WHY DO WE BELIEVE
THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY?
For there are
three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and
these three are one.
-- 1 John 5:7
We worship one God in the Trinity, or
"tri-unity", of his sacred Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and
adore each of the Divine Persons as the God of all grace by whom we are saved.
What is the basis of our doctrine in this regard? Can we prove the doctrine of
the Trinity upon logical, scientific grounds?
Biblical Doctrine
I frankly confess my inability to produce
a single argument drawn from nature or logic to prove the doctrine of the
Trinity. It is a mystery filled with such grandeur that it defies comprehension
by every finite mind. But our faith does not stand upon nature and logic. It
stands upon the Word of God alone! I believe this doctrine because it is
revealed in the Scriptures; and I see the beauty of it because I believe it.
The
Apostle John states the doctrine of the Trinity plainly. "There are three
that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these
three are one" (1 John 5:7). In addition to this definitive statement
there are numerous examples in which the Trinity is set before us.
1.
The Baptism of Christ (Matt. 3:16-17). At our Lords baptism God
the Father spoke from heaven, God the Son went down into the water, and God the
Holy Spirit descended upon him.
2.
The Baptismal Formula (Matt. 28:18). Our Lord Jesus Christ
specifically demanded that all who believe on him be immersed in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
3.
The Apostolic Benediction (2 Cor. 13:14). The grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be
with you all. Amen.
4.
The Promise of the Son to Pray to the Father for the Gift of the
Spirit (John 14:16). Our Master said, to his disciples, I will pray the
Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you
forever.
The
New Testament declares that God the Father is God (Rom. 1:7), God the Son is
God (Heb. 1:8), and God the Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4). Yet, these three
Divine Persons are one God. It is written, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord (Deut. 6:4).
Someone
has accurately stated it this way: "The Father is all the fulness of the
Godhead invisible (John 1:18); the Son is all the fulness of the Godhead
manifested (John 1:14-18); the Spirit is all the fulness of the Godhead acting
immediately upon the creature (1 Cor. 2:9-10)."
A Matter of Faith
See that you grasp this doctrine firmly.
We worship one God in three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
equal in essence, being, power, and glory, yet, distinct in personality and
performance. This doctrine is altogether a matter of faith, simply believing
what God has written. There is nothing even remotely similar to the Trinity in
creation by which it can even be proved or even illustrated. It is a matter of
faith. Faith bows to Gods revelation of himself in his Word, without any
support outside his Word, and even when it appears totally contrary to all
experience and reason. We who believe God believe the doctrine of the Trinity
because it is a doctrine plainly taught in Holy Scripture.