For the purpose of this discussion, I am going to use the definition of The Trinity from the book “Doctrine – What Christians Should Believe” written by Mark Driscoll & Gerry Breshears:
The Trinity is one God who eternally exists as three distinct persons – Father, Son, and Spirit – who are fully and equally God in eternal relation with each other.
As a worship leader, it is my responsibility to lead and teach people the biblical truth of who God is. But the truth…. there is more to God than our human minds could ever fully grasp. However, the truth that is found in Scripture is that there is one God who has revealed Himself in three different persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
During the last few weeks, we have discussed why we acknowledge each of these Godheads during worship, all the while describing their divine roles. If you haven’t already, I STRONGLY suggest that you go back and read these discussions:
“The God We Worship – HOLY SPIRIT”
These discussions will help you come to a better understanding of who each of the Godheads are. This week, however, we are solely focusing on how the Godheads come together to form the “Trinity” and why we worship them together as One.
Understanding the Trinity
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. - 1 John 5:7 (KJV)
The Trinity is one of the hardest concepts to understand in the Christian Faith. The idea that three separate persons can come together to form one distinct Deity is a mystery that goes beyond human comprehension; yet, it goes to show the majesty of the God we worship. But let’s make one thing clear from the very start – we DO NOT worship three different gods.
You probably already know that Scripture does not actually use the terminology, “The Trinity,” but the Bible does clearly proclaim the doctrine of the Triune God. In fact, the confession of the Trinity is at the very heart and foundation of Christian religion. Both the Old and the New Testament breathe life into the revelation that God is very much alive and living within three divine persons.
To get an idea of the formation of the Trinity, take a look at the diagram below:[1]
One of the best illustrations I have heard on the Trinity is by theologian Jeremy S. Begbie, who describes the Trinity with the use of a music analogy. Begbie suggests that you look at the Trinity the same way you would a music chord, C Major for instance. In order to build the C major chord, you need the three main notes: C – E – G. Without all three of these notes, you simply cannot form the chord. Each note has its own distinct sound, but only when played together do notes create a musical chord.[2] Musically speaking, however, a C note does not sound like a E note, nor does an E note sound like a G note…and all the vise versas.
Likewise, the Godheads have their own distinct roles, but together they form one God. The Father is not The Son nor The Holy Spirit. The Son is not The Father nor The Holy Spirit. And The Holy Spirit is not The Father nor The Son. Each of the Godheads is His own distinct person who joins together to form the One and only God (as shown in the diagram above). In fact, “each member of the Trinity thinks, acts, feels, speaks, and relates because they are persons and not impersonal forces…. Each member of the Trinity is equally God, which means they share all the divine attributes, such as eternality, omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence.”[3]
Here’s the thing…
I could write on and on and on about the Trinity, all the while pointing out all the heresies people believe about the Trinity, just to help you better understand the God we worship… but truthfully, I would be writing an entire book. The concept of the Trinity is hard to grasp, and I get that! Even if we cannot fully wrap our minds around the concept of the Trinity, I encourage all of us to simply try. I pray that this is taught and proclaimed in every church around the world:
“Christians should study (and worship) the Trinity because God has given the church a great blessing in truthfully revealing something so glorious about Himself; namely, He is Triune. If He reveals it to us, he must consider it important and valuable for our relationship. He loves us deeply. He wants our relationship to be intimate and deep so He gives us precious insights into who He is. If we treasure our relationship with God, we should also treasure the revelation he gives us about Himself so that we can know Him as best as we are able.”[4]
We do not believe in just the Father, just the Son, or just the Holy Spirit. We believe in the Father, AND the Son, AND the Holy Spirit – Our God - THREE IN ONE! This is the God we worship! If anything, the complexity of the Trinity is one way to be astounded and awed by the magnificence and greatness of who God is!
Challenge: Please…. for all that is good and sacred in this world, ACKNOWLEDGE THE TRINITY! Worship the Trinity! Believe in the Trinity! Do not absent-mindedly worship God without acknowledging the persons of His divine being. Jesus Christ offered his life in order to reinstate our relationship with God the Father AND He even gave His Spirit for us to be one with Him! This is the definition of LOVE. God values us enough to do whatever it takes to have a relationship with us. I think we can value God enough to worship EVERY part of who He is! Thanks for Reading!
To God be the Glory!
Recommended Track of the Week: “This I Believe (The Creed)” by Hillsong
[1] Diagram taken from www.answeringlds.org/images/AncientTrinity.gif
[2] Jeremy Begbie (ed.), Beholding the Glory: Incarnation Through the Arts, (Baker, 2000), quoted by ‘Hearing God in C Major’, Stillpoint, www.gordon.edu/download/galleries/Summer2005Stillpoint1.pdf
[3] Driscoll, Mark, and Gerry Breshears. Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010. Print.
[4] Ibid.