Trinity

• Catholics believe that God is three persons in one. They believe that God takes the form off the father, the son and the Holy Spirit
• The word Trinity does not appear in the Bible until 100 years after Jesus‘ resurrection
• The idea of the Trinity (God taking on three forms) does appear in the Bible but does not become a doctrine of the church until the 4th century
• This idea first appears when Jesus was baptised in the Jordan by John the Baptist.

  • The father was present in the “voice from heaven” which said “you my son with whom I am well pleased”
  • The son was present in the person of Jesus
  • The Holy Spirit was present in the form of a “dove “descending from heaven”
• Shortly before ascending into heaven, Jesus gave his apostles the instructions to “ go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT“

  • this is called “THE GREAT COMMISSION“ ~ Matthew
• Saint Paul also referred to the three parts of the Trinity in his letter to the people of CORINTH
• The disciples accepted the existence of the Trinity before they had a name for this belief ~

  • They were Jews ~ monotheistic
  • Claimed Jesus was God (“you are the Messiah”)
  • Watched Jesus pray to God the father and accepted this
  • received God the spirit at Pentecost who gave them courage