Sunday, August 21, 2011

Understanding the Holy Trinity

One of the least understood concepts is the Holy Trinity---the triune nature of God---three persons in one divine nature. Some of the best ways to understand the Holy Trinity involves a comparison using the sun and a coin. The sun = The Father, the sun rays = The Son (Jesus Christ) and the warmth felt from the sun = the Holy Spirit.

Another way to explain the Holy Trinity is with a coin. The heads portion of the coin is equivalent to The Father, the tails portion is equivalent to The Son (Jesus Christ) and the rim of the coin is equivalent to the Holy Spirit. All three sides make up the coin and the coin would not be a coin without all three. And the composition of sides of the coin are all made up of the same material.

The common question for those who doubt the validity of the Holy Trinity: If Jesus was God, why did he pray to God in the garden of Gethsemane?

First, Jesus was fully God and fully man. In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed to the Father as found in Mark Chapter 14:

Mark 14:32-36: They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

I believe Jesus prayed to the Father from his human nature to show humility. He prayed this same prayer three times.

How do we know the Jesus was God? Well, you have to believe all scripture or none of it.

John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us


How did Thomas greet Jesus after he had arisen from the dead?

John 20:28-29: Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”


A few Christian denominations, who do not believe in the Holy Trinity, baptize in the name of Jesus Christ only. But scripture tells us we should be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 28:19: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Peace to you,

© Michael J. Cox