The Trinity
Christians 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 TrinityThree persons in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit..
The Trinity is first mentioned in Genesis as part of the creation story, where all three persons of the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit are present. Today it is mentioned during many Christian ceremonies and is a central belief of Christianity.
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.
The Father
Christians believe that God the Father is:
- the creator of everything
- the sustainTo support and help to flourish. of all
- transcendentBelief that God is above and beyond creation and it is up to humans to act on His behalf and do His will.
The Son
The gospelThe teachings of Jesus and the apostles. narratives reveal that God the Son came into the world in the person of Jesus, who is:
- both fully divineAn action of God or supernatural power. and fully human
- immanenceThe belief in many religions that God is immanent - ‘in the world’. God acted in history in the past and continues to be active today.
- personal and so understands human suffering
- a model for Christian behaviour
- SaviourOne who saves. Christians see Jesus as their Saviour.
St Paul described Jesus as having “equality with God” (Philippians 2:6).
Importantly, the Gospel of John makes clear that Jesus has always been God’s son, even from before his birth:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the guiding part of the Trinity. Christians believe the Holy Spirit is:
- a presence of God in the world today, 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 immanent part of God guiding the Church
- a source of strength, courage and wisdom
