How do you explain the Trinity?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
K

KlND

Guest
#1
Dearest Sisters and Brothers
I was reading different analogies and it seems many of them are considered hersey. (water, ice and steam etc.)
Is there a simple way to explain the Triune that doesn't go against Christianity's teachings? What does the Bible say?

31411.jpg
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,491
13,797
113
#2
Dearest Sisters and Brothers
I was reading different analogies and it seems many of them are considered hersey. (water, ice and steam etc.)
Is there a simple way to explain the Triune that doesn't go against Christianity's teachings? What does the Bible say?

Welcome to CC!

The trinity, explained biblically:

There is one God. The Father is God. Jesus Christ the Son is God. The Holy Spirit is God. There is one God.
:)
 

Eli1

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2022
4,783
2,070
113
46
#3
I explain it like this:

 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,177
5,727
113
#4
Dearest Sisters and Brothers
I was reading different analogies and it seems many of them are considered hersey. (water, ice and steam etc.)
Is there a simple way to explain the Triune that doesn't go against Christianity's teachings? What does the Bible say?

Jesus reveals the dether son and holt ghost in one and his name is what they were all baptized in the name referenced here

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:19‬ ‭

the father is a title , the son a title , the Holy Ghost a title. But they aren’t names there’s one name for all three which they were baprized into

“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭19:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the lord also a title but Jesus is the name of the lord

“and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:11‬ ‭

“And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:48‬ ‭KJV‬‬

ashen we learn of Jesus we’re learning of the father , son and holy ghost or the “ trinity “ or “ godhead “

“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“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 ‭KJV‬‬

The father son and holt ghost are one God who revealed his name in the gospel . The holy spirit is the spirit of Jesus the holy one of Israel

“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭


“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God is one and is now manifest in the face of Jesus Christ our lord
 

Komentaja

Active member
Jul 29, 2022
450
235
43
#5
I recommend reading Monarchy of the Father by Beau Branson. I believe in the oriental orthodox version. It explains it so well
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,777
113
#6
Is there a simple way to explain the Triune that doesn't go against Christianity's teachings?
Christians are not tasked with "explaining" the Trinity but proclaiming it as God's truth (as you have shown in that picture).

All the problems with the cults have arisen because they have tried to use human reasoning and logic to "explain" that which cannot be explained by human beings. This also ties in with the deity of Christ. You either believe it and are saved, or disbelieve it and are damned. It is just like the Gospel. The Gospel must be simply proclaimed or heralded since it is God's message to mankind.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach* the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15,16)

*Strong's Concordance
kérussó: to be a herald, proclaim
Original Word: κηρύσσω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: kérussó
Phonetic Spelling: (kay-roos'-so)
Definition: to be a herald, proclaim
Usage: I proclaim, herald, preach
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,334
29,581
113
#7
I have heard the Trinity explained like this:

God
. . . . . . the Father of us

Jesus
. . . . . God the Son as us

Holy Spirit
. God in us
 
Dec 21, 2020
1,825
474
83
#8
Christians are not tasked with "explaining" the Trinity
There's a reason for that...

but proclaiming it as God's truth
Where are Christians tasked with proclaiming the Trinity as God's truth?

(as you have shown in that picture).
Where is the Trinity in the scripture he posted?

All the problems with the cults have arisen because they have tried to use human reasoning and logic to "explain" that which cannot be explained by human beings.
And yet God wants us to know Him (John 17:3), and to have wisdom and understanding, and to reason with Him.

This also ties in with the deity of Christ. You either believe it and are saved, or disbelieve it and are damned.
Where does the Bible say these things? The Bible says that if we confess Jesus Christ as Lord and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead, we shall be saved (Rom 10:9). John wrote his gospel with the idea that:

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, from the depths of my soul. He is my Lord, and I believe in my heart that God raised him from the dead. I believe that the God and Father of Jesus Christ is "the only true God" (John 17:3). I believe what Jesus said about himself, that he is a man who learned from God (John 8:40), I believe what Peter said about him, that Jesus Christ is "a man approved of God" (Acts 2:22), I believe what Paul said about him, that the gift of grace came by one man, Jesus Christ (Rom 5:15).

It is just like the Gospel. The Gospel must be simply proclaimed or heralded since it is God's message to mankind.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach* the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15,16)
On that we agree...

I'm glad that you at least acknowledge that the Trinity "cannot be explained by human beings."
 

bluto

Senior Member
Aug 4, 2016
2,109
534
113
#9
So VARob from what I read you do not believe Jesus Christ is God in flesh, am I right? I'm asking for clarification before I address what you stated.

IN GOD THE SON,
bluto
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
7,163
2,176
113
#10
There's a reason for that...


Where are Christians tasked with proclaiming the Trinity as God's truth?


Where is the Trinity in the scripture he posted?


And yet God wants us to know Him (John 17:3), and to have wisdom and understanding, and to reason with Him.


Where does the Bible say these things? The Bible says that if we confess Jesus Christ as Lord and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead, we shall be saved (Rom 10:9). John wrote his gospel with the idea that:

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, from the depths of my soul. He is my Lord, and I believe in my heart that God raised him from the dead. I believe that the God and Father of Jesus Christ is "the only true God" (John 17:3). I believe what Jesus said about himself, that he is a man who learned from God (John 8:40), I believe what Peter said about him, that Jesus Christ is "a man approved of God" (Acts 2:22), I believe what Paul said about him, that the gift of grace came by one man, Jesus Christ (Rom 5:15).


On that we agree...

I'm glad that you at least acknowledge that the Trinity "cannot be explained by human beings."
Although Jesus made references to God, and refrains from explicitly referring to Himself as God, is there scripture where He directly refers to His Father as God? or the Holy Spirit?
 
Dec 21, 2020
1,825
474
83
#11
So VARob from what I read you do not believe Jesus Christ is God in flesh, am I right? I'm asking for clarification before I address what you stated.
That is correct. I usually don't talk about it much here because I know the rules. But if I get banned, so be it.

IN GOD THE SON,
..a phrase not found in the Bible.
 
Dec 21, 2020
1,825
474
83
#13
Although Jesus made references to God, and refrains from explicitly referring to Himself as God, is there scripture where He directly refers to His Father as God?
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

or the Holy Spirit?
God is sometimes called "the Holy Spirit." It's not a separate "Person" of God, but God Himself. The gift that is given to people when they believe is called, and is, "holy spirit," and that causes a lot of confusion for people.

But for us there is but one God, the Father (1 Cor 8:6).
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
7,163
2,176
113
#14
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.


God is sometimes called "the Holy Spirit." It's not a separate "Person" of God, but God Himself. The gift that is given to people when they believe is called, and is, "holy spirit," and that causes a lot of confusion for people.

But for us there is but one God, the Father (1 Cor 8:6).
Ok, so we can't separate God the Father with the Holy Spirit or we then cease to be speaking about the one true God, right?
 
Dec 21, 2020
1,825
474
83
#15
neither is the phrase, God the Father, right? or am I wrong?
See 1 Cor 8:6; John 6:27; John 20:17; Rom 1:7; 15:6; 1 Cor 15:24; 2 Cor 1:2-3; Gal 1:3; Eph 6:23; more.
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
7,163
2,176
113
#16
See 1 Cor 8:6; John 6:27; John 20:17; Rom 1:7; 15:6; 1 Cor 15:24; 2 Cor 1:2-3; Gal 1:3; Eph 6:23; more.
I'll trust you in showing me wrong there, considering the position you've taken that the Father is the only true God. And I'll assume that we cannot separate God from the Holy Spirit and still be speaking about 'the one true God" also.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,067
4,349
113
#17
The Eternal Godhead can't be fully comprehended. The human mind is incapable of understanding the Divine Nature of God fully.


We are limited; God is not.

We can only know through the means God ordained man to know Him.

1. General Revelation, which is by the things God created, Romans chapter tells us that.
2. Special Revelation The Word of God He has placed HIS word above HIS name.

3. Illumination by the Holy Spirit in the relationship one has with the Lord Jesus Christ



That is it. Science doesn't do that. The debate doesn't do it. Nothing.

Those who approach the Eternal Godhead should do so reverently and humbly. The Word Trinity is not found in the Bible Yet the Concept of the Trinity, I believe, is well seen in Scripture.

Just in the first few verses of Genesis and the first Chapter of the Gospel of John.

Many can't explain the following, yet many build Doctrines on these two chapters and a few verses as an example.

Genesis 1:1-1


In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.


Interestingly we see God who created, and YET the Spirit of God was Hovering over the face of the waters.

God= ĕlōhîm and (plural)

Spirit of God = rûaḥ or breath, which is a distinction and has a personality that is God.

Then we see in Genesis 1:26

And God said, Let us make man in our image,

after our likeness:

and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

I have yet to see anyone explain this after reading John Chapter 1
which states: the Hebrew these are " images" more than one


In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made.


Then we read in Matthew 3:16-17

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Three distinct actions of those who are God yet one.

Jesus being Baptized
The Holy Spirit coming down from Heaven and remaining on Jesus.

The Voice from Heaven said, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.



"This is MY" means: OF ME or OF my OWN= the same as.

I can not fully understand that, Yet nobody can. And those who think they can are just being prideful.
 
Dec 21, 2020
1,825
474
83
#18
I'll trust you in showing me wrong there, considering the position you've taken that the Father is the only true God.
My position agrees with Jesus' position (John 17:3), and I'm good with that. :)

And I'll assume that we cannot separate God from the Holy Spirit and still be speaking about 'the one true God" also.
I'm not sure what you mean by that... As I said earlier, God is sometimes called "the Holy Spirit" (Acts 5:3-4), and the gift that is given to people when they believe on the Lord Jesus Christ is also called "the holy spirit" (Acts 2:4 and many more). I can speak about God as "the one true God" and the gift of holy spirit.
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
7,163
2,176
113
#19
I can speak about God as "the one true God" and the gift of holy spirit.
It seems to me that the verse you offered, "the one true God, and His Son..." can be view likewise.
 

bluto

Senior Member
Aug 4, 2016
2,109
534
113
#20
Fair enough so let me ask you a question? Btw, I hope you do not get banned. My question comes from Philippians 2. The Apostle Paul is explaining to the believers there (at vs2), "make my joy complete by being of the same mind etc. At vs3 Paul says, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself." Vs4, "do not merely look for your own personal interest, but also for the interest of others."

Now comes the important point that Paul is making at vs5 using Jesus Christ as an example. "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, (pay attention to vs6, "who, although (although means in spite of the fact) He/Jesus Christ existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped."

That word "although" is not in the original text which makes even worse for you because this verse makes it clear that even though He possessed equality with the Father, (I reference John 10:3) Jesus did not cling to it. In other words, He did not use His deity to His advantage as a man. The term "form" or "nature" from the Greek "morphe", refers to possessing the essential attributes which belong to the essence or nature (ousia) of God. Jesus could not have possessed the essential attributes of God without being God.

He3 did not empty Himself of His divine nature. He emptied Himself of the expression of deity, not the possession of deity. Now, remember what Jesus said at Matthew 16:13? He ask His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" At vs15 Jesus says, "But who do you say that I am?" At vs 16 Peter replied, "Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God." At vs17 Jesus says that His Father revealed this to him.

So VaRob, can you think of a reason why God the Father would have to reveal to Peter (the obvious) that Jesus Christ is a man just like the rest of us?

IN GOD THE SON,
bluto