The Mystery of the Trinity!

CELTIC CHRISTIAN PRAYER

Three folds of the cloth, yet only one napkin is there, Three joints in the finger, but still only one finger fair, Three leaves of the shamrock, yet no more than one shamrock to wear, Frost, snowflakes and ice, all in water their origin share, Three Persons in God: to one God alone we make our prayer.

Three folds of the cloth, yet only one napkin is there, Three joints in the finger, but still only one finger fair, Three leaves of the shamrock, yet no more than one shamrock to wear, Frost, snowflakes and ice, all in water their origin share, Three Persons in God: to one God alone we make our prayer.

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Trinity

Augustine, while puzzling over the doctrine of the Trinity, was walking along the beach one day when he observed a young boy with a bucket, running back and forth to pour water into a little hole. Augustine asked, “What are you doing?” The boy replied, “I’m trying to put the ocean into this hole.” Then Augustine realized that he had been trying to put an infinite God into his finite mind.

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In the Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, Trinity is defined as follows:

Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics The Basis for the Trinity

The Basis for the Trinity. While the word Trinity does not occur there, the concept is clearly taught in the Bible. The logic of the doctrine of the Trinity is simple. Two biblical truths are evident in Scripture, the logical conclusion of which is the Trinity:

1. There is one God.

2. There are three distinct persons who are God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

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Although the word “Trinity” is not mentioned in the Bible the concept of the Trinity is discussed. The Bible tells us in , “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, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Paul tells us in , “All the saints greet you. 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.” Peter tells us in , “To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.”

To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:

All the saints greet you.

Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

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, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

In the Journal of Dispensational Theology, the mystery and incomprehensible concept of the Trinity is discussed:

Journal of Dispensational Theology, Volume 12 Introduction to Trinitarianism

Holy Scripture presents God existing not only as a holy Person but also as existing in holy Trinity. The doctrine is exclusively the subject of special divine revelation in the Bible. God’s revelation in nature and in humanity do not contribute to our understanding of the Trinity. Much of the written revelation of God involves mystery, yet the Trinity is no doubt the greatest mystery of all revealed truth. Though often least understood of all doctrines of the orthodox Christian faith, the doctrine of the Trinity is one of the most basic of all areas of theology. Augustine, the church father, stated well the importance of this doctrine when he wrote, “In no other subject is error more dangerous or inquiry more laborious, or discovery of truth more profitable.”

The New King James Version Chapter 1

To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

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Journal of Dispensational Theology, Volume 12 Introduction to Trinitarianism

Holy Scripture presents God existing not only as a holy Person but also as existing in holy Trinity. The doctrine is exclusively the subject of special divine revelation in the Bible. God’s revelation in nature and in humanity do not contribute to our understanding of the Trinity. Much of the written revelation of God involves mystery, yet the Trinity is no doubt the greatest mystery of all revealed truth. Though often least understood of all doctrines of the orthodox Christian faith, the doctrine of the Trinity is one of the most basic of all areas of theology. Augustine, the church father, stated well the importance of this doctrine when he wrote, “In no other subject is error more dangerous or inquiry more laborious, or discovery of truth more profitable.”

FINAL POINT

Journal of Dispensational Theology, Volume 12 Title Page

TYNDALE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX

Although the word Trinity cannot be found in the Bible, both the Old and New Testament confirm the triune nature of God. The Bible explains how the godhead works as One. In conclusion, the words of B. B. Warfield say summarize “The Mystery of the Trinity”: “There are no analogies to [the Trinity] in nature, not even in the spiritual nature of man, who is made in the image of God. In His Trinitarian mode of being, God is unique; and, as there is nothing in the universe like Him in this respect, so there is nothing which can help us to comprehend Him.”4

There are no analogies to [the Trinity] in nature, not even in the spiritual nature of man, who is made in the image of God. In His Trinitarian mode of being, God is unique; and, as there is nothing in the universe like Him in this respect, so there is nothing which can help us to comprehend Him.

North Richland Hills, TX

(2008). Journal of Dispensational Theology Volume 12, 12(35), 1.

Works Cited

Green, Michael P., “1500 Illustrations for Biblical Teaching”, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, page 389.

Geisler, Norman L., “Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics”, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

Cone, Christopher (2008), Journal of Dispensational Theology Volume 12, page 33.

Ritzema, E., & Vince, E. (Eds.). (2013). 300 quotations for preachers from the Modern church. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Ritzema, E., & Vince, E. (Eds.), (2013), 300 Quotations For Preachers From the Modern Church, Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

North Richland Hills, TX

(2008). Journal of Dispensational Theology Volume 12, 12(35), 1.

Prayer for Today from 400 Prayers for Preachers

400 Prayers for Preachers A Trinitarian Prayer for Mercy

O God the Father, who cannot be thought to have made me only to destroy me, have mercy upon me.

O God the Son, who, knowing your Father’s will, did come into the world to save me, have mercy upon me.

O God the Holy Ghost, who to the same end has so often since breathed holy thoughts into me, have mercy upon me.

O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, whom in three Persons I adore as one God, have mercy upon me.

JOHN WESLEY

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Works Cited

Green, Michael P., 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Teaching, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, page 389.

Geisler, Norman L., Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

Cone, Christopher (2008), Journal of Dispensational Theology Volume 12, page 33.

Ritzema, E., & Vince, E. (Eds.), (2013), 300 Quotations For Preachers From the Modern Church, Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Ritzema, Elliot, 400 Prayers for Preachers, Lexham Press.