THE TRINITY
Background
The Christian believes in the Trinity: that God is one, yet is three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity is independent, but never acts independently. Each is a distinct person, but those three persons are one in purpose, in essence, and in nature. The finite mind finds it difficult to comprehend this mystery; it must be accepted by faith: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Hebrews 11:6, NIV).
The Apostles' Creed, a statement of faith accepted by the church down through the ages, begins by mentioning all three persons of the Trinity: "I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost."
The Westminster Confession carries an eloquent defense of the Trinity: "There are three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory." (NOTE: The Confession has been reworded in modern language.)
The understanding that God is a Trinity is unique to Christianity. Most nonChristian religions are either animistic or polytheistic; the few that believe in one God have no understanding of His being three persons in one. All major pseudo-Christian cults emphatically reject the belief as well.
Helping Strategy
1. Commend the inquirer for wanting to discover the truth about this important issue. Explain that God's Word, the Bible, speaks eloquently of the reality of the Trinity.
2. Challenge him or her to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The best way to understand the Trinity is to receive eternal life through Jesus Christ. Explain "Steps to Peace with God," page 11. Some additional Scriptures you may find helpful are: "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:5–6, NIV). See also Titus 3:5, John 1:12, John 3:36, and passages listed on the following pages in "Scripture."
3. If the inquirer invites Christ into his or her life, share verses from