Three in One

In the "Book of Common Prayer", which every candidate for ordination and every clergyman to the Church of England avows to uphold, is the doctrine of the Trinity, which is said to mean that, the Father is God, the Holy Ghost is God, and the Son is God; yet there are not three Gods but one God! Many attempts have been made to explain how this could possibly be, but even the most ardent Trinitarians have been compelled to "give it up", and admit that the doctrine is "incomprehensible".

One gallant champion of the doctrine tried to illustrate it by means of three candles, which he lit, explaining to his audience: "There are three candles - quite separate from and independent, of each other, and yet there is but one light". "Yes", remarked one of the onlookers; "True, but you must admit there are three candles, and not one candle".

To be consistent with his creed, the Trinitarian would have to say, "There is one candle on the right, one candle on the left, and one candle in the middle; and yet there are not three candles, but one candle"!

History of The Trinity

The growth of the doctrine of a triune God, is briefly but plainly, set forth in the following facts:

A.D. 29 Jesus said, "The Lord our God is one Lord" (Mark 12:29).

A.D. 30 Peter confesses to Jesus: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus blesses Peter's confession, and declares it to be the "rock" upon which his church would be built.

A.D. 57 Paul said, "To us there is but one God" (1 Cor. 8:6).

A.D. 96 Clement said, "Christ was sent by God".

A.D. 120 Apostles' Creed: "I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord."

A.D. 150 Justin Martyr, introduces Greek Philosophy.

A.D. 170 The word "Trias", appears first in Christian literature.

A.D. 200. "Trinitas" is first introduced by Tertullian.

A.D. 280 Origen, opposes prayers to Christ.

A.D. 260 Sabellius: "Father, Son and Holy Ghost are three names for the same God".

A.D. 300 Trinitarian prayers unknown in the Church.

A.D. 325 "Nicene Creed" affirms Christ to be "Very God of Very God".

A.D. 370 Doxology composed: "Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen."

A.D. 381 Council of Constantinople invents "Three persons in One God".

A.D. 388 Emperor Theodosius threatens punishment to all who won't worship the Trinity.

A.D. 519 Doxology ordered to be sung in all the Churches.

A.D. 669 Clergy commanded to commit to memory the "Athanasian Creed" (see below).

A.D. 826 Bishop Basil, required the clergy to repeat the " Athanasian Creed" every Sunday.

The Athanasian Creed

Whosoever will be saved; before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic faith. Which faith except every one do keep -- whole and undefiled: without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the Catholic faith is this:

That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; Neither confounding the Persons: nor dividing the Substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is all one: the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal.

Such as the Father is, such is the Son: and such is the Holy Ghost.

The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate: and the Holy Ghost uncreate.

The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible: and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible.

The Father eternal, the Son eternal: and the Holy Ghost eternal.

And yet they are not three Eternals: but one Eternal. As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated; but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible.

So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty: and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties: but one Almighty.

So the Father is God, the Son is God: and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet there are not three Gods: but one God.

So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord: and the Holy Ghost is Lord. And yet not three Lords: but one Lord.

And, it goes on to say: And in this Trinity none is afore, or after another: none is greater, or less than another: But the whole three Persons are co-eternal together: and co-equal. So that in all things, as is aforesaid: the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved: must thus think of the Trinity.

See Deut. 6:4; Isa. 46:6; Mark 12:29; Ephes. 4:6; 1 Cor. 8:6.

Compiled.