Doctrinal Statement on the Trinity
The Christian Trinitarian perspective of God is most clearly expressed in that he is one[1] essence yet three distinct persons[2]. The Trinitarian view[3] is distinct from any polytheistic and even monotheistic religion in that it holds to the perspective that there are three persons in the Godhead who are distinct, yet, still in perfect unity[4].
Scriptures depict all three persons of the Godhead[5]: God the father[6], God the Son[7], and God the Holy Spirit[8]. God the Father is understood as being the first person[9] of the Trinity. Some descriptions depict him as our sovereign provider[10], we pray[11] to Him, and he possesses all the other eternal attributes as the Son and Holy Spirit.
God the Son[12] or the Messiah[13]is depicted as the second[14] Person of the Holy Trinity, who eternally exists with God and who was born of a virgin[15] and dwelled in the flesh[16] on the earth. He is the savior[17] and perfect Lamb of God[18]. He is identified as both the Son of God[19] and the Son of Man[20]; depicting the hypostatic union[21] of the two natures, human[22] and deity[23].
God the Holy Spirit[24] is the third Person[25] of the Trinity. He works to glorify the Son[26], convict the world[27] of sin, seal[28] the believers in Christ for salvation, and guide believers in the truth[29].
[1] Deuteronomy 6:4
[2] Tertullian initially coined the term ‘Trinitas’; Also Nicea in 325AD and Chalcedon in 415AD would confirm the orthodox perspective of Christ and the Trinity
[3] Erickson, Millard J.: Making Sense of the Trinity: Three Crucial Questions; “The model we have proposed emphasizes that the three persons constitute three centers of consciousness within the one being, capable of interacting with one another. We further proposed that they are, however, bound together so closely by the centripetal power of love that they are inseparable. The life of each flows through the life of each of the others.
[4] Matthew 28:19
[5] Psalm 139:2-9
[6] Psalm 103:13: It is important to note that, contextually, the OT believers would not have had the same developed theological concept of the Trinity that we currently have. However, as we look at the OT in light of the NT we can effectively develop a viable systematic theology of the Trinity utilizing scriptures from both the Old and New Testament scriptures.
[7] John 1:1-3
[8] Matthew 3:16
[9] Ephesians 3:14: We must be careful about how we depict the relationship amongst the Godhead because we may be in danger of implying an unequal relationship. On the other hand, scriptures depicts a sense of hierarchy, though it is not absolutely clear. (seeJn 5:30).
[10] Matthew 6:26
[11] Matthew 6:9, 14
[12] Colossians 2:9
[13] Luke 10:22
[14] John 1:18
[15] Matthew 1:18-25
[16] John 1:14
[17] John 3:16-18
[18] John 1:29
[19] Romans 1:1-4
[20] Mark 2:28
[21] Philippians 2:5-11
[22] Hebrews 4:15
[23] John 10:30
[24] John 14:26
[25] John 1:32-33
[26] John 16:14
[27] John 16:7-12
[28] Ephesians 1:13-14
[29] John 16:13