Completion through Trinity

Trinity is the Christian doctrine that dwells on the unity of the three persons in the Godhead; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Trinitarian doctrine affirms that there is only one God made manifest in three persons and existing in unity. These three persons are co-equal, co-substantial and co-eternal. None is superior or inferior to the other. The word Trinity may not be found in the Bible, but we have so many texts from both Testaments that attest to the veracity and authenticity of the Trinitarian doctrine.

In Genesis 1: 2, the Bible says that even before God Almighty began creation, the spirit of God was hovering over the face of the earth. In Genesis 1: 26 when it was time to create man, God Almighty said, “come let us create man in our own image”. If the Holy Sprit has been around, who were they inviting? Obviously the third person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ.

In the New Testament, we have more direct allusions to the Trinitarian doctrine, and we will only look at three texts for our illustration. The three are the texts that speak to the events at the baptism of Jesus Christ, the Great Commission, and the prayer of Grace.

Matthew 3:16&17

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and ]He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 

Matthew 28:18-20

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go ]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ]Amen. 

2nd Corinthians 13:14

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. 

All these texts are Biblical pillars on which the Trinitarian doctrine stand.

This doctrine has suffered so many attacks in the past and is still being smeared today.   It is these attacks and heretical teachings on the Trinitarian doctrine that gave rise to the Nicaea and Athanasian creeds.

Beloved in Christ, our salvation was made possible by the Trinitarian cooperation, coordination, and collaboration. God the Father initiated the redemption plan in Genesis 3:15, while God the Son (Jesus Christ) executed the plan by dying on the cross to pay for our sins while God the Holy Spirit lives in us for our daily sanctification, justification, and preservation till the day of resurrection. In fact, the incarnation of Jesus Christ could not have been possible without the person of the Holy Spirit and if Jesus had gone back without sending the promised Holy Spirit to indwell us, our salvation would have been incomplete. Hence without the unity of the three persons in the Godhead we would have remained under the clutches of sin and Satan.

As we celebrate Trinity today, we must be earnest in emulating and exhibiting the unity and singularity of purpose that exists amongst them. If we are united, we will achieve more and there will be no room for bickering, unhealthy rivalry, and ego tripping.

Happy Trinity Sunday.

The Ven. Uche Ekwensi  

Your Vicar & Friend

The Ven. Folorunso OreOluwa Agbelusi