Hello brothers & sisters. I am having doubts about the holy trinity; Can somebody help me understand it and its presence in scripture? Thank you all.
Doubts about the holy trinity
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The word "trinity" isn't found in scripture. As I understand the idea, it means God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; that is what I believe. But I don't get too hung up on the word trinity or the deep theology of it.
Welcome to CC, and thanks for your honesty. When I was young in my faith, I wrestled with related questions. I would encourage you to search the Bible for yourself, looking for verses that tell of divine attributes in each member of the Trinity. Invite God to teach you through His word.
The trinity doctrine is an essential doctrine for any valid Christian denomination to contain. The doctrine of the trinity is that there is one God in three persons; the Father, the Son/Word (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. The best explanation of the trinity doctrine in greater detail comes from the Athanasian Creed. The primary verses for the trinity doctrine are John 1:1-14 that establishes that the Word made flesh, Jesus, is also God. This lines up then with Genesis 1:1-3 that shows the trinity doctrine with the Father creating the universe by his Word and his Holy Spirit and thus showing that Jesus is eternal and not a created being as was put forth by the heresy of Arianism or elsewise entirely different religions that just wholly deny the divinity of Jesus. Some newer sects will maintain that Jesus is eternal and is also God but will then confuse the trinity doctrine with modalism, which confuses the distinct three persons of the trinity together into one God with three modes. To make the trinity doctrine sure and also counter the heresy of modalism then the baptism of Jesus account, especially in Luke 3:21-22, shows clearly the truth of the trinity doctrine in that all three persons of the trinity are present and distinct and acting simultaneously rather than God being in three modes. Apart from these there are of course other scriptures that name the three persons of the trinity in passing (Paul's letters) or indirectly support the trinity doctrine (prophets of the Old Testament) and are supporting proofs, but these are the three best scriptures that form the scriptural backbone of the trinity doctrine.
John 1:1-14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Genesis 1:1-3
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Luke 3:21-22
21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
John 1:1-14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Genesis 1:1-3
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Luke 3:21-22
21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
In scripture Trinity is mentioned in a few key places.
The first one was when Jesus was baptized when the voice of the Father was heard from the Heavens and the Holy Spirit was seen in the shape of a dove.
The second one was when Jesus Himself said to His disciples to "go and baptize people in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit".
That's what the Bible says.
If you want a more limited human technical understanding, try this 5 minute video about dimensions.
Think of a pudding pie. Cut it into three slices. On the surface it's three pieces. Underneath its all one.
Very simplified concept, but it helped me when I didn't understand. At least as a starting point.
The strongest evidence for the Holy Trinity is found in Matthew 3:16,17: And Jesus [GOD THE SON], when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God [GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT] descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven [OF GOD THE FATHER], saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 28:19 is no less authoritative, since those are the words of God the Son (frequently called the Son and God, who generally called Himself "the Son of Man").
Precious friend, A Very Warm Welcome! Please Be Very Richly And Encouraged In God's Word Of Truth:
The Triune GodHead!
Amen.
Yes it is essential, and that is why the cults attack it. It ties in with the deity of Christ, which they also attack. And unless you believe that Jesus is God who became sinless Man to save you and all who believe on Him, you cannot be saved.
Here’s a book to help understand the concept.
https://www.amazon.com/What-Trinity-Thinking-Father-Spirit/dp/154677260X
The human mind likes to try to make analogies, but there is no real analogy to the trinity doctrine that can be made without stumbling into heresy by accident. (the three most common accidental heresies made by analogy being Arianism, modalism, and partialism.) So I think it be prudent to simply copy paste the Athanasian Creed so that we can understand what the trinity doctrine even is. After knowing what the doctrine of the trinity is then it is pretty easy to understand how it is derived from the scriptures as listed above.
Athanasian Creed
Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic faith. Which faith unless every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the Catholic faith is this: that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father infinite; the Son infinite; and the Holy Ghost infinite. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite. So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity; to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; So are we forbidden by the Catholic religion; to say, There are three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten; but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity.
Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation; that he also believe faithfully the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess; that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man; God, of the Substance [Essence] of the Father; begotten before the worlds; and Man, of the Substance [Essence] of his mother, born in the world. Perfect God; and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting. Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead; and inferior to the Father as touching his Manhood. Who although he is God and Man; yet he is not two, but one Christ. One; not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh; but by assumption of the Manhood into God. One altogether; not by confusion of Substance [Essence]; but by unity of Person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man; so God and Man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation; descended into hell; rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, he sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from whence he will come to judge the living and the dead. At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies; And shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire. This is the Catholic faith; which except a man believe truly and firmly, he cannot be saved.
Athanasian Creed
Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic faith. Which faith unless every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the Catholic faith is this: that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father infinite; the Son infinite; and the Holy Ghost infinite. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite. So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity; to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; So are we forbidden by the Catholic religion; to say, There are three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten; but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity.
Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation; that he also believe faithfully the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess; that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man; God, of the Substance [Essence] of the Father; begotten before the worlds; and Man, of the Substance [Essence] of his mother, born in the world. Perfect God; and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting. Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead; and inferior to the Father as touching his Manhood. Who although he is God and Man; yet he is not two, but one Christ. One; not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh; but by assumption of the Manhood into God. One altogether; not by confusion of Substance [Essence]; but by unity of Person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man; so God and Man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation; descended into hell; rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, he sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from whence he will come to judge the living and the dead. At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies; And shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire. This is the Catholic faith; which except a man believe truly and firmly, he cannot be saved.
Don't worry. Understanding the idea of trinity and believing it with or without understanding some version of it, is not necessary for you to have a relationship with God and Jesus Christ through faith. Just ignore it, unless something in scripture happens to sway you in some way regarding the composition of the Godhead.
There are plenty of scriptural examples that can be given to show that Jesus is God. Some have already been shared in the replies above. So i will give you some more scripture revealing that Jesus is God..
Romans 10: 9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
So the above verse makes it clear one must believe that God raised Jesus from the dead..
So lets read the next passage::
John 2:18-22 "¶ Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? {19} Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. {20} Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? {21} But he spake of the temple of his body. {22} When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said."
So we must believe God raised Jesus from the dead and Jesus said that He would raise His body up from the dead.. As Christians we believe that both scriptures are true and good.. Therefore as Christians we must conclude that Jesus is God..
There are some good verses given by others showing Jesus is God, but the Holy Spirit seemed not to be getting as much attention. Therefore I asked the search engine Brave. Here is what it's AI brought up. It repeats the verse in Acts, but I think that is the best one.