February 21 – LD 8, Day 3: God is Three Persons
by Rev J. Kortering

I John 5:7, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one.” 

One of the great mysteries concerning our God is that He is triune. This word is made up of two words, the first can be translated one and the other word can be translated three.  Hence we conclude the confession of the historic Christian faith is that we have one God who has three Persons. Three Persons subsist in one being. That states briefly what we mean by triune or trinity.

We considered before what is included in the one being or nature of God.

Now we have to say a brief word about the three Persons. A person is an individual who has the ability to think, to will, to talk, to enjoy friendship. Among all the creatures God has made, only human beings who are created human persons have this ability.

God is three divine Persons who function in the one divine nature. To express this somewhat simply, the three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all function as Persons within the one divine nature. They think in the one mind of God but think individually as Persons. They desire as Persons, they express joy, sorrow, anger as Persons. They do all these things in the one heart and will of God.

Each Person possesses His own personality and distinct qualities. Thus each Person thinks individually, yet is united in the one mind of God. They are divine, co-equal and co-eternal God, yet distinct from each other. They complement each other and contribute to the personal relationship they enjoy within the godhead.

The catechism acknowledges this is impossible to comprehend and sets God apart from man in His own being and nature. We can at least understand that this allows for God’s majesty and power. It is important for us to be humble and accept these truths concerning God. We do this by the simple statement of faith, “God hath so revealed himself in His Word.” Think of the passage quoted above.  Look at John 14:16,17, “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.” The Son prays to the Father that He will give the Holy Spirit to His children to comfort them.

The truth of the trinity is not man-made, it is divinely revealed.