The Trinity

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Created by
Georgina Swann

Cards (14)

  • Although christians believe in one God, they also believe that God has three parts.
  • The Trinity is the idea the God exists in three ‘persons’ - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
  • “the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” - Matthew 3:16-17
  • In 325 AD, church leaders from around the world gathered at the Council of Nicaea. They produced a creed - a statement of beliefs. This was further developed at the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD, and is known as the Nicene Creed. It describes how Christians see God.
  • “We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth“ - Nicene Creed
  • “We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God” - Nicene Creed
  • “of one Being with the Father” - Nicene Creed
  • For many Christians, God the Father is the God of the Old Testament. He created Heaven and Earth and sustains them. God the Father might be described as the transcendent part of God.
  • The title ‘Father‘ is a mark of respect for God, and is used by Jesus in the Gospels: ”Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ - Matthew 5:48
  • Christians, believe Jesus is the incarnation of God in human form. He is seen as both divine and human - the immanent and personal part of God, who understands human, suffering.
  • Christians believe that Jesus provides the model for Christian behaviour in obedient to God, the Father. The gospels contain a record of his life and teachings and are an important source of guidance for Christians and how they should live their lives.
  • Christians believes that the Holy Spirit is the presence of God in the world. before his death, Jesus promised his disciples: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another to help you and be with you for ever - the Spirit of truth” - John 14:16-17
  • The Holy Spirit is seen as the imminent yet impersonal part of God - it continues to guide to the church.
  • Some Christians feel that the Holy Spirit also guides them personally and being good Christians. The catechism of the Catholic Church, 736 says “by tue power of the Spirit, God‘s children can beat much fruit.”