The fellowship that is manifested in God, helps us to cement our wounded relationships and encourages us to stand against division. There is also an exhortation to praise the triune God who lives eternally- an exhortation to praise the omnipotent and omnipresent God who is part of the trinity. The English word Trinity was formed out of the two Latin words Tres and Unitas. The word trinity means the ‘condition of being three’. Trinity is understood as a mysterious topic. It is not that easy to comprehend it intellectually. The Greek word for Trinity ,‘trias’, was first used by Theophilus of Antioch. Later many Church leaders like Tretullian, Athanasius and Augustine have all tried to interpret Trinity. They have brought in three basic aspects in the concept of Trinity.
- God is one
- God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit
- Though Father, Son and Holy Spirit are different personalities, the Spirit that is in them is the same- that Spirit is, God. Therefore they are one in Spirit. (John 4: 24; 2 Cor. 3: 17).
Trinity in the Old Testament
- In the creation story in Genesis ‘Elohim’ has been used in the plural form. Genesis 1:2,3 We, our image. Genesis 1: 26.
- There is also a mention of the Holy Spirit and the Son (Ezekial 11: 2, 42: 1, 61:1; 53: 1-5; John 2: 28, Isaiah 32: 15; Ezekial 36: 26, 27
Trinity in the New Testament
- In John’s message he asked to believe in Messiah and he implored to be baptized by the Holy Spirit (Mat. 3: 11)
- Angel Gabriel in his message to Mary (Luke 1: 35)
- It is believed that during Jesus’ baptism the Trinity was evidently manifested (Mat. 3: 16, 17). The Son got baptized. Father spoke from heaven. The Holy Spirit descended.
- In Jesus’ message- (John 14: 7 -9, 16). That is God the Father sent his son. The Son sent the Holy Spirit.
- In Jesus’ great Commission (Mat. 28: 18-20)
- In the teachings of the Apostles (Acts 2: 33; 1 Cor. 12: 4-6; 1 Peter 1:2).
- In the benediction of the Church (2 Cor. 13: 14)
- In the Nicene Creed. In AD 375 under the leadership of Athanasius, this was declared as part of the Church’s belief. Later many including John Calvin have reinterpreted it.
1.Trinity before Abraham (Genesis 18: 1- 15)
God appeared to Abraham by the great trees of Mamre in the form of three men. ‘I’, ‘we’ have been used in singular and plural terms here. This appearance can be seen as the revelation that God is one in Trinity. God’s communion explains that God is one and that God’s nature is undivided and inevitable . Both Old Testament and New Testament equally testifies to this (Deut. 4: 35, 39; 1 Kings 8: 60; Isaiah 45:5; Mark 12: 29- 32; John 17: 3; 1 Cor. 8: 4,5,6; 1 Timothy 2:5). God is not one of the Gods but is one. Therefore God is divine (Exodus 15:11; Zechariah 14: 9). The eternal and whole entity should be only one, for an entity that is more than one is untrue and beyond logic. Nature of God is made clear in Deut. 6:4- “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Mark 12: 29; James 2: 19). It is not possible to divide God. Man has physical and non- physical parts. But God is Spirit. Since oneness does not mean single, oneness is not in opposition to the concept of Trinity. God’s Trinity lets the characteristics of man reside in Godly nature. The entity that is within Godly entity does not separate the three persons of the Trinity.
2. Trinity in Jesus’ Baptism (Mark 1: 1- 11)
In Jesus’ baptism there is a mention of the triune God. God the Father speaks from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Jesus, the Son is baptized. The Spirit descended on him like a dove.
3. Trinity in Church’s Benediction (2 Cor. 13: 5- 14)
Paul gives the benediction to the Church of Corinth in the name of the triune God. Love of God the Father, grace of God the Son and fellowship of the Holy Spirit. The fellowship (Koinonia) that is mentioned here is the constant fellowship with God. It can be understood as fellowship or partnership. It is in this fellowship that God livens and leads the Church.