The Trinity
Like other Christians, Catholics believe in one God but they believe he exists in three parts or ‘persons’. These are the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, known collectively as the Three persons in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.. The three parts of God are referred to as:
- God the Father - the ultimate creator of all life. Christians believe that in the same way a parent cares for their child, God cares about his creation and wants to protect everything in it.
- God the Son, also known as The central figure of Christian history and devotion. The second person of the Trinity.A title given to Jesus meaning Messiah or Anointed One. - a key Christian belief is that God sent his only son Jesus to Earth as a The act of giving something precious to another person or to God. Jesus' death made up for the sins of humans, and gave humans the chance for The healing of a broken relationship between people and God. and The concept that something will last forever. life in A physical place, or a state of mind, associated with God and the afterlife.. The The Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after the crucifixion. The rising from the dead of believers on the Last Day in a new, or risen, life. and For Christians, when Jesus went up to Heaven 40 days after he rose from the dead. of Jesus prove to Christians that he is the Son of God.
- God the Holy Spirit - the presence of God in the world, often represented as a dove. The Holy Spirit helps Christians to understand the idea that God is always present in the world, as stated in the Gospel of John:
I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you for ever - the Spirit of truth (John 14:16-17). The Holy Spirit is considered to be a source of strength, courage and wisdom by many Christians.
Christians find the first mention of the Trinity in The first book of the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) describing the origins of humanity and humans’ relationship with God. as part of the creation story, in which all three persons of the Trinity have a role. Belief in the Trinity is affirmed in the A Christian creed that was adopted at the Council of Nicaea in AD325., the statement of key religious beliefs that is often recited by worshippers during Christian ceremonies:
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. … We believe in One Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God … of one Being with the Father … [who] was made man … he suffered death and … he rose again. … We believe in the Holy Spirit … the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son … who has spoken through the prophets.
How the Trinity is reflected in belief and worship
- When Catholics use the sign of the cross to bless themselves, they do so in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
- Some of the A religious song giving praise and worship to God. that are sung at A Roman Catholic service of worship that involves receiving Holy Communion. mention the Trinity.
- The Trinity is referred to during some of the Catholic Religious ceremonies or acts, such as baptism., including Rite of initiation involving immersion in, or sprinkling or pouring of water; a sacrament marking the start of Christian life.. The Gospel of Matthew describes the three persons of the Trinity being present together at Jesus' own baptism:
As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water. 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.’
The development of the Trinity doctrine
- The term ‘Trinity’ was first used in the 2nd century by Theophilus of Antioch, a When someone changes their belief from one religion to another. to Christianity. However, Theophilus did not use the words ‘Father’, ‘Son’ or ‘Holy Spirit’.
- The First Council of Nicaea, formed in AD 325, was a group of Anglican, Orthodox, or Catholic clergy ranking above a priest. They are usually in charge of a diocese. who were based in what is now Turkey. They confirmed the use of the term ‘Trinity’, particularly regarding the ideas of God as Father and Son.
- The First Council of Constantinople confirmed the nature and role of the Holy Spirit in AD 381.
- This understanding of the Trinity as referring to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit has continued to be a very important part of the Christian faith.
