Theology Thursday
Q. 6. How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A. There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
What do eggs and ice have in common? Both favourites of Youth Leaders to illustrate the Trinity. The truth is that no illustration from our world can truly capture the triune nature of God.
One God. Three Persons. Equally God. All the same in nature and glory. But different persons with different roles to play in the history of redemption.
The Father creates a plan, Jesus Christ implements the plan, and the Holy Spirit administers the plan. This they do in loving cooperation, in a love that overflows to creation.
The Son willingly submits Himself to the Father’s will (as the person Jesus Christ - though potentially in eternity). Just as the Holy Spirit does the will of the Father and the Son.
Some have noted that the word Trinity is never used in the Bible. This is true. But hardly a reason not to use the word for what it is; a helpful piece of language that captures what the Bible does say about who God is.
The Trinity is a bit mysterious. It can be hard to wrap our head around. But that is part of the point. God is big. God is deep. God is a being unlike anything on this earth. He is like the ocean. We have explored its surfaces and even peeked into its depths. But the vast majority remains unknown.
On the one hand, we will never understand the Trinity because we are humans. Can an ant understand an ape? But on the other hand we have eternity to explore the depths of God and know Him and to revel in the knowledge of His depths. Just as today we explore the universe in awe and wonder - so will we explore God.
For Today:
Pray:
Praise God that He is the one and only true God.
Give thanks for Jesus Christ that He is God in human flesh.
Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others have eyes of faith to see God for who He is.
Passages: 1 John 5:7, Matthew 28:19, John 1:1-18, 2 Corinthians 13:14
A. There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
What do eggs and ice have in common? Both favourites of Youth Leaders to illustrate the Trinity. The truth is that no illustration from our world can truly capture the triune nature of God.
One God. Three Persons. Equally God. All the same in nature and glory. But different persons with different roles to play in the history of redemption.
The Father creates a plan, Jesus Christ implements the plan, and the Holy Spirit administers the plan. This they do in loving cooperation, in a love that overflows to creation.
The Son willingly submits Himself to the Father’s will (as the person Jesus Christ - though potentially in eternity). Just as the Holy Spirit does the will of the Father and the Son.
Some have noted that the word Trinity is never used in the Bible. This is true. But hardly a reason not to use the word for what it is; a helpful piece of language that captures what the Bible does say about who God is.
The Trinity is a bit mysterious. It can be hard to wrap our head around. But that is part of the point. God is big. God is deep. God is a being unlike anything on this earth. He is like the ocean. We have explored its surfaces and even peeked into its depths. But the vast majority remains unknown.
On the one hand, we will never understand the Trinity because we are humans. Can an ant understand an ape? But on the other hand we have eternity to explore the depths of God and know Him and to revel in the knowledge of His depths. Just as today we explore the universe in awe and wonder - so will we explore God.
For Today:
- What’s an illustration you have heard that tries to capture the Trinity?
- Do you see God as one God, three persons?
- Why do you think it’s important to understand God as Trinity?
Pray:
Praise God that He is the one and only true God.
Give thanks for Jesus Christ that He is God in human flesh.
Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others have eyes of faith to see God for who He is.
Passages: 1 John 5:7, Matthew 28:19, John 1:1-18, 2 Corinthians 13:14
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