Talking about the trinity

John 14:8   Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.

11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. 12  “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. [ESV]

Does how we understand God matter? God has revealed himself to us

Does how we understand God matter? The challenge of explaining this revelation Many Christians hold views rejected by the Councils of Nicea (AD 325) and Constantinople (AD 381)

Does how we understand God matter? 31% think God the Father is more divine than Jesus 71% think Jesus was the first creature created by God 56% think the Holy Spirit is an impersonal force 28% believe HS is divine, but not equal to the Father or Son

Does how we understand God matter? The challenge of explaining this revelation It is time to talk about the Trinity

Does how we understand God matter? The challenge of explaining this revelation The doctrine of the Trinity resulted from the careful and thoughtful work of the leading theologians of the early church

Does how we understand God matter? The challenge of explaining this revelation They considered the whole witness of scripture not isolated statements

Does how we understand God matter? The challenge of explaining this revelation There is one God There are three divine “persons” These “persons” are co-eternal These “persons” truly God and equal in essence

Does how we understand God matter? The challenge of explaining this revelation “We worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity. Neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is all One….” [Athanasian Creed]

Does how we understand God matter? The challenge of explaining this revelation There is one God who exists eternally as three persons

Does how we understand God matter? Three primary errors to avoid Modalism God is a single “person” who reveals himself in different ways

Does how we understand God matter? Three primary errors to avoid Tri-theism The Father, Son and Spirit are three distinct beings

Does how we understand God matter? Three primary errors to avoid Arianism Jesus was the first and greatest of God’s creatures

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit       and born of the virgin Mary.       He suffered under Pontius Pilate,       was crucified, died, and was buried;       he descended to the dead.       The third day he rose again from the dead.       He ascended to heaven       and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.       From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,. the holy catholic church, I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,       the communion of saints,       the forgiveness of sins,       the resurrection of the body,       and the life everlasting. Amen.