The nature of God and Jesus in ChristianityThe Trinity

Christians believe in the Trinity - one God, all-loving and all-powerful, in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All were present at the creation of the world and they each fulfil different roles.

Part ofReligious StudiesStudy of Christianity

The Trinity

The word comes from the words ‘tri’ meaning ‘three’ and ‘unity’ meaning ‘one’. The Trinity is the idea that God is one but exists in three different ‘persons’ - God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit - and that these three persons form a unity. The Trinity is a central concept of Christianity.

A triangular diagram to explain the Trinity, with God labelled in the centre, and the three distinct parts labelled on each corner - The Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit.

God the Father

God the Father is the creator of all things. He cares for and loves humanity, like a parent loves their child. This is shown in the (Luke 15:11–32), in which a son who has gone away from home and made bad choices is welcomed home by his father with open arms and a celebration. Christians believe that God welcomes back those who have and seek .

God the Son – Jesus

Jesus is the of God as a human being. God the Father sent Jesus to show humans how he wants them to live according to his teachings, and actions. Jesus died as a sacrifice to make amends for the sins of all people, and was then three days later.

According to the Gospel of John, Jesus says:

I and the Father are one.
John 10:30

Christians believe that when Jesus came to Earth, he was both fully God (a person of the Trinity) and fully human.

The Gospel of John contains many sayings by Jesus that help Christians to understand how Jesus is both God and a man. Knowing that he would soon be killed, Jesus spoke of his death and told his : I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. (John 14:6–7)

With these words, Jesus was telling his followers that he is the true path of righteousness that must be followed in order to achieve everlasting life in .

An apostle called Philip asked Jesus to reveal God the Father. However, Jesus explained that the apostles had already seen God the Father because the Father lives in Jesus and works through him (John 14:9–11).

God the Holy Spirit

Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is the power of God at work on the Earth. In the , the Holy Spirit appears as wind or fire, or in the form of a dove. Christians today know God through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit also enables them to understand what God wants them to do.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells them that God will send the Holy Spirit, who will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you (John 14:25–26).

Question

To which of the three persons of the Trinity does the term ‘incarnation’ apply?