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The Trinity
Study of the Biblical Doctrine
 
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Introduction
The Trinity is one of the biggest mysteries in Christianity. It is a doctrine that is supportedthroughout the Bible, yet it is one of the most attacked. It is a doctrine accepted by most Christians, yeta great many cannot explain what the Trinity is. This paper will cover what the Trinity is and is not, thehistory of the Trinity, and Biblical support for the Trinity.
What is the Trinity?
The Trinity is
one God, yet in three distinct and eternal persons. Trinitarians are Monotheists and followone God (Duet 6.4).
The Trinity is
a word used to explain the God of the Bible. He appears in distinct persons, often at thesame time.
The Trinity is not
polytheistic. Anyone who makes these claims simply does not have knowledge of whatthe Trinity is. He is one God in three persons. (Think not 1+1+1=3, but rather 1x1x1=1)
The Trinity is not
a product of the Catholic Church. This is a ploy that is used to refute the Trinity. TheTrinity came directly from Scripture and is not a tradition of man made by the Church.
History of the Trinity
The Trinity is taught directly from the Bible ever since Genesis (covered in the Scriptural proof).The figure of Jesus made sense of numerous passages that Jews cannot explain. The Trinity was taughtby the early Christians, which almost guarantees Jesus taught it. This can be proved by some quotationsfrom the Early Church Fathers.Ignatius of Antioch (1st Century) - Study, therefore, to be established in the doctrines of the Lord andthe apostles, that so all things, whatsoever ye do, may prosper both in the flesh and spirit; in faith andlove; in the Son, and in the Father, and in the Spirit; in the beginning and in the end; with your mostadmirable bishop, and the well-compacted spiritual crown of your presbytery, and the deacons who areaccording to God. Be ye subject to the bishop, and to one another, as Jesus Christ to the Father,according to the flesh, and the apostles to Christ, and to the Father, and to the Spirit; that so there maybe a union both fleshly and spiritual.Justin Martyr (151) - Our teacher of these things is Jesus Christ, who also was born for this purpose, andwas crucified under Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judaea, in the times of Tiberius Caesar; and that wereasonably worship Him, having learned that He is the Son of the true God Himself, and holding Him inthe second place, and the prophetic Spirit in the third, we will prove. For they proclaim our madness toconsist in this, that we give to a crucified man a place second to the unchangeable and eternal God, the
 
 3Creator of all; for they do not discern the mystery that is herein, to which, as we make it plain to you, wepray you to give heedTheophilus of Antioch (181) - It is the attribute of God, of the most high and almighty and of the livingGod, not only to be everywhere, but also to see and hear all; for he can in no way be contained in aplace.... The three days before the luminaries were created are types of the Trinity, God, his Word, andhis Wisdom.Irenaeus (181) - For the Church, although dispersed throughout the whole world even to the ends of theearth, has received from the apostles and from their disciples the faith in one God, the Father Almighty...and in one Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who became flesh for our salvation; and in the Holy Spirit.There are many theories that attempt to disprove the Trinity. Such theories are Monarchianismand Modalism. These theories, however, did not originate until the 3
rd
Century. This means that our Lordand Savior did not teach these to the early Christians. These groups insist that the Trinity was a productof the Catholic Church. This is said because the Trinity was made official at the Council of Nicea.However, the Trinity was taught well before the council. In fact, the purpose of the council was torespond to the heretics who denied the Trinity. It is true it was believed by the Church, the CatholicChurch, but the Church was not corrupt back then. It got bad long after the council. A timeline of newtraditions in the church is available at scionofzion.com/rc.htm.People who deny the Trinity have a much worse history. The first Trinity-denial came manyyears after Christ. They have always been regarded as heretics. Today it is only practiced by hereticalgroups like Mormons and Jehovah
’
s Witnesses.So as far as history goes, the Trinity has always been supported ever since the death of Jesus. Itwas the belief of the Apostles, the early Church Fathers, and Jesus himself. It is certainly not a hereticalcreation by the Catholic Church. It is a doctrine taken directly from God
’
s Word.
Trinity Proof Texts
There is an overwhelming amount of Scriptural support for the Trinity. Instead of making thispaper lengthy, I will just go over a few verses from Scripture that support the Trinity.Matthew 3:16-17 - As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heavenwas opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice fromheaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."There are three things being said in this passage. First, Jesus (the Son) went out of the water.Second, the Spirit descends like a dove. Three, the Father says from Heaven that He is pleased by HisSon. Here we have three different persons of God present at the same time. Yet, there is only one God.
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