Trinity Exposition: Why Should I Believe?

Introduction:

Let me start it with a humor,

Why did the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit start a band?

Because they had perfect harmony!

Why did the Trinity go to the baseball game?

Because they heard there would be a lot of "Son" shine!

Let us Pray:

Is God the Father the only “one God”—or is the Son, Jesus, God too? If so, do Christians worship more than one God? Is that not polytheism, as some suggest? Is God the Father superior to Jesus? Did Jesus come after the Father? Was there a time when the Father but not Jesus existed?

And what about the Holy Spirit? Is He God too? If so, do Christians worship three gods, as some claim we do? And just what or who is the Holy Spirit? How are we to understand the Holy Spirit in relationship to the Father and the Son? Is the Holy Spirit divine, or merely an impersonal force emanating from God?

The Mysteries of the Maker:

Fully understanding and explaining God's nature is beyond our capabilities as finite beings with sin-infected minds trying to grasp the infinite and perfect. However, God has given us the Bible as a revelation of truth. Through the Bible, we can explore the nature of the God who created all that is, using it as a magnificent telescope of truth.

What is the Trinity:

The term "Trinity" comes from the Latin "Trinitas," meaning "the number three." It acknowledges what the Bible reveals about God, that God is three "Persons" who share the same essence of deity.

While the term "Trinity" itself is not found in the Bible, the concept is present from the beginning. In the book of Genesis, God says, "Let us make man in our image...male and female he created them." This usage of plural and singular pronouns indicates a mixture of plurality and unity.

Layman's Terms:

Here are four reasons to believe in the Trinity based on biblical grounds:

Trinitarian statements in the New Testament:

The New Testament contains statements that mention the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, affirming their existence and importance.

Monotheism and Jesus' divinity:

The New Testament teaches both monotheism (belief in one God) and the divinity of Jesus. Jesus is described as the Word who was with God and was God, and his works and claims reveal his divine nature.

Distinction between Jesus and the Father:

Jesus himself emphasized the distinction between him and God the Father. He spoke of the Father sending him and praying to the Father, demonstrating their separate identities.

Divinity and personal attributes of the Holy Spirit:

The Holy Spirit is referred to as God in the Bible, and the Spirit performs divine functions. The Spirit is not an impersonal force but has personal attributes and characteristics.

Theological Exposition:

While the developed doctrine of the Trinity is not explicitly stated in the New Testament, several Trinitarian formulas can be found in passages such as Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14, and 1 Corinthians 12:4-6. The Hebrew word "Echad" is used in Deuteronomy 6:4 to signify oneness and unity, while the word "Yachid" is never used for God in the Old.

Here are some Bible verse and explanation that talks about trinity:

Matthew 28:19 - "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Explanation: Jesus instructs his disciples to baptize new believers in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, indicating the three distinct persons of the Trinity.

2 Corinthians 13:14 - "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

Explanation: This verse mentions the three persons of the Trinity, highlighting their individual roles and attributes.

Genesis 1:26 - "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.'"

Explanation: The plural pronouns used here, "us" and "our," suggest a conversation within the Godhead, indicating the presence of multiple persons.

John 1:1-3 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Explanation: The Word refers to Jesus, who was both with God and was God Himself, emphasizing His divine nature and distinctiveness within the Godhead.

John 14:16 - "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever."

Explanation: Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, who is referred to as another Helper, indicating a distinct person from Himself and the Father.

John 14:26 - "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

Explanation: This verse speaks of the Holy Spirit as a distinct person, sent by the Father and having the ability to teach and remind believers.