1.2: Biblical Understanding of God as the Trinity Flashcards
How is the threefold nature of God hinted at in the Old Testament?
- In Genesis, God speaks his Word to create, and the Spirit hovers over creation.
- The prophet Isaiah claims that God sent his Word and Spirit to create and guide.
How is God as the Trinity referred to in the New Testament?
- In Matthew, Jesus’ final words are to make disciples, baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
- St Paul makes several references to the Trinity in his letters.
- St Peter begins his first letter with a reference to the Trinity.
SOWA : What is the bible reference for the Baptism of Jesus
Matthew 3:16-17
How does Jesus’ Baptism show God as a Trinity?
- God the Son went into the River Jordan to be baptised.
- During his baptism, God the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and rested on him.
- God the Father spoke from heaven and announced that Jesus was his son.
Why is belief in God as a Trinity important for Catholics?
- God the Father helps Catholics to understand the power and creativity of God, and his care for the world and its peoples.
- God the Son helps Catholics to understand the love of God, the sacrifice of God for salvation from sin and the promise of eternal life.
- God the Holy Spirit helps Catholics to understand the prescence of God in the world and the strength it brings to Catholics.
What is a heresy?
A religous opinion that contradicts official Church teachings
What is adoptionism?
The belief that Jesus was an ordinary human being, and was ‘adopted by God’, at his baptism.
What is arianism?
The belief that the Son was created by the Father, at the beginning of the universe, and so the son is a god, but not God.
What did the Council of Nicea and the Council of Constantinople do?
Formulated the Nicene Creed, confirming beliefs about the nature of Jesus and the Trinity. The Council of Nicea explained that Jesus was homoousis (Equal to) God.
