Everyone has a sense that there must be someone or something behind this universe but the question is, can we discover who or what this is? Even the great physicist, Einstein, conjectured that it is as though a great mathematician designed the universe. Interestingly, all religions seek answers to this question. So can we know anything about this creator designer?
Well the Bible contains the unique revelation of who this creator God is. It provides us with an amazing insight, namely, that God is three persons in one, the Trinity. Many Christians would say this is a very difficult subject, almost one to be avoided. Some religions even speak against the Trinity. However, delighting in the Trinity is the key that unlocks the door to the Christian faith and life.
In the New Testament, there is an event that stands out. It is the baptism of Jesus. And In Mark 1: 9 – 11, it says, “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased””.
This is amazing. In this we see God revealing to us who He is, namely, Father, Son, that is Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
However, this is not easy to comprehend. The disciples were certainly puzzled. They were with Jesus for 3 years and at the end of this time Jesus said to them “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” This is from John 14:7. And then one of the disciples asked Jesus, “Oh please show us God the Father and it will be enough”. And Jesus replied, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father”. Jesus is making the very bold statement that God the Father and He are one.
Surprisingly, after Jesus’ resurrection, one of the disciples sees Him and declares, “My Lord and My God”, a statement Jesus gladly accepts. The rest of His disciples eventually recognize who Jesus is, He is not only man, but also God.
So, here is the big problem for us. We cannot adequately explain the Trinity, just as we cannot explain the virgin birth, nor the resurrection. The Trinity is something God alone has revealed to us and it is outside of our comprehension. When we apply our cognitive thinking to this puzzle, we approach it through the use of philosophical metaphysics and logical arguments. While this has definite value, God, however wants us to see, in this revelation of Him as the Trinity, a view of great beauty and practicality. Indeed, God is finally revealing who the “Us” is in Genesis chapter 1 verse 26 when He said, “Let us make man in our image”. We will look at this in depth, in a future video.
There it is, the Trinity, Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, 3 persons in one God, a mystery, but nevertheless a revelation from God Himself.