The Trinity: Question & Answer 3
The Catechism of the Global Methodist Church
Question and Answer
Question 3. What is the mystery of the Trinity?
Answer: God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, distinct but inseparable, eternally one in essence and power.
Scripture Proofs
· Luke 3:21-22 – 21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
· John 15:26 – 26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.
· Acts 2:33 – 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
· Romans 8:9-11 – 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
· Galatians 4:4-6 – 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. e 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”
· Ephesians 2:18 – 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
· Titus 3:4-6 – 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,
· Hebrews 9:14 – 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
· 1 Peter 1:2 – 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Articles of Religion: Article 1
There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and good; the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Confession of Faith: Article 1
We believe in the one true, holy and living God, Eternal Spirit, who is Creator, Sovereign and Preserver of all things visible and invisible. He is infinite in power, wisdom, justice, goodness and love, and rules with gracious regard for the well-being and salvation of men, to the glory of his name. We believe the one God reveals himself as the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, distinct but inseparable, eternally one in essence and power.
The Testimony of Wesleyan Scholars
Those who think Arius and Socinus more rational than St. Paul and St. John, will perhaps say this doxology is contrary to the second dogma of natural religion, which establishes the unity of the Godhead. But if candour and honesty oblige us, either to renounce revelation, or admit that God has revealed his extraordinary essence, eternal and perfect, existing without separation under the distinctions of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; it is evident, we cannot believe the whole Gospel without adoring the holy trinity in unity, as appointed by Jesus Christ and his apostles in the baptismal form.
Moreover, if God has revealed his essence to us by the terms of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the generation and the procession, it is because they are the best that man’s imperfect language can furnish to convey ideas of a mystery altogether Divine. (John William Fletcher)
The idea that the one God meets us in three persons is thought to be among the most opaque and least accessible of all Christian teachings. Yet we must speak of Trinity, as Augustine knew, not because we are able to fathom it with overweening confidence, but because we cannot keep silence on a matter so central to faith (Augustine, On Trin. I.2, 3, NPNF 1 III, p. 18).
In now discussing the mystery of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, we are now belatedly introducing a new theme into our discussion, for we have already referred frequently to the triune God by speaking of (a) God as Father Almighty, who is the source of life, who makes Himself known in (b) Jesus Christ by the power of (c) the Spirit of God who is present throughout the historical process, working to transform it according to God’s purpose. Thus we are not veering away from previous subjects in dealing now with the triune God, but only seeking to provide increased clarity on how the living God may and must be triune. (Thomas C. Oden)
The perfect revelation of the Divine Name or Essence is that which is given by our Lord Himself in the Baptismal Formula of dedication to God and admission into His kingdom. This final testimony of the Revealer declares that the supreme Object of Christian Faith is one, yet existing in a threefold internal personality. As a testimony, it closes a long series of progressive developments of doctrine, all pointing to a Trinity of personal subsistences in the Godhead; and commences a revelation of God which connects Three Divine Persons with the creation of all things, the redemption of the world, and the administration of grace in the Church. (William Burt Pope)
Introduction
The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the most profound and central truths of the Christian faith. And frankly, it’s also one of the hardest for us to wrap our minds around, but we believe it is what God has revealed about himself in his Word. It declares that God is one in essence but exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This mystery is not meant to confuse us but to deepen our understanding of who God is, how he relates to us, and how we are to live in response to his divine nature. As we explore this teaching throughout this lesson, two primary goals are to see this doctrine as a revealed truth about the nature of God and to better understand how God’s triune nature helps us better grasp why we believe God is a relational being.
Wesleyan Scholar Insights
John William Fletcher and Thomas C. Oden articulate that the doctrine of the Trinity, though challenging to comprehend fully, is essential for a complete understanding of the Gospel and our relationship with God. Fletcher emphasizes that God’s revelation of himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the best way to convey the divine mystery using human language. Oden highlights that acknowledging the Trinity is not just a theological exercise but central to our faith and understanding of God’s work in the world.
Key Principles
1. Unity and Diversity in the Godhead: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct persons but are one in essence and power. This unity and diversity reflect the relational nature of God.
2. God’s Revelation in Three Persons: Each person of the Trinity plays a unique role in God’s revelation and our salvation. The Father creates and sustains, the Son redeems, and the Holy Spirit sanctifies. And yet, simultaneously, each plays a role in each part of God’s redemptive plan and our salvation. Thus, we should not say, “It was only the Spirit working here.” Or, “It was only the Son working here.” It is helpful for us, as finite beings, to emphasize Christ in the work of atonement or the Spirit in the work in our sanctification. But all three Persons of the Trinity work in harmony as One, for they are One God.
3. Relational Aspect of the Trinity: The Trinity shows us that God is inherently relational, and we are invited into this divine relationship through faith in Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Luke 3:21-22 reveal the distinct persons of the Trinity? Reflect on the interaction between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
2. In John 15:26, what is the role of the Holy Spirit according to Jesus? How does this affect our understanding of the Spirit’s work in our lives?
3. According to Acts 2:33, what is the significance of the Holy Spirit being poured out on believers?
4. How does Romans 8:9-11 describe the relationship between the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ? What does this teach us about the unity of the Trinity?
5. In Galatians 4:4-6, how do we see the involvement of the Trinity in our adoption as children of God?
6. What does Ephesians 2:18 teach us about our access to the Father? How does this relate to the work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit?
7. How does Titus 3:4-6 summarize the work of the Trinity in our salvation?
8. Reflect on Hebrews 9:14 and the role of the Holy Spirit in the sacrifice of Jesus. What does this teach us about the eternal nature of the Spirit?
9. In 1 Peter 1:2, how are the three persons of the Trinity involved in the process of sanctification and obedience?
10. How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 encapsulate the doctrine of the Trinity? What implications does this have for our mission as Christians?
11. Reflect on John 10:30. How does Jesus’ statement about his unity with the Father deepen our understanding of the Trinity?
12. According to 2 Corinthians 13:14, what blessings do we receive from each person of the Trinity? How can this verse guide our prayers and worship?
Questions for Discussion and Personal Reflection
1. How has your understanding of the Trinity influenced your personal relationship with God?
2. In what ways can recognizing the primary roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit enhance your spiritual life?
3. How do you see the unity of the Trinity reflected in your church community?
4. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper relationship with each person of the Trinity?
5. How does the relational nature of the Trinity inspire you to build stronger relationships with others?
6. In what ways can the doctrine of the Trinity shape your approach to prayer and worship?
7. How can understanding the Trinity help you explain your faith to others?
8. What challenges do you face when contemplating the mystery of the Trinity, and how can you address them?
9. How does the work of the Holy Spirit in your life affirm your identity as a child of God?
10. In what ways can the unity and diversity of the Trinity serve as a model for harmony and cooperation in your personal and professional life?
Action Steps
1. Deepen Your Prayer Life: Spend time each day praying to each person of the Trinity. Thank the Father for his creation and providence, the Son for his sacrifice and redemption, and the Holy Spirit for his guidance and sanctification.
2. Study Scripture: Dedicate time to studying the key passages about the Trinity. Reflect on how these Scriptures reveal the nature of God and his work in your life.
3. Engage in Community: Participate actively in your church community, fostering relationships that reflect the unity of the Trinity. Encourage and support one another in faith and service.
4. Live Out the Trinity’s Mission: Share the love and truth of the triune God with others. Be intentional about witnessing to the work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in your life and in the world.