the trinity

• what is monotheism?


  Belief in one god
• god is believed to have revealed himself as three persons (the trinity)
• the trinity

  • the father
  • the son
  • the holy spirit
• god the father is also often called the creator
• god the son took human form as jesus, who is divine
• god the holy spirit is believed to be the active presence of god in the world today, in the church and in individual persons
• the trinity may contradict monotheism
• if there were many gods, god could not be all powerful
• christians believe that god is 3 seperate persons, but still just one god
• belief in the trinity helps catholics to understand ways in which god is present in their lives
• the holy spirit inspired who?


  apostles at pentecost
• the trinity in quote

  christians are baptised in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit ... the faith of all christians rests on the trinity [CCC 232]
• where is god the father seen in the bible?

  • in the old testament as the creator in the book of genesis
  • in the new testament in jesus baptism and his transfiguration
• where in the bible is jesus seen as the son of god?

  • isaiahs prophecies
  • the new testament
• where is jesus refered to as son of god in the new testament?

  • annunciation when angel gabriel tells mary she has concieved gods son
  • jesus baptism when god the father refers to him as his son
• roman catholic teaching says that the spirit that surrounds the unformed world at the moment of creation is the holy spirit
• catholics think all 3 persons of the trinity are present in jesus baptism

  mark 1:9-11
• how is jesus described in isaiahs prophecies?

  • mighty god
  • prince of peace
• jesus baptism quote


  at that moment heaven was opened, and he saw 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 3:13-17
• what are creeds?


  statements that set out what a community believe
• how is god presented in different scripture?

  • as the creator in the book of genesis and the psalms
  • as the lawgiver in the books of exodus and deuteronomy
  • jesus baptism and transfiguration in new testament
• the first council of constantinople described the spirit as

  • worthy of worship
  • glory like the father and son
  • proceeding from the father
  • god working in the prophets
• the nicene creed states a number of important beliefs about jesus
• what was the main topic at the first council of nicaea?

  to understand how jesus was the son of god
• at pentecost, the holy spirit inspired the apostles
• what was the main topic in the council of constantinople?

  the holy spirits importance
• what was an important decision made at the first council of constantinople?

  to add a line to the nicene creed about the holy spirit
• the nicene creed describes jesus as

  • light from light
  • begotten not made
  • from the substance of the father
  • true god
• first council of nicaea stated that jesus is equal to god
• first council of constantinople confirmed holy spirit was equal to father and son
• how is the trinity important today?

  • we recite the nicene creed in mass
  • we have the eucharist
• what does the priest say while blessing the eucharist?

  says a prayer which thanks father and asks the spirit to descend and bless the bread so it becomes jesus
• why do christians believe in monotheism?

  • first of 10 commandments says 'worship 1 god'
  • creed says 'i believe in 1 god'
• jesus told his disciples the 'greatest commandment is love your god with all your heart, mind and soul'
• 'holy trinity is central mystery of the christian faith'

  catechism
• what do jehovahs witnesses believe about the trinity?

  • dont think jesus is god as he is just a prophet
  • doesnt think spirit is god and was sent by him
• why do jehovahs witnesses not believe in the trinity?

  the word 'trinity' is not in the bible
• what is doctrine?

  belief being passed down
• how was doctrine of trinity developed?

  • first councils of nicaea and constantinople
  • apostolic tradition
  • nicene creed
• st peter said 'christians have been chosen by god the father, through the word of the spirit so they can be obedient to the son'