Being existing in three Persons, I will point out that theBiblical idea of the Trinity goes all the way back to the first verse in the first chapter in the first book of the Bible. Actually, March 17 commemorates St. Patrick's death, actually. I am also fully Keith Ferrin. You can describe the Trinity in different ways: The wordspersonsandessencerefer to entirely different features relating to God. It included Jesus miraculous conception in the virgin Mary (John 3:16)an act that we call the incarnation.. But that doesn't mean the concept isn't clearly taught. In this case, "immanent" means "the action remaining within an agent.". The Holy Spirit is God, but He is not the Son or the Father. 2. Each Person of the Trinity is distinct, 8. This one is kinda fun for older kids who understand a bit of science. How can three and one refer to the same God? Clearly, he appreciated a plurality within the Godhead. Within a week,, Read More Is It Normal that My 4 Year Old Can Read? After all, each of these illustrate the idea that God is made up of parts, and thats not really true. Ignore the urge to tie everything up with a nice little bow. 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). Is referred to in the second person (you; Ps. Find resources for personal or group Bible study. In his second letter to the Corinthians, he bids farewell to them: "May the grace of the Lord Jesus, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the For example, since the Father sent the Son into the world (John 3:16), He cannot be the same person as the Son. As I said earlier, it means the same thing as being. As a result, Jesus death covered or atoned for our sins (2 Cor. One illustration to beware of is the one which says, I am one person, but I am a student, son, and brother. 2:17). And yet, we run into the same problem again, because God isnt made up of parts. Satan existed with the angels at the beginning of creation as one of the cherubim. 25:3146; 2 Cor. 1:12). Now youre gonna tell me theyre all the same but also different? If we were to translate it . Of course we are speaking by analogy here, for we cannot understand this in a physical way about God. Yet he also proclaimed, there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live (1 Cor. Allegedly, Saint Patrick used a shamrock as a metaphor to explain the Trinity: three leaves, one shamrock. How can we pack more meaning and deeper, Read More Holy Week for Kids: How to Teach Beyond Easter SundayContinue, Not every child is born with tons of self esteem. ), "If God was small enough for my brain to fully understand, He wouldnt be big enough to save me!, The authors of the Bible understood this. The Apostle Paul also affirms the doctrine of the Trinity. We begin with a brief discussion of the doctrine in historical context, explaining more fully the nature of the problem it raises. Admittedly, the idea of three distinct persons/expressions that are each fully God is part of the mystery. This command lists all three persons of the Trinity. What we believe about the gospel and our call to serve every nation. The Trinity Matters because the Gospel Matters. The Trinity does not divide God into three parts. What a challenge! I hate getting spam. You can cut into an apple in front of your group. Just as ONE egg has THREE different parts - the shell, the white, the yoke - ONE God has THREE different . No, the word Trinity does not appear in the Bible. The Trinity does not divide God into three parts. There is a clue that the Son is distinct from the Father, yet there is fellowship between them. John says in the first verse of the book: "The Word was with God, and the Word was God.". They are three real persons, not three roles God plays. The three-ness and one-ness are two different features. It is the same thing in three different forms. 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.". Does it look like Grandpa? God created man in His image. This verse accurately states the doctrine of the Trinity that God is One God in three Persons. Orthodox Christian theology has always affirmed that the one true God is triune in nature. Need help teaching your kids about communion, either at Sunday School or home? 2:11), speaks (Mark 13:11), testifies (Acts 20:23), reveals (1 Cor. Deity of Jesus: 10 Essentials You Need to Know! As Hebrews 9:14 declares. From the 1950s to the 2000s, people wanted to see if they could make computers exhibit intelligence indistinguishable from humans. And that he is manifest as three Persons.. God is spirit (John 4:24). 28:18-20; 2 Cor. 20:3; cf. The answer is simple. Answers to questions on donations, financial policies, Crus annual report and more. Christianity is a monotheistic religion. Answer: Jesus came to lead us into relationship with the Father and that required the sacrifice of his own life because of our rebellion. I am fully human. OksoWhat about this idea of one being who exists in three persons?. You arent alone! But Scripture provides ample evidence of the existence of the Trinity. For example, it says of Christ that in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form (Colossians 2:9). Lets apply what weve learned to the Trinity based on the graphic. 2:10), knows (1 Cor. 3. No, the wordTrinitydoes not appear in the Bible. Your Identity in Christ: How God Sees You. Monotheism is foundational to Christianity. Divide your group into three teams and give each group a sheet of butcher paper or poster. Tertullian, Cyprian, Augustine, and Jerome mention it. Lets change that! He was "begotten, not made," and he was of the same substance or essence ( homoousios) as the Father. 119; Prov. I work hard to produce evidence-based information about school for both teachers and parents, and to produce and share resources that can help at home and in the classroom. Jesus himself spoke of the one-ness of the Godhead when he quoted the Shema of Deuteronomy 6:4. But they are eternally subordinate in their roles to him (1 Cor. Here are three I found to be really helpful. 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! But the Holy Spirit is not an it, but a He (see John 14:26; 16:7-15; Acts 8:16). However, the Bible teaches us enough about these mysteries that we can apprehend them. But it is possible to go deeper. 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. Sometimes the Personhood of the Father and Son is appreciated, but the Personhood of the Holy Spirit is neglected. 9:5; Col. 2:9), The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:34; 2 Cor. Think about it: Finite Christians serve an eternal and infinite God. I'm an author, speaker, husband, father and ice cream lover. Its three things, but all are complete on their own. 2:6), The image of God (John 12:45; 2 Cor. But as a follower of Christ, your identity can and should be grounded in one thing: who He says you are. 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? The doctrine or concept of the Trinity is central to most Christian denominations and faith groups, although not all. One helpful Scripture explicitly refers to the essence and personhood of the Trinity. Other statements may at first seem contradictory but are really not. I think the major problem involves not distinguishing two different features of God. Learn the basics of what Christians believe. 9:18; Matt. But it also raises many difficult questions. 4 Visual Ways To Explain The Trinity To A Child. Most of them are less-than-helpful. Unsubscribe at any time. Well, we can know because God has given us his special revelation: the Bible. These verses make it impossible to deny their individuality and deity. passage also demonstrates Jesus' early declaration of the Trinity. Trinity may be a new term for you and can be confusing even for Christians to explain to others. For example the: Finite humankind cannot wholly comprehend these mysteries. Take the next step in your faith journey with resources on prayer, devotionals and other tools for personal and spiritual growth. Trinity comes from two word parts: tri, meaning three, and unity, meaning as one. The concept of the Trinity is that we have God in three forms a union of three. Striving to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport and in every nation. .. We need you. Secondly I'd like you to read this verse with me from the Bible. Live in another country building relationships and ministries with eternal impact. At his death on the cross, sinless Jesus chose to substitute himself in our place (Heb. He wrote, What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.. Monotheism. Youngblood, R. F., et al. But how can finite humans know anything about Gods infinite essence? 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. And these three Persons are the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But continue seeking to understand why the Trinitarian nature of God matters. 8:1417). 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. He is the only God that exists. However,barais the singular conjugation of the verb. 3:1417). Check out my tips for teaching your kids about bedtime prayer. A Christian would still be expected to understand it. Find freedom from your sins today. After understanding the difference between essence and personhood, most objections evaporate! Second, we have the son of God, Jesus. And this illustration helps us understand the Trinity: This illustration shows how the doctrine of the Trinity does not divide God into three parts. Instead, it reveals that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit possess the same divine essence. The general pattern of prayer in the Bible is to pray to the Father through the Son and in the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18). 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. Everything in Christian theology and in the believer's life finally comes back to who God is: the divine nature, the persons of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus dying on the Cross is one of the most important parts of His story. God the Son. 12:28; Rom. Our fellowship with God should be enhanced by consciously knowing that we are relating to a tri-personal God! In all transparency, I feel like I did a pretty mediocre job of explaining the Trinity to them in a way they could grasp. 5:2), Miracles (Ex. With input from her father, fart followed within a day or two, and I was horrified, but also excited that she mysteriously managed an r-controlled vowel without any explicit instruction. Tozerputs it well in The Knowledge of the Holy. According to the American Heritage Dictionary the word Here are the best childrens Bibles, sorted by age. He was sustaining and manifesting Gods immediate presence in his creation. Essence and person are not the same thing. The verb for created isbara. 1. Why, if they are ALL God? "But if I [Jesus] cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.". Before anything was created he begat his Logos as a person distinct from himself. . And the Trinity is an essential doctrine to our understanding of God. Here is an object with three parts: a hard shell, the egg white, and the yolk. For if we deny this, we have denied Gods unity and affirmed that there is more than one being of God (i.e., that there is more than one God). God the Father. Be cool with leaving the gathering with more questions than answers. Understanding who the Holy Spirit is, the place He holds within the Holy Trinity and the role He plays in individual lives is vital to anyone exploring what it means to become a Christian and anyone trying to follow Jesus. Leading from values so others will walk passionately with God to grow and bear fruit. Others seem to come by it naturally, and its just not fair! Among the three persons of the Trinity, there is a proper order: The Father is the First Person of the Most Holy Trinity. Amongst other books, I have read 'The Forgotten Trinity" by James White, but remain unconvinced that acceptance of or belief in the confusing doctrine of the trinity is essential for Salvation. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earthand in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spiritand born of the virgin Mary.He suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died, and was buried.He descended to the dead.On the third day he rose again.He ascended into heaven,and is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic* Church,the communion of the saints,the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body,and the life everlasting.