One God - Three Personalities - Father, Son and Holy Spirit

One God - Three Personalities - Father, Son and Holy Spirit

The Holy Trinity Doctrine is one of the most complex of the doctrines to comprehend.
The mystery that encompasses it, can leave an individual with more confusion than understanding.
The term "Holy Trinity Doctrine" is a theological expression for the belief that God is an undivided unity that can be expressed in a threefold nature; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Trinity Doctrine can be overwhelming and can leave individuals pondering how this realistically relates to them as a Christian. Ultimately the Trinity demonstrates that God is a personal God that has used various means to reach His people for a personal relationship. God is a living, breathing God that desires to be completely invested in the lives of all of His followers. The Holy Trinity Doctrine demonstrates the love that God has for connecting with His people.
There are four types of scriptures that outline the structure of the Trinity. They are the Trinitarian formula, the Triadic form, Scriptures that mentions the 3 persons of the Godhead without the triadic structure, and lastly the final scriptures of Jesus to His disciples. In the Trinitarian formula each persons of the Godhead are referenced. These scriptures are; Mathew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1st Peter 1:2 and Revelations 1:4. Most scholars agree that Matthew 28:18-20 is the best example of the Trinitarian structure. This passage is known as "The Great Commission". Christ commands "The Church" to spread the word of God, and to "baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
The scriptures that state the Triadic form are Ephesians 4:4-6 and 1st Corinthians 12:3-6. Ephesians 4: 4-6 states: "There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to hope when you were called-one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." The difference between the Trinitarian formula and the Triadic form is that in the Triadic form the Godhead is referenced more loosely than the specific structure of the Trinitarian formula.
The scriptures that mentions the 3 personalities of the Godhead without the triadic structure are; Mathew 3:3-17, Mark 1:9-7, Luke 3:21 -22, Galatians 4:4-6, Titus 3:4-6, 2nd Thessalonians 2:13-15, and lastly Jude 20 and 21. An example of these scriptures would be Galatians 4:4-6. In this St. Paul wrote; "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, "Father."
The last type of scriptures that make reference to the Trinity are that of the final passages of Christ with His disciples. These scriptures are; John 14:16, 15:26, and 16:13-15. A good example of these passages is John 15:26. In this St. John states; "When the Counselor (Holy Spirit) comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me."
With these scriptures as a foundation the understanding of the Trinity begins to unfold. In Orthodox Theology; God the Father is the principle focus of the Trinity. Since God is an Incarnate God, which means that God himself came to earth in the form of a man (Jesus Christ), the Son can only come from the Father. Lastly, Jesus defined the Holy Spirit best himself in St. John 15:26. He explained that the "Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father." This clearly states that the Holy Spirit is part of God, the Father.
Having a relationship with a God that will use any means necessary to reach and offer redemption to His people is what sets Christianity apart from all the various other religions. A personal God wanting a personal relationship with us, His people. That is the core of Christianity.

SOURCES:
Sawchak, Father Timothy. N.d. "God In Trinity" Retrieved on June 2nd, 2009 from
Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.
http://www.holy-trinity-church.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=137&Itemid=137&limit=1&limitstart=9
"The Doctrine of the Holy Trinity". (1996-2008) Retrieved on June 1st, 2009 from
Orthodox Church in America
www.oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID+2&ID+29
Papademetriou, Rev. Dr. George. N.d. "The Doctrine of the Holy Trinity" . Retrieved on May 31st, 2009 from Greek Orthodox School of Theology.
www.new-ostrog.org/holytrinity.html
Tenney, Merrill C. (1963) "Trinity" retrieved on June 2nd, 2009 from
Zondervan’s Pictorial Bible Dictionary.
Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Pgs. 871 - 872
Butler, Trent C. (1991) "Trinity" retrieved on June 2nd, 2009 from
Holman Bible Dictionary.
Holman Bible Publishers
Pgs. 1372 - 1374