On the Trinity

We gather today to contemplate one of the most profound mysteries of our faith: the Holy Trinity. This doctrine, that God is one in essence but three in persons, is not a human invention but a truth revealed by God Himself in Scripture. Though our finite minds cannot fully comprehend this mystery, we can and must seek to understand it as far as God has revealed it to us.

The doctrine of the Trinity is firmly rooted in Scripture. We see it in the baptismal formula of 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." Notice that it says "in the name" (singular) of the three persons, indicating both unity and distinction. We also see the Trinity in the creation account, where God says, "Let us make man in our image" (Genesis 1:26), and in the Great Commission, where Jesus commands baptism in the name of the three persons. The New Testament consistently presents the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as distinct persons who are yet one God.

First, we must affirm the unity of God. Scripture is clear that there is only one God. Deuteronomy 6:4 declares, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one." This monotheistic foundation is essential to our understanding of the Trinity. We do not believe in three gods, but in one God who exists in three persons. This unity is not merely a unity of purpose or will, but a unity of essence. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit share the same divine nature. They are not three parts of God, but each is fully God. This is why we can say that each person of the Trinity is worthy of worship, for each is fully divine.

While affirming the unity of God, we must also recognize the distinction between the three persons. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father. Each person has His own distinct role in the work of salvation and in the life of the believer. The Father is the source and origin of all things. He is the one who sends the Son and the Spirit. The Son is the one who became incarnate, lived among us, died for our sins, and rose again. The Holy Spirit is the one who applies the work of Christ to our hearts, convicting us of sin and drawing us to Christ.

The three persons of the Trinity have existed eternally in perfect love and harmony. There was never a time when the Father existed without the Son or the Holy Spirit. The Son is eternally begotten of the Father, and the Holy Spirit eternally proceeds from the Father and the Son. This eternal relationship is the foundation of all love and community. The love that exists between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the source and model of all true love. It is this love that God desires to share with us through our union with Christ.

While the three persons are distinct, they work together in perfect unity. In creation, the Father spoke, the Son was the Word through whom all things were made, and the Holy Spirit hovered over the waters. In redemption, the Father sent the Son, the Son accomplished our salvation, and the Holy Spirit applies it to our hearts. This unity in work does not mean that the persons are interchangeable, but that they work together in perfect harmony, each fulfilling His distinct role in the divine plan.

The doctrine of the Trinity is not merely an abstract theological concept but has profound implications for our salvation. Our salvation is the work of the triune God: the Father planned it, the Son accomplished it, and the Holy Spirit applies it. The Father chose us before the foundation of the world and sent His Son to redeem us. The Son willingly came, lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and rose again. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, draws us to Christ, and works in us to produce the fruit of righteousness.

Our prayer life is also shaped by the Trinity. We pray to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught us to pray to "Our Father in heaven," and He Himself intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. This trinitarian understanding of prayer reminds us that our access to God is not based on our merit but on the work of Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

The church, as the body of Christ, reflects the unity and diversity of the Trinity. Just as the three persons are distinct yet one, so the members of the church are diverse yet united in Christ. This unity is not uniformity but a harmony of different gifts and callings working together for the glory of God. The church is also the temple of the Holy Spirit, where the triune God dwells among His people. Through the church, God continues to work in the world, drawing people to Himself and building His kingdom.

We must acknowledge that the Trinity is a mystery that transcends human understanding. Our finite minds cannot fully comprehend how God can be both one and three. This should not lead us to despair but to worship, for it reminds us that God is greater than our understanding. The mystery of the Trinity should also lead us to humility. We must be careful not to go beyond what Scripture teaches or to try to explain the Trinity in ways that Scripture does not support.

Understanding the Trinity has practical implications for our daily lives. It teaches us about the nature of love and community. It reminds us that we are created for relationship, both with God and with others. It shows us that unity and diversity can coexist in perfect harmony. The Trinity also teaches us about the nature of God's work in the world. God works through means - through the preaching of the Word, the administration of the sacraments, and the fellowship of believers. He does not work in isolation but through the community of His people.

Let us examine our hearts today. Do we truly worship the triune God? Do we recognize the distinct work of each person in our salvation and sanctification? Do we pray to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit? Let us pray that God would give us a deeper understanding of His triune nature and help us to worship Him in spirit and in truth.