We in the Church of the Nazarene have a great history and tradition. Our history stems from numerous denominations that came together and united under the banner of holiness. Unfortunately, as time goes on, unless we are diligent, we tend to forget where we came from and who we are. That’s why, for the next few weeks, I want us to take a look at who we are and the foundational doctrines of the Church of the Nazarene.
Even back in the book of Genesis we see evidence of God’s trinity (Genesis 1:26). Yet when God speaking to the people of Israel he clearly states, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” (Deuteronomy 6:4). This dichotomy is only exacerbated as we move into the New Testament. In Matthew 3:16-17 we see Jesus being baptized, and as he comes out of the water the heavens open up, the Spirit of God descends upon him like a dove, and a voice from heaven declares, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Throughout the New Testament we repeatedly see references to Jesus being God (John 1:1; 8:58; 10:30; Acts 20:28; 2 Peter 1:1). We also see such references to the Holy Spirit being God (Matt. 28:19; Acts 13:2; Romans 8:9; 2 Cor. 3:17). While the word trinity isn’t used in the bible, it is the doctrine of the trinity that helps us to understand these teachings about God. The doctrine of the trinity takes all the references to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit throughout the Old and New Testaments and seeks to put into words a comprehensive understanding of God.
So, who is the trinity? Article of Faith #1 from the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene reads, “We believe in one eternally existent, infinite God, Sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the universe; that He only is God, holy in nature, attributes, and purpose. The God who is holy love and light is Triune in essential being, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
When most people think of God they envision an old man sitting on a throne in the clouds. We think of him as a benevolent being that oversees all life. This is the primary portrayal of God within the Old Testament. In the doctrine of the trinity, this person of the godhead is often understood to be God the Father. While I would agree that God depicted in the Old Testament is the entire godhead and not just the Father, in a general sense, whenever someone thinks of God, it’s safe to say they’re envisioning God the Father.
By Carl Heinrich Bloch
Moving on in the trinity we come to God the Son. We clearly see in Jesus’ baptism (Matt. 3:16-17) and as well as on the mountain during the transfiguration (Matt. 17:5; Mark 9:7) that God the Father referred to Jesus directly as his son. Jesus even referred to God as his father (John 5:18) as well as claiming to be God (John 8:58). It can be difficult to get our heads around this idea that Jesus is God while at the same time being the Son of God, but this is clearly what the bible teaches. Jesus Christ, God made flesh, is both the creator of all things (John 1:1-3) and the savior of all mankind (Acts 4:12).
We then come to the final person of the trinity, God the Holy Spirit. Scriptures refer to both God and the Holy Spirit interchangeably, yet while they are one, Jesus states that they Advocate, the Holy Spirit, was sent by God (John 14:26). The job of the Holy Spirit is to dwell among mankind (1 Cor. 3:16), intercede with God on our behalf (Romans 8:26), and convict the hearts of the people (John 16:8). When we speak of God moving in our midst, speaking to us, or empowering us, we are speaking of God the Holy Spirit.
While it is clear throughout scripture that each part of the godhead is separate and unique, it is also abundantly clear that they are all one in the same. John 10:30 states, “I and the Father are one.” King David, in his last words, refers to God and the Holy Spirit as one and the same (2 Samuel 23:2-3). All three share one character. All three are all-knowing (Isaiah 40:13–14; John 2:24–25; 1 Corinthians 2:10–11). All three are eternal (Romans 16:26; Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 9:14). The three are one, yet the three are distinct. Each one is not a part of God, but each one is fully God. It can be difficult to understand, but this is what God has revealed to us.
Why does all of this matter? What difference does it make if we worship God without the concept of the trinity? Why is it important that we go through all of these mental gymnastics in order to understand the doctrine of the trinity?
Within our own lives, many of us have run into a common relationship problem. We find ourselves in trouble with a friend or loved one because, as they put it, “You don’t know me.” You forget a special event or give a heartfelt present that was completely wrong. In the end the person is hurt because you haven’t taken the time to truly get to know them. Likewise with the trinity, this is who God is. This is who God has revealed himself to be. We may not be able to fully comprehend it, but God has made it clear that he is one. He is Father, Son, and Spirit yet only one God.
This triune God has been reaching out to us and seeking relationship with us since time began. If our desire is to have relationship with him, our desire must also be to know him to the best of our abilities. We cannot dismiss the concept of the trinity because it’s a difficult doctrine to explain. Instead, if we are going to embrace God, we must take him as he has revealed himself to us, as Father, Son, and Spirit.
In closing, many people have attempted to explain the trinity in order to make it better understood. Unfortunately, we may never fully understand who God is this side of heaven. Nevertheless, the folks over at Lutheran Satire have made a video to help clarify this doctrine.
