Trinity Question

Trinity is another of those controversial subjects. The word trinity does not appear in the KJV of the Bible, but the idea is quite common. It is outright rejected by some organizations while it is widely accepted and taught throughout the world by other religious organizations.

 

Whenever the topic of trinity is mentioned in religious circles immediately the focus is on two words, God and three. Although there is agreement that trinity is a reference to both God and three, there are still some differences of opinion. Some believe that trinity mean there are three gods in one. Others believe that trinity means there is one god in three. Many accept both of these labels to be synonymous but there are vast differences. Which viewpoint is correct, really depends on the person doing the speaking.

 

Lets examine the viewpoints of three gods in one or one god in three for more clarity. In either viewpoint it is an accepted fact that the gods being referenced is God the father, Jesus the son, and the Holy Spirit. There is no discrepancy in that thought process, but the difference lies within the role performed by each of the godhead.

 

First and foremost, scripture is the inspired word of God. Scripture clearly states that there is only one God; Isa 44:6, “thus saith the LORD…the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

 

To say that there are three gods in one means there are three separate and distinct entities that are working together to perform one task. If there are three different entities, then there are three different gods, which contradicts the fact that there is only one god as stated in Isa. 44:6.  Three gods in one declares that God the Father is an entity, God the Son is an entity, and God the Holy Spirit is an entity, which translates into three separate gods.

 

To say that there is one god in three means there is one entity that is transformed into three different positions. This is a more accurate statement than three gods in one because it doesn’t contradict the fact that there is only one God as previously stated. One god in three declares that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit is actually the same entity.

 

Notice, God, the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit never appear together simultaneously. In the Old Testament it was God the Father that spoke with mankind. In the gospels it was Jesus that spoke with mankind. After the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, it is the Holy Spirit that is communicating with mankind.

 

It is also thought that the saints upon arrival in heaven will actually see God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, at the same time. This notion is derived from the fact that it is stated God the Son (Jesus) is seated on the right hand of God the Father; Ac. 7:55, “…he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.” Scripture is not wrong but it must also be qualified. Jesus is the word of God; Joh. 1:1, “…and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The word became flesh; Joh. 1:14, “and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…” Jesus is the word or thought of God and the words spoken by God are also the Holy Spirit of God, Joh. 6:63, “it is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” The Word being Jesus and the Holy Spirit being the Word is synonymous.

 

The right hand of God represents several things.  In one scripture, it represents strength; Isa. 62:8, “…the arm of his strength…” In another scripture, it represents righteousness; Isa. 41:10, “…the right hand of my righteousness.”   Then again, the right hand represents power; Mr. 14:62, “…the right hand of power…” The right hand of God undoubtedly signifies His power and authority; therefore in heaven the saints will see God the Father only because Jesus and the Holy Spirit are not entities but the authority and power of God the Father.

 

Think of the trinity as one entity or person such as a man. That man is a father, son, and a husband. He is only one being, but he functions in three different offices. Another example is to think of the trinity as water. In its natural state it is a liquid. Lowering the temperature of that same water turns it into a solid (ice). Raising the temperature of that same water causes it to become a gas (steam). No matter whether the water is in the state of a liquid, solid, or gas, it is still water, but it can never exist in any two states simultaneously. The trinity is one God that has been manifested into two other states but will only be seen in heaven in His natural or spiritual state.