THE TRIUNE GOD

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me, has seen the Father. How can you say, show us the Father. Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own but the Father who dwells in me does His work. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me…” (John 14: 8 – 11)

In the gospel according St. John Chapter fourteen verse seven, Jesus had told His disciples that they had seen the Father. The disciples were confused at this statement because they could not remember seeing God anytime physically. And so one of them, Philip demanded to be shown the Father.

Jesus’ answer to Philip is one of the passages that solved the Trinitarian controversy that nearly tore the early church apart.

The word “Trinity” though not found in the Bible comes from Latin noun “trinitas” meaning “three are one” used by Christians to describe the relationship of God the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

The doctrine of Trinity is central to Anglican belief. The 39 articles of religion which summarize the Anglican response to controversies of the early church, Trinity is number one and it states thus:- “There is only one living and true God everlasting, without body, parts or passions; of infinite power wisdom and goodness, the Maker and Preserver of all things both visible and invisible. And in the unity of this Godhead are three Persons of One substance, power and eternity; the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit”.

The doctrine of Trinity is fundamental to Christian faith. It is crucial for a  proper understanding of what God is like. How He relates to us and how we should relate to Him. It also raises many difficult questions. How can God be both one and three? Is the Trinity a contradiction? If Jesus is God why did the Gospels record instances where He prayed to God?

While we cannot fully understand everything about the Trinity (or anything else), it is possible to answer questions like these and come to solid grasp of what it means for God to be three in one.

The doctrine of Trinity means there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct persons; the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Stated differently, God is one in essence and three in person. These definitions express three crucial truths:

1. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are distinct persons
2. Each Person is fully God
3. There is only one God. The bible speaks of the Father as God
   (Phil. 2: 5 & 6). Jesus as God (Titus 2: 13) and the Holy Spirit as  God (Acts 5: 3- 4).

In the baptism of Jesus, we see the Father speaking from heaven and the Spirit descending in the form of a dove as Jesus comes out of water (Mark 1: 10- 11). There are several biblical passages that refer to the Triune God – Matthew 28: 19 “Go therefore and make disciples baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”. John 10: 30 “I and my father are one. Genesis 1: 2 & 3 “… And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters, etc.

It is incontrovertible that each of the three persons in the Godhead possesses the attributes unique to God alone (Omnipotence, Omnipresence and Omniscience). Biblical evidence supports the doctrine of Trinity. The doctrine grew out of the scriptures, so it is biblical teaching.

On Trinity Sunday, Anglicans celebrate the glory of the co-eternal, co-equal, and co-substantial Blessed Trinity (God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit). Subsequent Sundays in Trinity season, Anglicans celebrate their faith in daily life, their need of God’s grace, the necessity of thinking and always doing such things as be rightful so that the church may be devoutly given to serving God in good works.

Today we celebrate Father-hood called ‘Fathers’ Day or Family Sunday. The father is designated the head of the family with crucial responsibilities.

What then is expected of a FATHER:-

1.  F     Faithful   –  Be faithful both to his wife and children (Proverbs    5: 6 – 20)
2. A     Adviser  –  (Proverbs 13: 1)
3. T     Teacher  –  Must be the first and best teacher of the family  (Deut. 11:19; Prov. 3: 1; Proverbs 22: 6)
4. H    Healthy   –  Moral and spiritual health of the family (Luke 6:    43 – 45)
5. E     Exemplary      –  Role model to his family (Prov. 5: 1 & 7)
6. R    Responsible    –   A responsible father is always responsive to the needs of the family  (Titus 2: 2, 6-8)

Have a joyful Family Day Celebration with an open heart for the continuing cleansing work of the Holy Trinity.

Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon

Igein Isemede