Short Course Christianity Chapter 1
Specification Revision Guide - ONLY 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.7
, 1.1 The Trinity
What is the Trinity?
The Trinity is unique to Christianity. It is the belief that there is only one God, but that he exists in three
‘persons’:
1. God the Father
2. God the Son
3. God the Holy Spirit
Each of these three persons is fully God, but they are not three Gods - they are one God.
The Nicene Creed
“We believe in one God”
Person Attributes Phrase in Creed
God the Father - Creator of the Universe “We believe in one God, the Father,
- “Almighty” (has complete power) the Almighty, maker of heaven and
- Cares for all he has made earth”
God the Son - Jesus Christ is the Son of the “We believe in one Lord, Jesus
Father Christ, the only Son of God,
- Like the Father, the Son has eternally begotten of the Father”
always existed
- The Son comes from the Father
God the Holy - Guides and gives strength to “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the
Spirit believers giver of life, who proceeds from the
- Comes from father and son Father and the Son”
- “Giver of life” meaning he is
spiritually active in the world
“Eternally begotten” means that the Son of God has always existed and is in a relationship as Son of the
Father.
“Proceeds from the Father” means the Holy Spirit comes directly from God. Like the Son of God, the
Holy Spirit is not made by God but IS God.
The persons of the Trinity
The word ‘Trinity’ does not appear in the Bible. However, in the Gospel of Matthew, there is one account
where the persons of the Trinity all appear together.
SOWA: “Spirit of God descending like a dove” Matthew
This is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes from the Father to help Jesus begin his ministry.
SOWA: “Jesus was baptised” Matthew
Jesus is the Son of God
SOWA: “A voice from heaven” Matthew
This is the Father. The Father gives his approval of Jesus’ ministry.
Specification Revision Guide - ONLY 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.7
, 1.1 The Trinity
What is the Trinity?
The Trinity is unique to Christianity. It is the belief that there is only one God, but that he exists in three
‘persons’:
1. God the Father
2. God the Son
3. God the Holy Spirit
Each of these three persons is fully God, but they are not three Gods - they are one God.
The Nicene Creed
“We believe in one God”
Person Attributes Phrase in Creed
God the Father - Creator of the Universe “We believe in one God, the Father,
- “Almighty” (has complete power) the Almighty, maker of heaven and
- Cares for all he has made earth”
God the Son - Jesus Christ is the Son of the “We believe in one Lord, Jesus
Father Christ, the only Son of God,
- Like the Father, the Son has eternally begotten of the Father”
always existed
- The Son comes from the Father
God the Holy - Guides and gives strength to “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the
Spirit believers giver of life, who proceeds from the
- Comes from father and son Father and the Son”
- “Giver of life” meaning he is
spiritually active in the world
“Eternally begotten” means that the Son of God has always existed and is in a relationship as Son of the
Father.
“Proceeds from the Father” means the Holy Spirit comes directly from God. Like the Son of God, the
Holy Spirit is not made by God but IS God.
The persons of the Trinity
The word ‘Trinity’ does not appear in the Bible. However, in the Gospel of Matthew, there is one account
where the persons of the Trinity all appear together.
SOWA: “Spirit of God descending like a dove” Matthew
This is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes from the Father to help Jesus begin his ministry.
SOWA: “Jesus was baptised” Matthew
Jesus is the Son of God
SOWA: “A voice from heaven” Matthew
This is the Father. The Father gives his approval of Jesus’ ministry.
