The Trinity
The Rev. Lou Tiscione, Pastor, Weatherford Presbyterian Church (PCA)
This article is not about religion, but it is the doctrine that is the heart of the Christian faith and religion. It is about the object of both faith and religion. Religion is a word used to describe man’s expression of his belief in the divine. The Protestant reformers used a term, “true religion”. They sought to express man’s “reaching out” to the one true God. They used this term “true religion” in describing the visible church. “The visible church … consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion; and of their children” (Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 25, Para. 2).
True religion is not determined by man’s belief. It is a response to the True God. Who is He? Or, more precisely, who has He told us He is?
The most fundamental teaching of the Christian Church concerning the nature of God is that He is three persons — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit — and one in essence. Each person is equal in power and glory. This is the doctrine of the Trinity.
This teaching is so critical such that any church not holding to this doctrine cannot be considered a Christian Church.
But there is an appearance of a problem. The word Trinity is not in the Bible. One would think that such a fundamental doctrine would be described in the word of God written. Although the word “Trinity” does not appear in Scripture, it is explicitly taught.
Let’s look at the beginning. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said…” (Genesis 1:1-3a). The one true God created everything out of nothing. God was the initiator. The word translated “Father” in the Bible means initiator, provider, and protector. From this understanding, we are told that God the Father initiated creation. Secondly, the Spirit of God is revealed as “hovering” over what is declared to be chaos, not an orderly creation. Thirdly, the spoken word of God commanded order out of chaos. John wrote that the word of God was with God and was God. He was speaking of the second person of the Trinity who took upon Himself human nature and was Incarnate (John 1:1-2).
Moving to the Psalms, King David wrote, “The LORD says to my Lord; sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool” (Psalm 110:1). David wrote of the “conversation” between Yahweh (or, if you prefer, Jehovah) and Adoni which means Master. Jesus quoted this Scripture to confuse the Pharisees as a result of their inability to identify the Messiah, namely, Him. He further used this passage to declare that God’s word written cannot be broken! David under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit was writing of the relationship between Father and Son in the God-head.
The famous passages of Isaiah called the “Suffering Servant” passages also include God’s revelation of the Trinity. Isaiah 61:1 says, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me….” The Servant of God spoke through Isaiah and said that God the Father had anointed Him, Jesus, with the Holy Spirit. Jesus read this passage in His hometown synagogue. He declared that what the prophet Isaiah wrote was fulfilled in Him (Luke 4:16-21).
Now, for the most expressive passage of Scripture that reveals the doctrine of the Trinity, I turn to 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.” Jesus has commissioned all of His followers to make disciples. I’m sure that you’ve been taught that this direct and emphatic commission of Jesus in the Great Commission is to disciple! Those who profess faith in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God as He is offered in the gospel are to make followers of Jesus. The specific nature of discipleship is trinitarian. That is, we are to identify followers with God who has identified Himself as the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, true followers of Jesus identify with the Triune God. We worship and follow the God who has revealed Himself as three persons, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. Redemption was initiated by the Father, accomplished by the Son, and is applied by the Holy Spirit.
