The Mystery of the Holy Trinity

Introduction The central mystery of Christian faith and life is the mystery of the Holy Trinity. We are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The most important divine secret of the faith that Jesus Christ revealed to us: the mystery of the Holy Trinity. The fact that God is one in essence and three in persons is the revelation of His intimate life.

Introduction With our finite and limited minds, we are unable to comprehend the Mystery of the Holy Trinity. Yet with our hearts, we can believe in the truth of the Mystery. True faith is “…worshipping the undivided Trinity”.

Introduction The nature of the Holy Trinity is not an abstract idea, or a belief that has no impact on our lives. Chrsit revealed mysteries to us, only to practice and live them. When the Orthodox Church believes, She practices and lives  Liturgies and Praises

Importance of the Mystery of the Trinity Union (bond) of Love  1. Example  2. God is never changing  3. God is Love Church is the example of Trinity  Church is the union of all Christians into the mystical body of Christ  We are many distinct persons, but are united into one body  Being members of the Holy Church, we are transformed so that our nature becomes like that of God (our likeness to the Holy Trinity)

Importance of the Mystery of the Trinity Makes Salvation Real  If the Christian doctrine of the Trinity is not true, then Jesus Christ is not Who He said He was, namely, God the Savior.  If Christ was not fully God, then He could not render sufficient satisfaction for our sins by virtue of His death on the cross.  The Trinity grounds our salvation in the unchangeable reality of the Godhead. This is why many of our Fathers sacrificed their lives to keep the Faith!

Definition of the Trinity The doctrine that there is one only and true God, but in the unity of the Godhead there are three co-eternal and co-equal Persons, the same in substance but distinct in subsistence [i.e. being or existence].  Consubstantial: Share same divine essence = of one being In God there are no three individuals alongside of, and separate from, one another, but only personal self-distinctions within the Divine essence. The Trinity is composed of three united Persons without separate existence—so completely united as to form one God. The divine nature subsists in three distinctions: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One God in three persons, each of these persons is distinct, while all three persons indivisibly united. This is the mystery!

Three Key Elements Oneness (unity) Three distinct persons (Hypostasis)  Hypostasis: “that which stands beneath” = essence of a being Divinity of each person

Distinct Works of the Three Hypostasis We attribute distinctive works to each Person of the Holy Trinity,  Creation is attributed to the Father  Redemption, to the Son, and  Sanctification to the Holy Spirit but all Their works are made by God, both One and Three. Father is the Source of all, beget the Son, Sent forth the Holy Spirit. That is why, when we thank God for everything He has done for us, we must thank God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Analogies We may compare the mystery of the Holy Trinity with the sun:  the sun is in the sky and produces light and heat  Light and heat are not distinct from the sun. Human beings: Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness” Gen 1:26  Flesh  Soul (mind)  Spirit

Biblical Evidence for the Holy Trinity Evidence for oneness Evidence for threeness Evidence for tri-unity Evidence of equal authority and divinity

Evidence for Oneness Deuteronomy 6:4  “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 1 Corinthians 8:4-6  there is no other God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. James 2:19  You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

Evidence for Threeness The Father is God  “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him ” John 6:27  “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ ” Romans 1:7  “…elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father ” 1 Peter 1:2

Evidence for Threeness The Son Jesus Christ is God  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1  "But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever… " Hebrew 1:8  "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us." Matthew 1:23

Evidence for Threeness The Holy Spirit is God  "But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? …You have not lied to men but to God.”" Acts 5:3-4  “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1Corinthians 3:16

Evidence for Tri-unity “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," Matthew 28:19 "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen." 2Corinthians 13:14

Evidence for Equal Authority The Father  "yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things…" 1 Corinthians 8:6 The Son  "For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him." John 5:21-23

Evidence for Equal Authority The Son  "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." Matthew 28:18 The Holy Spirit  "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men." Matthew 12:31