Understanding the Trinity as a Building Block of Christian Faith

As we continue exploring the building blocks of faith, we encounter one of Christianity’s most challenging theological concepts: the Trinity. While the world offers its own set of values and beliefs, Christians need to define their faith through these essential building blocks.

What Is the Trinity?

The Trinity is the Christian understanding that God exists as three persons in one divine being: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This concept makes little human sense – how can three things be one and one thing be three? Yet it remains a foundational building block of Christian faith.

Many have attempted to explain the Trinity through various illustrations:

• An apple (skin, flesh, and core)
• Water (liquid, gas, and solid states)
• Grandma’s apple pie (three slices that can’t be fully separated)
• A multi-tool (different functions in one tool)

However, every human illustration falls short. The Trinity is unique – three persons existing in perfect harmony from the beginning of time, each serving different purposes while remaining completely unified.

Why Were the Christian Creeds Created?

The struggle to understand the Trinity led to the creation of creeds in the early church. These statements of belief were written to:

1. Correct heresy
2. Affirm truth
3. Promote unity

The four primary historic creeds include:

The Apostles’ Creed

Perhaps the most familiar, this foundational statement focuses on the humanity of Jesus Christ while affirming the Trinity, incarnation, resurrection, and ascension.

The Nicene Creed (325 AD)

Written at the First Council of Nicaea to counter the Arian heresy that denied Christ’s full deity. It clarifies that Christ is divine and exists with God the Father.

The Athanasian Creed (circa 500 AD)

A detailed statement affirming the doctrine of the Trinity and the dual natures of Christ – fully human and fully divine.

The Creed of Chalcedon (451 AD)

Defined the orthodox understanding of Christ’s two natures in one person, countering heresies like Nestorianism (which claimed Christ was two distinct persons) and Eutychianism (which claimed Jesus had only one nature after incarnation).

Why Is Believing in the Trinity Important?

Understanding the Trinity distinguishes Christianity from alternative beliefs:

Unitarianism vs. Trinitarianism

Unitarians believe in God the Creator only, viewing Jesus as non-divine. This diminishes the significance of the crucifixion and resurrection.

Polytheism vs. Trinitarianism

Polytheism teaches many separate gods, while Trinitarianism affirms one God in three persons.

The Trinitarian understanding provides a complete picture of God’s work: The Lord who created us (Father) makes possible our salvation (Son) and our sanctification (Holy Spirit).

Biblical Support for the Trinity

Scripture repeatedly affirms the Trinity:

• At Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3): The Spirit descended on Jesus while the Father’s voice declared, “This is my Son, whom I love.”
• The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19): “Go and baptize in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
• John 1:1-2, 14: “In the beginning was the Word… the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became human and lived among us.”
• John 14: Jesus says, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate… the Spirit of truth.”
• 2 Corinthians 13:14: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

The Trinity and God’s Grace

The Trinity helps us understand the fullness of God’s grace:

1. Prevenient Grace (Father): God the Creator loves us with undeserved love simply because we are His.
2. Justifying Grace (Son): Through Jesus, we are justified and aligned with Christ despite our sin.
3. Sanctifying Grace (Holy Spirit): Through the Spirit, we are being made holy.

Life Application

Understanding the Trinity isn’t just theological knowledge—it transforms how we relate to God and live our faith:

1. Embrace the fullness of God’s nature: Rather than limiting God to one dimension, recognize how God works as Creator, Savior, and Sustainer in your life.
2. Seek unity in diversity: Just as the Trinity demonstrates perfect unity with distinct roles, consider how you can promote unity while honoring differences in your relationships and community.
3. Experience the complete grace of God: Allow yourself to receive God’s prevenient grace (you are loved), justifying grace (you are forgiven), and sanctifying grace (you are being transformed).

Questions to Consider:

• Which person of the Trinity do I relate to most easily?
• Which do I struggle to connect with?
• How might understanding God as Trinity change my prayer life?
• In what ways can I better reflect the unity-in-diversity of the Trinity in my relationships with others
• How am I experiencing God’s prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace in my life right now?

Take time this week to read one of the historic creeds and reflect on how these ancient statements of faith can deepen your understanding of who God is and how He works in your life.

Sermon video on YouTube: Contemporary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-FdwE9RPGY Traditional: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REp8u-vUabE

[Blog post created by Sermon Shots from original sermon content preached by Rev. Kent F. Jackson on September 14, 2025.]