A young man of 13 asked me for an explanation of what the Bible taught concerning the Trinity and the correct manner in which to pray. The following is my attempt to provide a biblically sound one.
The Trinity is a hotly debated issue and I am not sure why. If Jesus is the Son of God, then he is equal to God. If you have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ, that he was the virgin-born Son of God, that he died for your sins, was buried, and rose again, I can fellowship with you. If we agree on what God did or is doing, how and why he did it or will be doing it, is secondary and should be able to be discussed and studied out together. Unfortunately, not many feel the same way.
Take the Rapture for example. Many divisions within the Church are based on the Rapture being pre-Tribulation, mid, or post-Tribulation. It makes no difference to the gospel or salvation; it will happen exactly when God makes it happen. Yet some make their whole claim of being God’s man based on their teaching condemning any who disagree with them on this issue.
If it does not pervert the gospel of salvation, it is secondary and not a reason to divide the Church over. As an elder, I desire to impart this wisdom to any young man examining this website.
As far as I understand from my studies and considering what others say, the full understanding of the Trinity is not given to us at this time. Let us examine what we do know.
We know that the Word was God, but that he was also with God from the beginning, whenever that was. Further, we know that all things were made by him.
John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
We know that God was manifested in the flesh.
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
We know that it was the Word (God) that was made flesh.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
We know that God was in Christ Jesus reconciling the world unto himself.
2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
We know that Jesus testified that he and the father were one.
John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
Remember, the Word and God are one and it was the Word that became flesh.
Philippians 2:5-6 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Romans chapter 8 is misunderstood by so many, especially verses 29-30. These two verses encapsulate the gospel.
Romans 8:29-30
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Whom God/Father did foreknow—the Word—God/Father predestinated the Word to be conformed to the image of His Son ( the Word became flesh) that the Word/Son would be the firstborn of many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
The many brethren are those that believe on the Son. By believing on the Son they are predestinated to be called, justified, and glorified. It is the method of salvation that is predestinated, not individuals. (This is another issue but hard to separate.)
We see here God/Father and the Word/God, both being God seemingly working independently.
As a simple explanation I describe the workings of the Trinity in salvation as God manifesting himself in the flesh as his own Son.
Concerning the Holy Spirit/Ghost:
1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
You can see that the Bible uses God and Holy Spirit/Ghost interchangeable, they are synonymous.
Isaiah 48:16 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.
Many like to discount 1 John 5:7 as not belonging in the Bible. If you study and ask such questions, you will find that those who do, reject the Bible as absolute truth and change it at will to suit their beliefs.
1 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.
I have absolutely no doubt that the Authorized Version of 1611, commonly called the King James Version, is the preserved word of God.
Concerning prayer in the name of Jesus. Christ Jesus’ atonement for sins opened the door for man to come to God/Father through the Son/God.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
When we pray we should acknowledge that we come to God the Father through the shed blood of his Son, Christ Jesus, especially in public prayer. In doing so we glorify both.
Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
The Holy Spirit is not prayed to. He does not promote himself.
John 16:13-14 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
The Spirit’s ministry is to glorify Jesus and deal with the hearts of men leading them to Christ. Many over-emphasize the Spirit to the detriment of his ministry to glorify the Father and the Son.
I have presented some evidence. You are the jury, it is for you to decide what it means.
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