The Holy Trinity
The Trinity is the term employed to signify the central doctrine of the Christian faith- the truth that in the unity of the Godhead there are Three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, these Three Persons being truly distinct one from another. Thus, in the words of the Athanasian Creed: "the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three Gods but one God."
In this Trinity of Persons the Son is begotten of the Father by an eternal generation, and the Holy Spirit proceeds by an eternal procession from the Father and the Son. Yet, notwithstanding this difference as to origin, the Persons are co-eternal and co-equal: all alike are uncreated and omnipotent.
This, the Bible teaches, is the revelation regarding God's nature which Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came upon earth to deliver to the world: There is therefore nothing created, nothing subject to another in the Trinity: nor is there anything that has been added as though it once had not existed, but had entered afterwards: therefore the Father has never been without the Son, nor the Son without the Spirit. As were we, created by him in his image, trinity: body, soul,and spirit; So he is, everlasting and eternal: Father, Son, and Holy ghost; The Mighty God; immutable and unalterable forever!
Scripture
John 1:1-5,9-14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
John 8:58
Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily I say unto you, 'Before Abraham was, I am'."
John 22:22
And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.
Exodus 3:14
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
Colossians: 1:12-20
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Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: |
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Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: |
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In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: |
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Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: |
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For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: |
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And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. |
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And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. |
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For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; |
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And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
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