The Trinity: Illustrations and Examples
by Gary LintonPosted in Apologetics 16 Comments
We have seen in our earlier two studies on the Trinity that God is one and that there are three persons within the one God. These three are separate and distinct persons yet each are called God. It is impossible to totally grasp this with the finite mind. We are finite creatures attempting to comprehend the infinite. We can, however, understand the concept, and that this is the clear teaching of the Word of God. I will proceed to set forth some scriptural and non scriptural illustrations and examples of the Trinity. No illustration is perfect but these will help us in our attempt to lay hold of the infinite God (Job 11:7 NKJV).
Scriptural examples:
The Birth of Jesus. When the angel appeared to Mary about her giving birth to a child he said, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). All three members or persons of the Trinity are mentioned here concerning Mary’s miraculous conception.
The Discourse of Jesus (John 14 and 15). In this discourse all three persons of the trinity are mentioned and often interchangeably. The Father is mentioned in John 14:2; the Son in John 14:7-9; and the Holy Spirit in John 14:15-18 and 15:26.
Creation. All three persons of the Trinity or Godhead are referred to as participating in creation. The Holy Spirit in Genesis 1:2 is seen “Moving over the surface of the waters” just prior to creation. The Son of God is mentioned as being a part of the creation, “His Son .. through whom also He made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:2 NASB). Both the Father and the Son are involved here. Of the Son it is said, “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16 NASB).
Baptism of Jesus (Luke 3:21-22 NASB). We read, “Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” Here, at His baptism, we see the Son being baptized, the Holy Spirit descending upon Him, and the Father speaking out of heaven. The Trinity or Godhead is again revealed at His baptism.
Paul’s Benediction. In his benediction, Paul says to the Corinthians, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14). He pronounces a blessing on them utilizing all three persons of the Trinity.
Resurrection of Christ. All three persons of the Trinity are seen as active participants in the resurrection. The Father raised Jesus from the dead, “God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways” (Acts 3:26 NASB). Jesus claimed He would raise Himself from the dead. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. He was speaking of the temple of His body” (John 2:19 and 21 NASB). The Holy Spirit also raised Jesus from the dead. “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11 NASB). Each person of the Trinity were equally involved in the resurrection.
Non Scriptural examples:
Man. Man was made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). Man is made up of three parts. He has a body, soul and spirit. Take away any part of him and he ceases to be, yet there are three distinct parts to man.
Sun. There are three parts to the sun’s rays – heat rays, light rays and chemical rays. Heat rays are felt and not seen, light rays are seen but not felt. Chemical rays have an effect though they are not seen nor felt. All together we have sunshine, three rays and one light. Without one aspect we would have no sunlight.
Addition and Multiplication. In addition three ones added together equals three. In multiplication three ones multiplied together equals one. Three ones equaling one? I don’t pretend to be a mathematician, but that doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. However, I know it to be a mathematical fact. We may not be able to completely grasp the concept of three persons in one God, but I know it to be a Biblical fact.
Triangle. The triangle has three sides to it. Take away either side and it will cease to be a triangle. It is similar with the Trinity (Godhead). Take away one aspect and He ceases to be God.
Universe. “Uni” is one, yet the universe is made up of space, time and matter. Take away any of the three components and it is no longer a universe.
Water. “In thermodynamics, the triple point of a substance is the temperature and pressure at which three phases (for example, gas, liquid and solid) of that substance coexist in thermodynamic equilibrium” (Wikipedia). Water under pressure, in a vacuum and at a given temperature below freezing simultaneously exists as liquid, steam and ice. We see the Trinity (Godhead) in all of creation (Romans 1:20).
American government. The government is one government with three branches, executive, judicial, and legislative. There are three distinct parts of the one government.
Applications:
Know Him. Paul said, “I know whom I have believed” (2 Timothy 1:12 NASB). Jesus said, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3). Let’s seek both to know Him personally, and all we can about Him.
Defend the Faith. We are to fight for and defend the faith that was delivered to us (Jude 3). There are many false teachers and cults in our world today who are perverting the pure gospel and Jesus Himself ( 2Corinthians 11:3-5 and Galatians 1:6-9). This requires you must “Study to show yourself approved” (2 Timothy 2:15). We must be equipped to give an answer for the hope that is in you (1 Pete 3:15).
Disassociation. We are to disassociate ourselves with all who do not hold to solid Biblical doctrine. I’m not talking about peripheral areas of theology but the fundamentals of our faith. The Bible makes it clear we should not to associate with those who hold and propagate false doctrine (1 Corinthians 15:33). In fact, we are not to let them into our home or even give them greeting (2 John 7-11). I know this may seem harsh, but God said it not me. I am just reporting it.
About Gary Linton
With over 30 years of teaching, church planting and ministry experience, Gary Linton helps pastors, ministers and church leaders pursue their call to ministry. Pastor Linton is also available for seminars, leadership conferences and speaking engagements for churches both large and small.16 responses to “The Trinity: Illustrations and Examples”
In the Trinity that God is one and that there are three persons within the one God, is illustrating that God is the Organization of the three persons.
But in the Bible, God is define, as a Commander or a Ruler. As we comprehend in John 14:31 and in Exodus 7:1.
You can click on me and go direct to a study on the Unity in Trinity of the Triune God revealed. Jesus (God with us) Anointed (physically). All who claim the name Christian (religion of the anointed Ones) are required to receive the unction. The discovery in Cave of John the Baptist of the anointing stone upon which the anointing took place to begin that ministry is clear. The bird that pointed out which Jew is the ‘chosen One’ for complete and total body anointing becomes clear. Tertulian on Baptism is conclusive. All who claim the name Christian are to practice the act of baptism according to Order. “And they shall weep and wail when they see the One whom they pierced.”
Mike – I will be mentioning the name of God, when I teach on the names of God soon. There are actually many names He uses to refer to Himself. Different subject.
The King James version has replaced God’s name (Jehovah / Tetragrammaton YHWH) with Adonia, Lord, and God. In that verse in Revelation the title Lord is used instead of YHWH. Jesus himself said he came to earth to make God’s name known;John 17:6. What was that name? Read the entire chapter of John 17 and you will see how Jesus himself clearly explans what he means when referring to himself and his Father being one. Further in this chapter Jesus even refers to all of his disciples as being one. Does that mean all Christians are one entity? No. In verses 20 thru 23 Jesus is equating “being one” with being of the same mind, thought, and goal. Not that all of us would become some mysterious singular soul. The sole reason the Trinity Doctrine exists is because 300 years after the Apostle John died false teachings and Apostasy crept into the church because they did not hold fast to the accurate knowledge and teachings of Christ. This isn’t unique. Jehovah’s ancient nation of Israel had the same problem. How many times did Jehovah tell them he was One God exacting EXLCUSIVE devotion? Yet, the Israelites were swayed by the surrounding nations and their pagan gods and idols. So much so that the Israelites started put up Temples of Baal and it’s many idols throughout the land. That is why God turned His attention away from them. Because of their disobedience. That is no different today. Many so-called Christian churches teach doctrine not rooted in the Bible, but from pagan foundations. Immortality of the soul, hellfire, a Triune diety, a God who is the cause for human suffering, fate, ect. are all rooted in pagan religions. Not one of these teachings are based on what Jesus taught his True followers. Matt. 7:21-23.
Hi Gary, i believe in this vital doctrine of Christianity. but on your examples i can’t see the word “co-exist” if we will say One God (logos) in three person, meaning God will not exist with the other person. In your examples about if you will remove 1 each or 1 element they can still exit without the other component. Judicial function and able to do their own works without the present of Executive niether legislative. water component of water 2H and 1 O, again only two element (water). Jesus+Holy Spirit+God the Father = God without Jesus no God, without HS no God without Father no God. becasue the 3 person need to exist in one output (word God. just a friendly observation only.
good examples, also some to look at 1. Fire (food, fuel, and oxygen = fire… take one away, and there is no such thing as fire. It is the same with God: the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit = God…take one away and there is no God. 2. Prayer: The Bible teaches us to pray to the Father, Through the Holy Spirit, in the name of the Son…so every time we pray, we are living examples of the trinity. cool right?
Mike – I agree with you that Jesus was the image of the Father (Hebrews 1:3). However, Jesus was not a created being. Referring to where Jesus would be born Micah 5:2 spoke of His origin saying, “whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.This clearly says Jesus had an everlasting past, no being. The verse you quoted is frequently taken out of context. “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Colossians 1:15 NASB). Context is always of utmost importance. If you will go down just a few verses, you will see, “He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything” (Colossians 1:18). This defines what the writer meant by firstborn in verse 15. Notice it says, “He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead.” So we see that firstborn was referring to Him being the first to rise from the dead, never to die again. I would challenge you to read what Jesus said concerning Himself in Revelation 1:8, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” You don’t get a lot clearer than that – “the Almighty.” I’d also encourage you to study the lesson prior to this one for clarity on the divinity of Christ, and may the Holy give you understanding (John 14:26 & 16:13-14).
http://www.ministrymaker.com/trinity-one-god-three-persons
What about the fact early Christians never considered Jesus as Almighty God? The Trinity Doctrine did not become a Chistian teaching until 300 years after Christ’s death when the Council of Churches blended Pagan beliefs with Christianity with the Athanasian Creed. Even the example you give of Jesus’ baptism is contrary to the Trinity Doctrine; “Jesus comes out of the water….”, “Holy Spirit descends from Heaven……” and “Almighty God’s voice speaks from heaven…..”. If all are one entity how can they be in three seperate places; Heaven, mid-Heaven, and Earth? Invariably professed Christians isolate a single scripture and fail to consider the entire context. Furthermore, if the writer of a Bible book promoted a Triune Diety then the entire book composed by that writer should harmonize with that teaching. But, we see just the opposite. For example, most professed Christians will point to John 1:1 as evidence of the Trinity Doctrine. But what about the rest of the Book of John? It shows just the opposite. The distinct qualities of Almighty God Jehovah are set apart from Jesus. The entire Bible (from Genesis to Revelation) harmonizes with this.
Here’s an illustration: Suppose a father owns a company. The father has created the company based on his ideas, thoughts, and goals. The father also loves his family and is especially fond of his oldest or firstborn son. The father talks to his son everyday. He teaches his son how to ride a bike, how to play baseball, how to fish, ect. The father also teaches his son values such as respect, integrity, good manners, and honor. The son not only hears what his father tells him, but also learns from his father’s actions. The son loves his father very much. The father also loves his son and when older he wants to groom his son to take over the company. The father instructs his son about the things associated with the company; employee relationships, business relationships, marketing strategies, ect. Soon comes the time when the father retires and the son is in full control of the company. What will tend to be the overwhelming opinion of those associated with the company? “That kid is a splitting image of his father” or “That kid is a chip off the old block”. Why? Because the son’s actions, behavior, and even perhaps his speech will be almost identical to his fathers. Those onlookers will ot say the Father and Son are one being or entity. That is the same way Jesus reflects his heavenly Father Jehovah. Jesus was the “firstborn” of creation. Almighty Jehovah God was not created. He has always existed. He has no beginning or end. Jehovah is the Alpha and Omega. That is also why Jesus was able to say “If you have seen me you have seen the Father” because Jesus was a perfect reflection of what His Father was like in the perfect sense. That is also what Jesus prayed that his disciples would do; reflect the Glory of Jehovah – John 17:20-26
I agree totally with what you are saying Gary and I see how it is different. Thank you for sharing your insight on the Holy Spirit. I am definitely going to use your examples.
Heather – I agree that we are the only Jesus some will ever see and that we are to be a light for those who are lost. What I was referring to with disassociation was in regards to false teachers (those propagating false doctrine). The Word of God is clear in regards to them. “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching (concerning Jesus), do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds (2 John 10-11).
You had me all the way until the very end with disassociation. I do believe we are to guard our hearts. I also believe that we are to be careful about who we associate. But I do not believe we are to snub those who believe differently. I believe we have the right to walk away but allow the Holy Spirit to lead you. We are the only Jesus that some will see. And Christ himself was an example of associating with those that religious people thought He should not.
That is a great illustration Robert! I will add it to my list. Thanks!
I hate comparing the Holy Trinity to the American government but the American federal government is one government with three branches, executive, judicial, and legislative. They are 3 distinct parts of one federal government.
What do you think about that example?
Please email this to me. It is excellently written. Thanks.
They are really good messages but what are examples of trinity with out water or father,son and the holy spirt
The messages are good . May I have the messages through e-mail?
Be blessed ,