Systematic Theology Besoiu Ioan 1

Implications of the doctrine of Trinity

The Holy Trinity is one of the most important, if not the most important doctrine of
the Christian Church. Its importance is showed by the fact that discussions about the nature of
Christ and the relation between the Son, the Father and the Holy Spirit were on the list of the
first ecumenical council and many of the following councils continue to debate different
aspects connected with this doctrine. Many theologians tried to explain the relation between
the three persons of the Trinity and many failed, giving birth to heresies that divided the
Christianity and were condemned by the church fathers. Today there are still many that not
totally agree, understand and accept this doctrine, but most of the Christians confess it and a
big number of believers would consider this doctrine as a non-negotiable dogma.

This lecture will not bring arguments for the doctrine of the trinity but will try to
analyse the implications this doctrine should have in our lives as believers, in our familial
relations and in our local churches. In a local church this sermon would follow a sermon in
which the doctrine of the trinity will be presented and proven with Biblical verses and
historical arguments.

First, let’s see the implications the doctrine of the Trinity on a personal level, in
the life of the believer. In Genesis 1:26, we read that God said: “Let us make mankind in our
image, in our likeness, so that they may rule […] over all the creatures” (NIV). God being a
Triune God and humans being created in the image of God it means we might also have a
triune human nature. God being a spirit would not be possible for a strictly physical human
being to interact with Him, so we must agree that humans are formed from a body, a soul and
a spirit. Talking about the creation of Adam,
Genesis 2:7 says: “And the Lord God formed
man of the dust of the ground and breathed
into his nostrils the breath of life; and man
became a living soul.” (KJV). The “dust of the
ground” had a form, so represents the body.
But in order to become “a living soul” there
was a need for “the breath of life”, the spirit
from God. You are a spirit with a soul, living
in a body. Your body is not spirit, your spirit
is not soul, your soul is not body, but your
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body is human, your spirit is human, and your soul is human. You are a tri-unity. In our days,
in a materialistic worldview people believe just in the existence of matter, of physical things.
Based on the humanistic philosophy the human is in the centre of the world as the only ruler
and has the ability to find in himself the answers for all the problems of the world and the
wisdom to live a good life. But this is not the way the Bible is describing humans. So, as
Christians, even if we live in a conflict with the humanistic-materialistic worldview, our life
should not focus only on the physiological and maybe psychological needs, but also on our
spiritual ones. This was Jesus’ principle and His answer when He was tempted: “Man shall
not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4,
NIV). Jesus talked about the humans as having not only physical needs, but also spiritual
ones. Don’t starve your soul or your spirit to death! As a human being you need to relate with
other people, but also with God, your Creator.

Another illustration used1 to describe trinity is called “the grammar of love” and goes
like this. God is Love, and there are three prepositions that the Bible uses to talk about God’s
love for us. The prepositions for, with and in. God is one, but He is revealed to us as God for
us, God with us and God in us.

a) God, the Father, being for us, caring for us, protecting us like a parent as
described in Psalm 56:9, 118:6, Romans 8:31, should encourage us to see God
as a loving father, not our enemy. He is not against us, ready to punish us
when we do a mistake, but patiently waiting for the lost sons and daughters to
return to Him because He is genuinely interested in our well-being and our
success.
b) God, the Son, being with us, Jesus Emmanuel who entered our world and
suffered like us, was tempted like us, cried like us, was hungry and thirsty. He
did all these in order to liberate us, to save us and gave us the promise “I am
with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20, NIV). There is
hope here and now for those that believe in Jesus. He is with us. No matter
what is the problem and the difficulties you are going through right now, He is
with you and has the power to deliver you.
c) God, the Spirit being in us as we read in Galatians 4:6, NIV “Because you are
his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls
out, ‘Abba, Father’.” We can seek God and have fellowship with God the
1
TheWordProclaimed “The Trinity in our lives” Jun 4, 2020, Video, 12:24 https://youtu.be/nyOdaR3Ytcw
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Father through the Holy Spirit that lives in us. And from Acts 1:8 “you will
receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my
witnesses” we understand another result of the presence of God Holy Spirit
inside us. God in us, gives us the power to serve, to
love, to forgive, to live for God and testify
powerfully about Him.

Because God revealed to us as a Triune God, we have a

better understanding about who He is, what is our new identity
and how God sees us. God is for us, with us and in us and with
Him we are living a new life. As born-again Christians we have
God inside us. The God of heaven has placed Himself within you
and me and made us carriers of God among the nations. (What is
the meaning of Jesus incarnation and the implications of the
hypostatic union for the believer could be the subject of the next sermon.)

Secondly, let’s see what are the implications of the Trinity at a relational level, in
the family of the believer. If we look again at Genesis 1:26, “Let us make mankind in our
image, in our likeness”; some translations using “mankind” or “human beings”, other the
singular form “man” (KJV) for the Hebrew word ‫ָאדם‬
֛ ָ ’ā-ḏām. But verse 27 is bringing unity
between these translations, explaining that ‫ָאדם‬
֛ ָ ’ā-ḏām was created male and female. We can
say that God wanted to put His image not only on Adam as a person, but also over the first
family as relational beings. The male and female humans were created “as equal bearers of
the image of God and equal in status before God (equally able to have a direct personal
relationship with God)”, but also with different roles in relationship.”2 The Father, Jesus and
the Holy Spirit were involved together in the creation and salvation, but they had different
roles and actions without being one more important than another. All three are equally God,
coexistent and consubstantial persons of the Trinity, but different in functions. This doesn’t
mean there is a hierarchy in Trinity, but a full cooperation and an atmosphere of love that is
encouraging each of the person of the Trinity to want to give glory to the others. This love,
teamwork and harmony from the Trinity is the image our families should show to the world.

2
Dr. Terry Mortenson, “An In-Depth Look at the Translation of the Hebrew Word Adam”, January 20, 2006
https://answersingenesis.org/adam-and-eve/in-depth-look-at-translation-of-hebrew-word-adam/
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As Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI also said, “The human family is, in a certain sense, the icon
of the Trinity because of the love between its members and the fruitfulness of that love.”3

The wife, the husband and the children are equal in value, dignity and worth as human
beings created in the image of God. Because of this, each of them should be respected and
honoured by the other family members. But this equality doesn’t mean they have equal
responsibility in different family areas and the same roles. “The husband and father has
under God, the highest place of authority in the household. His wife submits to him, and his
children obey both him and his wife. The wife is under the authority of her husband, but is
over the children in the household, partnering with their father to ensure that they learn
godliness and obedience. The children are under the authority of both of their parents,
understanding that they are to learn from their father and mother what is most important in
life, all the while obeying their parents with joy and gladness. Both the equality and the
distinctiveness that we see in the Trinity should be reflected in household relationships.” 4 The
headship relationships intended by God in the context of the family can be perverted in two
different ways. First one is to abuse the authority as a husband or as a parent and the second
one is to ignore your role not leading your family as a husband and your children as a parent.
Both these answers affect God’s image in the family and cause a lot of problems and conflicts
between the family members. As God didn’t just created the world and then let us alone, the
same the parents are called to be actively involved in the lives of their children, leading them,
encouraging them and caring for their needs through a holistic approach. Providing just food
and clothing is not enough but being part of the emotional and spiritual development of our
kids is a duty we have as parents from God. Extrapolating God’s desire to put His image in
the family we can talk about the bigger family of the local church.

The implications of Trinity in the local church are multiple. Everyone in the church
is equal, all of us being children of God. But still the Bible teach us to “value others above
ourselves, in humility” (Philippians 2:3, NIV), following the example from the Trinity. The
authority and submission from the Trinity are perfect and the Church is called to follow
Jesus’ model of serving leader. This is the lesson Jesus taught his disciples and our local
churches should remember this, from time to time, in order to practice it. Mark 10:43-44 –

3
Gretchen Filz, The Holy Family, the Holy Trinity, and You, Dec 28, 2012
https://www.catholiccompany.com/magazine/holy-family-holy-trinity-and-you-5646#
4
Bruce A. Ware, “The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: The Trinity as Theological Foundation for Family
Ministry”, Oct.12 2011, Journal of Discipleship and Family Ministry, Vol. 1, Issue 2 as found on
https://www.sbts.edu/family/2011/10/10/the-father-the-son-and-the-holy-spirit-the-trinity-as-theological-
foundation-for-family-ministry/
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“whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be
first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”

In 1 Corinthians 3:16,17, NIV translation we read “Don’t you know that you
yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys
God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are
that temple.” Usually we tend to interpret this passage to an individual level, the Spirit of God
living inside the believer. But in the context of 1 Corinthians chapter 3, the congregational
focus appears to be a better interpretation. The Spirit of God dwells in the middle of the
believers. Together as a church we are the temple of God and He is the one that will protect
and preserve His church. In Ephesians 1:22,23: “God placed all things under his feet and
appointed him (Jesus) to be head over everything for the church, which is his body” (NIV)
we see the Father and the Son working together in relation to the community of the believers.
As believers being part of a local church, and members of Christ’s universal Church many
times we might face opposition and persecution. But we can totally believe that the Trinity is
involved in the preparation and preservation of the Church and that Jesus will “present her
(the church) to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish,
but holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:27, NIV) The Church of Christ is victorious, nothing
and no one being able to destroy it, because is the temple of God, the bride of the Son and the
dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.

Another lessons from the Trinity that should impact our local churches is the relation
between diversity and unity. The Trinity presents the perfect example of unity without being
uniform. Even if the three persons of the Trinity have different roles and show diversity in
how they work, they are one. The church is the same, with different gifts and talents, “with
many members, and these members do not all have the same function” (Romans 12:4), but
still representing one body, having the same redeemed nature, being “partakers of the divine
nature” (2 Peter 1:4, KJV). The unity in diversity that is in the Trinity can be also seen inside
the Church of Christ, God’s perfect plan making possible for people “from every nation, from
all tribes and peoples and languages” (Revelation 7:9, ESV) to be united into one body,
whose head is the Resurrected Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. As believers from different
denominations, cultures and having various theological emphasizes we must learn now to
work together in unity and celebrate the diversity and the differences between us. All this
because we expect to be together for eternity in the kingdom of God and there is no division
in His body.
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In conclusion, we can see the doctrine of the Trinity is important not only from a
theological point of view, but also from a practical one in the lives of the believers. The
image of the Trinity was placed on you and me and is enabling us to live the new life on a
personal level, but also at a relational level inside our families and local churches. We can
glorify God, the Father, for His great plan in creating us in His image. We should thank the
Son, for His sacrifice that born us again from a divine nature. And we should daily live by the
Spirit in order to show the image of God among the people. Amen!