The Trinity is a Mystery We Need to Understand

“A more intimate knowledge of His nature.”John Calvin

How is your relationship with the Trinity? Has anyone ever asked you that question? Did you know that, theologically speaking, it is impossible to have a Quiet Time with only Jesus? Whenever Jesus is present, Father God and Holy Spirit are also present. On the other hand, we do need to know each member of the Godhead. This is done through Scripture, right doctrine, and a consistent prayer life.

A healed connection with the full Godhead

Sometimes our relationship with the Godhead is affected by our earthly relationships. I’ve heard people say, “I have a great relationship with Jesus, but Father God seems scary and distant.” Perhaps the relationship you had with your earthly father was lacking and you don’t trust Father God. In fact, you might believe a lie about Him based on your relationship with your dad. To connect with your Heavenly Father, you’ll first need to forgive your dad for being absent, for not investing in you, rejecting you, being scary or making you perform for His love and approval. Second, you’ll need to release your dad from all your judgments and cancel any debt you think he owes you, (i.e. “When he apologizes I will forgive him”). Forgiveness is canceling a debt, but that does not mean what he did to you was ok or that you need to be in relationship with him if he is unsafe. Third, you need to renounce the lie that Father God is like your dad. Fourth, invite Father God to meet your legitimate needs of protection, provision, and feeling valued. You can repeat these steps with the other two members of the Godhead. If your relationship with Jesus is distant, forgive your siblings, friends, or your spouse for not being good companions. If your relationship with the Holy Spirit is cold or non-existent, forgive your mother or spiritual leaders in the Church, the Bride of Christ who did not teach, guide and comfort you.

The Trinity is a mystery. We will never be able to completely understand God this side of eternity. In 325 and 381 A.D. a Christian statement of faith, The Nicene Creed, was formulated in response to heresies about the nature of God. It is the only ecumenical creed accepted as authoritative by the Church, including Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox. The creed states that God is One, He exists as three persons who are coequal, coexistent, coeternal, and of the same substance. Colossians 2:9 says “In Jesus, all the fullness of the Godhead exists in bodily form.” Christians are the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). God is three in one, therefore Father and Jesus also dwell within us simultaneously.

The Godhead exists in perfect community and unity, they have specific roles which overlap, but are not in competition. “It is absolutely essential that we understand that each member is wholly God and has a unified will, though they have different roles.”¹ If I ask Jesus to bring my wandering child back into the fold, I can receive comfort from the Holy Spirit, knowing that He will anoint me with power to stand against the accuser of my soul. I then might look to the Father and ask for wisdom because He knows how to love a Prodigal.

Although the word trinity is not in scripture, it is a shorthand expression to describe God’s nature and being. Theologically speaking, we pray to the Father, through Jesus, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Fortunately, God does not have a proverbial clipboard checking our verbiage before He answers our prayers. Christianity is a relationship, not a religion. We are His sons and daughters with full access to His heart at any time. How’s your relationship with Abba? Can you imagine yourself as His child sitting on His lap or at His feet and pouring out your concerns to Him? Who is Father God to you? When you’re talking to Him, are you thinking about Him as your Creator, all-powerful, all-knowing, good and loving Heavenly Father, Provider, and Protector? Who is Jesus to you? Do you approach Him in thankfulness as your Savior, Shepherd, Brother, Friend? Who is Holy Spirit to you? Do You know Him as your Comforter, Advocate, Spirit of Truth, Teacher and Sanctifier? Remember, when you’re talking to One, the other Two are present.

Knowing and practicing Trinitarian Doctrine is essential to our faith. Saint Augustine said, “We must speak of the Trinity, not because we are able to fathom it, but because we cannot keep silent on a matter so central to biblical faith.” The Trinity is the official (orthodox) Christian answer to, “Who is God?” and the foundation upon which all other Biblical doctrines stand. Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox agree on the core Doctrine of the Trinity. Without this fundamental and essential doctrine, one can be led astray.

While we Protestants end our prayers in “Jesus’ Name,” I’ve come to appreciate my Catholic brothers and sisters who end their prayers in a Trinitarian manner, “In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

Gregory Nazianzus, a 4th Century theologian who helped shape Trinitarian doctrine said, “When I say God, I mean Father, Son, Holy Spirit.”

The doctrine of the Trinity in summary:

• One God (Deut. 6:4)
• Three Persons; each person is fully God (1 John 5:7; Gen. 1:1-3, 26; Matt 3:16-17).
• There is One God who co-exists eternally in 3-distinct persons who are each fully God.

The Father, Son, Holy Spirit are coequal, coeternal, coexistent, consubstantial (same substance/essence, being; where one is, all are; when one acts, they all act).

While the three members of the Trinity are distinct, this does not mean that any is inferior to the other. Instead, they are all identical in attributes. They are equal in power, love, mercy, justice, holiness, knowledge, and all other qualities. The three Persons are distinct, yet only constitute one name. This can only be if they share one essence. God is one and three at the same time, but not in the same way.²

Here is a prayer application for you:

Tools: Bible, Concordance, Journal

Quietly, humbly, reverently invite the full Godhead to come. Say, “Bless You Lord God, please come.” Wait silently before Him until you sense Him. If you are a born-again Christian, focus inwardly where He dwells. As you pray to each member of the Godhead, be mindful that members of the Godhead are never separated from One Another. When you speak to Father God, or Jesus or Holy Spirit, they are coexistent.

Father God, You are Creator, Abba, _____________________
Jesus, You are my Savior, the Good Shepherd, ________________
Holy Spirit, You are my Advocate, the Spirit of Truth, ___________

Note: The word Godhead is used only in KJV & NKJV (Colossians 2:9; Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; Genesis 1:1-3, 26; Matthew 3:16-17; John 14:9; 1 John 5:7)