The Trinity...?

Question

I grew up christian and always prayed "in the name of the father, son and holy spirit.." but to be honest, I didnt know christians believe that God,Jesus and the holy spirit are one.

There were some watch tower people(they dont call themselves christians btw) that came to my house once (thats when I found out) and they said they believe the father, son, and holy spirit are separate.

what are your beliefs?about the trinity and having faith in general?

Whatever the case, am currently questioning(but not bashing!) my belief in the whole christianity thing(I feel like there is a higher power though). How about just being a good person.

Answer 1

The Trinity can be explained by "Water." Water - God the Father, Frozen ice=Jesus Christ, Boiling water making a vapor-Holy Spirit. All three are ONE in the Godhead but are separate persons. Yet you must understand that Jehovah's Witnesses are false in their teachings about Jesus Christ and are considered a cult in the Scriptures of the Holy Bible..And being a good person? Jesus says, You must be born again and those that do the will of My Father will enter into heaven..Read the Scriptures daily and find a Church where the Holy Spirit is also welcomed and Jesus Christ is glorified..

Answer 2

The Truth About the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

PEOPLE who believe the Trinity teaching say that God consists of three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each of these three persons is said to be equal to the others, almighty, and without beginning. According to the Trinity doctrine, therefore, the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, yet there is only one God.

Many who believe the Trinity admit that they are not able to explain this teaching. Still, they may feel that it is taught in the Bible. It is worth noting that the word “Trinity” never occurs in the Bible. But is the idea of a Trinity found there? To answer this question, let us look at a scripture that supporters often cite to uphold the Trinity.

“THE WORD WAS GOD”

John 1:1 states: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (King James Version) Later in the same chapter, the apostle John clearly shows that “the Word” is Jesus. (John 1:14) Since the Word is called God, however, some conclude that the Son and the Father must be part of the same God.

Bear in mind that this part of the Bible was originally written in Greek. Later, translators rendered the Greek text into other languages. A number of Bible translators, though, did not use the phrase “the Word was God.” Why not? Based on their knowledge of Biblical Greek, those translators concluded that the phrase “the Word was God” should be translated differently. How? Here are a few examples: “The Logos [Word] was divine.” (A New Translation of the Bible) “The Word was a god.” (The New Testament in an Improved Version) “The Word was with God and shared his nature.” (The Translator’s New Testament) According to these translations, the Word is not God himself. Instead, because of his high position among Jehovah’s creatures, the Word is referred to as “a god.” Here the term “god” means “mighty one.”

GET MORE FACTS

Most people do not know Biblical Greek. So how can you know what the apostle John really meant? Think of this example: A schoolteacher explains a subject to his students. Afterward, the students differ on how to understand the explanation. How can the students resolve the matter? They could ask the teacher for more information. No doubt, learning additional facts would help them to understand the subject better. Similarly, to grasp the meaning of John 1:1, you can look in the Gospel of John for more information on Jesus’ position. Learning additional facts on this subject will help you to draw the right conclusion.

For instance, consider what John further writes in chapter 1, verse 18: “No man has seen [Almighty] God at any time.” However, humans have seen Jesus, the Son, for John says: “The Word [Jesus] was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory.” (John 1:14, KJ) How, then, could the Son be part of Almighty God? John also states that the Word was “with God.” But how can an individual be with someone and at the same time be that person? Moreover, as recorded at John 17:3, Jesus makes a clear distinction between himself and his heavenly Father. He calls his Father “the only true God.” And toward the end of his Gospel, John sums up matters by saying: “These have been written down that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God.” (John 20:31) Notice that Jesus is called, not God, but the Son of God. This additional information provided in the Gospel of John shows how John 1:1 should be understood. Jesus, the Word, is “a god” in the sense that he has a high position but is not the same as Almighty God.

CONFIRM THE FACTS

Think again about the example of the schoolteacher and the students. Imagine that some still have doubts, even after listening to the teacher’s additional explanation. What could they do? They could turn to another teacher for further information on the same subject. If the second teacher confirms the explanation of the first one, the doubts of most students may be put to rest. Similarly, if you are not sure what the Bible writer John was really saying about the relationship between Jesus and Almighty God, you could turn to another Bible writer for further information. Consider what was written by Matthew, for example. Regarding the end of this system of things, he quotes Jesus as saying: “Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36) How do these words confirm that Jesus is not Almighty God?

Jesus says that the Father knows more than the Son does. If Jesus were part of Almighty God, however, he would know the same facts as his Father. So, then, the Son and the Father cannot be equal. Yet, some will say: ‘Jesus had two natures. Here he speaks as a man.’ But even if that were so, what about the holy spirit? If it is part of the same God as the Father, why does Jesus not say that it knows what the Father knows?

As you continue your Bible studies, you will become familiar with many more Bible passages that have a bearing on this subject. They confirm the truth about the Father, the Son, and the holy spirit.—Psalm 90:2; Acts 7:55; Colossians 1:15.



For a consideration of the rules of Greek grammar that apply to John 1:1, see pages 26-9 of the brochure Should You Believe in the Trinity? published by Jehovah’s Witnesses.

You can get this book at any of Jehovah's witness congregation free of charge.

Answer 3

The most difficult thing about the Christian concept of the Trinity is that there is no way to adequately explain it. The Trinity is a concept that is impossible for any human being to fully understand, let alone explain. God is infinitely greater than we are, therefore we should not expect to be able to fully understand Him. The Bible teaches that the Father is God, that Jesus is God, and that the Holy Spirit is God. The Bible also teaches that there is only one God. Though we can understand some facts about the relationship of the different persons of the Trinity to one another, ultimately, it is incomprehensible to the human mind. However, this does not mean it is not true or not based on the teachings of the Bible.

Keep in mind when studying this subject that the word "Trinity" is not used in Scripture. This is a term that is used to attempt to describe the triune God, the fact that there are 3 coexistent, co-eternal persons that make up God. Understand that this is NOT in any way suggesting 3 Gods. The Trinity is 1 God made up of 3 persons. There is nothing wrong with using the term "Trinity" even though the word is not found in the Bible. It is shorter to say the word "Trinity" than to say "3 coexistent, co-eternal persons making up 1 God." If this presents a problem to you, consider this: the word grandfather is not used in the Bible either. Yet, we know there were grandfathers in the Bible. Abraham was the grandfather of Jacob. So don't get hung up on the term "Trinity" itself. What should be of real importance is that the concept that is REPRESENTED by the word "Trinity" does exist in Scripture. With the introduction out of the way, Bible verses will be given in discussion of the Trinity.

1) There is one God: Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:4; Galatians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:5.

2) The Trinity consists of three Persons: Genesis 1:1; 1:26; 3:22; 11:7; Isaiah 6:8; 48:16; 61:1; Matthew 3:16-17; Matt 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14. In the passages in the Old Testament, a knowledge of Hebrew is helpful. In Genesis 1:1, the plural noun "Elohim" is used. In Genesis 1:26; 3:22; 11:7 and Isaiah 6:8, the plural pronoun for "us" is used. That "Elohim" and "us" refer to more than two is WITHOUT question. In English, you only have two forms, singular and plural. In Hebrew, you have three forms: singular, dual, and plural. Dual is for two ONLY. In Hebrew, the dual form is used for things that come in pairs like eyes, ears, and hands. The word "Elohim" and the pronoun "us" are plural forms - definitely more than two - and must be referring to three or more (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).

In Isaiah 48:16 and 61:1, the Son is speaking while making reference to the Father and the Holy Spirit. Compare Isaiah 61:1 to Luke 4:14-19 to see that it is the Son speaking. Matthew 3:16-17 describes the event of Jesus' baptism. Seen in this is God the Holy Spirit descending on God the Son while God the Father proclaims His pleasure in the Son. Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:14 are examples of 3 distinct persons in the Trinity.

3) The members of the Trinity are distinguished one from another in various passages: In the Old Testament, "LORD" is distinguished from "Lord" (Genesis 19:24; Hosea 1:4). The "LORD" has a "Son" (Psalm 2:7, 12; Proverbs 30:2-4). Spirit is distinguished from the "LORD" (Numbers 27:18) and from "God" (Psalm 51:10-12). God the Son is distinguished from God the Father (Psalm 45:6-7; Hebrews 1:8-9). In the New Testament, John 14:16-17 is where Jesus speaks to the Father about sending a Helper, the Holy Spirit. This shows that Jesus did not consider Himself to be the Father or the Holy Spirit. Consider also all of the other times in the Gospels where Jesus speaks to the Father. Was He speaking to Himself? No. He spoke to another person in the Trinity - the Father.

4) Each member of the Trinity is God: The Father is God: John 6:27; Romans 1:7; 1 Peter 1:2. The Son is God: John 1:1, 14; Romans 9:5; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:8; 1 John 5:20. The Holy Spirit is God: Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 3:16 (The One who indwells is the Holy Spirit - Romans 8:9; John 14:16-17; Acts 2:1-4).

5) The subordination within the Trinity: Scripture shows that the Holy Spirit is subordinate to the Father and the Son, and the Son is subordinate to the Father. This is an internal relationship, and does not deny the deity of any person of the Trinity. This is simply an area which our finite minds cannot understand concerning the infinite God. Concerning the Son see: Luke 22:42; John 5:36; John 20:21; 1 John 4:14. Concerning the Holy Spirit see: John 14:16; 14:26; 15:26; 16:7 and especially John 16:13-14.

6) The tasks of the individual members of the Trinity: The Father is the ultimate source or cause of: 1) the universe (1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 4:11); 2) divine revelation (Revelation 1:1); 3) salvation (John 3:16-17); and 4) Jesus' human works (John 5:17; 14:10). The Father INITIATES all of these things.

The Son is the agent through whom the Father does the following works: 1) the creation and maintenance of the universe (1 Corinthians 8:6; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17); 2) divine revelation (John 1:1; Matthew 11:27; John 16:12-15; Revelation 1:1); and 3) salvation (2 Corinthians 5:19; Matthew 1:21; John 4:42). The Father does all these things through the Son, who functions as His agent.

The Holy Spirit is the means by whom the Father does the following works: 1) creation and maintenance of the universe (Genesis 1:2; Job 26:13; Psalm 104:30); 2) divine revelation (John 16:12-15; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Peter 1:21); 3) salvation (John 3:6; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:2); and 4) Jesus' works (Isaiah 61:1; Acts 10:38). Thus the Father does all these things by the power of the Holy Spirit.

None of the popular illustrations are completely accurate descriptions of the Trinity. The egg (or apple) fails in that the shell, white, and yolk are parts of the egg, not the egg in themselves. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not parts of God, each of them is God. The water illustration is somewhat better but still fails to adequately describe the Trinity. Liquid, vapor, and ice are forms of water. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not forms of God, each of them is God. So, while these illustrations may give us a picture of the Trinity, the picture is not entirely accurate. An infinite God cannot be fully described by a finite illustration. Instead of focusing on the Trinity, try to focus on the fact of God's greatness and infinitely higher nature than our own. "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" (Romans 11:33-34)

Answer 4

We believe the one true God is three seperate eternal beings that are a single essence/nature. Each is God and yet all three are one God. The Father eternally generates The Son. The Son is eternally begotten (come forth) from The Father. The Holy Spirit proceeds from both The Father and The Son.

analogy: The Sun emits rays and heats up the earth.
The Father has eternally "emitted" The Son and their love is Person of the Holy Spirit.

Answer 5

Jesus did say his Father and he were "one" in agreement, but he also said in John 14:28 "I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I."

Mark 13:32 says concerning the end of the system of things that "no one knows the day nor hour, not the angels..., NOR THE SON, but only the Father knows."

Matt. 20:20-23 where some were asking for position at Jesus' right or left hand. Jesus said it was "not his to grant...but prepared by his Father."

Stephen was given a vision of Jesus in heaven. He saw "Jesus standing at God's right hand." (Acts 7:55,56) No mention of the holy spirit at all. Does this mean he was beside himself?

Does that mean he doesn't know his right hand from his left? Or more reasonably, that they are separate individuals?

In the garden praying just before he was to be arrested, who was he praying too? He prayed, "My Father, if it is possible. let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt." (Matt. 26:39, RSV) If he was the same person, could he not make up his mind? Or could it be two different individuals?

Which is more reasonable? Father + Son = 2 or 1+1+1=1?
Clearly the Bible supports two separate individuals.

Answer 6

I believe in the Trinity that the Father and the Son are One because Jesus said, "I and the Father are One." That's good enough for me.

Just being a good person doesn't get us to heaven. You must be born again. First we are born of water from the womb of your mother. Being born again is being born of the spirit where we reconnect back with God. At this point the Holy Spirit teaches us all things and purifies and refines us to the image of Christ. It is the Holy Spirit who takes sin out of our lives as we walk out our Salvation with fear and trembling.

Believing in Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life with God. Man would like to think that there are many ways, but the Bible says different. And the Bible regardless of what you hear is the Word of the Living God. Bible prophecy has came true and is coming true. The prophets were the most accurate in their predictions of the future. Grant Jeffrey just found the numerical equation for May 15, 1948, in the Bible when Israel became a nation in one day as quoted in the Bible. The Word of God is amazing just like the God of the Word is amazing.

Find a good Bible believing church with a good Bible Study group and study God's Word for yourself. Ask Jesus to come into your life and you'll change.

Answer 7

My belief is that they are all one,that's what I was taught as
child and I believe as a Adel, I was at a bible study about a year ago and we were talking away then every stopped and asked one pal what she said, she said, * it's like a egg * we're all looking at her as if she had lost it. She put her hand out and pretend she Hadar an egg in it. She said the egg looks like it is one thing but it is actually 3 shell, whites and yolk, she said it is same as The Father,The Son and the Holy Spirit are one.
Being a good person is not ( in my opinion ) good enough you must confess your sin and ask Christ into your life )
This has taken me so long to do , I feel like I know you.
I shall be praying for you.
Sorry about the words being jammed together.

Answer 8

I don't see them as one, but what's the difference; God retains all power, but he judges no man, and his mercy endures forever; but he gave all judgment to Jesus, and no one can come to the father except by him; the holy spirit is the spirit of God. So God is gentle far beyond our understanding, and Jesus brought us the word which will judge us much as a teacher does not give you an A or a B, but merely reports what you do. When his apostles were fishing and saw someone walking toward them on the water at night, Jesus said, "It is I; be not afraid." Better to understand your own heart, and leave the rest to Jesus.

Answer 9

Jesus was indeed a messenger sent from God His Father. That woul not be the god of the o.t., he is satan. Jesus and the Holy Spirit were both created and not equal to God. We can only make sense of it all with the guidance of The spirit of truth within us. The unholy spirit will do his best to keep us confused.

Answer 10

the bible says you were made in the likeness of God, You have a mind (spirit) , a body, and a soul. these are separate parts of YOU. the body will die, the soul and spirit will go on. And the body will be glorified by Resurrection or rapture to rejoin spirit and soul.


God is same way, 3 parts, all Him, all equally him, yet separate. And when he took on a human flesh, it died and was glorified to rejoin the father and spirit.

the trinity is not that hard to understand if you look to the Bible to define itself.

And watch out for the watchtower cult. You might want to know their roots before inviting them in your home again. They themselves told you they are not christian.