The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Trinity Doctrine

The WCF states, "In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost: the Father is of none, neither begotten, nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son." The Athanasian Creed states, "Now the catholic faith is that we worship One God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity, neither confounding the Persons nor dividing the substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, another of the Holy Spirit. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is One, the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit; the Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, and the Holy Spirit uncreated; the father infinite, the Son infinite, and the Holy Spirit infinite; the Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal. And yet not three eternals but one eternal, as also not three infinites, nor three uncreated, but one uncreated, and one infinite. ...but the whole three Persons are coeternal together and coequal. So that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Trinity in Unity and the Unity in Trinity is to be worshipped. He therefore who wills to be in a state of salvation, let him think thus of the Trinity."

However, this means little to anyone unless they understand what the term "person," "substance," "godhead," etc. mean. You fail to understand what many theological terms mean when we use them in their proper doctrinal context (2 Tim 4:3; Tit 1:9, 2:1, 2:10). The history of the development of the doctrine will assist you in (1) understanding the terms used, and (2) to more clearly define the true meaning of the Trinity. Without this background and understanding you will be tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine (Eph 4:14). Please read the book I suggested to you above.

Who is saying that Jesus is ONLY a messenger? However, He was a messenger was He not? Did He not give the message of salvation? Was He not the messenger of that which was to come? Was not Jesus a Prophet—bearing a message?

If the Holy Spirit had to be sent by Christ, that entails TWO separate people (the sender and the one sent). Jesus prayed to the Father, not Himself, etc., etc., etc. The Scripture is replete with examples that there are THREE persons in the godhead, however they are yet ONE.

Yes, it actually is possible to give MORE credence to one person of the godhead over another to the detriment of the believer. To over emphasize ANY one person of the godhead over another in one’s overall theological belief is to devalue and under emphasize the other persons of the Trinity. It is sin. This is why the oneness movement and several others that emphasize “mostly” the Holy Spirit, or “mostly” Christ, or “mostly” the Father are in error and teach heresy. Indeed, to stress the importance of JESUS above the FATHER is to declare that the FATHER is less than JESUS.

What’s more by denying the THREENESS of the godhead you declare the Bible to be a lying book. Did the person of the Father speak to person of Jesus? Jesus was not a ventriloquist when He and others heard the words, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” (Matt 17:5, cf. 3:17). Jesus was baptized, His Father spoke! The Holy Spirit descended, etc., etc., etc.

But, if they are ONE “only” and not three persons, as you claim above, then how could one glorify the other? There would simply be “no other” to be glorified for they are ONE “only” (according to your philosophy).

Don’t wonder, your conception of God is incomplete (rather one-sided <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/evilgrin.gif" alt="" />). One "should" biblically maintain the fullness of God in each person of the Trinity.