The doctrine of the Trinity is unique to Christianity. It underpins Christian theology and is the most important doctrine of Christian faith and practice. The Trinity is difficult to explain and fully understand, as is to expected since we are human and can never truly understand the infinity and omnipotence of God. Yet, the Trinity is vital to Christian faith as it represents the nature of God, and it affirms the existence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
According to Exodus 3:14 and Philippians 1:2, the Father is God, in John 8: 58 and Titus 2:13, we are told that Jesus God, and in Acts 5:3-4 the Holy Spirit is God. There is only one God according to Deuteronomy 6:4 and James 2:19. This means that God exists as three distinct persons, although one essence. The distinct three persons are discussed throughout the Bible. The Father speaks to Jesus from heaven during his baptism, and the Spirit is descending from heaven. This clearly affirms the three separate persons. Each, however, is identical in essence and attributes, and each if fully God.
The Trinity represents the nature of God. God is the Father, God is the Son, and God is the Holy Spirit. The Father is not the Son or the Holy Spirit. The Son is not the Father or the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not the Father or the Son. Each, however, are brought together as one. These three persons are not three gods. They exist in communion with one another as one divine nature. God, as the three, and as each one is all knowing, all powerful, all present and eternal. Although this may difficult to understand, it is a truth upon which all Christians must rely.
The Trinity affirms the existence of Jesus. In many passages of the Bible, we are told that Jesus is God and bears the same title as God. Jesus answers prayers as the Father does. Jesus is worshipped in the same manner as God and Christians uphold their faith in Jesus just as in God. Jesus also does the work of God, as explained many times throughout the New Testament. Jesus has all attributes of God, and is equal to God, as he is the Son of God. Jesus was not created by God, as humans were, nor was he made to be a servant of God.
The Trinity affirms the existence of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is distinct from God and the Son. As can be seen throughout the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is an essence that teaches. It intercedes for Christians, and it possesses its own distinct mind. The Holy Spirit has the eternal, omnipresent and omniscient attributes of God. It is involved in all the works of God. As stated in First Corinthians 2:10, the Holy Spirit searches all things including the depths of God. It is the only being that can completely understand God.
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not forms of God, each of them is God. An infinite God cannot be fully described by a finite illustration. God is beyond human comprehension as it is impossible for us to comprehend infinity or eternity. The Trinity teaches that God is revelation. He is the light through which he reveals himself and all things. The Trinity teaches us that God is communion and fellowship. The Trinity is also important in prayer. The prayer taught in the New Testament is a prayer to the Father through the Son and in the Holy Spirit. Salvation for a Christian rests with the Trinity. Revelation, communication, fellowship, prayer and worship are also intertwined with the Trinity.
The doctrine of Trinity is unique to Christianity. Although Christianity is a monotheistic religion like Judaism and Islam, the distinction of three persons as one God is unlike all other religious doctrines. In fact, there are several religious faiths that reject that idea of the trinity. However, there are trinities that exist in other religious faiths. In Hinduism, Brahman is the creater, the preserver and the judge. In the Wiccan faith, the Goddess is the maiden, the mother and wisdom. Some scholars believe that the Trinity originate in Babylon as an intertwining of Greek philosophy, and was passed to other religions. These scholars claim that during the first few centuries, followers of Christ did not hold the trinity as part of their doctrine. Jesus was considered subordinate to God. However, as explained above, scripture in the New Testament does provide an explanation of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and separates the three as distinct persons.
Clearly, the doctrine of the Trinity is unique to Christianity. It supports Christian theology and is the most important doctrine of Christian faith and practice. It provides for implications in prayer, worship, communication, fellowship and salvation. The Trinity is difficult to explain and fully understand because we are merely humans. We can never fully and truly understand the infinity and omnipotence of God. Yet, the Trinity is vital to Christian faith as it represents the nature of God, and it affirms the existence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
References
Perman, M. (2006, January 23). What is the Doctrine of the Trinity? Retrieved from Desiring God: http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-is-the-doctrine-of-the-trinity
Rath, J. (1997, November). An Appeal to Trinitarian Christians. Retrieved from Historical Background of the Trinity: http://www.christadelphia.org/trinityhistory.htm
Scott, P. (2012, September 03). God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity - Our Faith, Sermon 1. Retrieved from Pastor Scott's Thoughs: http://drtscott.typepad.com/pastor_scotts_thoughts/2012/09/god-in-three-persons-blessed-trinity-our-faith-sermon-1.html
